DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error

Many forum users have reported that when launching a game or graphics-heavy utility, they face an error that says—DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error. The window asks to check in the log file and doesn’t allow to use of the application. You may see this error box pop up when playing games like WarZone, Fivem, Call of Duty, etc.

What does the error mean?

Every time a system call or GPU call is made, the system makes a second attempt or tries to recover if there is a failure. In this case, the DirectX encounters an error where it cannot recover or make a second attempt.  The problem could be with the game, the graphics driver, or corrupt files. Let’s get started with the troubleshooting.

Basic Troubleshooting

Before we go ahead with the advanced troubleshooting, make sure you have done the following—Restart the computer, Restart the game, reinstall the game or application. Restarting and reinstalling solves a lot of problems. Also, for games, if they are installing additional Shaders, make sure to complete the process. These are enhancements to improve the games, and that might help.

DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error

Follow these possible solutions to fix the DirectX problem.

• Disable Hardware monitoring software
  •  MSI Afterburner / Riva Stats Server
  • Discord and GeForce Experience Overlay to get it working
• Built-in Repair Tool for Games
• Update or Reinstall the graphics driver
• Delete Games or application Cache files
• Run DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

Some of the suggested solutions will need an admin account.

1] Disable Hardware monitoring software

Many users use external software to monitor hardware, i.e., Temperature of GPU and CPU, Frame Rate, and so on. Such software like MSI Afterburner, Riva Stats Server, GeForce Experience Overlay, Discord, and others are known to cause the DirectX issue with popular games like Warzone. Apart from these, there are other apps that can be used. My recommendation would be to play the game without using them to figure out if they were causing the problem.

2] Built-in Repair Tool for Games

Games like Call of Duty Warzone offer a built-in repair tool to fix the internal problems. If the problem is occurring because of a corrupt file related to DirectX, then this can resolve the problem. Look for the Scan and Repair option in games to help you resolve it.

3] Update or Reinstall the graphics driver

GPU drivers are known to cause issues, especially if there is a conflict with the recent update for Windows. It is always a good idea to keep the drivers updated if you get a prompt.

That said, if the problem occurred because of the update, then you can choose to rollback. The option is available in the device manager.

• Use Win + X, followed by M on the keyboard to open Device Manager
• Locate the Graphics Driver, right-click and select properties
• Switch to the Driver tab, and select Roll Back Driver.

4] Delete Games or application Cache files

All games and applications have cache files so they can deliver performance. Sometimes those files are outdated, and the software doesn’t remove them. Old files can cause problems with the new files.  The games must have the option to clear out such files.

The easiest to figure out the cache file is to go to the installed folder and locate the temp or cache file inside it. Delete everything from it after you have closed the game. Relaunch the game, and check if the error persists.

5] Run DirectX Diagnostic Tool

Diagnosing problems with a DirectX installation can be problematic. Thankfully, Microsoft provides a useful utility called the DirectX Diagnostic Tool that can help you.

If nothing helps, we suggest you visit the official forums and share your problems directly. At times the companies have a direct solution that could help.