Unreal Engine is exiting due to D3D device being lost
Most likely cause: Graphics driver became unstable or crashed temporarily
Try first: Restart the computer
Likely causes
- Graphics driver became unstable or crashed temporarilymost likely
- GPU overheating or power delivery problempossible
- Hardware fault in the graphics cardless likely
How to fix it
Restart the computerSafe
Fully shut down and restart to clear a stuck graphics driver state.
Close overlays and monitoring toolsSafe
Close or disable overlays such as Discord, GeForce Experience/NVIDIA App, Xbox Game Bar and MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner, then try again.
Update the graphics driverChanges settings
Install the latest driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel directly. If the crash started after a recent driver update, try the previous version instead.
Verify game filesChanges settings
Use Steam, Epic or your launcher to verify or repair the game installation.
Remove GPU overclocksChanges settings
If you overclocked the graphics card (or it is a factory-overclocked model), reset clocks to default in your tuning tool, or lower the core clock slightly, and test again. Many Unreal Engine D3D crashes stop at stock clocks.
Lower graphics settings or cap the frame rateChanges settings
Reduce graphics quality and turn on V-Sync or a frame cap to lower the load on the GPU.
If that didn't fix it
Check Event Viewer for graphics-related errors around the time the game crashed
When to see a technician
If it keeps happening in several games at stock clocks with a fresh driver, have a technician check the graphics card, its power cables and the power supply.
Quick answers
- What does Unreal Engine is exiting due to D3D device being lost mean?
- This error means the Unreal Engine game lost its connection to the graphics hardware (D3D refers to Direct3D, Microsoft's graphics system). It usually appears when the graphics driver stops responding briefly and the game cannot recover.
- What causes Unreal Engine is exiting due to D3D device being lost?
- Graphics driver became unstable or crashed temporarily. (most likely) GPU overheating or power delivery problem. (possible) Hardware fault in the graphics card. (less likely)
- How do I fix Unreal Engine is exiting due to D3D device being lost?
- Try these in order, safest first: 1. Restart the computer. 2. Close overlays and monitoring tools. 3. Update the graphics driver. 4. Verify game files. 5. Remove GPU overclocks. 6. Lower graphics settings or cap the frame rate.
- What if that didn't fix it?
- Check Event Viewer for graphics-related errors around the time the game crashed
- When should I see a technician?
- If it keeps happening in several games at stock clocks with a fresh driver, have a technician check the graphics card, its power cables and the power supply.