DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag)

Run: dxdiag.exe

Overview

Comprehensive system diagnostics for DirectX components. The standard tool for collecting GPU, audio, and system information when troubleshooting games, multimedia apps, or graphics issues. Widely requested by game and application support teams.

Tabs

• System — OS version, CPU, RAM, DirectX version, BIOS info
• Display — GPU name, VRAM amount, driver version and date, monitor info, DirectX feature support (DirectDraw, Direct3D, AGP Texture acceleration)
• Sound — audio devices, driver info
• Input — HID input devices connected to the system

Save to Text File

# Save full report to text file (standard format for support tickets):
dxdiag /t C:\output.txt

# Remote collection via PsExec:
psexec \\hostname dxdiag /t \\share\logs\hostname.txt

Common IT Uses

• Check DirectX version: Display tab → DirectX Features section
• Driver version and date: compare GPU driver version to manufacturer's latest release (nvidia.com, amd.com, intel.com) to identify outdated drivers
• Notes section: flags any failed DirectDraw or Direct3D acceleration tests — often indicates driver corruption
• Remote diagnosis: script dxdiag /t across fleet to collect GPU inventory

Driver Information

The Display tab shows driver version in the format XX.XX.XXXX.XXXX. For NVIDIA, the last 5 digits of the third and fourth groups map to the driver version (e.g., 31.0.15.3179 = driver 531.79). AMD and Intel use different versioning schemes.

Security Notes

GPU driver versions are relevant to security — some vulnerabilities target specific GPU driver versions. Keep drivers updated via Windows Update or manufacturer tools.