DXGI_ERROR_INVALID_CALL

Fix DirectX CreateTexture2D Failed Error in Games

Software – Microsoft Office Intermediate 👁 13 views 📅 May 25, 2026

The 'DirectX function CreateTexture2D failed' error occurs when a game cannot allocate a texture resource, often due to outdated drivers, corrupted DirectX files, or insufficient GPU memory. This guide provides step-by-step fixes to resolve the issue.

Symptoms

When launching or playing a game, you encounter an error message similar to: 'DirectX function CreateTexture2D failed with E_INVALIDARG (The parameter is incorrect.)'. The game may crash to desktop, display a black screen, or show graphical artifacts before failing. This issue is common in DirectX 11 and 12 titles, particularly on systems with integrated graphics or older GPUs.

Root Causes

The error occurs because the graphics API cannot create a texture resource due to one or more of the following:

  • Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers – Incompatible driver versions can cause texture allocation failures.
  • Corrupted DirectX runtime files – Missing or damaged system files prevent proper texture creation.
  • Insufficient GPU memory (VRAM) – The game requests a texture size that exceeds available VRAM, especially at high resolutions or texture quality settings.
  • Conflicting overlay software – Programs like Discord, MSI Afterburner, or GeForce Experience overlays can interfere with DirectX calls.
  • Windows update issues – Missing critical updates or corrupted system components affect DirectX functionality.
  • Game-specific settings – Some games have bugs with certain texture quality presets or resolution scaling.

Step-by-Step Fix

Step 1: Update Graphics Drivers

  1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU, and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
  3. Alternatively, download the latest driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel's official website.
  4. Perform a clean installation (select 'Custom Install' and check 'Perform a clean installation' for NVIDIA).

Step 2: Repair DirectX Runtime

  1. Download the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft.
  2. Run the installer and follow the prompts to repair any missing or corrupted files.
  3. Restart your computer after completion.

Step 3: Increase Virtual Memory (Page File)

  1. Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Go to Advanced tab > Performance > Settings > Advanced tab.
  3. Under Virtual memory, click Change.
  4. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size.
  5. Select Custom size and set Initial size to 1.5x your RAM and Maximum size to 3x your RAM. Example: For 8GB RAM, set 12288 MB initial and 24576 MB max.
  6. Click Set, then OK, and restart.

Step 4: Disable Overlay Software

  1. Close any overlay applications (Discord, MSI Afterburner, GeForce Experience, etc.).
  2. For Discord: Go to User Settings > Game Overlay and toggle off Enable in-game overlay.
  3. For GeForce Experience: Open the app, go to Settings > General and disable In-Game Overlay.
  4. Try launching the game again.

Step 5: Lower Graphics Settings

  1. Open the game's graphics or video settings.
  2. Reduce Texture Quality, Resolution, and Anti-Aliasing to lower presets.
  3. If the game has a Texture Pool Size or VRAM limit setting, set it to a lower value.
  4. Apply changes and test.

Step 6: Run Windows Update

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
  3. Install all pending updates, including optional driver updates.
  4. Restart your PC.

Alternative Fixes

  • Reinstall the game – Corrupted game files can cause this error. Verify integrity via Steam/Epic or reinstall.
  • Use DirectX 11 instead of 12 – Some games allow switching API in launch options (e.g., add -dx11 to launch parameters).
  • Disable fullscreen optimizations – Right-click the game executable, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
  • Run the game as administrator – Right-click the executable and select Run as administrator.
  • Check for GPU overheating – Use tools like HWMonitor to ensure temperatures are within normal range; clean dust from fans.

Prevention

  • Keep graphics drivers and Windows updated regularly.
  • Avoid running multiple resource-intensive applications while gaming.
  • Monitor VRAM usage with tools like MSI Afterburner; lower settings if near capacity.
  • Perform periodic system maintenance (disk cleanup, check for malware).

If the error persists after all steps, consider hardware limitations: upgrading GPU or adding more RAM may be necessary for modern titles.

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