Dota 2 remains one of the most popular Steam games, which some players can’t play because of a “Failed to create Dx11 render device” error. For example, a Dota 2 player said, “Today, when I try to open Dota I get this mysterious error. Failed to Create DX11 render device.” This error message highlights this gaming issue has something to do with DirectX 11. These are some of the better ways to fix the Dota 2 “Failed to create Dx11 render device” error on Windows PCs.
Read also: 7 Ways You Can Fix Dota 2 Not Launching on a Windows PC
Set Dota 2 to Run as an Administrator
First, try running Dota 2 as an administrator, which some players say has fixed the Dota 2 “Failed to create Dx11 render device” error for them. Doing this will better ensure the game can access required DirectX libraries. You can set Dota 2 to run with administrator rights like this:
- Click the File Explorer taskbar shortcut and navigate to the SteamLibrary > steamapps > common > dota 2 beta > game > bin > win64.
- Next, right-click the dota2.exe file to select Properties and Compatibility.
- Select the option with the Run this program as an administrator label.
The Run this program as an administrator option
- To save the options selected, click Apply > OK.
Install Vulkan and Set a Vulkan Launch Option
Players confirm setting a Vulkan launch option for the game can fix the Dota 2 “Failed to create Dx11 render device” error. However, you’ll also need to select to install Vulkan when applying this potential fix. This is how you can set a Vulkan launch parameter:
- Run Steam and select the Library tab.
- Next, right-click Dota 2 to select Properties.
- Select DLC to view that tab.
- Next, select the Dota 2 – Vulkan support option.
The DLC tab
- Close the Dota 2 settings window and wait for Vulkan to install.
- Right-click Dota 2 to select its Properties menu option again.
- Input -vulkan inside the text box for launch options on the Library tab.
The -vulkan launch parameter
Set a DirectX 11 Launch Option
Setting a DirectX 11 launch option has also fixed the Dota 2 “Failed to create Dx11 render device” error for some players. Applying this fix configures Dota 2 to start with DirectX 11. To apply this possible fix open the launch options text box as instructed for resolution one. Then, input -dx11 inside the text box for launch options.
The -dx11 launch option
Run the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
The DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer package is available for missing DirectX components. This installer package might come in handy for fixing the Dota 2 “Failed to create Dx11 render device” error. Try running the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer package like this:
- Open this DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer page in a web browser.
- Click Download to obtain the package.
- Open the folder containing the downloaded dxwebsetup.exe file.
- Double-click the dxwebsetup.exe to run the package.
- Select I accept and Next.
The DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer package
- Click Next again to proceed with installing components.
Verify Dota 2’s Files
Corrupted game files can also feasibly cause the “Failed to create Dx11 render device” error to occur. You can remedy this possible cause by running a file verification (repair) scan for Dota 2. Steam has a Verify integrity option you can select for any game, as covered on this support page.
The verify integrity option
The troubleshooting methods discussed above are some of the best ways to fix the Dota 2 “Failed to create Dx11 render device” error on Windows PCs. Many players confirm them to be effective resolutions for this gaming issue. If you still need more potential fixes, consider sending a support ticket via this Dota 2 team page.
