How do I repair DX12 error in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Step -by -step guide

If you try to play Assassin’s Creed: Shadows And the game crashes or shows a DX12 error, it usually means that there is something wrong between the game, your graphic card and DirectX 12. Many players come across here. Some see a black screen. Others are kicked out before the game is even opened. This article explains why this happens and how you can solve it step by step.

The fixes here are tested and based on common problems in PC gaming setups. They follow real problems, no guesses. No extra tools or complex steps. Just clean and simple help.

What is the DX12 error in AC shadows?

DirectX 12 (DX12) is a software that helps your computer to perform games. It tells your graphic card what to do. Assassin’s Creed Shadows Does DX12 need to work. If your PC has not set it properly, the game will not start.

Sometimes you see a message like “DX12 not supported.” Other times it just crashes. This means that the game cannot use your graphic system correctly.

DX12 is built into Windows. It works best on newer versions of Windows 10 or Windows 11, with updated drivers and complete system files. When a part of that setup is wrong, the game no longer works.

Common causes of the DX12 error in AC shadows

There is no reason for this error. It can happen in different ways for different users. These are the most common causes:

• Old or missing graphic drivers
• Outdated Windows system
• Your graphic card does not fully support DX12
• Game files are broken or incomplete
• DirectX files are missing
• Visual C ++ Redistributing Bles are not installed
• Other programs (such as antivirus) block game files
• Overlays from Discord, Steam or Nvidia cause a crash
• GPU is overclocked and unstable during startup

Each influences how the game connects to your system. You only have to repair the part that causes the block.

How to repair the DX12 error – Do this first

You do not need any special skills. Follow these steps one by one. Most players solve it in the first pair.

1. Update your graphic driver

The most common reason that this error appears are outdated GPU drivers. New games depend on the latest updates to work with DirectX 12.

Go to the website of your GPU maker:

Download the latest version for your graphic card. Restart your computer once. This solves the problem for many users.

2. Install DirectX Runtime again

Even if your PC Al DX12 uses, some game functions may require specific files that are missing or damaged. Reinstall immediately adds it.

To repair DirectX:

• Search for the DirectX End user Runtime Webinstaller From Microsoft
• Download and perform the installation program
• Let it complete, then restart your PC

This does not harm your system. It only restores the DX files that games such as AC Shadows have to perform.

3. Update your Windows system

DirectX 12 functions often depend on the version of Windows you use. Newer Builds from Windows 10 or 11 include support for the latest DX12 updates.

To update Windows:

• Open settings
• Go to Windows Update
• Click Check for updates
• Install everything listed
• Restart your PC

Games that need full DX12 support often rely on the latest system files. Crashes happen without them.

4. Repair the game files

Broken or missing game files can cause crashes when starting up, even if your PC is fully updated.

To solve this:

• Ubisoft Connect: Game> Features> Verify files
• Epic: Game> Three Dots> Manage> Verify
• Steam: Game> Features> Installed Files> Verifier Integrity

The launcher checks for broken files and replaces them. If something is missing or damaged, this step usually catches it.

5. Switch overlay and background apps off

Apps that cover your game (such as FPS counters or chat -overlays) often cause DX12 errors. These include Discord Overlay, Steam Overlay or GPU software such as Nvidia ShadowPlay.

Close the following before you perform the game:

• Discord (display overlay in settings)
• Steam overlay
• NVIDIA or AMD performance tools
• Screen recorders such as OBS or Xbox Game Bar

Leave these apps completely, do not minimize them alone. They can use DX sources that the game also needs.

6. Use DX11 start option (if it is supported)

With some Ubisoft games you can perform them using DirectX 11 instead of DX12. It doesn’t always work, but it is worth trying.

To try DX11:

• Open Ubisoft Connect
• Go to the game> Features
• Under “Advanced Command Line Arguments”, Type: -dx11
• Launch the game

If it works, you can play without the DX12 crash; If this is not the case, delete the assignment and try the following solution.

7. Install Microsoft Visual C ++ Herdistributables

Games use visual C ++ to process images, physics and other background processes. If these files are missing or broken, DX12 can crash during the launch.

Here is how you install them:

• Search for “Microsoft Visual C ++ Redistributable 2015–2022”
• Download both X64 And X86 Versions of the Microsoft site
• Install both
• Restart your PC

This solution is required by almost every modern game, not just AC shadows.

8. Perform system file control (SFC)

Sometimes Windows files break without warning. System file check checks them and replaces everything that does not work.

Steps:

• Open the command prompt as manager
• Type: sfc /scannow
• Press ENTER
• Let it scan and repair your system (can take a few minutes)

Once it is completed, start your PC again and let the game restart.

9. Install the game again (last resort)

If none of the above works, remove the game completely and reinstall it. It is slow, but it works when damaged files or broken updates cause the problem.

Make sure you restart your PC between removing and reinstalling. This knew in the cache and reset permissions.

When should you contact Ubisoft support?

If you have tried everything and the error is still happening, contact Ubisoft support. Send them all the information they need to help you faster.

Include these things in your support stick:

• A short description of what is happening (black screen, wrong, crash)
• Your System specifications (CPU, GPU, RAM, Windows version)
• A DXDIAG report (Open Dxdiag in the start menu and click on “Save all info”)
• All crash logs that the game made

They will respond with help or let you know if a patch is being made.

Tips to prevent DX12 errors in other games

Once this is solved, you can prevent it from coming back. These tips will also help with these and other future games.

• UPDATE GPU drivers often

• Save Windows -Updates not over

• Close the overlay apps before starting a game

• Avoid overclocking unless it is tested and stable

• Check the system requirements before you buy

• Do not use beta drivers, unless necessary

• Scan and repair game files after a crash

• Start your PC again after major updates

The DX12 error in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows stops the game before it even starts. But it’s not a dead end. In most cases it is only one setting, file or driver that must be confirmed.

Start at the top. Follow the steps. Repair what has been broken. And if the one doesn’t help, try the following. You’ll get there.

As soon as your game runs, you help others by sharing what worked for you. And if you have found another trick that solved it, leave a comment behind – someone else may need it.

With more than 7 years in SEO and blogging, I optimize renowned websites for better rankings. I am passionate about creating detailed guides, especially in gaming and it.

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