Are you getting a “Rendering Device Lost” error in Overwatch 2?

Here’s the full error message, “Your rendering device has been lost! Application closing!”.

Overwatch 2 was released on October 4, 2022.

Since its release, the game has had multiple known issues.

Some of the known issues are server disconnection, cosmetics, items, currency not showing up, and others.

In this guide, you’ll learn why Overwatch 2 says “Rendering Device Lost” and how to fix it.

Why does Overwatch 2 say “Rendering Device Lost”?
How to fix “Rendering Device Lost” in Overwatch 2

Why does Overwatch 2 say “Rendering Device Lost”?

Overwatch 2 says “Rendering Device Lost” because your graphics card is outdated.

The error message can also happen if you have too many tabs open or conflicting apps running in the background.

If you have too many tabs open, it will take up a lot of your RAM.

If your RAM exceeds 100%, the game will crash.

Many players are posting on the Blizzard forum about the “Rendering Device Lost” error.

“When I play Overwatch 2, I’ll randomly get an error message saying that my rendering device is lost and the game just closes”.

“Same, it has happened to me a few times between today and yesterday”.

“I can’t even play for 5 minutes, it’s so bad, and it’s not only me. I have a lot of friends with the same issue”.

How to fix “Rendering Device Lost” in Overwatch 2

To fix “Rending Device Lost” in Overwatch 2, you need to try updating or reinstalling your graphics card.

You can also try closing all of your tabs (to free up RAM) or uninstall/disable redundant apps in the background.

Fix 1: Update your graphics card

For Nvidia: Go to https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/geforce-experience/download/ > Download Now > open the app > sign up or log in > Drivers > Download.

For AMD: Go to https://www.amd.com/en/support > Download > open the app > follow the on-screen instructions to update your GPU.

Source: Blizzard Support Article ID: 32553.

Fix 2: Uninstall and reinstall Nvidia drivers

Run “Device Manager” using Windows search.
Expand “Display adapters”.
Right-click your graphics card and select “Uninstall device”.
Download https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/geforce-experience/.
Run GeForce Experience > Drivers > Download (to reinstall Nvidia drivers).

Source: Blizzard Support Article ID: 32553.

Fix 3: Close all of your background tabs

Press “CTRL + ALT + DEL” on your keyboard.
Select “Task Manager”.
Close all of your tabs (e.g., Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge).

Source: Blizzard Support Article ID: 32553.

Fix 4: Uninstall or close conflicting programs

EVGA Precision XOC – Uninstall
Xbox Game Bar – Close
Razer Synapse – Close
Proxy Services (e.g. ProxyCap) – Uninstall
Nvidia Broadcast – Uninstall

Source: Blizzard Technical Forum.

Further reading

How to Fix Overwatch 2 Aim Feels Off

How to Change Server Region in Overwatch 2

How to Find and Accept Friend Requests in Overwatch 2