DXGI Device Removed Error In Baldur’s Gate 3 [FIXED]

You can fix DXGI Device Removed Error by undervolting/clocking your GPU, switching to DX11, and more!

Baldur’s Gate 3 has had a plethora of players captivated. But problems like DXGI Device Removed or Device Lost Error in BG3 can be a pain, especially when it crashes the whole game. The error occurs randomly while playing and crashes the game completely.

Players with entirely different levels of hardware have been experiencing these errors. The error is most likely a glitch that thinks that your graphic card has disconnected and proceeds to crash the game but it can also be caused due to the players’ graphic drivers not being updated.

The error message says: “ERROR: DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED. Description: Hardware device removed. Reason: DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG.”
DXGI Error Device Removed
DXGI Error Device Removed In Baldur’s Gate 3 (Image by eXputer)
Key Takeaways

To fix DXGI Error Device Removed In BG3, try the following solutions in order:

  1. Slightly Undervolt your GPU.
  2. Applying a small Downclock to your GPU.
  3. Applying a small Power limit to your GPU.
  4. Use DX11 instead of Vulkan, as the API is still a bit unstable.
  5. Toggling your VSync.

Undervolt Your GPU

Most people think that undervolting their hardware could result in a disaster. This is simply not true if you just follow the very simple rule of doing it in very small chunks. It makes the component work at a lower voltage which can improve life span and temperatures.

It will also ensure that your GPU doesn’t bottleneck during extreme loads like loading screens in games which can result in crashes like the DXGI Device Removed error.

As DXGI Error Device Removed is more directly linked to your GPU not functioning right, applying this could fix the problem.

Before applying an undervolt, however, you would need some GPU Load to check for stability. For this, you can run one of the following in the background:

  • Caution: Before going through these steps, it’s recommended that you watch your processor-specific video on YouTube. This is just so you are sure, as it’s more of a feel thing with finding the limit. If uncomfortable, skip this fix.

To do so, go through these steps:

  1. Firstly, download MSI Afterburner and install it.
  2. Open Afterburner and click on the Settings button.
    Opening Settings ni MSI Afterburner
    Opening Settings ni MSI Afterburner (Image by eXputer)
  3. Go to the General tab and into the Compatibility Properties section.
  4. Check the Unlock Voltage Control box and click on OK.
    Unlocking Voltage Control in Afterburner
    Unlocking Voltage Control in Afterburner (Image Copyrighted by eXputer)
  5. Run your chosen GPU Load in the background.
  6. Once this is done, you want your attention in the Voltage Section.
    Undervolting GPU to fix DXGI error Device removed
    Voltage Settings in Afterburner (Image Captured by eXputer)
  7. Now, repeat these steps:
    • Type -25 in the small box next to the slider and click the Apply Button. 
    • Go into your benchmark and check for any abnormalities. If there are none, repeat but add 25 at each attempt.

For this, you generally want to stay in the -100 to -125mV range. If you can achieve -125, that’s your cue to leave it be. If you encounter any artifacts, you can restart your computer, and it will revert to default. Then, you can choose the previous amount as the final value.

Underclock Your GPU

Another thing I recommend doing is slightly underclocking their clock speeds has also been just as effective in solving the Device Lost Error in BG3.

Underclocking the GPU lowers its clock rate which results in lower power consumption and lower heat generation, ensuring your graphic card runs smoothly even under pressure.

This fix can also be used as an alternative to undervolting if that isn’t your cup of tea. People online also found this fix helpful.

To do so, go through these simple steps:

  1. Open Afterburner and look for the Clock section in the middle.
    Downclocking GPU to fix Fevice Lost error
    Downclocking GPU in Afterburner (Image by eXputer)
  2. In there, type -50 in the box next to Core Clock and press Enter.
  3. Do the same for the Memory Clock and press Enter.
  4. Click on the Save button to save this change.
    Saving Changes in Afterburner
    Saving Changes in Afterburner (Image by eXputer)

Do note that if this does fix your issue, you might want to look into talking to your GPU’s vendor for support. This is because your GPU could be having issues, and it’s better to have it sorted out before any major issues start to happen. 

Powerlimit Your GPU

Allowing your GPU to draw as much power as it wants can cause it to sometimes exceed the safe limits, causing instability issues which is why I recommend powerlimiting your GPU.

Power limiting your GPU is like FPS capping in games, except that instead of limiting your frames, you limit the power draw of your GPU.

While this would point to an aging Power Supply Unit. It’s better to try it out and then draw conclusions.

Follow these straightforward steps to apply a power limit to your GPU:

  1.  In Afterburner, look for the Power Limit Slider.
    Power Limiting your GPU to fix Device Lost error
    Power Limiting your GPU (Image by eXputer)
  2. Type in -10  in the box next to it.
  3. Click on the Save button to apply a 90% Power Limit.
    Saving Changes in Afterburner
    Saving Changes in Afterburner (Image by eXputer)

Switch From Vulkan

If none of the above fixes work for you, it’s most likely not a hardware issue causing this problem. Vulkan on BG3 is known to cause various issues. DXGI Error Device Removed is one of them. If you are using an older graphics card you should use DX11 as it is more compatible with older cards than Vulkan.

This will lead to more stability in-game compared to Vulkan which is relatively new and less compatible. DX11 is more stable, and switching from Vulkan is a possible fix at least until the developers fix the API.

To switch from Vulkan, perform the following steps:

  1. Right-click on the Game’s Shortcut on your desktop.
  2. In the Shortcut tab, click on Open File Location.
    opening file location of bg3
    Opening File Location (Image by eXputer)
  3.  Once opened, you need to create a shortcut for the bg3_dx11.exe.
    creating a shortcut for BG3 to fix device lost error
    Creating a Shortcut for the DX11 Executable(Image by eXputer)
  4. Launch the game using the newly created shortcut. 

Toggle VSync

While a bit unconventional, toggling your VSync is a known fix for this problem. The exact reason why this works could range from how the game manages its internal ticks to maybe a bug. 

Enabling VSync can cap the in-game frame rate and reduce the strain on the GPU, potentially mitigating overheating and the instability that results from it.

At the same time having it on can cause issues too in some cases, in which case toggle the Vsync settings to whatever it isn’t originally set as.

Follow these steps to toggle Vysnc in-game:

  1. Open Baldur’s Gate 3 and navigate to Options.
    Openiing BG3 settings to fix device lost error
    Opening Settings in Baldur’s Gate 3 (Image by eXputer)
  2. Click on the Video tab on the top right side.
    Clicking on video options in Baldur's Gate 3
    Video Options For Baldur’s Gate 3 (Image Copyrighted by eXputer)
  3. In here, just toggle your Vsync setting. (Enable it if disabled and vice versa)
    Toggling VSync in BG3 to fix DXGI error device removed
    Toggling VSync in Baldur’s Gate 3 (Image Captured by eXputer)

My Thoughts on the DXGI Device Removed Error

Baldur’s Gate 3 has a pretty immersive story and having an error pop up randomly certainly does ruin the experience. People can be seen talking on forums like Reddit, Steam and the Larian Forums regarding the error.

Larian Forums
Larian Forums (image by eXputer)

The developers have yet to address the error. Also, the error can’t directly be pinned on the developers since sometimes it is caused due to the player not having his graphic drivers updated.

The error can be hard to fix if a simple update of your drivers doesn’t fix it and you have to resort to things like underclocking your GPU.

FAQs

What does the DXGI error device removed mean?

If this happens with various games and programs, it could indicate a hardware problem or outdated graphics drivers creating the issue.

Could Undervolting my GPU harm it?

Generally speaking, the answer is No. If you do it in small chunks, you will never get to a point where you could do any harm to your GPU.

What does power limiting do?

Power Limiting your GPU prevents it from boosting to its maximum. As the name suggests, it limits the amount it will boost based on its power draw.

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Ayyoun is a Senior Writer & Editor for Error Fixes, and Game Settings guides on eXputer. He’s been passionate about games and technology since he got his hands on the PlayStation 1. He has a software engineering background and loves to play games from a technical perspective. He has a knack for uncovering solutions for the latest games and presenting them in easy-to-follow guides for his audience. You can keep up with his gaming activity on his Steam profile.

Experience: 7+ years || Worked For VeryAli Gaming and IGN || Education: B.S Software Engineering, Google IT Professional Certificate, Editing Mastery from Udemy, and Digital Journalism.

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