Fix: The Last of Us Part 1 Error “A GPU Supporting D3D FEATURE LEVEL 12 Or Higher Is Required”

Finally! The Last of Us Part 1 is now available for Windows to enjoy. But users face a few faults and issues like “A GPU supporting D3D feature level 12 or...

Raai Biswas

Last updated on January 31, 2025

Raai Biswas

Author

Raai is a tech enthusiast who loves writing to break down the jargon. Her expertise is curating troubleshooting guides to help readers fix their gadgets. Besides, she likes to explore different games!

How to Fix If Last of Us Part 1 Error D3D FEATURE LEVEL 12 or Higher Is Required

If you’re trying to play The Last of Us Part 1 on your Windows PC, you may encounter an error that says, “A GPU supporting D3D FEATURE LEVEL 12 or higher is required.” This error occurs when your graphics card does not support DirectX 12 or a higher version. However, a few ways exist to fix this error and play the game smoothly. Here are some solutions you can try:

1. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

The most traditional technique is to check the game files’ integrity and fix any missing or damaged game files. Here’s how to use Steam and Epic Games to achieve it.

Through Steam,

Visit the Steam Library
Right-click The Last of Us Part 1 to choose it.
Tap on Features Regional Files
Scan the game files’ integrity
Restart the game.

In the Epic Games Launcher,

Select the three dots on The Last of Us Part 1
Click on Control
Next to Check files, click the Verify button.
Once finished, restart the game

2. Increase the Virtual Memory

In some circumstances, increasing the virtual memory should fix the issue. Way to do it:

Search for “Advanced System Options” in the Start menu.
Choose “Advanced System Settings” from the menu.
Click the Advanced tab in the System Properties box.
Select “Settings” from the Performance menu.
Click the “Change” button next to Virtual memory on the Advanced tab.
Deactivate the checkbox next to “Automatically manage paging file size for all discs.”
Choose the “Custom size” button after choosing your system drive (often C:).
Increase the initial size and maximum size from their current values (RECOMMENDED: Starting size: 1.5 times the total RAM; maximum size: 3 times the total Memory.)
Choose the “Set” button, then select OK.
Start The Last of Us Part 1 after restarting your PC.

3. Run the Game on a Dedicated Graphics Card

Running the game on dedicated graphics is your last option. How to do it:

Enter “Graphics Settings” in the Windows search box to access it.
Select Browse, then select the game’s installation directory.
Click “Add” after selecting the game’s.exe file.
Next, choose the game and select Settings.
Click on Save after selecting “High Performance.”
After finishing, start the game to see if the problem persists.

We must fix the “A GPU supporting D3D FEATURE LEVEL 12 or higher is required” The Last of Us Part 1 problem.

4. Make Sure Your Graphics Card Supports DX 12

Your graphics card does not support DX 12, one of the main causes of this error number. To fix this error in The Last of Us Part 1, make sure it supports; else, you will need to upgrade it.

5. Clean Installation of Graphics Card

A GPU supporting D3D FEATURE LEVEL 12 Or Higher Is Required one of the errors that can appear over time due to updating your graphics card driver or installing several versions of the driver. So, to install the most recent driver, a clean installation entails fully uninstalling the old driver and all of its related files. These NVIDIA and AMD links will help you download the most recent model of your graphics card.

NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/drivers/

AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support

Once done, restart your PC, and the error should be fixed.

In conclusion, encountering the error “A GPU Supporting D3D FEATURE LEVEL 12 Or Higher Is Required” while trying to play The Last of Us Part 1 can be frustrating. However, several ways to fix this issue include updating your graphics card drivers, installing the latest version of DirectX, or upgrading your hardware. It’s important to note that some of these solutions may require technical knowledge or assistance, so proceed with caution. With the right steps, you can overcome this error and enjoy playing The Last of Us Part 1 without any further hindrance.