New! Download Shader Model 6.0 Link
This is the most common "fix" for Shader Model errors. Manufacturers frequently release software updates that unlock newer Shader Model features for existing hardware. : Use the NVIDIA Driver Download page.
Modern AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 (with Phantom Liberty), Alan Wake 2 , Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora , and Starfield all require Shader Model 6.0 or higher. Without it, you will see errors like "Your GPU does not support Shader Model 6.0" or the game will fail to launch.
| Problem | Solution | |---------|----------| | Game error: "SM 6.0 not supported" | Update Windows & GPU drivers. | | Your GPU is too old (pre-2014) | No fix – SM 6.0 requires new hardware. | | Windows 10 but version 1507 | Upgrade to 1809 or later via Windows Update. | | Need shader compiler for development | Install dxc from GitHub (microsoft/DirectXShaderCompiler). | Download Shader Model 6.0
Shader Model 6.0 is a set of hardware and software features for DirectX 12
While Windows 10/11 comes with DirectX 12, some games need legacy components to bridge the gap. Use the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer to ensure all libraries are present. 3. Troubleshooting "Shader Model 6.0 Required" Errors This is the most common "fix" for Shader Model errors
Older graphics cards may not support Shader Model 6.0 regardless of software updates. Minimum supported hardware typically includes:
Shader Model 6.0 is not a DLL, EXE, or driver file you can manually place in your System32 folder. It is a feature level of DirectX 12. To "install" Shader Model 6.0, you need to ensure the following components are present and up-to-date: Modern AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 (with Phantom
The DirectX 12 compiler library for SM 6.0 is not registered.