Updated November 5, 2026
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 keeps crashing with DirectX error 0x887A0005 or 0x887A0006? You might experience freezes during campaign missions, random crashes in multiplayer or DMZ, or a startup crash after enabling ray tracing.
These errors can affect AMD Radeon, NVIDIA GeForce, and Intel Arc graphics cards. They do not automatically mean your GPU is damaged or that you need to reinstall Windows.
Several graphics adjustments may help, including disabling ray tracing, limiting FPS, and adjusting VRAM usage. If MW4 crashes before you can reach the graphics menu, you can also try recovering the game's ray-tracing configuration manually.
This guide explains the fixes to try first, how to recover from a startup crash, and what to do when the DirectX error keeps returning.
Quick Answer: How to Fix MW4 DirectX Error 0x887A0005 / 0x887A0006
Start by disabling ray tracing and testing a 90 FPS gameplay limit. Both changes are worth trying when MW4 repeatedly crashes with DirectX errors.
If the problem continues, try the following graphics configuration:
These settings are troubleshooting starting points, not guaranteed fixes. They may behave differently depending on your graphics card, driver version, and existing configuration.
If MW4 crashes before the main menu, use the configuration-file recovery instructions below instead of trying to access the in-game graphics settings.
Which Fix Should You Try First?
Tip: Change one setting at a time when possible. If the game becomes stable, you can identify which adjustment made the difference.
📋 Table of Contents
- MW4 Crashes Before the Menu? Config File Fix
- Fix 1: Disable Ray Tracing
- Fix 2: Limit FPS and Adjust VRAM
- Fix 3: Update AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel Drivers
- Fix 4: Disable Frame Generation and Reset GPU Tuning
- Fix 5: Verify Game Files and Lower Graphics
- AMD vs NVIDIA DirectX Crash Fixes
- What Do Error Codes 0x887A0005 and 0x887A0006 Mean?
- Has Activision Fixed the DirectX Crashes?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict
MW4 Crashes Before the Menu? Disable Ray Tracing Through the Config File
If Modern Warfare 4 started crashing immediately after you enabled ray tracing, you may be unable to reach the graphics menu to turn it off again.
In this situation, restoring the ray-tracing settings through the game's configuration file may help.
This workaround is especially relevant if:
- MW4 previously launched normally.
- You enabled ray tracing.
- The game crashed immediately afterward.
- Every subsequent launch fails before reaching the main menu.
Step 1: Close MW4 and Its Launcher
Exit Modern Warfare 4 completely.
Close Steam, the Xbox PC app, or Battle.net if it is still running.
Make sure the game process is no longer active before editing any configuration files.
Step 2: Open the Configuration Folder
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Paste the following path:
Press Enter.
If the folder exists, look for this configuration file:
Important: The file location and filename can vary depending on the installation, launcher, and game version.
If the file is missing, do not create a replacement based on these instructions.
Step 3: Back Up the File
Before making changes:
- Right-click s.1.0.cod26.txt.
- Select Copy.
- Paste a copy somewhere safe, such as your Desktop.
- Open the original file using Notepad.
Keeping a backup allows you to restore the original settings if something goes wrong.
Step 4: Find the DXR Settings
Press Ctrl + F in Notepad and search for these existing setting identifiers:
- DxrMode@0
- DxrMode@1
- DxrDenoiser@0
The values to test are:
Important: These are existing configuration entries, not commands or complete replacement lines.
Change only the value associated with each identifier while preserving the file's original structure, quotation marks, and surrounding syntax.
Do not paste the table directly into the file or create entries that are missing.
If you cannot confidently identify the correct values, leave the file unchanged.
Step 5: Save and Relaunch MW4
Save the edited file and launch Modern Warfare 4 again.
If the game opens successfully:
- Go to the graphics settings.
- Confirm ray tracing is disabled.
- Leave it disabled while testing stability.
Avoid immediately restoring the graphics preset that caused the crash.
If MW4 still fails to launch, restore the original file from your backup before trying another fix.
The game may regenerate its configuration or overwrite certain values when it starts. If that happens, do not repeatedly force unsupported settings.
This is a recovery workaround for a specific startup-crash situation, not a guaranteed solution for every DirectX error.
Fix 1: Turn Off Ray Tracing in Modern Warfare 4
Ray tracing is one of the first graphics features worth checking when MW4 crashes with DirectX error 0x887A0005 or 0x887A0006.
If you can reach the main menu:
- Launch Modern Warfare 4.
- Open Settings.
- Go to the graphics options.
- Locate the available ray-tracing settings.
- Turn ray tracing Off.
- Apply the changes.
- Restart the game if prompted.
- Test the game in the same mode where the crash previously occurred.
For example, if MW4 crashed during a campaign mission, return to that mission and check whether the game remains stable.
What If Ray Tracing Is Already Disabled?
Do not assume ray tracing is the only possible cause.
Some DirectX crashes can continue even with ray tracing turned off.
If that happens, move on to the FPS limit, VRAM, and graphics driver troubleshooting steps.
Keep ray tracing disabled while testing the other settings so you can narrow down the problem.
Fix 2: Limit FPS to 90 and Adjust VRAM Scale Target
Unrestricted frame rates can increase GPU workload and expose instability in some graphics configurations.
A conservative FPS limit may help reduce sudden workload spikes and improve consistency.
Set a 90 FPS Limit
Open the graphics settings and locate the custom frame rate options.
Try these values:
- Gameplay Frame Rate Limit: 90 FPS
- Menu Frame Rate Limit: 90 FPS
- Out-of-Focus Frame Rate Limit: 30 FPS
Apply the changes and test the game.
A 90 FPS cap is a troubleshooting value, not a required frame rate.
If your PC cannot maintain 90 FPS consistently, try a lower limit that it can sustain.
If the game becomes stable, you can gradually test higher limits. Should crashes return, restore the last stable setting.
Adjust VRAM Scale Target
Find the VRAM Scale Target setting and test a value of 80, if available.
This is a reported troubleshooting value rather than a guaranteed optimal setting.
Record your original value before changing it.
If your current VRAM Scale Target is already below 80, do not automatically increase it.
The best value depends on your graphics card, available VRAM, and the game's memory requirements.
If performance or stability becomes worse, restore the original value.
Try Intel XeSS Native
If MW4 offers Intel XeSS — Native under its resolution scaling options, you can test it as part of the same configuration.
This may be useful if your current scaling method appears to contribute to crashes.
However, XeSS is not a universal DirectX fix. Different graphics cards may behave better with different scaling technologies.
How to Test Whether the Changes Worked
After changing the settings:
- Restart Modern Warfare 4.
- Load the game mode where crashes normally occur.
- Play longer than the interval at which the game previously crashed.
- Watch for freezes, driver resets, or another DirectX error.
- If the crash returns, test the next troubleshooting step.
If your main problem is low FPS or microstuttering rather than DirectX crashes, see our MW4 DMZ stuttering and FPS drops guide for additional PC performance adjustments.
Fix 3: Update or Reinstall Your AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel Graphics Driver
DirectX errors 0x887A0005 and 0x887A0006 can occur when the graphics device or driver stops responding as expected.
Checking your graphics driver is worthwhile, especially if crashes began after a recent update.
For AMD Radeon GPUs
- Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
- Check for available graphics driver updates.
- Install a compatible official driver.
- Restart Windows.
- Launch MW4 and test again.
Official downloads are available from AMD Support.
If the crashes started immediately after a driver update, consider testing a previously stable official driver that supports your GPU.
For NVIDIA GeForce GPUs
- Open the NVIDIA app or visit NVIDIA's official driver download page.
- Check for a compatible graphics driver.
- Install the update.
- Restart Windows.
- Test Modern Warfare 4 again.
Official downloads are available from NVIDIA Drivers.
If a newer driver introduced instability, reverting to a previously stable supported version may help.
For Intel Arc GPUs
Check for updated graphics drivers through Intel's official support tools.
Install a compatible version, restart Windows, and test the game again.
Should You Perform a Clean Driver Installation?
A clean driver installation may help if the existing installation is damaged or conflicting with older components.
However, it is not guaranteed to resolve MW4 DirectX crashes.
If your drivers are already current and the game still crashes, avoid repeatedly reinstalling them without testing another possible cause.
Driver safety tip: Download drivers only from AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel. If rolling back, use a version that officially supports your graphics card and Windows version. Avoid unofficial driver packages.
For separate problems involving blurry textures, unusual rendering, or shader issues, see our Modern Warfare 4 pixelated or blurry graphics guide.
Fix 4: Disable Frame Generation and Return GPU Settings to Stock
If the DirectX error continues after disabling ray tracing and limiting FPS, check whether additional graphics features or GPU tuning settings are contributing to instability.
Disable Frame Generation Temporarily
If your system and graphics settings offer frame generation:
- Open MW4's graphics settings.
- Locate the frame generation option.
- Turn it off temporarily.
- Apply the changes.
- Restart the game and test.
Frame generation is not proven to cause every MW4 DirectX crash.
Disabling it is a diagnostic step that reduces the number of active rendering features while you troubleshoot.
Restore Default GPU Tuning
If you use AMD Adrenalin, MSI Afterburner, or another GPU tuning utility, temporarily restore its normal default settings.
Check for:
- GPU core frequency adjustments.
- Memory overclocking.
- Custom undervolting profiles.
- Aggressive power or performance tuning.
- Third-party GPU tuning utilities.
Use the software's normal Reset or Default option rather than manually entering unfamiliar voltage or frequency values.
What If MW4 Says Overclocking Detected?
An Overclocking Detected warning does not necessarily mean you manually overclocked your graphics card.
Some GPUs use factory-configured boost behavior, and instability can occur without a user-created overclock.
Returning user-controlled tuning settings to their defaults is a reasonable first test.
However, do not flash your GPU BIOS, disable hardware protections, or apply arbitrary voltage changes just to troubleshoot a DirectX error.
If the game still crashes at default settings, continue with file verification and graphics diagnostics.
Fix 5: Verify Game Files and Test Minimum Graphics Settings
Corrupted or incomplete game files can sometimes cause crashes, although file verification will not fix every DirectX or driver-related problem.
Verify MW4 Files on Steam
- Open Steam.
- Go to your Library.
- Right-click the relevant Call of Duty or Modern Warfare 4 entry.
- Select Properties.
- Open Installed Files.
- Select Verify integrity of game files.
- Wait for the process to finish.
- Restart Steam if necessary, then launch the game again.
Repair MW4 Through the Xbox PC App
If you installed MW4 through the Xbox PC app:
- Open the Xbox app.
- Find Modern Warfare 4 or its Call of Duty installation.
- Open the game's management options.
- Look for Files, Manage, or an available verification or repair option.
- Run the repair if supported.
The exact menu labels can vary by app version.
Avoid selecting Reset in Windows app settings unless you understand what local data it may remove.
Test Minimum Graphics Settings
If MW4 launches but crashes during demanding scenes, temporarily select the lowest available graphics preset.
Then test the same mission or multiplayer mode.
If the game becomes stable, gradually restore graphics settings one at a time.
This can help identify whether a particular graphics option contributes to the crash.
Minimum settings are not necessarily a permanent solution, but they provide a useful troubleshooting baseline.
AMD vs NVIDIA: Which DirectX Crash Fixes Should You Try?
Modern Warfare 4 DirectX crashes are not limited to one graphics card manufacturer.
Different systems may respond to different settings.
These are starting points, not guaranteed fixes for every GPU model.
AMD Radeon Users
If you have an RX 9070 XT, RX 9060 XT, or another Radeon GPU, begin by disabling ray tracing.
Then test the FPS and VRAM settings described earlier.
If the game stopped launching after you changed graphics options, try the backed-up configuration-file recovery method.
NVIDIA GeForce Users
NVIDIA users should also test ray tracing Off and a conservative FPS limit.
If MW4 remains unstable, consider changing the available resolution scaling or anti-aliasing method.
For example, testing DLSS instead of another scaling option may help determine whether the current rendering path is involved.
However, DLSS is not a guaranteed fix for DirectX error 0x887A0005 or 0x887A0006.
Intel Arc Users
Make sure your graphics driver supports the game and is up to date.
Test ray tracing Off, a lower graphics preset, and a conservative frame rate cap before changing more advanced settings.
If the error persists across different graphics configurations, collect the crash information for further diagnosis.
What Do DirectX Errors 0x887A0005 and 0x887A0006 Mean?
These error codes come from DirectX Graphics Infrastructure, commonly called DXGI.
They indicate that Windows or the game encountered a problem involving the graphics device or its driver.
What Does 0x887A0005 Mean?
DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED means the graphics device is no longer available to the application in the expected way.
This does not necessarily mean the graphics card was physically disconnected.
The error can occur when Windows resets the graphics driver or the application loses access to the device.
What Does 0x887A0006 Mean?
DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG indicates that the graphics device stopped responding as expected while processing work.
Possible contributing factors include driver instability, demanding rendering operations, unstable GPU tuning, or a game-specific graphics bug.
The code alone does not identify which factor caused your crash.
Does This Mean My GPU Is Damaged?
Not necessarily.
A DirectX crash in one game is not enough to diagnose a defective graphics card.
If other games and GPU-intensive applications also crash, the problem may require broader hardware, temperature, driver, or system stability testing.
If only MW4 crashes, focus first on the game's graphics configuration and driver compatibility.
Has Activision Fixed MW4 DirectX Error 0x887A0005 / 0x887A0006?
Modern Warfare 4 has received stability improvements, but a specific universal fix for these two DirectX error codes has not been confirmed.
A general patch note mentioning crash fixes does not necessarily mean every DirectX device-hung or device-removed error has been resolved.
You can check the latest information through:
- Official Modern Warfare 4 Patch Notes
- Activision Modern Warfare 4 Known Issues
What If None of the Fixes Work?
If MW4 continues crashing after testing the settings above, avoid repeatedly making the same changes without a clear result.
Restore your preferred stable graphics configuration, then collect the following details:
- The exact DirectX error code.
- Whether the crash occurs at launch, in menus, or during gameplay.
- Your GPU model and driver version.
- Whether ray tracing or frame generation is enabled.
- Whether the problem occurs in campaign, multiplayer, DMZ, or multiple modes.
- Any available crash report or diagnostic information.
Submit the details through Activision's official support or bug-reporting channels.
This can help distinguish a reproducible game issue from a system-specific graphics problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Fix DirectX Error 0x887A0005 in Modern Warfare 4?
Start by disabling ray tracing, limiting FPS, and checking your graphics driver.
If the game crashes before reaching the menu after enabling ray tracing, try restoring the existing DXR settings through a backed-up configuration file.
What Causes MW4 DirectX Error 0x887A0006?
Error 0x887A0006 generally indicates a graphics device hang.
Possible contributing factors include driver instability, demanding rendering operations, GPU tuning, or game-specific graphics problems. The code does not establish one definite cause.
Why Does Modern Warfare 4 Crash After Enabling Ray Tracing?
Ray tracing changes the game's rendering workload and can expose graphics-driver or game compatibility problems.
Disabling it is a useful first troubleshooting step, especially if crashes began immediately after enabling the feature.
How Do I Disable Ray Tracing If MW4 Won't Launch?
Close the game and locate its configuration file, if available.
Back it up, then find the existing DxrMode@0 and DxrMode@1 entries and set their values to Off while preserving the original syntax.
Restore the backup if the edit fails.
Does Limiting MW4 to 90 FPS Stop DirectX Crashes?
A 90 FPS cap has helped some players, but it is not a guaranteed fix.
It is worth testing alongside ray tracing Off and conservative VRAM settings.
If your PC cannot sustain 90 FPS, try a lower stable limit.
Does the DirectX Error Affect AMD and NVIDIA GPUs?
Yes. DirectX device-related crashes can affect AMD Radeon, NVIDIA GeForce, and Intel Arc systems.
The best troubleshooting steps may differ depending on the GPU model, driver version, and graphics settings.
Should I Reinstall DirectX or My Graphics Drivers?
Updating or reinstalling a graphics driver can help if the driver is damaged or unstable.
However, repeatedly reinstalling DirectX is unlikely to solve a game-specific graphics problem by itself, especially on modern Windows systems where DirectX components are integrated into the operating system.
Has Activision Fixed MW4 DirectX Crashes?
General stability improvements have been released, but a universal fix specifically confirmed for errors 0x887A0005 and 0x887A0006 has not been established.
Check official patch notes and known-issues updates for further changes.
Final Verdict
If Modern Warfare 4 keeps crashing with DirectX error 0x887A0005 or 0x887A0006, start by disabling ray tracing and testing a 90 FPS limit.
If the game crashes before reaching the menu after enabling ray tracing, restoring the existing DXR settings through a backed-up configuration file may help recover startup.
For persistent crashes, test driver stability, return GPU tuning to stock settings, disable frame generation temporarily, and verify the game files.
These steps can help narrow down the cause, but no single workaround is guaranteed to resolve every DirectX crash across all AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel graphics cards.
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