Red Dead Redemption 2 is a terrific action-adventure game for Windows PCs. However, many players have reported the Red Dead Redemption 2 ERR_GFX_STATE error crashes that game while playing it or when they start it. One player said this about the 2 ERR_GFX_STATE error on Reddit: “I keep getting an error on the PC version of RDR2, called ERR_GFX_STATE. Before I get the error, I can load the main menu, but if I go any further it stutters and crashes.”
This regular crashing of the game can make it unplayable. Some players who need to fix the Red Dead Redemption 2 ERR_GFX_STATE error consider seeking refunds when they can. However, you can fix the ERR_GFX_STATE error on a Windows PC by applying these potential fixes.
Change the Graphics API Setting
A lot of RDR2 players have said they’ve been able to fix the Red Dead Redemption 2 ERR_GFX_STATE error by changing the game’s Graphics API setting. Try changing the Graphics API setting like this:
- Launch Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Click Story on the game’s title screen.
- Select Settings and click Graphics.
- Then change the Graphics API setting to DirectX 12 if it’s set to Vulkan.
The Graphics API setting
- It’s also recommended to lower general in-game graphics settings. Select a lower Texture Quality setting preset for Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Press Enter to apply the new graphics settings.
Erase Sga_vuklan Files
Some Red Dead Redemption 2 players have confirmed erasing sga_vulkan files can fix the ERR_GFX_STATE. Those file names include Vulkan in them, which relates to the Graphics API setting. You can delete the sga_vulkan files like this:
- Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to this Red Dead Redemption 2 folder path: C/Users/<user folder>DocumentsRockstar GamesRed Dead Redemption 2Settings.
- Hold the Ctrl key and select all sga_vulkan files you can see in the Settings folder.
- Click the right mouse button and select Explorer’s Delete context menu option.
The sga_vulkan files
- Exit Explorer and try playing Red Dead Redemption 2 again.
Set a Command Line Launch Argument for Red Dead
Epic Games Launcher
- Bring up Epic Games and click the user profile button within that software.
- Select Settings to access further options.
- Click Red Dead Redemption 2 to expand its settings.
- Select Red Dead’s Additional Command Line Arguments checkbox.
The Additional Command Line Arguments checkbox in Epic Games Launcher
- Input -ignorepipelinecache into the text box for the command line argument.
Steam
- Start Steam and click on the Library tab.
- Right-click Red Dead Redemption 2 to select Properties.
- Enter -ignorepipelinecache inside the Advanced users may choose to enter modifications text box on the General tab.
The launch options in Steam
Disable Third-Party Startup Items
Some Red Dead Redemption 2 players confirm disabling third-party startup items (apps and services) fixed the ERR_GFX_STATE error on their PCs. Disabling those startup items (otherwise called clean booting) will maximize system resources for Red Dead and prevent apps and services from conflicting with the game. Disable third-party startup items as follows:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to go into Task Manager.
- Click Startup within Task Manager’s tab bar.
- Select all non-essential third-party startup items and click Disable.
The Startup tab in Task Manager
- Next, simultaneously press the Windows logo + R buttons on the keyboard.
- Input msconfig and click OK to view the System Configuration window.
- Click Services to select a checkbox labeled Hide all Microsoft services.
The Services tab in System Configuration
- Press Disable all to uncheck all checkboxes for third-party services.
- Click Apply > OK to save selected service settings.
- Select the Restart option on the dialog box that prompts a reboot.
- Launch Red Dead Redemption 2 to see if the ERR_GFX_STATE error is fixed.
Roll Back Your PC’s Graphics Driver
If the ERR_GFX_STATE error started popping up after a recent graphics driver update, a buggy new GPU driver could be causing the issue. A few Red Dead 2 players have said rolling back their graphics drivers resolved the ERR_GFX_STATE error. This is how you can roll back a graphics driver to the previously installed one on a Windows PC.
- Press the Windows logo + X keys to select a Device Manager shortcut.
- Expand the Display adapters device category.
- Click your PC’s graphics card with your mouse’s right button to select Properties.
The Properties context menu option
- Select Roll Back Driver on the Driver tab to reinstall the previously installed driver.
The Roll Back Driver button
Reinstall Red Dead Redemption 2
Missing or corrupted Red Dead Redemption 2 game files could be another possible cause for the ERR_GFX_STATE. In this case, reinstalling the game is your best bet for fixing the game’s files. However, I recommend players try other resolutions first because Red Dead Redemption 2 is a big game download.
The Uninstall option in Epic Games Launcher
Also, remember you will lose saved game progress by reinstalling if you don’t have cloud save enabled or haven’t backed up saves. You can uninstall and reinstall Red Dead Redemption 2 within the Epic Games, Steam, and Rockstar launchers for the game. Select the Uninstall option for Red Dead Redemption 2 in those software packages. You can select to install the game from the library sections of those gaming clients. This R Support page provides more specific instructions for how you can cleanly reinstall RDR2.
The Red Dead Redemption 2 ERR_GFX_STATE error is a common issue many Windows PC players have resolved by applying the abovementioned potential resolutions. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re guaranteed Windows 11/10 solutions for that issue. However, there’s quite a good chance those resolutions will fix the ERR_GFX_STATE error for most Red Dead players.
