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Start with the game’s own DirectX 11 launch choice if it offers one. Otherwise, find the exact command documented for that game and add it through Steam.
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Set DirectX 11 from Steam
- Open Steam and select Library.
- Right-click the game you want to change and choose Properties.
- Stay on the General tab.
- Find the Launch Options box.
- Enter the DirectX 11 argument supported by the game.
- Close the Properties window and start the game through Steam.
For example, if the developer documents -dx11, enter exactly:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems-dx11Steam launch options are separated with spaces. If the game requires more than one option, use a format such as:
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-dx11 -windowedDo not add quotation marks unless the game’s documentation specifically tells you to.
Check for a DirectX 11 choice when you press Play
Some Steam games display a launcher or selection menu after you click Play. It may contain choices such as:
- Play DirectX 11
- Play DirectX 12
- Play Vulkan
- Legacy mode
- Performance mode
Select Play DirectX 11 if it is available. This is usually safer than guessing a command, because the game itself supplies the supported option.
The choices are controlled by the individual game, not by Steam globally. Some games also expose their launch modes in Properties → General → Launch Options.
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Commands that some games use
There is no command guaranteed to work with every Steam game. The correct syntax depends on the game and its engine.
| Command | Where it may work | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
-dx11 |
Some Unreal Engine games | Only works when that game recognizes the option. |
-d3d11 |
Some Unreal Engine games | It is not interchangeable with every other DX11 argument. |
-force-d3d11 |
Unity standalone games on Windows | Use it only if the game supports Unity’s command-line option. |
Epic’s Unreal Engine command-line reference lists dx11 as “Use DX11 for RHI” and also lists d3d11 as an available flag. Unity documents -force-d3d11 for forcing a Windows standalone player to use Direct3D 11.
These are examples, not a list of Steam-wide commands. Search the game developer’s support page, read its PC configuration guide, or check its official community support before choosing one.
Do not use -dxlevel 110 as a general DX11 fix
-dxlevel is commonly associated with Valve’s GoldSrc and Source games. Valve documents values such as:
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-dxlevel 98That does not make -dxlevel 110 a universal DirectX 11 command for modern games. Most third-party games will ignore it or handle it incorrectly. Use the argument documented for the specific title instead.
How to remove the DirectX 11 option
- Open the game’s Steam page in your Library.
- Right-click the game and choose Properties.
- Open General.
- Delete the text from Launch Options.
- Close the window and launch the game again.
Removing the option restores the game’s normal API selection, unless the game saved a separate renderer choice in its own configuration file or launcher.
Why the DirectX 11 command may do nothing
The game does not support that spelling
-dx11, -d3d11, and -force-d3d11 are different arguments. A game that understands one may ignore the others. Do not stack all three together as a test; remove the wrong option and try the next syntax that the developer officially documents.
A separate launcher controls the graphics API
Some Steam games open another launcher, configuration utility, or account client before starting. That program may choose the renderer itself, override Steam’s argument, or fail to pass it to the actual game. Look for a DirectX, rendering API, or graphics mode setting in that launcher.
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The game already has a launch selector
If Steam displays a menu for DirectX 11, DirectX 12, Vulkan, or another mode, use that menu first. Adding an unrelated manual argument can conflict with the selector.
The option is misspelled
Check every character, including the leading hyphen. For example, these are not the same:
-dx11
-d3d11
-force-d3d11Copy the command from the game’s official documentation rather than relying on a generic list found in a forum post.
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A game may expose a renderer through an engine abstraction or compatibility layer rather than using native Direct3D 11 in the way you expect. Also, a Direct3D feature level such as 11_0 is not the same thing as selecting the DirectX 11 API. Microsoft documents feature levels separately from Direct3D API versions.
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A reliable order to test
- Search the game’s official support site or documentation for “DirectX 11 launch option.”
- Click Play in Steam and select a built-in DirectX 11 mode if offered.
- If there is no selector, open Properties → General → Launch Options.
- Enter only the documented argument, such as
-dx11,-d3d11, or-force-d3d11. - Launch the game and check whether its renderer, performance, stability, or graphics menu reflects the change.
- If nothing changes, remove the argument and try another officially documented syntax.
Avoid combining several possible renderer flags. If two options conflict, you will not know which one the game accepted, and some games may fail to start.
FAQ
What is the Steam command to force DirectX 11?
There is no universal Steam command. Depending on the game, the supported option may be -dx11, -d3d11, or Unity’s -force-d3d11. Check the game’s official documentation first.
Where do I enter a DX11 launch option in Steam?
Open Steam, go to Library, right-click the game, choose Properties, open General, and enter the command in Launch Options.
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Will -dxlevel 110 force DirectX 11?
No. Valve’s documented -dxlevel values apply primarily to GoldSrc and Source games, and -dxlevel 110 is not a general DirectX 11 switch for modern Steam games.
How can I undo a DX11 launch option?
Return to the game’s Properties → General → Launch Options field and delete the command. Then close the window and restart the game.
The Bottom Line
Use the game’s built-in DirectX 11 launch choice when available. If it has no selector, add the exact documented argument under Steam → Library → game Properties → General → Launch Options. Start with the game’s own support information—-dx11, -d3d11, and -force-d3d11 are not universal Steam switches.
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