How to Fix DirectX Errors in Call of Duty Modern Warfare II

DirectX errors in Call of Duty Modern Warfare II often occur due to instability in certain computer components, such as memory, especially when they are operating beyond their standard speeds. This might happen through automatic settings like XMP/DOCP or through manual adjustments made by the user.

To resolve this issue, reverting any modifications made to your computer’s memory and any additional speed enhancements from other software is typically necessary. This article details how to troubleshoot the DirectX error in Modern Warfare II.

1. Turn off third-party overlays

Firstly, eliminate any potential issues caused by third-party applications that add features to your game, as these could be causing crashes.

In-game overlays offer the convenience of accessing features from various apps without exiting the game, but they can interfere with game performance. The following steps will assist you in disabling overlays for commonly used applications such as Discord and GeForce Experience.

Discord

1. Launch the Discord client from the Start Menu.
2. Access the Settings by clicking the settings icon.

   

3. Select Game Overlay from the Settings menu.
4. Turn off the overlay using the provided slider.

   

GeForce Experience

1. Open GeForce Experience using the Start Menu.

   

2. Click on the settings icon to go to the Settings screen.
3. Within the General tab, toggle the In-game Overlay slider to off.

   

2. Disable Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling

Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling is a feature designed to enhance system performance by allowing the GPU to directly handle certain tasks, thereby alleviating the CPU’s workload. However, this feature is not without potential drawbacks—it may contribute to operational issues and crashes within some applications. If issues arise, consider deactivating this feature through your computer’s settings.

1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to System > Display > Graphics.

   

3. In the Graphics settings, select Change default graphics settings.

   

4. Use the toggle to turn off Hardware-accelerated GPU Scheduling.

   

5. Restart your PC and check if the DirectX error persists.

3. Repair MW2 Game Files

Crashes in Call of Duty Modern Warfare II could be attributed to corrupted or incomplete game installation files. Repairing these files through Steam or Battle.net may resolve the issue.

Steam

1. Open Steam and right-click on Call of Duty Modern Warfare II to select Properties.

   

2. In the Properties window, navigate to the Local Files tab and click Verify integrity of game files.

   

3. Allow Steam time to complete the repair process.

Battle.net

1. Launch the Battle.net client and select Call of Duty Modern Warfare II.
2. Click on the gear icon next to the Play button.

   

3. Choose Scan and Repair from the dropdown menu.
4. Wait for the repair process to finish.

4. Update Intel Management Engine Drivers (if applicable)

For users with Intel CPUs, ensuring the Intel Management Engine drivers are up to date could rectify DirectX errors. These drivers are instrumental in enhancing compatibility between the system and Intel processors.

To update the drivers, visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and locate the downloads section for your specific model. From there, you can find and download the latest Intel Management Engine drivers.

To aid in identifying your motherboard model, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Open the Run dialog using Windows + R.
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.

   

3. System Information will open, showing details about your system.
4. Find the Baseboard Product and Baseboard Manufacturer fields to determine your motherboard’s make and model.

   

5. Use this information to locate and download the Intel ME drivers from your manufacturer’s website.
6. Install the downloaded driver and restart your computer.
7. Check to see if the DirectX error reoccurs.

5. Reinstall Display Drivers

Out-of-date video drivers can cause compatibility issues with games like Modern Warfare II. Keeping these drivers updated is crucial to ensuring the seamless operation of new game releases and rectifying existing glitches.

To update the drivers, it’s advisable to remove the old ones first using a dedicated tool. Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is recommended for this purpose. The steps below guide you in utilizing DDU to remove existing drivers and how to install the updated ones subsequently.

1. Download DDU from the official link here.
2. Extract the downloaded zip file and execute Display Driver Uninstaller.exe.
3. Within DDU, click Continue in the Options window.

   

4. Select GPU from the Select device type dropdown.

   

5. Choose your GPU brand from the Select device menu.

   

6. Proceed to remove the current drivers by selecting Clean and restart.

   

7. After the system reboots, visit the website of your GPU manufacturer.
8. Look up your video card model and download the most recent drivers.
9. Install the new drivers on your computer and check if the DirectX issue has been resolved.

6. Remove XMP/DOCP Profile

The BIOS settings of your computer include options such as DOCP (for AMD systems) and XMP (for Intel systems) that define the operational speeds of your memory (RAM). Although intended to optimize performance, these settings can occasionally lead to instability and errors like the DirectX error in games.

To potentially resolve this, consider disabling DOCP or XMP in the BIOS. Additionally, if you have overclocked your GPU or CPU, reverting these modifications to their standard speeds may enhance system stability and address the issue. After making these changes, evaluate if the error still occurs.

7. Use Clean Boot

If the DirectX error with Call of Duty Modern Warfare II persists, it may be time to perform a clean boot. This diagnostic procedure starts your computer with essential system services and without non-crucial apps and services that could be causing interference.

A successful clean boot that eliminates the error indicates that the issue was likely due to an external application or service. Isolating and removing or disabling the offending software can permanently solve the problem. The following steps instruct you on how to perform a clean boot:

1. Invoke the Run dialog by pressing the Windows + R keys.
2. Input msconfig and press Enter.

   

3. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
4. Check the Hide Microsoft services box to filter out essential system services.

   

5. Click the Disable all button to turn off the remaining services.
6. Click Apply to save these settings.
7. Now switch to the Startup tab.
8. Choose Open Task Manager.

   

9. Disable each startup application in the Task Manager.

   

10. With all the steps completed, restart your PC to initiate the clean boot.
11. Observe if the DirectX error still presents itself.

Should the DirectX error remain after these troubleshooting steps, consider seeking assistance from the game’s customer support through their website. They can offer more tailored advice and solutions based on the specifics of your game’s error reports. Contact Activision’s support for further guidance.