How to Fix “DX11 Feature Level 10.0/11.0 is Required to Run the Engine” Error

If you encounter the error “DX11 feature level 10.0 is required to run the engine” or “DX11 feature level 11.0 is required” while launching a game or software that uses DirectX 11, it indicates your computer may lack the required DirectX feature levels. Let’s explore the main solutions to fix this issue.

1. Check Your Graphics Card’s DirectX Support and Feature Level

The first step is to confirm that your graphics card supports the necessary DirectX feature level. Here’s how:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type dxdiag and press Enter.
  3. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window, go to the “Display” tab and look for “Feature Levels”.

If the required level (such as 10.0 or 11.0) isn’t listed, your graphics card may not support it, and an upgrade might be necessary.

2. Update Your Graphics Card Driver

Outdated or incorrectly installed graphics drivers are a common cause of this error. To update your driver:

  1. Visit the NVIDIA website or AMD website, depending on your graphics card model.
  2. Download the latest driver version for your card and operating system.
  3. Install the driver and restart your computer.

After updating, try running the application again to see if the error is resolved.

3. Install the Latest Version of DirectX

Sometimes, this error appears due to corrupted DirectX files or an outdated version. Download the latest DirectX version from the official Microsoft website:

  • Go to the DirectX download page.
  • Download and run the installer, following the instructions to update DirectX.

Once installation completes, restart your computer and check if the error persists.

4. Ensure Windows is Up to Date

Some Windows updates contain important patches for DirectX and graphics drivers, which may resolve this issue. To check for updates:

  1. Open “Settings” → “Update & Security” → “Windows Update”.
  2. Select “Check for updates”.
  3. Install any available updates and restart your computer.

5. Adjust the Graphics Settings in the Game or Application

If the error occurs in a specific game, try lowering the graphics settings to minimum. Higher settings may demand a DirectX feature level that your graphics card cannot support.