Solution: Your GPU driver is outdated or your GPU lacks hardware support. Install the latest driver from the manufacturer.

Before troubleshooting, verify what Shader Model your system currently supports. There are two reliable methods:

After updating, run dxdiag again. Under the Display tab, you should see:

If these are present, Shader Model 6.0 is active.

Shader Model 6.0 requires Windows 10 Version 1809 (October 2018) or newer.

Q: Is Shader Model 6.0 backward compatible with older GPUs?
A: No. If your GPU does not support SM 6.0 in hardware, no driver or software update can add it.

Q: Can I install Shader Model 6.0 on Windows 7 or 8.1?
A: No. Shader Model 6.0 is exclusive to DirectX 12, which requires Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Q: What’s newer than Shader Model 6.0?
A: Shader Model 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, and 6.8 are available in newer Windows 10 updates and Windows 11. They add features like ray tracing (DXR), mesh shaders, and sampler feedback.

Q: How do I check my DirectX version on Windows 10 64-bit?
A: Run dxdiag. Under the System tab, look for DirectX Version: DirectX 12.