Ultimate Guide: How to Use DxDiag to Diagnose Graphics and Sound Problems in Windows

Is your PC struggling with graphics or sound and you don't know where to start looking for the problem? Don't worry: there's a built-in Windows tool called DxDiag that, when used correctly, can save you hours of trial and error. It's easy to use, free, and can give you very quick answers about your system's status regarding video, audio, and related drivers.

In this guide you will Learn in depth what DxDiag is, what information it collects, how you can leverage it to diagnose graphics and audio problems, and how to export its reports for technical support or share them on help forums. We'll also look at how DxDiag complements other tools and Tricks to get the most out of it. So, the next time a game freezes, the sound gets weird, or artifacts appear on screen, you'll know exactly where to attack the problem.

What is DxDiag and what is it used for?

Dxdiag is the abbreviation for the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, a utility built into all modern versions of Windows thanks to Microsoft, created specifically for collect and display technical information about DirectX-related components. DirectX is the set of Windows libraries that supports everything related to 3D graphics, video acceleration, audio and inputs for video games and multimedia applications. As a fundamental part of the system, any incompatibility, incorrect driver, or hardware failure can cause problems in these areas.

Its original function was to allow checking and even repairing some device failures directly.Since Windows Vista, its use is especially focused on display information for diagnosis and export the details to a file you can share with technical support. DxDiag thus functions as a technical scanner, with sufficient detail to verify the correct drivers, the hardware you have installed, and any incompatibilities detected.

When is it a good idea to use DxDiag?

DxDiag is especially useful when you experience graphical problems, crashes when running games, sound errors, or if you suspect that the PC does not correctly recognize a component related to image or audio.It's the first tool technicians often ask for when assessing equipment status, especially when submitting a support ticket or seeking help on specialized forums. It's also key for:

• Check hardware and driver requirements for new games.
• Detect old versions, outdated drivers or incompatible.
• Examine which device is causing a conflict (for example, multiple graphics or sound cards).
• Confirm the exact version of DirectX installed and if there are disabled functions.
• Gather details to send to technical support to expedite problem resolution.

How to run DxDiag step by step

The process is simple and quick, and doesn't require administrator privileges or additional installations. Here's how to do it correctly:

1. Press the Windows key or click the Start button.
2. Type "dxdiag" in the search box and select the DxDiag app that appears in the results. Click or press Enter.
3. If this is the first time you're opening it, Windows may ask if you want to check if the drivers are digitally signed. Choose Yes for more reliable information.
4. The main DxDiag window will open. You may see a progress bar in the lower left corner while it collects data. Wait a few seconds for it to finish.
5. Once loaded, You can navigate through the different tabs to consult the information or click “Save all information” to export the report to a text file.

The report exported by DxDiag is widely used by software and video game manufacturers, forums, and technical support to understand the user's hardware and software environment. Plus, if you encounter any issues, this report will be your best ally.

Breakdown of the tabs and information displayed by DxDiag

DxDiag organizes information into several tabs covering your computer's various key devices and subsystems. Let's take a closer look at what each tab offers:

System

This tab shows general data about your machine:

• Current date and time when opening the tool
• Team name and user
• Version and type of Windows operating system, as well as the language
• Equipment manufacturer and model (useful for identifying cloned or brand-assembled equipment)
• Version of the BIOS and motherboard model
• Processor details: manufacturer, model, cores, and base frequency
• Total amount of RAM installed
• Paging File Space and Usage
• Exact version of DirectX installed

This data is essential for compatibility diagnostics or detecting inconsistencies between installed hardware and the system's hardware.

Screen

In the Display tab, DxDiag collects all relevant information about your graphics cards and connected monitors.If you have multiple GPUs or multiple monitors, you'll see a tab for each device.

• Model and manufacturer of the graphics card (GPU)
• Amount of dedicated, shared, and total video memory
• Name and model of the connected monitor or display
• Current resolution and refresh rate
• Version and date of the installed graphics driver
• Versions of Direct3D, DirectDraw, and other supported technologies
• GPU Driver Status and Version, as well as if they are digitally signed
• Advanced DirectX features supported (such as DirectX 12 Ultimate)
• In the "Notes" section you can see any warnings or errors detected, such as incompatibilities, old drivers or hardware failures detected by the system.

Valuable information can be extracted from this, such as incompatibilities between the DirectX version required by a game and the one supported by your hardware, as well as clues about possible failures due to outdated or corrupted drivers.

Sound

The Sound tab groups all the information about the system's audio devices. If you have multiple sound cards or outputs (such as the built-in one and a USB external), each will have its own section.

• Name of the device and its manufacturer
• Driver used, with its version and date
• Device status (whether it is working properly or has problems)
• Technical details on audio driver configuration
• Any errors or conflicts detected will be displayed in "Notes"

This is useful if you experience glitches, dropouts, interference, or the message “no playback device detected.”

Input

The Input tab lists all connected devices used for data entry, such as keyboards, mice, microphones, and game controllers.

• Complete list of recognized devices
• Manufacturer and model information
• Driver version and status
• Devices connected to each USB port

This is a less frequently consulted section, but it's important if you're having detection issues with peripherals or input-related game crashes.

How to export a DxDiag report and what it's for

A very useful option in DxDiag is the ability to export all information to a text or XML file. This feature is used by most developers, support, and forums to analyze your case.

1. Within DxDiag, Click “Save all information” In the bottom right.
2. Choose an accessible location, such as the desktop, and save the file with a meaningful name.
3. Attach this file to a ticket, email it, or upload it to a forum as needed.

The report describes the complete status of devices, versions, errors, and relevant messages, providing the easiest way to share accurate and clear information for troubleshooting.

What types of problems can be diagnosed with DxDiag?

DxDiag doesn't automatically repair faults, but it does help identify and analyze problems, making them easier to resolve. Some features include:

• Check if the equipment meets minimum requirements for games or programs.
• Detect outdated or corrupt graphics or sound drivers.
• Identify incompatibilities between hardware and software.
• Check the version of DirectX installed and whether it is sufficient for the software.
• Locate conflicts between devices (such as multiple graphics or sound cards).
• Analyze errors detected by DirectX in the “Notes” section.
• Obtain data to rule out physical or driver/software failures.
• Review advanced graphics settings, such as memory and resolution.

Additional plugins and tools for diagnosing graphics and sound in Windows

DxDiag is not the only utility. There are other tools built into Windows that can complement the diagnosisLet's review the main ones:

Device administrator

Allows View and manage all devices recognized by Windows, its drivers, and status. This is useful for detecting if a GPU or sound card is not being recognized or is experiencing errors. For a deeper look into hardware specifications, you can consult see the specifications of your PC in Windows 11.

1. Write Device administrator in the search bar and open it.
2. Expand Display adapters to view the installed graphics cards.
3. Double click for details and to manage drivers.
4. It also serves to identify sound and input devices.

Display and system settings

From Settings (Start > Settings > System > Display), You can check the active GPU on each monitor, resolution, frequency and other relevant data. It is useful to check if your settings are limiting performance or if you are using the correct hardware, especially if you want to check the maximum resolution supported by your display. Windows 11 en How to use DxDiag to diagnose problems.

Task Manager

Allows view real-time GPU load, temperature, and memory. To access:

1. press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or search for “Task Manager.”
2. Go to the tab Unlimited and select GPU.

This helps detect if the GPU is working at its limit, if there are high temperatures or bottlenecks.

Graphics card control panel

To NVIDIA or AMD, there are specific panels where you can check advanced information, update drivers, or modify game parameters. To check the specifications of your hardware and drivers, you can consult How to change a graphics card in Windows 10.

System information

For an even more technical analysis, "System Information" in Windows offers a complete inventory of hardware and driversIt is useful for checking specific details of GPU, memory, and other components, complementing the information that DxDiag can provide.

Tips for interpreting DxDiag data

Interpreting the data can be straightforward for experts, but the most important thing to remember is to review these key points:

• Error messages or warnings in "Notes" indicate the source of the problem
• Verify that the driver versions are recent and digitally signed.
• Check that the DirectX version is the recommended one for the software or game.
• If you experience lag or poor graphics, check your video memory and GPU specifications.

What to do if DxDiag detects problems?

After obtaining the DxDiag report, follow these steps:

• Update your graphics and sound card drivers from the manufacturer's website or Windows Update.
• Reinstall drivers by removing previous ones if the problem persists.
• Verify that the hardware is connected correctly, especially after moving or changing components.
• Check physical hardware if the device does not appear in the report or in Device Manager.
• Please consult support forums by attaching the DxDiag file for quick help.