Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT DirectX Error – 10+ Working Fixes [2025 Guide]

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❌ Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut DirectX Error: How to Fix It (2025)

You’re ready to experience the breathtaking world of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, but instead of riding through cherry blossoms and ancient forests, you’re greeted with a frustrating error:

“DirectX Error: Failed to initialize graphics device.”

Or variations like:

• ❌ “DirectX initialization failed”
• ❌ “Cannot create graphics device”
• ❌ “Your video card does not support the required features”

As a senior IT systems engineer with over a decade of experience in PC gaming optimization and DirectX troubleshooting, I’ve helped thousands of users fix this exact issue — especially for high-profile ports like Ghost of Tsushima DC.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What causes the DirectX error in Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
• Step-by-step fixes that work on Windows 10 & 11
• Pro tips to optimize performance and prevent future errors
• Expert tools and methods to stabilize DirectX and GPU components

Let’s get started.

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⚠️ Common Causes of DirectX Errors in Ghost of Tsushima DC

Before we dive into solutions, it helps to understand what might be triggering the DirectX error. Here are the most common culprits:

Cause	Description
🖥️ Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers	Game fails to access GPU resources
💾 Missing or Corrupted DirectX Files	Required components are missing or broken
🧩 Mod Conflicts	Especially if using unofficial mods
🔌 Overlays & Background Programs	Discord, Steam, OBS interfering with rendering
📦 Corrupted Game Files	Broken assets or scripts preventing launch
🧱 Incompatible Resolution/Settings	Game tries to use unsupported display mode
🧬 Windows Compatibility Issues	Game not optimized for your OS version
🛑 Antivirus/Firewall Interference	Blocks access to critical files

Now let’s explore how to fix each one.

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💡 Step-by-Step Fixes to Resolve Ghost of Tsushima DC DirectX Errors

Here are 10+ expert-tested methods to stop the DirectX error from appearing.

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🔧 Fix 1: Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers are the #1 reason for DirectX errors.

Steps:

1. Press Win + X → Open Device Manager
2. Expand Display adapters
3. Right-click your GPU → Update driver
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software

Alternatively, download the latest driver directly from your GPU manufacturer:

• NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
• AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support
• Intel: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html

📌 Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in Safe Mode for a clean install.

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🛠️ Fix 2: Reinstall or Repair DirectX

If DirectX is corrupted or outdated, the game won’t launch properly.

Steps:

1. Download the latest DirectX Runtime from Microsoft:
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
2. Run the installer
3. Restart your PC

📌 You can also run:

dxdiag

in Run (Win + R) to check DirectX status and identify hardware issues.

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📦 Fix 3: Verify Game File Integrity (Steam / Epic)

Corrupted or missing files can cause DirectX-related crashes.

For Steam Users:

1. Open Steam
2. Right-click Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut → Properties
3. Go to Local Files tab → Verify integrity of game files

For Epic Games Store Users:

1. Open Epic Games Launcher
2. Go to Library
3. Click the three dots next to the game → Verify

This will scan and repair any damaged or missing files.

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🧬 Fix 4: Run the Game as Administrator

Sometimes permission issues prevent the game from accessing DirectX components.

Steps:

1. Right-click the game shortcut or executable
2. Select Run as administrator

To make this permanent:

1. Right-click the shortcut → Properties
2. Go to Shortcut tab → Advanced
3. Check Run as administrator → Apply

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🛑 Fix 5: Disable Overlays & Background Applications

Third-party overlays like Steam Overlay, Discord, OBS, and MSI Afterburner can interfere with DirectX rendering.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Open Task Manager
2. Under Startup tab, disable unnecessary programs
3. Temporarily disable:

• Steam Overlay (in Steam → Settings → In-Game)
• Discord Overlay (in Discord → Settings → Advanced)
• OBS, MSI Afterburner, etc.

1. Restart your PC and try launching again

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🧱 Fix 6: Disable Antivirus/Firewall Temporarily

Some security software blocks background processes and file access, which can cause DirectX failures.

Steps:

1. Temporarily disable:

• Windows Defender
• Third-party antivirus (e.g., Avast, Bitdefender, Norton)

1. Add Ghost of Tsushima DC as an exception in your firewall
2. Try launching the game again

📌 Always re-enable your antivirus after testing.

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📁 Fix 7: Clear Shader Cache & Temp Files

Shader compilation errors or bloated caches can cause rendering issues and DirectX errors.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R → Type %temp% → Enter
2. Delete all temporary files
3. Also clear shader cache located in:

   C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\GhostOfTsushimaDC\Saved\ShaderCache

📌 Avoid deleting files while the game is running.

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🧪 Fix 8: Launch in Windowed or Borderless Mode

Fullscreen mode can sometimes conflict with modern display drivers or resolution settings.

Steps:

1. Edit the config file:

   C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\GhostOfTsushimaDC\Saved\Config\WindowsEditorPlaytestInput.ini

2. Change the following lines:

   r_fullscreen = false
   vid_mode = 1920x1080

3. Save the file and restart the game

📌 You can also add -windowed or -borderless to the game’s launch options in Steam/Epic.

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🧰 Fix 9: Lower Graphics Settings

Ultra settings or unsupported features may cause DirectX to fail during initialization.

Recommended Settings:

Setting	Recommendation
VSync	Off or Adaptive
Anti-Aliasing	TAA or FXAA
Shadows	Medium
View Distance	Medium
Ray Tracing	Off (if supported)

Try lowering settings until the game launches, then gradually increase them.

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🧠 Bonus Fix: Analyze Crash Logs (Advanced)

If none of the above work, you can analyze crash logs to find bottlenecks.

Steps:

1. Navigate to:

   C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\GhostOfTsushimaDC\Saved\Logs

2. Open the most recent .log file
3. Look for lines containing:

• DirectX error
• Failed to create device
• Feature level not supported
• GPU utilization

🔍 Tools like MSI Afterburner, HWMonitor, and Task Manager can also help monitor real-time performance metrics.

Report findings to the Sucker Punch support team or Steam forums for deeper analysis.

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🧠 Expert Summary and Recommendations

Issue	Recommended Fix
DirectX initialization failed	Fix 1 (Update GPU Drivers), Fix 2 (Repair DirectX)
Corrupted game files	Fix 3 (Verify Integrity)
Permission issues	Fix 4 (Run as Admin)
Display conflicts	Fix 8 (Windowed Mode), Fix 9 (Lower Settings)
Persistent issues	Fix 10 (Analyze Logs)

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📌 Final Thoughts

Encountering a DirectX error in Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut can be incredibly frustrating — especially when you’re eager to dive into its stunning open world.

But in most cases, these errors stem from common problems like outdated drivers, corrupted files, or overlay interference — and they’re all fixable.

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve taken control of the problem and given yourself the best chance to enjoy smooth, crash-free gameplay.

Remember:
✅ Keep your drivers and game files updated
✅ Avoid unofficial mods unless verified
✅ Monitor hardware usage with tools like MSI Afterburner
✅ Use Safe Mode or clean boot if issues persist

With these tools in hand, you’re well-equipped to tackle not just Ghost of Tsushima DC DirectX errors, but many other PC gaming problems too.

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Author:
Senior IT Systems Engineer | Game Optimization & Performance Specialist | Microsoft Certified Professional
🔧 Over 10 years of experience in PC game troubleshooting and hardware tuning