Shader Model 6.0 is not a standalone file you can download; rather, it is a hardware-bound feature of your Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and a set of instructions integrated into through DirectX 12 . If you are encountering an error like "Shader Model 6.0 is required" when launching a game, it usually indicates that your current hardware or drivers do not support this standard. How to "Install" Shader Model 6.0
: Your GPU must physically support Shader Model 6.0. Generally, this includes: NVIDIA : GeForce GTX 10-series (Pascal) or newer. download shader model 6.0
: Sometimes corrupted cache files cause errors. This can usually be done through the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software . Shader Model 6
Look for or use the DirectX Capabilities Viewer from Microsoft for a more detailed breakdown. Troubleshooting Common Errors Generally, this includes: NVIDIA : GeForce GTX 10-series
To verify if your system already has Shader Model 6.0 or higher: Press Win + R , type dxdiag , and press . Navigate to the Display tab.
: Some games allow you to force an older DirectX version. Locate the game's configuration file (often game.xml ) and try changing the renderer from D3D_12 to D3D_11 .