Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error: Possible fixes and reasons

Contents

How to potentially fix the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error
- Update Graphics Drivers and Windows
- Change Frostpunk 2 in-game settings
Additional fix to solve the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error

The Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error has been popping up quite a lot. Players have been reporting this issue since the game went into advanced access. Thankfully, there are a few ways to straighten out the issue. What's better is that the information comes straight from the developers itself.

This article covers everything that is known about the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error.

How to potentially fix the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error

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One of the developers from 11 bit studios took to Steam to provide insight into solving the problem. Here are the recommended things you can do to solve the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error.

Update Graphics Drivers and Windows

Update Drivers to the latest version (Image via Nvidia)

It is well well-known fact that outdated graphics drivers tend to cause issues for all games. Updating them may resolve the issue. Remember to restart your PC once the drivers are updated. This includes Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. Aside from graphic drivers, remember to update your OS as well. If you want to play Frostpunk 2 on Mac, remember to update to macOS 14.5.

Change Frostpunk 2 in-game settings

The developers recommend that you try out these settings to try and circumvent the problem:

Please, make sure to install the game on an SSD drive, not an HDD drive.
Lower in-game graphical settings.
Limit your FPS to 30, 45 or 60.
Change Upscaling method or, if the change does not help, Disable it.
Change Upscaling Quality to Performance.
Disable Frame Generation.
Enable Vertical Sync (V-Sync).
Change Screen Mode to Windowed.

This should fix the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error and let you get back to overseeing your Outposts and Resource Deposits in the Frostlands in Frostpunk 2.

Delete Config folder and AppData folder

If the aforementioned method does not yield results, the next step is to delete certain folders. Here is how to do it:

How to delete Config folder for Frostpunk 2

Open My Computer
Go to C:\Users\***YOURUSERNAME***\AppData\Local\11bitstudios\Frostpunk2\Steam\Saved
Delete

How to delete AppData folder for Frostpunk 2

Open My Computer
Go to C:\Users\***YOUR USERNAME***\AppData\
Delete (Note: This will delete your local saves. Remember to make a backup copy)

Restarting your computer after this should fix the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error. If not, there are a few more things you can try.

Additional fix to solve the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error

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Make sure the right GPU is set

If you have an integrated GPU in addition to your gaming GPU, that might be causing the issue, as you may have selected the wrong GPU. Here is how to select the right GPU:

Select the Start button, then select Settings.
In Settings, select System > Display > Graphics.
Under Custom Options for apps, and under Add App select Classic App and then Browse.
In Browse search for C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Frostpunk2, select the Frostpunk2.exe and press Add.
Once you add it, click on Frostpunk 2 App and then select Options.
In Graphics preference, select High performance.
Select Save.
Restart the game.

Troubleshooting for Nvidia

If you running the game on an Nvidia GPU and encounter the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error, here are the steps you can follow to try and fix the issue:

Select the Start button and type in Nvidia Control Panel. Then open the App.
Under 3D Settings go to Manage 3D settings.
Open the Program Settings tab.
Add Frostpunk2 from the drop-down menu.
Under the specific settings for this program scroll to OpenGL Rendering GPU.
In the drop-down menu change it from Auto-select to Your dedicated Nvidia GPU.
In the lower-right corner select Apply

Hopefully, this has helped you solve the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error. If not, there are yet a few more things you can try out.

Repair Visual C++ Redistributables

Go to Apps & features in Windows (Start Menu → Settings ⚙ → Apps).
Under Apps & features find the apps “Microsoft C++ <version> Redistributable <x86 and x64>”
Select the latest Year you see and click Modify.
A dialog will appear, giving you the option to “Repair.”
Click Repair and then allow the process to complete.
Repeat steps 3 → 6 for each installation you see going back to version 2012.

Verify the integrity of game files

Launch the Steam app.
On your Steam launcher, click Library.
Go to the game, right-click on it, and select Properties.
Locate and click Local Files from the left pane.
Click Verify integrity of game files.

Disable game optimization

Click on Search and type GeForce experience.
Click on the Gear icon.
From the left pane, select Games.
Remove the checkmark beside Automatically optimize newly added games.

Modify the Launch Options

Open the Steam app.
Click Library, go to the game, right-click on it, and click Properties.
Go to General, click Set Launch options, and type: "-dx12” or “d3d12.”
Click OK to save the changes.
Click Close to close the Properties window.

Even more fixes to try and solve the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error

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If you have made it this far and the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error persists, there are a few more things you can do before it's time to throw in the towel. For starters, you can try to increase the virtual memory of Windows 10 and 11.

How to increase virtual memory of Windows 10 for Frostpunk 2

Open Settings
Go to System
Go to About
Go to the Advanced system settings option under the Related settings section
Go to the Advanced tab
Go to the Settings button under the Performance section
Go to the Advanced tab
Click the Change button under the virtual memory section
Uncheck the Automatically manage paging files size for all drives option
Select the Custom Size option
Specify the initial and maximum size for the paging file in megabytes
- Please note: The virtual memory size will differ for everyone. However, usually, you should use a number that's one and a half times the total available memory for the "Initial size" and three times the available memory for the "Maximum size."
Click the Set button
Click the OK button
Click the OK button again
Restart your device

How to increase virtual memory of Windows 11 for Frostpunk 2

Open the Start menu type in Advanced system settings and press Enter
In the System Properties window go to the Advanced tab
Under the Performance section, click the Settings button
Click the Advanced tab in the Performance Options window
Under the virtual memory section, click the Change button
Uncheck the Automatically manage paging files size for all drives
Select the Custom Size option
Specify the initial and maximum size for the paging file in megabytes
- Please note: The virtual memory size will differ for everyone. However, usually, you should use a number that's one and a half times the total available memory for the "Initial size" and three times the available memory for the "Maximum size."
Click the Set button
Click the OK button
Click the OK button again
Restart your device

Enabling or disabling Intel Hyperthreading to fix the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error

From the System Utilities screen, select System Configuration > BIOS/Platform Configuration (RBSU) > System Options > Processor Options > Intel (R) Hyperthreading Options and press Enter
Select a Disabled setting and press Enter
Enabled—Enables the logical processor cores on processors supporting Intel Hyperthreading technology
Disabled—Disables the logical processor cores on processors supporting Intel Hyperthreading technology
Press F10

Wait for an official fix or contact the developers

If you're reading this that means you have scrolled to the very end, and nothing has solved your Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error. The only thing left to wait is for an official fix to be implemented by the developers.

Alternatively, you can mail the developers at [email protected] and send them your save files alongside DxDiag and crash dump.

The situation with the Frostpunk 2 Directx 12 error is a bit disheartening, but it should be resolved soon enough and you'll be building Districts and exploring the Frostlands in Frostpunk 2.

Read more Frostpunk 2 articles here:

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Edited by Abhipsito Das