Baldur’s Gate 3, a highly awaited game, got great reviews after leaving Steam Early Access. However, some PC players face frustration due to the “Vulkan Error: Device Lost,” crashing their games. This error is linked to the graphics API Vulkan, used for impressive visuals, but compatibility issues can trigger it. Larian Studios aimed to capture tabletop depth in a video game, but technical problems like the Vulkan error threaten that. Thankfully, this guide will cover potential workarounds and tweaks to help restore the immersion, vanquish crashes, and allow players to fully embrace Baldur’s Gate in stunning virtual reality.
Also Read: Simple Guide To Fix Baldur’s Gate 3 Multiplayer Not Working Issue?
Baldur’s Gate 3 “Vulkan Error: Device Lost” On PC: How To Fix It
Baldur’s Gate 3 players on PC are running into the “Vulkan Error: DEVICE_LOST” crash when trying to launch the game. This frustrating error prevents the game from opening properly. However, there are several potential fixes that may resolve Baldur’s Gate 3 “Vulkan Error: Device Lost” On PC.
Update Or Reinstall Your GPU Drivers
Outdated GPU drivers are a common source of crashes and errors like this. Head to Nvidia or AMD’s website and download the latest driver for your graphics card. Make sure to do a “Clean Install” when installing the driver, which will completely remove old driver files before adding the new ones. This prevents driver conflicts.
Fix a Game Crash By Installing Beta Vulkan Driver
If your PC game keeps crashing with a Vulkan error, try this fix. People say no matter what GPU driver you have, the game crashes. But if you download and install Nvidia’s Beta Vulkan driver, the problem might go away. After installing, launch the game. You’ll get a pop-up saying your driver is old, but just ignore it. Play the game, and the Vulkan error should be gone.
Disable GPU Overclocking
If you have overclocked your GPU, the increased speeds could be causing instability and causing the “Vulkan Error: DEVICE_LOST” issue. Overclocking can improve game performance but also make it unstable. To resolve the error, reset your GPU to its default settings. If your GPU came factory overclocked (which is common), turn on Debug Mode in the Nvidia Control Panel. Debug Mode ensures your GPU uses the standard clocks recommended by Nvidia. Go to Nvidia Control Panel > Help > Debug Mode. Once done, launch Baldur’s Gate 3, and the Vulkan error should be gone. Also use a program like MSI Afterburner to reset your GPU clock speeds back to the stock defaults. This should eliminate any crashes from an unstable overclock.
Check Game File Integrity
Corrupted game files could result in crashes on launch. In Steam, right click Baldur’s Gate 3 > Properties > Local Files tab > Verify Integrity of Game Files. This will check for errors and re-download any missing or corrupt files.
Switch to DirectX 11
Baldur’s Gate 3 defaults to the newer Vulkan API, but you can force it to use the older DirectX 11 instead. Open Steam, right click Baldur’s Gate 3, go to Properties > General and type “-dx11” (without quotes) into the Launch Options. Now the game will boot in DX11 mode, avoiding any potential Vulkan conflicts.
Update Windows and .NET Framework
Make sure Windows, drivers, .NET Framework, and other system software components are fully updated. Outdated OS files and frameworks are a source of conflicts. Run Windows Update and check programs like GeForce Experience for any pending driver/software updates.
Delete Larian Studios Folder In Appdata
Fix the Vulkan error in Baldur’s Gate 3 by deleting the corrupted Larian Studios folder in the AppData. Just go to C:\Users\your username\AppData\Local and remove the folder. After that, enjoy playing without the Vulkan error bothering you.
Reinstall or Update C++ Redistributables
The Visual C++ Redistributables provide critical runtime components for games built in C++ (like Baldur’s Gate 3). A corrupt install can cause crashes. Uninstall the existing Visual C++ packages and grab the latest redistributables from Microsoft here.
Disable XMP
Turn off XMP in the BIOS. XMP boosts RAM performance, but it can lead to crashes, especially in games like Baldur’s Gate 3, causing the Vulkan Error. Disabling XMP in the BIOS should resolve the issue.
Disable FSR
Turn off FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) in the game settings if you’re encountering a Vulkan Error in Baldur’s Gate 3. FSR, AMD’s alternative to Nvidia’s DLSS, usually helps improve performance by rendering games at a lower resolution and then upscaling them. However, in this game, it’s causing issues. Disabling it should solve the problem for both Nvidia and AMD GPU users.
Disable GPU Features Like ReBAR/SAM
ReBAR and SAM, special features for Nvidia GPUs and AMD CPUs, can enhance game performance. Yet, they might lead to problems and crashes. If you’re experiencing Baldur’s Gate 3 crashes with a Vulkan Error, it’s likely due to ReBAR or SAM. Simply turn off the one relevant to your GPU, and the Vulkan error should be resolved.
If the above steps don’t resolve the Vulkan error, you may need to contact the game developer’s technical support channels for further troubleshooting. But one of these fixes will likely solve the “Vulkan Error: DEVICE_LOST” crash so you can enjoy Baldur’s Gate 3 on PC.
Also Read: Baldur’s Gate 3: Getting BG3 Sneak Attack Not Working Issue? Here’s How To Fix It
