Just like its predecessors, Modern Warfare 3 also features cinematic set pieces and action sequences. All thanks to its high-level graphics. While it’s a thrill to play the game, sudden crashes could just fade it all. Recently, many players have reported that when they launch Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, an error prompt appears with the message DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error. So, what is this error and how can you fix it? We’ll discuss the same in this blog, so let’s get started.
DirectX Encountered an Unrecoverable Error in MW3: Causes and Fixes
Developed by Microsoft, DirectX is a collection of APIs that serves as a framework for developers to create games and applications that run smoothly on Windows-based systems. An unrecoverable error in DirectX indicates that there is an issue preventing its successful initialization or operation while loading the particular application game.
Here are some common causes that could trigger the error:
- Faulty hardware components
- Compatibility issues
- Outdated system drivers
- Corrupt game files
- Software bugs and glitches
- Poor internet connection
Quick Answer
To fix this issue, update update GPU drivers. If it does not help, verify the game files on your respective Steam client Battle.net client.
1. Open the Battle.net or Steam app.
2. In the LIBRARY, click on the game thumbnail and select Properties (Steam) or Options (Battle.net)
3. Click on Verify integrity of game files… (Steam) or Scan and Repair (Battle.net)
Tip: Before moving on to the solutions, please check if your PC fulfills the Call of Duty: Warzone system requirements here.
Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Methods
We’ll start with some basic solutions that might help you fix the issue in no time.
Method 1A: Restart Game, then PC
Occasionally, the issue could be just a minor temporary glitch which could easily be fixed by restarting the game. If not. restart the PC and launch MW3 again.
Method 1B: Troubleshoot Internet Connectivity
Poor internet connectivity issues could trigger the DirectX error. You must fix the same and ensure the device is connected to a fast and strong internet source. Refer to our guide on Slow Internet Connection? 10 Ways to Speed up your Internet!
Method 1C: Kill Background Applications
Background applications even when not in use take up system resources such as Network, CPU, GPU, and Memory. Moreover, possibly any of it could be conflicting with the game or the client application, thereby leading to the discussed error. Follow the steps to remove unnecessary background applications:
1. Open Task Manager on your PC and navigate to the Processes tab.
2. Right-click on the program you want to close and select End task from the context menu.
3. Repeat the same steps for all other applications and programs.
Method 1D: Update Windows
DirectX errors within games and applications are often caused due to outdated Windows OS on the PC. We suggest you update Windows and see if this helps. Follow our guide on How to Download and Install Windows 11 Updates.
Method 2: Update DirectX
As DirectX helps send instructions from the OS to the hardware components of the PC, it is important for smooth gameplay in modern-day games. Hence you need to make sure that the PC runs on the latest version of DirectX. Although updating Windows automatically updates DirectX, if that does not help, follow the steps in our guide on How to Update DirectX in Windows 10 to do the same.
Method 3: Force Game to Use DirectX 11
DirectX 12 easily handles graphic-intensive tasks on Windows. However, DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error issue in Modern Warfare 3 on Windows 11 can be if there are compatibility issues with the hardware, which you can fix by forcing the game to run on DirectX 11.
Option 1: On Steam
Follow the steps on the Steam client app if you play MW3 on it:
1. Launch Steam and in your game library, right-click on Modern Warfare 3 and select Properties from the context menu.
2. Move to the GENERAL tab, and in the LAUNCH OPTIONS text field, type -d3d11.
Option 2: On Battle.net Launcher
Follow the steps on Blizzard Battle.net launcher:
1. Open the Battle.net launcher and select the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
2. Click on the gear icon next to the Play button and select Game Settings from the context menu.
3. Check the box for Additional command line arguments,type -d3d11 in the text field, and click on the Done button.
4. Relaunch the game and see if the issue is fixed.
Method 4: Disable Game Overlays
It is also seen that active overlays can conflict with the game and result in the discussed DirectX error. It is advisable to disable all active overlays in order to fix the issue and restore gameplay. You can refer to our guide on How to Disable Steam Overlay in Windows 10 and How to Disable Discord Overlay, in case you have them active on the PC.
Method 5: Repair Game Files
Corrupt, damaged, or missing game files cause multiple issues, and thereby such unrecoverable error prompts hit the screen. But the good part is, you can easily repair the files from the launcher itself. Here’s how to do it:
Option 1: On Steam
You can verify the integrity of game files to repair the corrupt cache for MW by following the steps below:
1. Launch Steam and move to the LIBRARY tab.
2. Right-click on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and select Properties from the context menu.
3. Move to the LOCAL FILES tab, and click on Verify integrity of game files… as shown below.
Option 2: On Battle.net Launcher
You have the option to Scan and Repair corrupt game files on the Battle.net launcher. Follow the steps:
1. Navigate to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 game in the Battle.net launcher and click on the Settings (gear) icon at the left.
2. Click on Scan and Repair from the context menu.
3. Click on Begin Scan in the popup window, wait for the repair to finish, and check if this fixes the problem.
Method 6: Change Display Scale
Many users in the Steam and Battle.net community said that just by changing the display scaling settings, they could fix the issue of DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error in Modern Warfare 3. Here’s how you can do so:
1. Open Settings, move to theSystem tab and click on Display in the right pane.
2. Scroll down to the Scale & layout section, expand the drop-down menu next to Scale, and set it to 100%.
Method 7: Update GPU Drivers
Outdated GPU drivers can really cause a ton of problems in the performance of graphic-intensive applications and games. As DirectX communicates with the GPU card on the PC, you must ensure the drivers are up to date. Follow our guide on How to Update Graphics Drivers in Windows 11.
Method 8: Reinstall GPU Drivers
If updating the drivers did not help, try uninstalling and reinstalling Display drivers on your PC. Doing so can effectively help in case there is some major issue with it. You can refer to our guide on How to Reinstall Audio Driver in Windows 11 and follow the steps accordingly for GPU drivers.
Method 9: Modify Registry Editor
If the error still persists, you can attempt to make some changes in the Registry editor that can fix the unrecoverable error encountered by DirectX in Modern Warfare 3 in Windows 11. However, you must be careful while doing so as errors in it could affect other programs on the PC. Also, make sure to backup the Registry on your Windows PC, in case you would need to restore it.
1. Press the Window + R key together on your keyboard, type regedit in the text field, and press Enter.
2. In the UAC prompt, click on Yes.
3. Enter the following address in the address bar of the Registry Editor window: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PROTOCOLS\Filter\text/xml
4. Right-click on the text/xml folder in the left sidebar menu and select Delete.
5. Finally, exit the Registry Editor and Restart the PC.
Method 10: Delete Game Cache Folder
When you install and start playing a game, the client app creates temporary files stored on the PC. However, the same can also become corrupt or damaged over time. You can delete these folders to resolve the discussed issue.
Option 1: For Steam
1. Right-click on the Steam icon on the desktop and select Open file location in the context menu.
2. Select the appcache folder and then click on the Delete icon at the top.
3. Restart the Steam client app and launch the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 game to see if the DirectX error is fixed.
Option 2: For Battle.net
Follow these steps to clear the Battele.net cache:
1. Press the Windows + R keys together, type %ProgramData% in the text field, and press Enter.
2. Select the Blizzard Entertainment folder, and click on the Delete icon at the top.
3. Restart the Battle.net launcher app and see if the error in MW3 is fixed.
We hope that our guide helped you fix DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error in Modern Warfare 3 in Windows 11. If you have any queries or suggestions for us, do let us know in the comments section. Stay tuned to Techcult for more such troubleshooting guides.
