Application blocked access to graphics hardware

An error with the message “the application is blocked from accessing graphics hardware” can be obtained during the launch of a toy that requires graphics card resources. For example, you can stumble upon such an error when launching Battlefield 4, Minecraft, or even the most ordinary Solitaire.

As a rule, the error “the application is blocked from accessing graphics hardware” occurs due to an incorrectly working video driver installed on the user’s computer, or due to damaged Windows system files.

In today’s article, we will try to fix this error with you so that you can safely run the required application.

Getting rid of “Application blocked access to graphics hardware”

Application blocked access to graphics hardware

Solution # 1 Reinstalling the graphics driver

The most obvious solution in such a situation is to reinstall the driver for the video card. So first, let’s download the latest driver for your graphics accelerator. Use the following links to download the correct installer:

After downloading the installer, it’s time to start uninstalling the video driver causing the “Application is blocked from accessing graphics hardware” error. A useful program like Display Driver Uninstaller, which can be downloaded from many websites on the Internet, will help you with this task.

The note: be careful where you download Display Driver Uninstaller! Make sure you are on a trusted resource so as not to inadvertently bring unwanted guests into your system.

Before running Display Driver Uninstaller, we strongly recommend that you restart your computer and enter Windows Safe Mode. Believe me, such a step will save you from all sorts of complications that may arise during the process of removing the old video driver.

As soon as you boot into Safe Mode, run Display Driver Uninstaller, after which something like the following window should appear in front of you:

Application blocked access to graphics hardware

Next, you need to select the manufacturer of the video driver, for example, nVidia or AMD, from the drop-down menu, and then click on the “UNINSTALL AND RESTART” button. Display Driver Uninstaller will launch a fully automated video driver removal process and then restart your computer.

After completely removing the problematic driver, run the previously downloaded installer and follow the instructions on the screen to install the latest version of the video driver. After replacing the driver, try to start the application with which the error “Application is blocked from accessing graphics hardware.”

Solution # 2 Recovering system files

In quite rare cases, this message may appear when launching applications after Windows system files are damaged. Fortunately, this can be fixed using SFC and DISM. Press on Windows keyboard + R and write cmdand then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

Application blocked access to graphics hardware

Once at the Command Prompt, run the following set of commands:

  • sfc / scannow (reboot after doing it!)
  • DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth
  • DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth

Check if the error when launching the toy you want has been resolved. Perhaps the problem really was the corruption of the system files.

Solution # 3 System Restore

Well, if none of the above helped you, then it’s time to get down to heavy artillery. We are talking, of course, about system recovery. This time, we advise you to use the restore point that was automatically created by Windows.

Press on the Windows keyboard + R and enter the value rstruiand then press Enter. In the window that appears, you will need to select the restore point that was created before the error appeared, and start the system restore process. This procedure may take some time.

I would like to believe that you were able to get rid of the error “The application is blocked access to graphics hardware.”

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