Forum: gaming.stackexchange.com
Tags: <minecraft-java-edition>
Title: Why do I get an error when I try to play?
Question: So when I try to  play Minecraft  it keeps giving me this error:   I'm running Windows 7, 64-bit and I have the latest version of Java installed. My computer is a Dell Inspiron 1545 How can I fix this?  @Brant:  I'm pretty sure I have 3D support. I just ran  dxdiag.exe :

Answers:
sents: text: That error generally means that your computer doesn't provide the 3D graphics support that Minecraft needs to run.
text: If you're pretty sure you have the necessary 3D graphics hardware, you may need to update your video card's drivers.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/274/Brant
score: 5
sents: text: You might want to look at the OpenGL support for your graphics card.
text: This is different from DirectX support.
text: Maybe you'll find some useful information at http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/cs-010479.htm
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/756/Kurley
score: 5
sents: text: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/817216/is-directx-on-java-possible Unless Notch uses JNI, he's not using DirectX.
text: Considering that a lot of JNI code is not portable, and especially since DirectX doesn't exist on Linux and Mac without a lot of work, I'm fairly confident that your don't have to worry about it being your problem.
text: You should be looking more towards OpenGL (if Minecraft uses OpenGL) or your Java Runtime Environment.
text: Type java
text: -version into a command window to show the version info.
text: They are much more likely to be the culprit.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/1351/MBraedley
score: 4
sents: text: DirectX != OpenGL.
text: Support for one on your graphics card and your drivers does not mean support for the other.
text: Even if your GFX card supports it, doesn't mean your drivers do and Dell are particularly bad at drivers.
text: So if you are running the factory installed ones, or ones from the dell website, that will almost certainly be the issue.
text: Minecraft uses OpenGL, so dxdiag.exe is of no use here.
text: Your Graphics chip should support OpenGL, so head to the Intel Graphics Driver update page to check you are running the latest drivers for your card.
text: I have experienced OpenGL errors on a graphics card I knew supported it, and a driver update fixed the issue.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/3395/Richard Benson
score: 2
sents: text: I had this problem when running Minecraft in the browser from Firefox.
text: I fixed it by switching to Internet Explorer (you can also download the executable).
text: The other common resolution is to make sure your graphics drivers and Java are up to date.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/4393/Resorath
score: 1
sents: text: I have the exact same laptop and the exact same specs that you have now, and this is the only thing I use to play Minecraft.
text: Here are some tips:
text: Minecraft does NOT run on Direct3d/DirectX.
text: You must have at least OpenGL 2.1 or higher.
text: Have the latest version of Java.
text: (Probably Java 7 Update 67 or Java 8 Update 20 {Java 7 runs better and Java 8 is in beta.
text: JAVA 7 RECOMMENDED}, as of October 3, 2014.)
text: Use Windows Update and select all graphics card updates and install them.
text: Your RAM must be more than 1 GB.
text: (find it at Control Panel / System and Security / System.)
text: Tip No. 4 is the reason why i'm running Minecraft on my Dell Inspiron 1545 (which is almost impossible.).
text: it's on the graphics driver, not the laptop.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/88288/mad_cal1993
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
You may need to update your video card's drivers and make sure Java is up to date. Use Windows Update.
Make sure you have the latest graphics card drivers installed. Also make sure you have the latest version of Java and OpenGL installed.