How to fix DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE HUNG or RESET messages in Windows 11/10

Some PC gamers while gaming on their Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer may encounter any one of the variants of DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE messages. PC gamers may encounter this error on gaming services like Apex, Steam, Epic Games, Origin. This post provides the most adequate solutions for this error.

What is DXGI?

DXGI is Microsoft DirectX Graphics Infrastructure. It handles enumerating graphics adapters, enumerating display modes, selecting buffer formats, sharing resources between processes, and presenting rendered frames to a window or monitor for display. It is used by Direct3D 10, Direct3D 11 and Direct3D 12.

Fix DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE HUNG or RESET in Windows

See the table, sourced from Microsoft, at the end of this post for errors that can be returned by a DXGI function. The solutions offered in this post applies to any of the error instances.

If you’re faced with any DXGI_ERROR messages on your Windows gaming PC, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to resolve the issue.

1. Update graphics driver
2. Stop Overclocking (if applicable)
3. Update/Install DirectX
4. Disable Antialiasing in NVIDIA Control Panel settings
5. Add the TdrLevel key to the Registry
6. Modify LoadApplnit_DLLs value in Registry
7. Disable Steam Cloud Synchronization
8. Reinstall the Gaming Client/Game

Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.

Before you try the solutions below, check for updates and install any available bits on your Windows device and see if the error reappears.

1] Update graphics driver

The DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE messages PC gamers may get on their Windows gaming computer can be fixed by updating the graphics adapter driver.

2] Stop Overclocking (if applicable)

This solution requires you stop overclocking your CPU. So, if you have overclocked your PC, you can simply reverse the change depending on the overclocking software in use. Generally, launch the software and look for the option to stop the overclocking. Once done, restart your computer and see if the issue is resolved. Otherwise, proceed with the next solution.

3] Update/Install DirectX

Some of the instance of this error is associated with DirectX. This solution requires you to make sure DirectX is up-to-date on your Windows system.

4] Disable Antialiasing

This solution requires you to disable Antialiasing in NVIDIA Control Panel settings. Here’s how:

• Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
• On the left navigation pane, select the Manage 3D Settings option.
• Now, navigate to Global Settings > Antialiasing.
• Now, turn Off the Antialiasing feature.
• Exit NVIDIA Control Panel.

Check if the issue is resolved. If not, try the next solution.

5] Add the TdrLevel key to the Registry

Adding and disabling Timeout Detection and Recovery (TDR) in the registry can fix the issue. To do this follow the instructions in our guide on how to fix DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED error.

6] Modify LoadApplnit_DLLs value in Registry

Since this is a registry operation, it is recommended that you back up the registry or create a system restore point as necessary precautionary measures. Once done, you can proceed as follows:

• Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
• In the Run dialog box, type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.
• Navigate or jump to the registry key path below:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

• At the location, on the right pane, double-click the LoadApplnit_DLLs entry to edit its properties.
• In the properties dialog, input 0 in the Value data field.
• Click OK or hit Enter to save the change.
• Exit Registry Editor.
• Restart PC.

On boot, check if the issue is resolved. If not, try the next solution.

7] Disable Steam Cloud Synchronization

The Steam Cloud Synchronization feature syncs your game files to save from accidental deletion, as well as makes your games available to play on another PC.

This solution requires you to disable the Steam Cloud Synchronization option. Here’s how:

• Launch the Steam client on your PC.
• Click the Library tab.
• In your Library, right-click the problematic game and select Properties.
• In Properties, click the Updates tab.
• Now, uncheck the option for Enable Steam Cloud Synchronization.
• Click Apply.
• Exit Steam.
• Restart PC.

If the issue is still unresolved, try the next solution.

8] Reinstall the Gaming Client/Game

This solution requires you to uninstall the gaming client (preferably, use a third-party software uninstaller) you’re having issues running a game on, reboot PC, and then download and reinstall the latest version of the gaming client on your Windows 11/10 PC. You can also uninstall and reinstall the game that’s throwing the error in question.

Hope this helps!

Error codes that can be returned by a DXGI function – Sourced from docs.microsoft.com.

DXGI_ERRORS

DXGI_ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED 0x887A002B You tried to use a resource to which you did not have the required access privileges. This error is most typically caused when you write to a shared resource with read-only access.
DXGI_ERROR_ACCESS_LOST 0x887A0026 The desktop duplication interface is invalid. The desktop duplication interface typically becomes invalid when a different type of image is displayed on the desktop.
DXGI_ERROR_ALREADY_EXISTS 0x887A0036L The desired element already exists. This is returned by DXGIDeclare AdapterRemoval Support if it is not the first time that the function is called.
DXGI_ERROR_CANNOT_PROTECT_CONTENT 0x887A002A DXGI can’t provide content protection on the swap chain. This error is typically caused by an older driver, or when you use a swap chain that is incompatible with content protection.
DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG 0x887A0006 The application’s device failed due to badly formed commands sent by the application. This is a design-time issue that should be investigated and fixed.
DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED 0x887A0005 The video card has been physically removed from the system, or a driver upgrade for the video card has occurred. The application should destroy and recreate the device.
DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_RESET 0x887A0007 The device failed due to a badly formed command. This is a run-time issue; The application should destroy and recreate the device.
DXGI_ERROR_DRIVER_INTERNAL_ERROR 0x887A0020 The driver encountered a problem and was put into the device removed state.
DXGI_ERROR_FRAME_STATISTICS_DISJOINT 0x887A000B An event (for example, a power cycle) interrupted the gathering of presentation statistics.
DXGI_ERROR_GRAPHICS_VIDPN_SOURCE_IN_USE 0x887A000C The application attempted to acquire exclusive ownership of output, but failed because some other application already acquired ownership.
DXGI_ERROR_INVALID_CALL 0x887A0001 The application provided invalid parameter data; this must be debugged and fixed before the application is released.
DXGI_ERROR_MORE_DATA 0x887A0003 The buffer supplied by the application is not big enough to hold the requested data.
DXGI_ERROR_NAME_ALREADY_EXISTS 0x887A002C The supplied name of a resource in a call to IDXGIResource1 CreateSharedHandle is already associated with some other resource.
DXGI_ERROR_NONEXCLUSIVE 0x887A0021 A global counter resource is in use, and the Direct3D device can’t currently use the counter resource.
DXGI_ERROR_NOT_CURRENTLY_AVAILABLE 0x887A0022 The resource or request is not currently available, but it might become available later.
DXGI_ERROR_NOT_FOUND 0x887A0002 When calling IDXGIObject GetPrivateData, the GUID passed in is not recognized as one previously passed. When calling IDXGIFactory EnumAdapters or IDXGIAdapter  EnumOutputs, the enumerated ordinal is out of range.
DXGI_ERROR_REMOTE_CLIENT_DISCONNECTED 0x887A0023
DXGI_ERROR_REMOTE_OUTOFMEMORY 0x887A0024
DXGI_ERROR_RESTRICT_TO_OUTPUT_STALE 0x887A0029 The DXGI output (monitor) to which the swap chain content was restricted is now disconnected or changed.
DXGI_ERROR_SDK_COMPONENT_MISSING 0x887A002D The operation depends on an SDK component that is missing or mismatched.
DXGI_ERROR_SESSION_DISCONNECTED 0x887A0028 The Remote Desktop Services session is currently disconnected.
DXGI_ERROR_UNSUPPORTED 0x887A0004 The requested functionality is not supported by the device or the driver.
DXGI_ERROR_WAIT_TIMEOUT 0x887A0027 The time-out interval elapsed before the next desktop frame was available.
DXGI_ERROR_WAS_STILL_DRAWING 0x887A000A The GPU was busy at the moment when a call was made to perform an operation, and did not execute or schedule the operation.
S_OK The method succeeded without an error.

What does Error reading Pak file mean?

If you have encountered the error reading pak file in Apex Legends on your Windows 11/10 computer, it’s most likely due to corrupt game files which you can easily fix. To fix the error, you simply need to delete the corrupt game file and then relaunch the game. If it doesn’t work, you can then repair your game files and Steam or Origin should automatically replace any corrupt files.

How do you fix an Apex engine error?

If you have encountered the Apex Legends Engine error on your Windows system, you can fix the issue by following these instructions: right-click on the Apex Legends icon and select Open File Location. At the File Explorer location, right-click on the r5apex executable and select Properties. Click on the Compatibility tab. Now, check the Run as Administrator box, then select Apply. You can now run the game without issues.