How to Deal with DirectX Problems
Although DirectX has been around for some time, there are still quite often problems with DirectX that are related to versions and DirectX files. Microsoft has actually updated some of the files of the latest DirectX version for Windows XP, which is DirectX 9.0c. As a result you can not always be sure that the correct DirectX version will ensure that you do not have problems. Typically a lot of PC games make use of DirectX, so they are the applications showing DirectX errors.
Runtime errors often relate to DirectX DLL files, like the d3dx9_25.dll, d3dx9_26.dll, or d3dx9_27.dll, while DirectX update problems often cause “internal system errors” or “missing file” errors.
Here are a few tips on how to deal with DirectX errors and problems:
- Update your hardware device drivers first to ensure compatibility with the latest DirectX version. Be aware that if you install unsigned (not verified by Microsoft) drivers, you can still experience runtime problems when running the application.
- Scan your PC for viruses, they can cause internal system errors when updating DirectX.
- Clean & fix the Windows registry, sometimes registry problems cause “file not found” problems in the dxupdate module.
- DirectX has no uninstall option, so use Windows XP system restore function to rollback the failed update before trying again. If you have System Restore disabled, turn it on before starting any update.
- Use dxdiag to diagnose DirectX problems and check the DirectX version. Simply type “dxdiag.exe” in the Run box at the Start menu.
- Check if the software that gives you problems includes a DirectX installer on the CD/DVD. Many games include a DirectX redistributable version that is installed automatically when the game is installed. There are cases where that version is required and there are cases where that DirectX version is actually causing the problems. So try the DirectX version that came with the application as well as the latest DirectX version from the Microsoft download.
Using these tips you can fix many DirectX errors and DirectX update problems. Worst case scenario you need to reinstall Windows XP, but that should really be a last resort.
Warcraft 3 was unable to Initialize DirectX.Please ensure you have DirectX 8.1 or newer installed and that your drivers display are current. i have win 7 and directx 11 graphics nvidia gtx 260 6 gig ram my friend same os same directx even heavier grzphics and he runs the game and i don’t .?????why
@Wayne Gomez – Even though the later DirectX versions are supposed to be downwards compatible, it is clear that not all (older) games are working with the newer DirectX versions.
Sometimes it helps by installing an older DirectX runtime distributable on the newer Windows version. You can try a DirectX 9.0c download.
Warcraft 3 was unable to Initialize DirectX.Please ensure you have DirectX 8.1 or newer installed and that your drivers display are current. DirectX may not be found on your Warcraft 3 Install CD Under Options….same prob for me Im using win7
Hello , i have same problem about play war3…
It keep ask Install Directx8.1
But i follow the step install oso cant play …
Plz help me T.T
how to fix dota fatal error just changer your patch in to 1.26e or higher. how to fix dota error that says this map is too big the same thing just change your patch use the latest WVS :)))
@Francisco – What is your Windows version?
And what DirectX version details are shown when you run “dxdiag”?
Well look pleas help me with this…
When i try to run my game Warcraft 3 Frozen Throne I get this..
Warcraft 3 was unable to Initialize DirectX.Please ensure you have DirectX 8.1 or newer installed and that your drivers display are current. DirectX may not be found on your Warcraft 3 Install CD Under Options… HELP
I try to run other game but again some error with DirectX.
HELP PLEASE…
Contact me on my email adress if u know what is the problem
VALLEX_69(a)HOTMAIL.COM
@lawrence – What is your Windows version? In most cases DirectX should be installed by default, but you can always download the runtime installer from the Microsoft website.
@wrenwin – First thing I would recommend is to check the BIOS confirguration to see if you can change the primary video card. If it is set to Auto, it would normally use the onboard video card as the primary (which I assume is the Intel?).
Set it to AGP if possible to use the second video card.
Hi,
I have two Display Adapters, Intel(R) HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M, using DirectX 11. On DxDiag logs, it shows Display Device Card is Intel(R) HD Graphics. Do you know if there is a way to make DirectX recognize and use NVIDIA GPU instead? Thanks in advance.
i want go play dota but i can’t play because i have no directx
@Prasanth raj – You can try downloading the full directx installer from the Microsoft site instead of using the dxweb setup.
I’ve downloaded the dxweb setup.exe and then ive tried to update the directx it fails and shows “Please check your network connection and try again” pls help me…..
@ahmad fakhrullah – Assuming the video and audio card are directx 11 compatible, I would suggest to (re)install the latest audio and video drivers for the PC hardware.
You can also try running SFC /SCANNOW at the command prompt after that to see if there is any issue with the Windows system files (this assumes your friend is running Windows 7, where DirectX 11 is part of the OS).
If that does not help, you can try downloading the directx 11 runtime distributable from the Microsoft website.
Hi, i have a problem. My friends computer directx is 11. But when my friends start to play game. It shows this error
“Cannot initialize directx8.1”
Hope you can help.
when i run dxdiag. It shows all directx hardware and all are not available. please help
@Twondy – You can try running “dxdiag” at the Start menu, and see if you can turn on the hardware acceleration in the DirectX Diagnostics screen. But if it is not available, it could also be that the video card is insufficient to play those games.
What is your video card, and what game is failing?
Hi, i can’t play any games that requires good graphics. Gets different messages from different games, but it’s always about DirectX. This is the last messages i got.
“Application has failed to start because DirectX hardware acceleration is not available or turned off”
Thanks for help.
hey please any of u can u help me
i want to run asssasin creed 3 on my pc i have all requirement
ram:2gb 3.0ghz
graphics:1gb ati radeon
and when i install the game and run it it fuckin damn say unable to loace this dx3.dll . reinstaling might fix the prob something like this plz hlp me
Hello,
I got call of duty modern warfare 2 today. i installed it on my windows vista VAIO, but when it starts it says Error could not create texture formate 1024×2048. i have nividia geforce go 7400 and directX 11!
please help me!
thankyou anthony,
i have checked that my video card supports directx 10.
i have intel(R)mobile 4 series Express chipset family with latest drivers.pixel shader 4, vertex shader 4, with 1.3gb ram.and 2.8 system ram.
recently i installed COD black ops and its running excellent with no lag no problem at all.
BUT my most favourite game just cause2,i just cant run it.
the game also requires to have directx 10 compatible
sound card speakers(Intel High definition audio)is my sound card.i dont know whetherits compatible with directx10 or not.
please help or give some advice, thanks.
@nooboo – Yes, why? Are you getting errors?
can dota runs on direct11??
@rafey – Considering your specs, I assume you have also checked that your video card is actually DX10 compatible?
It seems that this problem is not always DirectX related though, some people have been able to solve it by reinstalling steam, others by running it in Vista compatibility mode, but often not at all.
Personally I have no experience with the game, so cannot advise you further on specifics.
Hello please can you help me.
My problem is related a game called just cause 2.
Whenever i try to launch it, a error appears that says
Fatal Directx Error!
Code:15
result:0x80070057:E_INVALIDARG
The game will now exit.Try starting the game with failsafe if problem persist.
My computer have 4gb ram,win 7 32bit, Core2dou 2.1ghz and more than minimum requirements required to run this game.
I run win7 and dxdiag shows directx 11. and every thing is fine and working.I also downloaded the latest directx web installer from microsoft.And it says that my directx is up to date.
The prince of persia the forgotten sands which release After this justcause2 and it runs fine and with excellent
graphics.
please solve my problem i wanted to run just cause 2.
i have uninstalled and again installed this game more than 6 times but nothing happened only this problem.
THANKS.
@Mako – What Windows version and DirectX version are you running? It is possible that you have the latest DirectX 10 or 11, but that the downward compatibility is not working well with the game in question.
You can try installing the DirectX 9.0c runtime and see if that helps.
Well look pleas help me with this…
When i try to run my game Warcraft 3 Frozen Throne I get this..
Warcraft 3 was unable to Initialize DirectX.Please ensure you have DirectX 8.1 or newer installed and that your drivers display are current. DirectX may not be found on your Warcraft 3 Install CD Under Options… HELP
I try to run other game but again some error with DirectX.
HELP PLEASE…
Contact me on my email adress if u know what is the problem
email:mako.zakon@hotmail.com