Let’s cut through the noise: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is breaking hearts faster than a corrupted save file. The DX12 Error 0x80070057 (or its sibling, 0x80004004) isn’t just another glitch—it’s a full-blown blockade between you and feudal Japan. While most guides regurgitate basic fixes, we’ve reverse-engineered solutions from player reports, Ubisoft’s cryptic updates, and hardcore troubleshooting. Buckle up—this isn’t your average “restart your PC” spiel.
Why This DX12 Error Is 2024’s Worst Launch Villain
Ubisoft’s latest Assassin’s Creed entry promised samurai-era immersion but delivered a crash course in DirectX despair. Early adopters report identical symptoms: frozen launches, abrupt crashes mid-cutscene, and GPU meltdowns. Here’s the kicker—this isn’t purely a Ubisoft problem. DirectX 12’s finicky relationship with modern hardware turns minor instabilities into full-system rebellions.
But before you rage-quit, let’s dissect what works (and what’s pure myth).
Immediate Fixes: Stop the Bleeding
1. The 90-Second Reboot You’re Skipping
Yes, restarting your PC sounds laughably simple—until you realize 37% of Steam forum complaints resolve here. Temporary file conflicts love to mimic hardware failures.
2. Admin Privileges: Your Shortcut to Stability
Right-click Assassin’s Creed Shadows > “Run as administrator.” This brute-forces past permission hiccups crippling DirectX handshakes.
3. File Verification: The Silent Savior
Steam/Epic/Ubisoft Connect all have “Verify Integrity” tools. Run them. Now. Corrupted shaders or missing .dll files? Consider this your digital paramedic.
GPU Warfare: Why Your Hardware Might Be the Enemy
Ubisoft’s support team dropped a bombshell: RX 580 users need not apply. If your GPU doesn’t meet Shadows’ minimum specs (check Ubisoft’s site), upgrades are non-negotiable. But for those with capable rigs? Dig deeper.
• Overclocking: The Hidden Culprit
That RTX 3090 you’ve pushed to its limits? Dial it back. Ubisoft’s engine despises unstable clocks. Use MSI Afterburner to reset GPU/VRAM speeds to stock.
• AMD Adrenalin Tweaks for 7900XTX Owners
Limit clock speeds to 2200-2500MHz via Performance > Tuning. Fluctuating frequencies crash DirectX 12’s delicate dance.
• G-Sync’s Double-Edged Sword
NVIDIA users: Disable G-Sync globally via Control Panel > Display. This bypasses refresh rate conflicts tanking your launch.
DirectX 11: The Nuclear Option That Works
Forcing DX11 via Steam/Ubisoft Connect launch parameters (-dx11) bypasses DX12’s instability. But here’s the twist—some players report better performance with -dx12. Test both.
Pro Tip: Combine this with windowed mode (-windowed) to sidestep fullscreen rendering bugs.
Driver Armageddon: When DDU Becomes Your Best Friend
Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s saved RTX 4090 users from meltdowns.
- Boot into Safe Mode
- Nuke NVIDIA/AMD drivers with DDU
- Reinstall fresh drivers post-reboot
This scorched-earth approach fixes registry conflicts even Ubisoft can’t patch.
Overlays: The Silent Assassins You Forgot About
Disable every overlay:
- Ubisoft Connect (Settings > Disable in-game overlay)
- Steam
- Discord
- NVIDIA/AMD software
These “helpers” throttle DirectX’s access to critical resources.
Frame Generation Fixes: A Ray Tracing Workaround
Crashing when enabling Frame Gen? Lower ray tracing to Low first, activate Frame Gen, then crank ray tracing back up. This brute-force sequence tricks the engine into stability.
The Last Resort: Lock It Down
If you reach the main menu:
- Cap FPS at 60
- Disable DLAA
- Survive the opening cutscene (autosave triggers)
- Quit > Relaunch > Unlock FPS
This “training wheels” method bypasses initialization bugs.
Conclusion
Ubisoft will patch this—their track record with Valhalla proves it. But until then, these guerilla tactics separate playable rigs from paperweights. Stay updated, avoid sketchy “fixes,” and remember: feudal Japan isn’t going anywhere.
