Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If Baldur’s Gate 3 reports a DirectX error or crashes, there isn’t one confirmed fix for every PC. Record the exact error text, when the crash happens, and whether you launch through Steam or GOG; then test the steps below one at a time. Larian’s official troubleshooting covers software conflicts, game files, renderer choice, graphics settings, drivers, Windows options, and crash diagnostics.
Before changing anything, note what fails
Write down the full error message or code, such as DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED if that is what appears. Note whether the game fails on startup, during loading, or in gameplay, which renderer is selected, and whether you use Steam or GOG. These details make it easier to tell whether a change affected the problem and to report it accurately if you contact support.
Baldur’s Gate 3 lists DirectX 11 as its default API and also provides Vulkan 1.1. An error described as a “DirectX error” does not, by itself, identify the cause. The official system requirements page lists both APIs; it does not establish that one is generally more stable or faster on every PC.
Try these 8 fixes in order
1. Close overlays and non-essential background programs
Temporarily close likely conflicts, including game overlays, graphics-tweaking or monitoring utilities, chat programs, and antivirus or firewall software. Larian lists these kinds of programs among possible sources of issues. Test the game, then restore any protection you disabled. A successful test is a clue, not proof that a particular program caused the crash. See Larian’s startup-crash guidance and graphical-issues guidance.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- Online multiplayer for up to four players - allows you to combine your forces in combat, and split your party to follow your own quests and agendas. Concoct the perfect plan together… or introduce an element of chaos when your friends least expect it
- Origin Character - offer a hand-crafted experience, each with their own unique traits, agenda, and outlook on the world. Their stories intersect with the entire narrative, and your choices will determine whether those stories end in redemption, salvation, domination, or many other outcomes
- Evolved turn-based combat - based on the D&D 5e ruleset. Team-based initiative, advantage & disadvantage, and roll modifiers join combat cameras, expanded environmental interactions, and a new fluidity in combat that rewards strategy and foresight
- Define the future of the Forgotten Realms - through your choices, and the roll of the dice. No matter who you play, or what you roll, the world and its inhabitants will react to your story
- Player-initiated turn-based mode - allows you to pause the world around you at any time even outside of combat. Whether you see an opportunity for a tactical advantage before combat begins, want to pull off a heist with pin-point precision, or need to escape a fiendish trap. Split your party, prepare ambushes, sneak in the darkness -- create your own luck!
2. Verify the installed game files
Use your storefront’s built-in repair check rather than assuming the installation is damaged.
- Steam: Open the game’s Properties and use the installed-files verification option (called “Verify integrity of game files” in Steam’s interface).
- GOG Galaxy: Open the game’s Manage Installation menu and choose Verify/Repair.
When the check finishes, launch the game and see whether the same error recurs. Larian documents these steps in its startup-crash FAQ.
Rank #2
- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
3. Switch between DirectX 11 and Vulkan
Choose the other renderer in the launcher and test the same point in the game. Larian explicitly recommends this comparison for startup trouble: “In the launcher, try switching between DirectX 11 and Vulkan, as applicable, to see if that gets the game to start.” Record which renderer you tested and whether it changes the result. If the game cannot reach its launcher, note that too. This is a diagnostic comparison, not evidence that either API is inherently defective. Larian recommends renderer switching for startup crashes, graphical issues, and gameplay crashes.
4. Reduce graphics load and try another display mode
Lower graphics settings and resolution, then test Windowed or Fake Fullscreen instead of the current display mode. If your monitor refresh rate is above 60 Hz, Larian’s graphics FAQ suggests testing a 60 FPS cap. Change one setting at a time so you can identify whether it affects the crash; these are troubleshooting adjustments, not universal fixes. See Larian’s graphical-issues guidance.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
- Exclusive Deluxe Edition Content: Includes a physical copy of Baldur's Gate 3 for PS5, along with bonus digital and physical items such as a soundtrack, art book, map, and exclusive in-game items like skins, weapons, or cosmetics.
- Big Box Packaging: Comes in a premium, collector's edition box with unique artwork, making it a standout addition to any gaming collection.
- Enhanced for PS5: Fully optimized for PlayStation 5, featuring faster load times, stunning 4K visuals, and immersive DualSense controller integration for haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
- EU Region Version: Specifically designed for the European market, ensuring compatibility with PS5 consoles in the EU region. Includes multi-language support for a wider audience.
- Collector's Item: A must-have for fans of the Baldur's Gate series or RPG enthusiasts, offering both gameplay and collectible value with its high-quality physical and digital extras.
5. Check for graphics-driver updates
Larian notes that relevant components are normally included with graphics drivers and that manual driver updates have been reported to resolve some crashes. Check for updates through the official support channel for your GPU manufacturer. The available guidance does not identify a particular driver version as the answer for this error, so avoid third-party driver-download sites and do not treat an update as a guaranteed fix. See Larian’s startup-crash FAQ.
6. Try launching the game executable directly
Larian suggests testing the executable in the game installation’s bin folder, including bg3_dx11.exe for DirectX 11 and bg3.exe for Vulkan. You can also test running the executable as administrator. Find the actual installation folder through your storefront; paths vary by installation and should not be copied from a different PC. If direct launch behaves differently from the launcher, include that result in your notes. See Larian’s startup-crash FAQ and graphical-issues guidance.
Rank #4
- Day 1 Edition includes the Base Game Disc, Steelbook, and World Map.
- Make The Story Your Own - Experience and shape the plot the way you want. Embark on the quest to save your family, or swear revenge on your sire and destroy everyone standing in your way. Discover ancient secrets lurking in the valley. Rush in head first or risk taking time to prepare. Go alone or search for friends and forge unlikely alliances.
- Day And Night - Experience two different gameplay loops, offering distinct abilities to choose from, mysteries to uncover, and varying ways to achieve your goals. Experiment with different approaches and discover how the world reacts to your actions.
- Every Action Matters - Every action - and inaction - shapes the world around you. Your family’s days are numbered, and every time you take on a quest, time moves forward, compelling you closer to the end. Choose carefully whom to help and whom to leave behind. You will not have time for everyone. The world waits for no one. And neither does the villain.
7. Test Windows compatibility options one at a time
For the game executable, Larian’s graphical-issues page suggests testing these Windows options:
- Set the high-DPI scaling override to Application.
- Run the program as administrator.
- Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- If needed, test Windows 7 or Windows 8 compatibility mode.
Change one option, test, and undo it if it makes no difference or worsens the problem. These are diagnostic options, not settings every player should enable. See Larian’s graphical-issues guidance.
Recommended Free Tools
Best Value
![NAMCO - CD Projekt Red - The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition, Playstation 5 [English Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dWUfwFl5L._SL160_.jpg)
- 1205504
- High-quality material
- Durable
- robustness
8. Collect crash details and contact support
If the problem persists, check Windows Event Viewer for an error code or faulting module. Larian also advises contacting Support with a dxdiag report if gameplay crashes continue. Include the exact error, the point where it occurs, whether DirectX 11 or Vulkan was selected, which steps you tried, and any relevant Event Viewer details. Larian’s instructions are in its startup-crash FAQ and gameplay-crash guidance.
What your renderer test can tell you
Compare DirectX 11 and Vulkan on your own PC using the same launch or gameplay situation. If one runs where the other fails, that is useful information for choosing a working mode and for a support report; it does not establish a general performance or stability ranking. The official requirements page confirms both APIs are available but does not provide a controlled comparison across PCs: Baldur’s Gate 3 system requirements.
When not to buy hardware
A DirectX error alone is not evidence that your graphics card or power supply needs replacing. The official troubleshooting steps focus first on software conflicts, files, renderers, settings, drivers, Windows options, and diagnostics. Consider hardware service or replacement only if machine-specific diagnosis identifies a hardware fault.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
