DXDiag — The Complete Windows Diagnostic Tool
dxdiag, and press Enter. No download or installation is required.What Is DXDiag
DXDiag is the DirectX Diagnostic Tool — a built-in Windows utility that has shipped with every version of Windows since Windows 98. It was created by Microsoft specifically to help users, developers, and technical support teams understand what hardware is installed in a Windows PC and whether that hardware is functioning correctly with DirectX.
When you run DXDiag, it scans your system and organizes the results into four tabs: System, Display, Sound, and Input. Each tab shows hardware information relevant to DirectX-enabled components. The Display tab is particularly detailed — it lists your GPU model, the amount of VRAM installed, the current driver version, the driver date, the monitor resolution, and which DirectX feature levels your GPU supports.
The tool is widely used by gamers checking if their PC meets game requirements, by PC builders confirming that all components were correctly recognized, and by users troubleshooting graphics or audio problems before contacting technical support. Support teams often ask for a saved DXDiag report (a plain text file you can export in one click) because it gives them every relevant hardware detail without requiring remote access.
DXDiag is not a download. It is not a third-party tool. It is already on your Windows PC right now. You simply need to know how to open it.
See the complete guide to running DXDiag →
How to Run DXDiag
The fastest way to open DXDiag is through the Windows Run dialog. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard. A small dialog box appears in the lower-left corner of your screen. Type dxdiag and press Enter. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens within 1 to 3 seconds.
There are four ways to open DXDiag on Windows 10 and Windows 11:
- Run dialog (fastest): Press Windows + R, type
dxdiag, press Enter. - Windows Search: Click the search bar, type
dxdiag, and click the result. - Command Prompt: Open CMD, type
dxdiag, press Enter. - PowerShell: Open PowerShell, type
dxdiag, press Enter.
Full step-by-step guide with screenshots for every method →
What DXDiag Shows You
DXDiag organizes all hardware information into four tabs. Here is a quick reference showing what each tab contains and when to use it:
| Tab | What It Shows | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| System | OS version, PC manufacturer, CPU model and speed, total RAM, page file size, DirectX version | Compare specs to software requirements; confirm Windows version |
| Display | GPU model, VRAM, monitor resolution, driver version, DirectX feature levels | Check GPU for gaming; share driver version with support |
| Sound | Audio device name, driver version, hardware acceleration status | Diagnose audio problems; confirm driver is installed |
| Input | Connected game controllers, input device names | Verify controllers are recognized by Windows |
The System tab loads first. It shows your operating system version, manufacturer and model of your PC, your processor name and clock speed, the total amount of RAM installed, and the version of DirectX that is active. The DirectX version shown here is important — games and applications require specific minimum versions.
The Display tab shows the most detailed information. Every GPU in your system gets its own Display tab — if you have both integrated graphics and a dedicated GPU, you will see two tabs labeled Display 1 and Display 2. Each tab shows the chip type, the amount of dedicated VRAM, the current driver version and its date, and the DirectX feature levels supported.
At the bottom of each tab, DXDiag shows a Notes field. If there are any problems detected with the device — driver errors, compatibility issues, hardware conflicts — they appear here. If the Notes field says No problems found, that device is functioning correctly.
Full guide to reading DXDiag output →
DXDiag and DirectX
DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) built into Windows that allow software to directly access hardware components — primarily the GPU and audio hardware — for high-performance graphics and sound. Video games, 3D design software, video editing applications, and many other programs rely on DirectX.
DXDiag is the diagnostic counterpart to DirectX. While DirectX itself runs in the background enabling applications to use your hardware, DXDiag gives you a window into the state of that system. The current version of DirectX on your PC is displayed on the System tab of DXDiag under the DirectX Version field.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 both ship with DirectX 12, which is the current version as of 2026. DirectX 12 is not a separate download — it is part of Windows itself and updated through Windows Update. If you see DirectX 11 or earlier in DXDiag, it typically means you need to run Windows Update or update your GPU drivers. You can check your exact DirectX version on the System tab of DXDiag.
Complete DirectX guide — versions, downloads, repair →
DXDiag Driver Information
One of the most valuable uses of DXDiag is checking driver information. The Display tab shows the exact version number and date of your graphics driver. This is useful when troubleshooting graphics problems, checking if your driver is outdated, or providing information to technical support.
The Sound tab shows the same information for your audio hardware — device name, driver version, and driver date. If you are experiencing audio problems, DXDiag can confirm whether the driver is installed and functioning.
The Notes field at the bottom of each tab is where driver problems appear. No problems found means the driver is installed and Windows detects no conflicts. Any other text in that field is a problem description that indicates what needs to be fixed.
Full guide to DXDiag driver information and troubleshooting →