How to Fix the “Error During Initialization” Error in Don’t Starve and Other Steam Games

Our guide provides several sections, each of which can fix the error. Follow each step in the instructions one by one. First of all, we recommend checking that all installed drivers are present. As programs that automatically download components, you can use Snappy Driver Installer or DriverPack Solution. Pay particular attention to the drivers for video cards AMD, NVIDIA and Intel HD Graphics.

Installing Intel HD Graphics

For some users, the problem occurred when the Intel HD Graphics driver was missing. In this case, do the following:

1. Go to the official website of the manufacturer from the link.
2. Use the button “Start of work” and on the opened page use “Download now” to download the Intel Driver & Support Assistant. Allows you to automatically install all drivers from Intel.
3. You can also go to the section: “Grafic art” and find your graphics adapter in the list. Using the filter on the left side of the page, download and install the appropriate components for your device.

Installing and updating VCRedist and DXRedist from the game folder

After checking all the drivers, you should start downloading VCRedist and DXRedist. Use the instructions below to install or reinstall missing components:

1. Open the Steam client and go to “Properties” spell.
2. Click on section “Local Files” and click “Review”to open the game folder.
3. Go to folder video recorder and run the file “vcredist_x86” or “vcredist_x64”, depending on the current operating system bit depth. Example path: “C:/Program Files/Steam/steamapps/common/dont_starve/VCRedist”.
4. Install the components.
5. Go to folder DXRedist and run the file “DXSETUP”. Example path: “C:/Program/Files/Steam steamapps/common/dont_starve/DXRedist”.
6. Install the components.

Installing and updating VCRedist and DXRedist from the Microsoft website

If there are no suitable files in the folders of point “3” and “4”, you will have to download the installers yourself from the Microsoft website. Do the following:

1. Follow the link to the page “Web Installer of DirectX Executable Libraries for the End User” and choose “To download”.
2. Follow the link to the page “DirectX Runtime for End Users” and click “To download”.
3. Follow the link to the page “Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013” and click the button “To download”. Select the appropriate package and use “Next” to download. You can download all three files one by one.
4. After downloading all items files “1,2 and 3” run them all in turn and install. At opening “directx_Jun2010_redist” You must specify a folder to download files. It is recommended to create a new folder in a free space and place the files in it. After that you need to run the file “DXSETUP” and install components.
5. Try to start the game right away.
6. If the error reappears, restart your computer and restart the game.

Both files are: “directx_Jun2010_redist” and “dxwebsetup” will install the DirectX components, but we recommend running both programs one at a time.

How to fix the error with DXFix

Error “Error during initialization” may also be related to a conflict in DirectX versions and its incorrect functioning, so you can install the DirectX dependency remover – DXFix.

Follow the link to download the hotfix automatically. Keep in mind that the program modifies system files, so if errors occur, disable your antivirus. After starting the application, all corrections are made automatically. Try opening the game right away. If errors occur, reboot your device and open Don’t Starve again.

Be careful when installing files from unknown sources. The link to DXFix comes from the official OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) forum. Many users have gotten rid of the error this way.

Disable third-party software

Some users have reported that third-party software can break Steam games. Before starting Don’t Starve, it is recommended that you disable all applications that are not related to the project, such as MSI Afterburner. Problems can also arise with the Duet Display program – it must be uninstalled before launching Steam.

Integrated video card error

There is another reason why the error appears which is related to a weak built-in video card. The game will not start if the hardware you are using has less than 256MB of VRAM. Usually, such hardware can be present in laptops and weak PCs.

The problem occurs when the operating system is not working properly, using the built-in video card as a priority. In this case, you should set the operation of the device to discrete. Detailed instructions can be found in our separate manual.

Install Windows updates

In rare cases, the problem is related to the lack of recent updates in Windows 10. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the icon “Get started” and click the gear to go to . to go “Options”.
2. Open section “Update and Security”.
3. Use button “Check for updates”.
4. If the system detects missing components, install the available updates.
5. Restart your computer to apply the changes and start the game.

Please note that if some components and functions of the operating system were previously disabled manually, for example, 3D hardware acceleration and so on, it is necessary to bring the system back to the previous state.

Cache Integrity Check

The most common offer on all forums, which can sometimes help players. Follow the steps below:

1. Open Steam and find Don’t Starve in the list of games.
2. Right click on the project name and go to “Properties”.
3. Click on section “Local Files”.
4. Use button “Check the integrity of game files”.
5. After the verification is complete, launch the game.