Many Overwatch players say that they are unable to play Overwatch due to an error that makes their screen go black and an error box pop up that says “Your rendering device has been lost!“. There is no need for panic if you also experience this problem. This guide contains 8 helpful solutions that can help you correct this issue.
Keep in mind, that some of the solutions listed here are specific to rendering device, however, certain methods from Overwatch Crashing on Startup are also viable.
Overwatch Blizzard Entertainment published this 2016 multiplayer FPS game. It is a hero shooter that assigns 12 players into two teams of six, each player can select from a large roster of characters, known as “heroes”, each having their own unique abilities.
How to fix Overwatch Rendering Device Lost Error?
The most common reason for the “Overwatch Rendering Device Lost” error is overheating or overclocked PC components, mainly the graphics card. The GPU drivers may also be out of date and cause this error. This guide will provide 8 ways to fix this error.
Are you looking for the best Overwatch PC settings that could help you achieve maximum performance and smooth gameplay? Then check out our guide for the Best Overwatch PC Settings.
Close Background Applications
If you have too many programs running in the background, it could affect the performance of your computer and cause games to crash. Any background applications that you are not using right now should be removed from the task manager or the system tray. Launch the Modern Warfare app to check if the crashes persist.
Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated drivers are a common cause of a lot of different performance and crashing problems in PC gaming. Outdated drivers could also be a cause of the “Overwatch Rendering Device Lost” error. It is recommended that you update your graphics card drivers at the least once a week, as new versions are constantly being released. If left unchecked, outdated graphics card drivers could cause the Overwatch startup crash issue and other performance-related issues as well.
To update the video card drivers, visit the GPU manufacturer’s website and head over to the graphics drivers section to find the latest version of the graphics card drivers and install them. Below are the links for NVIDIA and AMD graphics card driver’s website pages.
- NVIDIA
- AMD
If updating the graphics card drivers did not solve the issue, try the other solutions mentioned below.
Reset the Clock Speed Settings to Default
The Overwatch “Rendering Device Lost” error is likely occurring due to overclocked GPU, CPU, or other hardware components. If that is the case, you should try setting your components’ frequency or clock speed settings back to their defaults and then start Overwatch again to see if the error is resolved. The following methods can be used if resetting your clock speeds to default doesn’t solve the problem.
Check for Overheating Issues
A lot of users have noticed that Overheating components are causing the “Rendering Device Lost” errors and also black screens. It is important to monitor the temperatures of your computer and make sure that all fans are working properly. Because it takes time for components of your computer to reach high temperatures, you should monitor fans and monitor the temperature using temperature monitoring apps like HWmonitor. This will help determine if Overheating may be the reason. Other solutions are available if your temperatures are stable, and all fans are working properly.
Enable Super Fetch Service
Windows SuperFetch is a component of Windows’ memory manager that improves hard drive performance. You make sure that this service is enabled as this could help in fixing the Overwatch Rendering Device Lost error. To Follow these steps.
- Press the Windows logo key and R on your keyboard to open the Windows Run.
- Type thegoneapp.com and press Enter on your keyboard.
- Locate the service that is name SysMain and make sure that it is running.
Windows Services. - If it is isn’t running, Right-click the service and go to properties.
- Change the startup type to Automatic and click the start button, then click OK.
- Restart the computer.
- Launch Overwatch to see if the issue is fixed.
Turn on Scale with GPU (for AMD users)
This is a method that is specifically for people using AMD Graphic Cards. Many AMD users were able to fix their Overwatch Rendering Device Lost error by modifying display settings in their AMD Radeon Software. These steps will enable you to turn on your AMD Radeon Software GPU calling.
- Launch AMD Radeon Settings.
- Click on Display.
- Turn on GPU Scaling.
AMD Radeon Settings. - Run Overwatch to see if the error is solved.
Exclude Overwatch From Antivirus Scanning
Antivirus software could sometimes block the Overwatch app to run on the system by mistaking it for a threat. The game will crash every time your Antivirus software detects it as a threat. You can fix this problem by excluding the Overwatch application from your Anti-virus software. The exclusion process is very similar in most Anti-virus software, Here’s how to do it.
- Launch your Anti-virus application.
- Head to the Virus and threat protection settings.
Virus & threat protection. - Click on Add or remove exclusions.
- Add Overwatch and save the settings.
Exclusions.
Update Windows 10 to the Latest Version
Windows Updates can sometimes fix any bugs that could be causing performance problems and other hardware-related issues. Updating your Windows to the latest version could potentially fix the “Overwatch Rendering Device Lost” error.
- Open the Windows Search Menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Type Windows Update in the search box, select the Check for updates option.
Windows Update. - Click on Check for updates, Windows will search and download the latest update.
Check for updates. - Once the download is completed, restart your computer in order to install the update.
Run Overwatch to see if the problem is fixed.
Summary
That was all for our “Overwatch Rendering Device Lost” error fixing guide. We hope you are able to resolve this frustrating error using the methods we have provided in this troubleshooting manual. Thegoneapp.com Support can help you identify the root cause of the error if you have tried all the above solutions.
