Arc Raiders DXGI Device Removed Crashes Fixes

Arc Raiders players on PC sometimes hit a crash where the game freezes, the screen goes black or flickers, and an error appears saying the DXGI device was removed or hung. This usually points to a GPU driver or graphics API issue, and the fix involves updating drivers, adjusting in-game settings, and disabling certain overlays. Below are the most effective steps to resolve it, starting with the simplest and moving to more advanced.

What Causes the DXGI Device Removed Error

The DirectX Graphics Infrastructure (DXGI) is the layer that lets the game talk to your graphics card. When the GPU stops responding or the driver resets, Windows reports that the device was removed or hung. In Arc Raiders, this often happens because:

An outdated or corrupted GPU driver
GPU overclocking (factory or manual) that makes the card unstable
In-game graphics settings that push the GPU beyond its stable limits
Background apps that interfere with the rendering process (e.g., overlays, streaming software)
Windows power management switching the GPU to a low-power state mid-game
DirectX 12 issues specific to the game engine

It is not a problem with your save file or account—it is almost always a system-level graphics instability.

Step 1: Update Your GPU Driver

The most common fix is to install the latest graphics driver. Both NVIDIA and AMD release game-ready drivers for new titles, and Arc Raiders has had several patches that benefit from updated drivers.

Open your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA or AMD) or use their official app (GeForce Experience or Adrenalin).
Download the latest driver for your exact GPU model and Windows version.
Use a clean installation option if available—this removes old driver files that can conflict.
Restart your PC after installation.

If you already have the latest driver, try rolling back to a previous version that was stable for you. Sometimes a new driver introduces bugs that cause DXGI errors.

Step 2: Disable GPU Overclocking

If your GPU is overclocked—either manually or via factory settings like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X—it may be unstable at high clocks. The DXGI device removed error is a classic sign of an unstable overclock.

Reset your GPU to stock clocks in your overclocking software.
If you have a factory overclocked card, try underclocking it slightly (e.g., -50 MHz on core and memory).
Also check your CPU overclock, as a failing CPU can also cause GPU resets.

Test with a stress tool like FurMark or Unigine Heaven to see if the crash happens outside the game. If it does, your overclock is the culprit.

Step 3: Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings

Arc Raiders is a demanding game, and certain settings can trigger DXGI crashes on some GPUs. Try lowering these first:

Set the game to Borderless Windowed instead of Fullscreen (or vice versa—try both).
Disable Ray Tracing if you have it on.
Lower the Texture Quality and Shadow Quality settings.
Turn off DLSS or FSR if they are enabled, or try a different upscaling mode.
Cap the frame rate to your monitor’s refresh rate (or lower, like 60 FPS).

Also, verify the game files through Steam or the launcher you use. Corrupted game files can cause rendering errors that look like a GPU crash.

Step 4: Disable Overlays and Background Apps

Overlays from Discord, GeForce Experience, Xbox Game Bar, and similar apps can interfere with the game’s rendering pipeline. Disable them temporarily to see if the crash stops.

In Discord: Settings > Game Overlay > toggle off.
In GeForce Experience: Settings > General > toggle off the in-game overlay.
Disable Windows Game Bar: Settings > Gaming > Game Bar > off.

Also close any background apps that use GPU acceleration, like web browsers with hardware acceleration enabled, streaming software, or monitoring tools like MSI Afterburner (unless you need it for fan control).

Step 5: Change Power Management Settings

Windows can sometimes put your GPU into a low-power state during gameplay, causing a reset. Set your power plan to High Performance and force the GPU to run at full speed.

Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
Select the High Performance plan.
In NVIDIA Control Panel (or AMD Adrenalin), go to Manage 3D Settings and set Power Management Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance.

Also, if you have a laptop, make sure it is plugged in and that the dedicated GPU is being used (not the integrated one) for the game.

Step 6: Use DirectX 11 or Lower Graphics API

Arc Raiders likely defaults to DirectX 12, which is more prone to DXGI device removed errors. Some games let you force a different API via launch options. Check the game’s settings or launch options in Steam. If there is an option for DirectX 11, use it. If not, you can sometimes add a command line like -dx11 in the launch options, but this only works if the game supports it. Test to see if the crash persists.

Step 7: Update Windows and DirectX

Make sure your Windows installation is up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install all pending updates. Also, run the DirectX diagnostic tool by typing dxdiag in the Run dialog (Win+R) to check for any issues with your display drivers. If the tool reports problems, it may help identify the failing component.

Step 8: Check for Overheating and Hardware Issues

If none of the above works, your GPU may be overheating or failing. Use a monitoring tool like GPU-Z or HWInfo to check temperatures while playing. If the GPU exceeds 85°C, it may throttle or crash. Clean the dust from your PC, ensure fans are working, and consider reapplying thermal paste if you are comfortable doing so. Also, check that your power supply can handle the load—an insufficient PSU can cause GPU resets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will reinstalling the game fix the DXGI error?

Rarely, but it can help if the game files are corrupted. However, since the error is usually driver-related, reinstalling the game is a low-priority fix. Try the steps above first.

Is this error specific to Arc Raiders?

No, DXGI device removed errors happen in many games, especially those using DirectX 12. Arc Raiders is just one of many titles that can trigger it on unstable systems.

Can a faulty GPU cause this error permanently?

Yes, if your GPU has a hardware fault, it may crash repeatedly. If the error persists after all software fixes, test the GPU in another PC or run a stress test to see if it crashes outside the game. If it does, the GPU may need to be replaced.

Should I lower my resolution to fix it?

Lowering the resolution can reduce the load on the GPU and may help if the crash is caused by excessive VRAM usage or high core load. It is worth trying, but it is not a guaranteed fix.

Does disabling Windows Game Mode help?

Some users report that Game Mode causes instability. You can disable it in Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. It is a quick test and may help if other fixes fail.

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