We've seen a lot of errors since this game launched, but the Overwatch 2 "Rendering Device Has Been Lost" error may not be down to a fault in the game itself. Unlike the Overwatch 2 LC-202 error, or the Watchpoint patch issue.
If you've encountered this issue, then you may be relieved to know that a few solutions exist to help you resolve it. We'll run you through those fixes, and explain a little bit more about what this error means. But enough chit-chat. Let's go.
How to fix the Overwatch 2 "Rendering Device Has Been Lost" error
We'll assume you've already checked that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Overwatch 2. If it doesn't, then you are probably best to stop trying to play it at this point, as you are going to run into all sorts of issues.
Assuming your computer is up to the task, if you are the unfortunate recipient of the message, "Your rendering device has been lost! Application closing!" then here are the recommended steps to take:
- Start by making sure your components are set to their factory defaults. If, for example, you are overclocking your computer to try to boost performance, that can lead to this issue arising. It can also damage your hardware.
- Check for any updates to your software or your drivers. If there are any pending updates, install them as soon as you can.
- Shut down any applications that are running in the background.
- If you have been using your computer a lot, it may have some overheating issues that can also lead to this error. Blizzard has a helpful guide to this.
- Last, but not least, is the possibility of a missing or corrupted system file in Windows. You can run a program called System File Checker, to repair or replace any files.
If you've made it this far and are still experiencing this issue, then it's time to reach out to the Blizzard Support team for further advice.
- Read More: Overwatch 2 Authentication Not Working: How To Fix The Mobile Authentication Error On Overwatch 2
What is the Overwatch 2 "Rendering Device Has Been Lost" issue?
According to Blizzard, this error occurs, "when you experience a TDR (timeout detection and recovery) incident".
In plain English, this error occurs when your GPU is trying to process graphically intense operations (gaming is a common cause) and the screen appears to freeze.
This then leads to the TDR (timeout detection and recovery) process, which checks to see if it is a temporary problem, or if in fact, the GPU has frozen.
When this happens in Overwatch 2, the game crashes. It's an issue that we also encountered in Overwatch 1. And while it's frustrating that these errors keep cropping up, in this instance at least, it is more likely to be an issue with your hardware, rather than something fundamentally wrong with the game itself.
There you have it. This is the most effective solution to the Overwatch 2 "Rendering Device Has Been Lost" error message. Give it a try, and hopefully, you'll soon be back in the game.