The DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG error can be a major headache for PC gamers, often causing games to crash unexpectedly. This error typically occurs when your graphics card stops responding to commands, leading to resource-intensive applications like games crashing. Let’s explore some effective methods to resolve this issue and get you back to gaming without interruptions.
What Causes DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG?
Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand what might be causing this error. Common culprits include:
- Outdated or faulty graphics drivers
- Overclocked hardware
- Issues with DirectX
- Outdated software
Method 1: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are often the root cause of DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG. Updating your drivers should be your first step in troubleshooting.
Step 1: Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
Step 2: Expand the “Display adapters” section, right-click on your graphics card, and select “Update driver”.
Step 3: Choose “Search automatically for drivers” and follow the on-screen instructions.
If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver manually.
Method 2: Disable Overclocking
While overclocking can boost performance, it can also lead to stability issues. If you’ve overclocked your GPU or CPU, try reverting to default settings.
Step 1: Restart your PC and enter BIOS (usually by pressing F2, Del, or another key during startup).
Step 2: Navigate to the overclocking or performance settings.
Step 3: Restore default settings or disable overclocking options.
Step 4: Save changes and exit BIOS.
Method 3: Update DirectX
Ensuring you have the latest version of DirectX can resolve many graphics-related errors.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R, type “dxdiag”, and press Enter.
Step 2: Check the DirectX version under the “System” tab.
Step 3: If it’s not the latest version, visit the Microsoft DirectX download page and install the latest version compatible with your system.
Method 4: Modify Registry Settings
Adjusting the TDR (Timeout Detection and Recovery) delay in the Windows Registry can sometimes resolve the DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG error. However, be cautious when modifying the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system instability.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R, type “regedit”, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Step 2: Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers
Step 3: Right-click in the right pane, select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value”, and name it “TdrDelay”.
Step 4: Double-click the new TdrDelay value, set the “Value data” to 8, and click OK.
Step 5: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Method 5: Adjust Game Settings
Sometimes, reducing the graphics settings in your games can prevent the DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG error.
Step 1: Launch the game experiencing issues.
Step 2: Navigate to the graphics or video settings.
Step 3: Lower settings like texture quality, anti-aliasing, and shadow quality.
Step 4: If available, switch from DirectX 12 to DirectX 11 mode.
Method 6: Check for Windows Updates
Keeping Windows up-to-date can resolve many system-level issues, including graphics errors.
Step 1: Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
Step 2: Go to “Windows Update” and click “Check for updates”.
Step 3: Install any available updates and restart your PC if prompted.
By following these methods, you should be able to resolve the DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG error and return to smooth, uninterrupted gaming. If the issue persists, consider running a system file check or consulting with a technical support professional. Happy gaming!