MSFS 2020 CTD on launch every time with DX11

Bug Reporting Hub Crashes (CTDs)
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ISSUE DESCRIPTION

Description of the issue:

MSFS 2020 cannot be run in DX11 mode with the Nvidia App installed. It will crash on the startup screen every time. This has been going on for about 1-2 months now.

Workarounds are to either remove the Nvidia App (May not be feasible as it is required now for some Nvidia features), delete a specific DLL folder (which will always return), or run MSFS2020 in DX12 (unstable for many people).

A few threads on this have been moved to the user support hub but this is a bug that needs to be fixed either by Asobo or Nvidia, it affects everyone running this configuration regardless of hardware.

[PC Only] Did you remove all your community mods/add-ons? If yes, are you still experiencing the issue?

Yes

FREQUENCY OF ISSUE

How often does this occur for you (Example: Just once, every time on sim load, intermittently)?

Every time.

REPRODUCTION STEPS

Please list clear steps you took in order to help our test team reproduce the same issue:

  1. Launch MSFS 2020 in DX11 mode, with Nvidia App installed
  2. CTD when loading bar is around 50%

YOUR SETTINGS

If the issue still occurs with no mods and add-ons, please continue to report your issue. If not, please move this post to the User Support Hub.

[PC Only] Are you using Developer Mode or have you made any changes to it?

No

[PC, MSFS 2020 Only] Are you using DX11 or DX12?

DX11

[PC Only] Many issues may be due to an outdated graphics card. Please state your Graphics Card Driver Manufacturer (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD) and Version:

Nvidia RTX 4080

[END OF FIRST USER REPORT]

:loudspeaker: For anyone who wants to contribute on this issue, Click on the button below to use this template:

Do you have the same issue if you follow the OP’s steps to reproduce it?
•

Provide extra information to complete the original description of the issue:
•

If relevant, provide additional screenshots/video:
•

2

I tried unsizing and still the failure persisted, I deleted the root folder of the game and it still persisted, then I entered the Nvidia application and clicked on optimize, it adjusted the game again to Direct X 12 and so I was able to fix it.

It’s clear that it doesn’t currently work with Direct X 11.

Alexander Guerrero.

3

Exactly the same problem as you described.
If you find a way to run the simulator in Directx11 mode, please share.

4

I think that you may be using DLSS4 and one of the 572 drivers. Would this be correct?

5

Dump Nvidia App if you use dx11 in 2020.

6

Yes. Latest drivers. And the latest nvidia app. But it does not start in dx11 mode regardless of whether I enable dlss4 boost in the application or not.

7

OK, Do not take this as gospel because I am not 100% sure but I think that DLSS4 and/or the latest driver needs DX12.

IF this is the case, then it would explain why it won’t load in DX11. It might be worth doing some checking to see if this is the case.

8

To clarify I am using vanilla driver and app settings. I haven’t forced any DLSS overrides.

9

Nvidia App is required for some features in other games, and will eventually replace the Nvidia CP.

That workaround may work for some people if they don’t use it, but it isn’t a long term fix

10

Do you have the same issue if you follow the OP’s steps to reproduce it?
• yes

Provide extra information to complete the original description of the issue:
• I have a new RTX 5080. It seems the entire game goes through the launch process and then crashes just when the game has loaded and the final window is about to be presented on screen.

If relevant, provide additional screenshots/video:
•

11

Do you have the same issue if you follow the OP’s steps to reproduce it?
• Yes

Provide extra information to complete the original description of the issue:
• I have the latest nVidia App & drivers installed and was running 2020 with DX11 without issues until today. The change was upgrading from a 3070 Ti 8GB card to a 5070 Ti 16GB card. I was able to run 2020 once with the new card installed and my existing settings. After that, 2020 crashed every launch just past the midway loading point as others have described.

To trouble shoot, I reinstalled the nVidia drivers, tried Safe Mode, tried the Windows 11 Installed Apps “Repair” option, & the “Reset” option (which subsequently required a new download and install of 2020) all to no avail.

I finally got 2020 running again by using the nVidia App’s recommended optimization settings for 2020 which switches it to DX12 among other changes.

To confirm this wasn’t a fluke, using the 2020 General Options menu, I changed it back to DX11 and quit as required by the DX change. 2020 CTD again at the same spot when I tried to relaunch it. I used the nVidia App to make its recommended changes again and was again able to relaunch 2020.

In summary, 2020 was working fine with the nVidia App, the same drivers and a 3070 Ti card but now can’t run DX11 with the 5070 Ti card. I had tried DX12 with 2020 some time ago and had stability issues so switched back to DX11 and have been happy with it since. I don’t see removing the nVidia App as a solution given I use it to keep the drivers up to date.

Really hope this issue, which seems to potentially be related to just the 40 and 50 series cards, can be resolved.

EDIT: Wanted to mention I also emptied my community folder (first) when I started trouble shooting.

EDIT: Driver version 572.83

If relevant, provide additional screenshots/video:
•

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