Are you struggling with the Assassin’s Creed Shadows DX12 error? Many players face crashes, black screens, startup failures, and performance issues due to DirectX 12 (DX12) compatibility problems.
This guide provides step-by-step solutions to fix the DX12 error and ensure smooth gameplay. Whether you’re experiencing DirectX 12 crashes, device hung errors, or black screen issues, this guide will help resolve them.
Common Causes of Assassin’s Creed Shadows DX12 Error
Before troubleshooting, it’s essential to understand the most common reasons for DX12-related issues in Assassin’s Creed Shadows:
Outdated GPU Drivers can cause crashes and instability when running DX12-based games. Ensure that NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon drivers are updated.
DirectX 12 Compatibility Issues may arise if your GPU does not fully support DX12. Check compatibility using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
Corrupt or Missing Game Files can prevent the game from launching or cause unexpected crashes. Verifying game files in Ubisoft Connect or Steam can fix this.
Outdated Windows Version affects DX12 stability. Ensure you have the latest Windows 10/11 updates installed.
Overclocking & Unstable GPU Settings may lead to DirectX 12 device hung errors. Reverting to default settings can improve stability.
Conflicting Background Applications, such as Discord Overlay, MSI Afterburner, and GeForce Experience, can interfere with DX12 performance.
Incompatible Graphics Settings can overload your system, leading to DX12 crashes, black screens, and FPS drops. Lowering ray tracing, shadows, and anti-aliasing settings can resolve issues.
Step-by-Step Fixes for Assassin’s Creed Shadows DX12 Error
Update Your Graphics Drivers
NVIDIA users should update their drivers via GeForce Experience or download the latest version from the official NVIDIA website.
AMD users can update their Adrenalin drivers from the official AMD support page.
For a clean installation, use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove old drivers before installing new ones.
Verify DirectX 12 Compatibility
To check if your GPU supports DirectX 12, press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, navigate to the Display tab and check the DirectX Version under Drivers. If it does not say DirectX 12, your system may not be fully compatible.
Force Assassin’s Creed Shadows to Use DirectX 11
If DirectX 12 is unstable, forcing DirectX 11 mode can resolve crashes:
Open Ubisoft Connect or Steam and go to the game’s properties. In the Launch Options section, type:
-dx11
Save the settings and restart the game. Running Assassin’s Creed Shadows in DirectX 11 mode can improve performance and stability.
Verify and Repair Game Files
For Ubisoft Connect users, open Ubisoft Connect, go to Library, right-click on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and select Verify Files.
For Steam users, open Steam Library, right-click on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, select Properties, navigate to Local Files, and click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
This process will re-download any missing or corrupt game files, fixing possible DX12 errors.
Disable Overclocking & Conflicting Software
If your GPU or CPU is overclocked, DirectX 12 crashes and instability may occur. Reset your GPU to default settings via MSI Afterburner or NVIDIA Control Panel. Disable CPU overclocking in BIOS settings.
Conflicting software such as Discord Overlay, Razer Cortex, MSI Afterburner, and GeForce Experience Overlay can interfere with DX12 performance. Disabling these can resolve black screens and startup crashes.
Adjust Graphics Settings for DX12 Stability
If your game crashes on startup or mid-game, lowering graphics settings can improve DX12 stability. Open the Graphics Settings in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and:
- Disable Ray Tracing
- Lower Shadows, Texture Quality, and Anti-Aliasing
- Enable DLSS (for NVIDIA users) or FSR (for AMD users)
Reducing GPU-intensive settings can help prevent DX12-related crashes.
Update Windows & DirectX
Ensure that Windows 10/11 is up to date by navigating to Settings > Windows Update and clicking Check for Updates.
For the latest DirectX 12 update, visit the Microsoft DirectX download page.
Keeping Windows and DirectX updated is crucial for DX12 compatibility and performance.
Reinstall Assassin’s Creed Shadows as a Last Resort
If all else fails, uninstall the game via Ubisoft Connect or Steam. Delete leftover files in:
C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\Assassin’s Creed Shadows\
Reinstalling the game ensures a clean setup and removes any corrupt files causing DX12 errors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I fix Assassin’s Creed Shadows crashing on DirectX 12?
Try updating GPU drivers, verifying game files, and disabling overlays. If issues persist, force DirectX 11 mode or adjust in-game settings.
Why is my game stuck on a black screen with DX12?
This issue is often due to GPU driver conflicts or resolution mismatches. Update your drivers, disable full-screen optimizations, and try running the game in windowed mode.
Can I play Assassin’s Creed Shadows with DirectX 11 instead of DX12?
Yes. You can force DX11 mode by adding -dx11 to the Launch Options in Ubisoft Connect or Steam.
Conclusion: Fixing Assassin’s Creed Shadows DX12 Errors for Good
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the Assassin’s Creed Shadows DX12 error and enjoy a smoother gaming experience. Updating drivers, tweaking settings, and verifying DirectX compatibility are the key solutions to fixing DX12 crashes and performance issues.
If the issue persists, Ubisoft may release a patch, so ensure that your game stays updated. Let us know if these solutions worked for you!
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