If you can't get your favorite video game to work properly on your computer, there is most likely a compatibility problem. To solve this type of difficulty, the first thing to do is to verify that the computer has the minimum technical requirements to be able to run the chosen game. The next step is to update the drivers of the video card installed in the system or the version of DirectX. Computer video games cannot be used indiscriminately on any system, however it is possible to identify the problems that occur most frequently in an attempt to find out which hardware component will be replaced in the near future.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Change the graphics settings of the video game
If you can start it, but the performance is not the best, try lowering the level of graphic detail or the video resolution through the related configuration options.
Normally, these settings are accessible directly from the game's main menu, although some programs use a configuration file in the installation directory
Step 2. Reinstall the game
One or more damaged files may be the cause of the problem. In this case, reinstalling the game should resolve the issue.
Most programs can be uninstalled by accessing the "Programs and Features" window from the Windows "Control Panel". Some games offer the option to be uninstalled directly from the launch window
Step 3. Update the game (if possible)
Check the program's official website to download and install the new updates. Sometimes developers release "patches", ie updates aimed at solving problems encountered by users, such as sudden freezes or poor performance.
If you use a platform such as Steam or Origin, all updates are applied directly through the client installed on your computer as soon as they are released
Method 2 of 4: Check the System Requirements
Step 1. Log in to the System Requirements Lab website
This site provides a very light and performing diagnostic tool, able to scan the hardware configuration of the computer and compare it with the system requirements required by the selected video game.
Step 2. Search for the video game you want to play, then select it from the drop-down menu that appears
If your chosen title does not appear in the menu, check that you have typed the name correctly. If so, it is possible that the system requirements of the indicated game are not registered in the site database.
If the video game you are interested in is not present, try to consult directly the website of the company that developed or distributed it, then compare the system requirements with the hardware configuration of your computer
Step 3. Press the "Can You Run It" button
It is located in the lower right part of the search field, after pressing it you will be asked to choose a method by which to scan your computer.
Step 4. Choose the "Desktop App" option, then hit the "Start" button
You will be redirected to the desktop application download page, where you will also find instructions on how to use it.
Alternatively, you can choose to view the system requirements of the chosen game without downloading the app. In this case, however, the website will not be able to acquire the hardware configuration of the computer to compare it with that required by the video game in question
Step 5. Download and run the desktop application
After the program scans your computer, it will automatically close and the hardware configuration will be displayed on the System Requirements Lab website.
This tool is a portable program, that is, it does not require any installation to be used
Step 6. Compare your computer's hardware configuration with the game's system requirements
The site will highlight which computer hardware peripherals meet the required requirements and which ones are not up to par. If your computer meets all the minimum requirements, you will be able to run the selected game, but you will most likely have to use a very low level of graphics detail and video resolution.
- If your computer does not meet the minimum requirements required to run the game, you will need to upgrade it by purchasing more powerful hardware components.
- This site also offers useful advice on updating your computer's drivers or hardware components.
- The hardware configuration of the computer will be compared with both the minimum system requirements and the recommended ones.
Step 7. Start the game
If the hardware configuration of the system meets the minimum or recommended requirements, but the problem still occurs, it means that the cause lies not in the computing power of the computer. In this case you can try to update the video card drivers.
Method 3 of 4: Update the Video Card Drivers
Step 1. Open the "Device Manager" window
To do this, press the ⊞ Win key, type in the keywords "device manager", then select the relevant icon from the results list. The Windows "Device Manager" shows the set of all the devices installed on your computer as well as the version of their drivers.
Step 2. Click the "Display Cards" item to expand the relevant section of the menu
Inside you will find the list of all installed graphics cards, including make and model.
If you want to check the driver version currently installed, select the name of the card with the right mouse button, then choose the "Properties" item. Now go to the "Driver" tab
Step 3. Visit your computer's graphics card manufacturer's website to download the new driver version
Based on the information you collected via the "Device Manager" window, you will need to log into the Nvidia, AMD or Intel website.
Step 4. Select the type of product installed on your computer, the model and the operating system you usually use
You can do this using the relevant drop-down menus. All this information can be found through the "Device Manager" window.
- For example, "AMD Radeon R9 M300 Notebook Graphics" card will be classified under "Notebook Graphics" category as "R9" series card and "M300" model.
- Some sites offer a free tool which, once downloaded to your computer, is able to automatically locate the drivers that should be downloaded based on your computer hardware.
Step 5. Download the driver version compatible with your computer's operating system
To avoid running into errors or malfunctions, it is very important to obtain the correct version of the drivers, based on the model and operating system of the computer.
If you are unsure which operating system your computer is using, you can check it by going to the "Control Panel" and choosing the "System" icon. Take note of the information listed in the "System Type" section (32-bit or 64-bit), as different versions of the operating system use different drivers
Step 6. Run the installation file
The installation wizard will automatically uninstall the current drivers and install the new ones. When finished, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Without this last step the installation process will not be complete.
Step 7. Start the game
If the problem is not resolved, it is most likely not caused by an incompatibility with the video card drivers. If the peripheral installed in your computer meets all the system requirements required by the game and you suspect that the problem is related to the management of graphics rendering, you can try to update the DirectX.
Method 4 of 4: Install and Update DirectX (Windows Systems Only)
Step 1. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + R, then type the command "dxdiag" in the "Open" field of the appeared window
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will appear. At the bottom of the window, you will find the current version of DirectX installed on your computer.
- DirectX are a set of APIs (from English Application Programming Interface) integrated into Microsoft Windows operating systems, which are used for the management of video game audio / video processes.
- In many video games, the installation file includes the DirectX version required for its operation, which will be installed simultaneously with the application automatically.
Step 2. Press the ⊞ Win key, then choose the "Settings" item
A menu will appear showing some of the Windows configuration settings.
Step 3. Choose the "Update and Repair" category
The Windows Update Service window will appear.
Step 4. Select the "Check for Updates" item
This will list all new updates available on Microsoft servers and related to your computer's operating system.
Microsoft no longer releases installation packages dedicated to new versions of DirectX. To be able to acquire them, you must use the Windows Update service
Step 5. Install the updates
If you want to install DirectX only, uncheck all check buttons for other items in the list of available updates.
Step 6. Restart your computer
In order to complete the process of installing updates downloaded from Microsoft servers, you need to restart your computer.
Step 7. Download and install the "DirectX End-User Runtime" tool (optional)
If you are playing an older video game, which requires an older version of DirectX, for example 9.0, you can download the DirectX End-user Runtime directly from the Microsoft website.
Within a normal computer with a Windows operating system, multiple versions of DirectX can coexist without conflicts
Step 8. Start the game
If the problem is not solved, you can delete DirectX from the list of possible causes.
Advice
- The video game websites you are interested in are great resources in which to look for solutions to your specific problems. Often the user forum or FAQ offers a large number of different solutions related to most of the problems encountered.
- The Crucial website offers a diagnostic tool that can help you choose the hardware component (RAM and solid state drives) compatible with your system.
