Fixing the "DirectX 12 is Not Supported on Your System" Error

Fixing the "DirectX 12 is Not Supported on Your System" Error

  October 02, 2023    Maruf qureshi

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Many gamers encounter the frustrating "DirectX 12 is not supported on your system" error when trying to play games that require DirectX 12. This error indicates that your graphics card or driver does not support the DirectX 12 API (application programming interface). DirectX 12 provides significant performance improvements over older versions like DirectX 11, allowing games to render more detailed graphics and complex effects. Unfortunately, not all systems meet the hardware and driver requirements to utilize DirectX 12. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can often fix this error and get DirectX 12 working on your PC.

Why You See the DirectX 12 Error Message

There are a couple key reasons why you may receive the "DirectX 12 is not supported" message:

• Your graphics card is too old and does not support DirectX 12 features. DirectX 12 requires a GPU that supports Shader Model 6. Older cards like the Nvidia GeForce GTX 600/700 series and AMD Radeon 5000/6000 series cannot run DX12.
• Your graphics card drivers are outdated. Even newer GPUs require the latest drivers to enable DirectX 12 support. So if your drivers are not up-to-date, DX12 may fail to initialize.
• Other system requirements are not met. DirectX 12 has higher CPU, RAM, and Windows version requirements compared to older versions. For example, you need Windows 10 version 1511 or higher.

How to Fix the DirectX 12 Error

Here are some troubleshooting steps to fix the "DirectX 12 is not supported" error:

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Keeping your GPU drivers updated is key for proper DirectX 12 support. Go to the AMD or Nvidia website, download the latest drivers for your specific graphics card, and perform a clean install. This often resolves DX12 errors.

2. Upgrade Your Graphics Card

If your GPU is just too old, you may need to upgrade to a newer graphics card that supports DirectX 12. Look for an AMD Radeon RX 400 series or newer, or Nvidia GeForce GTX 900 series or newer GPU. These meet the Shader Model 6 requirement.

3. Upgrade Your CPU and RAM

DirectX 12 also needs a relatively modern CPU and sufficient RAM. You may need to upgrade your system memory to 8GB or 16GB RAM. For CPUs, an Intel Core i5 processor or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU and up will work well.

4. Update Windows

Make sure your Windows version is at least 1511 Build 10586 or later. On Windows 10, go to Settings > System > About to check your build number. If needed, install the latest Windows updates.

5. Perform a Clean Install of GPU Drivers

Sometimes a simple driver update is not enough. Use the latest Display Driver Uninstaller to fully wipe your existing GPU drivers, restart your PC, then install the latest drivers fresh. This can clear out any conflicts.

Conclusion

The "DirectX 12 is not supported on your system" error message can be frustrating, but fixing it is usually achievable. Start by ensuring your graphics drivers are completely up-to-date. If you have an older GPU that does not meet DirectX 12 requirements, upgrading to a newer card is recommended. You may also need to check that your Windows version is recent enough and that you have adequate RAM and CPU performance. Performing a clean install of your GPU drivers is another option. With the right troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and take advantage of DirectX 12's performance benefits in your favorite games. Carefully going through driver updates, system upgrades, and clean installs should get DirectX 12 running smoothly on most modern gaming PCs.