Cannot launch DirectX applications, missing Feature Levels

[Experimental1212]

Hello,

I am having a problem with DirectX where applications cannot make use of DirectX for rendering on my dedicated GPU. Below are just two examples of many:

• 
  - MS Flight Simulator X will fail to launch like many other applications and give an error (attached as FSX.jpg).
  - Starbound gives an error (second screenshot, Starbound.jpg) when launching with DirectX in 64-bit

At this point, I saved a snaphot of DxDiag output. Then, to correct the issue (a procedure found through trial and error) I uninstall my integrated graphics drivers and reboot. On reboot the system reinstalls these necessary drivers and then my applications start as intended. At this point I take my second snapshot of the DxDiag output. The applications will continue to work until the next reboot whereupon the DxDiag matches the original case where no DirectX applications can start. What is puzzling is that the process is repeatable by unstalling/reinstalling the integrated graphics drivers, when the GPU in use is the dedicated card.

My latop specification: ASUS ROG GL551JW-DS74 Gaming Laptop running Windows 10 Home 64-bit.
For a quick reference as to the specifications of that version I will list some hardware on the linebelow, which is the standard configuration for the aforementioned laptop:
Intel Core i7-4720HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz, 16.0GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4600, Dedicated GeForce GTX 960M with drivers 358.50.

Here is a link to two outputs from DxDiag, a before and after the problem snapshot: https://www.diffchecker.com/evjyu2lw
The left-hand side of the webpage is output where "Feature Levels" are available on the "Render" tab and DirectX programs work as expected/intended. The right-hand side of the webpage is after a single reboot of the computer (two minutes later), and it is clear that "Feature Levels" are not listed, and DirectX programs do not launch.

OpenGL applications are also affected (app-specific information detailed below).

• 
  - Starbound, launching in OpenGL, will fail to launch but no error is given (no log is accissible, or I didn't find it).
  - Minecraft fails to launch (launches into a blank white canvas) with the last line in the log before the JVM stops responding reading, "[Client thread/INFO]: LWJGL Version: 2.9.4".
  - FTL (Faster Than Light) is an OpenGL game which also launches into a blank, white canvas.

However these OpenGL issues are resolved by a simple reboot, provided that the target application is one of the first to be launched. Once an application is running it will never "crash" due to a problem with OpenGL, it's just that during the launch of the application after the computer has been on for a while will likewise yield the results above.

So, while there is a workaround (uninstall and reboot), I would like to be able to have DirectX work at all times.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
Chris


FSX error screenshot:

Starbound erro screenshot:

 

[basroil]

Sounds like a bad driver install. You need to update both graphics drivers (assuming you have intel+nvidia optimus), and then go through the driver settings in the nvidia driver control panel to add those games to their graphics card http://www.howtogeek.com/136123/htg-explains-what-you-need-to-know-about-nvidia-optimus/

 

[wa1]

Yup, try to reinstall the driver or even try the older version. Sometimes the older version is better.
You also might want to try update/install directX 9/10/11 or any directX version that you can find.
Try that first and get back to us soon...

 

[Experimental1212]

Sounds like a bad driver install. You need to update both graphics drivers (assuming you have intel+nvidia optimus), and then go through the driver settings in the nvidia driver control panel to add those games to their graphics card http://www.howtogeek.com/136123/htg-explains-what-you-need-to-know-about-nvidia-optimus/

Yup, try to reinstall the driver or even try the older version. Sometimes the older version is better.
You also might want to try update/install directX 9/10/11 or any directX version that you can find.
Try that first and get back to us soon...

I did a clean reinstall of the operating system and the drivers and the problem persists. I also tried backdating nvidia drivers to last spring when windows 10 drivers first started to appear, also to no avail.

As for the Optimus, forcing the GPU (GTX 960m) in Nvidia control panel does not work, but forcing the Integrated Graphics works! (except that is not desirable, due to severely decreased performance).

Third, before reformatting and reinstalling my OS, I attempted to install DirectX 9.0c (used by Flight Sim), but Windows 10 did not allow that version to be installed.

So, this is what it comes down to: if I want to launch a DirectX programs I reinstall my integrated graphics, reboot, and immediately run the desired program.