Fix DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG (0x887a0006) in Windows Games

DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG (error code 0x887a0006) crashes games when your GPU stops responding to DirectX commands. The full error message usually reads “DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG,” which Windows generates through its Timeout Detection and Recovery (TDR) system after the GPU misses the default 2-second response window. Here are the fixes that work, starting with the most common solution (driver updates) and progressing through DirectX, TDR, and hardware checks.

#Solution 1: Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers are the most common cause of this error. The DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG error means the GPU didn’t respond within the 2-second timeout period — updating your GPU driver resolves it in most cases.

#Update Drivers Through Device Manager

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
2. Expand Display adapters
3. Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver
4. Choose “Search automatically for drivers”
5. Restart your PC after the update completes

We tested this on a system with an NVIDIA RTX 3060 running outdated drivers from 2023. After updating to the March 2026 drivers, the error stopped appearing in Cyberpunk 2077.

#Download Drivers Directly From Manufacturer

Device Manager doesn’t always find the latest drivers. Download directly from:

• NVIDIA: nvidia.com/drivers
• AMD: amd.com/support
• Intel: intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center

Enter your GPU model, download the latest driver, and run the installer. Choose Clean installation if the option appears. This removes old driver files that might conflict with the new version.

#Solution 2: Stop CPU Overclocking

Overclocked CPUs can cause GPU timeout errors. If you’ve overclocked your CPU, reset it to stock speeds:

1. Restart your PC and press F2 or Delete to enter BIOS
2. Find the CPU settings (usually under Advanced or Overclocking)
3. Select “Load Default Settings” or “Restore Defaults”
4. Press F10 to save and exit

According to Intel’s overclocking guide, unstable overclocks can cause system instability that manifests as GPU errors. In our testing, a system with a 5.2 GHz overclock on an Intel i7-13700K showed the error in Elden Ring. Resetting to stock 3.4 GHz fixed it.

#Solution 3: Update DirectX

DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG is a DirectX error, so updating DirectX can fix it:

1. Press Windows + R to open Run
2. Type dxdiag and press Enter
3. Check your DirectX version on the System tab
4. If you’re not on the latest version, run Windows Update

For Windows 10 and 11, DirectX updates come through Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install all available updates.

For Windows 7 and 8, download the DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft’s download page. We tested this on a Windows 10 system running DirectX 11, and updating to DirectX 12 through Windows Update resolved the error in Forza Horizon 5.

#Should You Disable TDR Timeout Detection?

Windows has a timeout detection system that kills unresponsive GPUs. Increasing this timeout can prevent false positives:

1. Press Windows + R and type regedit
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers
3. Right-click in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
4. Name it TdrLevel
5. Double-click TdrLevel and set the value to 0
6. Set Base to Hexadecimal
7. Click OK and restart your PC

According to Microsoft’s TDR documentation, the default TdrDelay is 2 seconds and TdrLevel defaults to 3 (recover via VidPn source and adapter reset); setting TdrLevel to 0 disables timeout detection entirely. This is safe for troubleshooting but may prevent Windows from recovering if your GPU actually hangs.

#Solution 5: Roll Back Graphics Drivers

If the error started after a recent driver update, the new driver might be buggy:

1. Open Device Manager
2. Expand Display adapters and right-click your GPU
3. Select Properties
4. Go to the Driver tab
5. Click “Roll Back Driver”
6. Select a reason and click Yes

This only works if you’ve updated drivers recently. Windows keeps the previous driver version for about 30 days. If the Roll Back button is grayed out, you’ll need to download an older driver from your GPU manufacturer’s website.

#Why Does This Error Happen?

Microsoft’s DXGI error reference states that DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG (HRESULT 0x887A0006) is returned when the application’s device fails due to commands the application sent. In real systems, that fault traces back to one of these conditions:

• Your GPU doesn’t respond to DirectX commands within 2 seconds (the default timeout)
• Graphics drivers crash or freeze
• The GPU is overheating and throttling
• Your power supply can’t deliver enough power to the GPU under load
• VRAM is corrupted or failing

Check your GPU temperature with a tool like MSI Afterburner. If it’s hitting 85°C or higher during games, improve your case airflow or clean dust from the GPU fans. We tested a system where the GPU was running dangerously hot in Warzone, and the error kept reappearing. After cleaning the fans and improving airflow, temperatures came back into a safe range and the error stopped.

For other Windows gaming issues, check our guides on HDMI port not working and dxgkrnl.sys blue screen errors.

If the problem keeps surfacing in specific titles, also see our notes on Chrome being slow and how to defrag Mac for system-level cleanup tips that often help.

#Bottom Line

Update your graphics drivers first. If that doesn’t work, check for CPU overclocking, update DirectX through Windows Update, and try the TdrLevel registry fix. Most cases resolve with a driver update. If you run into related issues like no AMD graphics driver installed or Apex Legends crashing, those guides walk through the GPU-side fixes that often overlap with this error.

#Frequently Asked Questions