[2022] DirectX install crashes on startup and makes it impossible to start the game

Hello @simonandersen I am sorry to hear you have been having issues running the game and seeing a DirectX crash when trying to launch and install the supporting software.

To help try and resolve this issue, could you please run through the following steps that were known to resolve issues with DirectX for players in the past >>

Fix 1 > Make sure your GPU drivers are currently up to date, make note of the GPU driver version you are currently using (Most AMD and Nvidia drivers are updated and released monthly)

Fix 2 > Locate this folder C:\Anno 1800\Support\DirectX\DXSETUP click on the .exe app and run the DXDiag setup and install DirectX 11 or 12 when prompted.

Fix 3 > Occasionally your Windows OS will not update its DirectX versions automatically and you will have to force an update yourself
Step 1: Press the Windows Key and type DXDIAG, then click on the app's logo to run the program. On the first System Information tab, it should tell you near the bottom which version of Direct X you are currently using
Step 2: Go to Windows Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates
Step 3: If the update is available for your PC, you'll see a 'Feature update to Windows' message appear under Optional Updates. Step 4: Begin downloading by clicking 'Download and install now
Step 5: Once installed, test the game on your preferred DirectX version.

Fix 4 > If you are unable to update your Windows DirectX version manually, you can force the game to open in a specific DirectX version, either 11 or 12, by editing your configuration file > 
Step 1: Go to C:\Users\username\Documents\Anno 1800\config open the config.ini file in a notepad type application and find the part that says DeviceType
Step 2: Change the part that says DX12 or DX11 to your preferred DX version, then save the file. Launch the game afterwards to test the game with that DX version after making the change in the config, instead of the in-game settings