What is DXGI-ERROR-DEVICE-REMOVED-3?
The graphics card has been physically removed or a driver crash has caused the device to reset.
Common Causes
- GPU Overclock instability
- Insufficient power supply voltage
- Thermal throttling or emergency shutdown caused by excessive component temperatures under gaming or heavy load.
Step-by-Step Fix Guide
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1
Reduce GPU clock speeds (MSI Afterburner)
Start with "Reduce GPU clock speeds (MSI Afterburner)" — this resolves DXGI-ERROR-DEVICE-REMOVED-3 in the majority of reported cases and is the fastest path to stability.
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2
Update GPU drivers
If the first step didn't fully resolve the issue, "Update GPU drivers" targets the next most common root cause. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully and restart your PC afterward.
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3
Check PSU power connectors
For persistent DXGI-ERROR-DEVICE-REMOVED-3 occurrences, "Check PSU power connectors" addresses less common but documented causes. This step may require administrator privileges.
Commands & Diagnostics
dxdiag
Frequently Asked Questions
The DXGI-ERROR-DEVICE-REMOVED-3 error is most commonly caused by gpu overclock instability. Other contributing factors include insufficient power supply voltage, thermal throttling or emergency shutdown caused by excessive component temperatures under gaming or heavy load.. Identifying the exact root cause is the first step toward a permanent fix.
The most effective first step is to reduce gpu clock speeds (msi afterburner). If that doesn't resolve the issue, work through the remaining steps in our guide above — each one targets a specific known cause of DXGI-ERROR-DEVICE-REMOVED-3. Most users resolve this error within 15–30 minutes.
DXGI-ERROR-DEVICE-REMOVED-3 is a high-severity error. While it won't immediately damage your PC, repeated occurrences can indicate a deeper hardware or software problem worth addressing quickly.
In most cases, yes. Our step-by-step guide above resolves DXGI-ERROR-DEVICE-REMOVED-3 without requiring a clean Windows installation. A reinstall is only recommended as a last resort if all other steps have been exhausted.
Sometimes. Microsoft regularly releases patches that fix known BSOD triggers including DXGI-ERROR-DEVICE-REMOVED-3. Make sure Windows is fully up to date via Settings → Windows Update before attempting more advanced fixes.
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