D5 render installation error

[nilzonpublishing]

I’ve been trying to solve this problem for days now, following every advice suggested here on the forum (people with similar problems), without success. Had version 2.10.2.0589 and tried to update to 2.11.1.0623. Tried everything suggested, and even went as far as wiping my computer completely. Today I started over, thinking I’d give this another shot and log the steps. So here is my system info and the steps I have taken with a clean computer…

SYSTEM INFO (2-year-old computer)
Windows 11 Home 64-bit
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 12-Core Processor
32GB Ram
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

Drivers recently updated with NVIDIA
Ran scannow with “cmd” & ran DXR repairment tool

STEPS TAKEN:

Started by turning off all firewalls and anti-virus as suggested

1. Used Download link from D5 website to download and install program as a regular installation: Download | D5 Render

Dialog box appears: Installation Failed

However, D5 Launcher installed and could be opened.

2. Downloaded full package: Download Package
   D5_Render_installer-2.11.1.0623

3. Opened D5 Launcher and clicked to install D5 Render in a folder at the root of the C-drive. Here:

C:/D5-251225 (gave full permissions to this folder)

Installation starts, then dialog box appears: InstallWizard - Installation Failed, Unknown Error

4. Uninstalled D5 Launcher, plus all files from failed installation of D5 Render

5. Performed silent installation (cmd) in location C:/D5-251225/

Command:
C:/Users/jimni/Downloads/D5_Render_installer-2.11.1.0623.exe -silent -agreeEula -isForCurrentUser=false -installPath=“C:/D5-251225/D5 Render” -workspacePath=“C:/D5-251225/D5WorkSpace” -logPath=“C:/D5-251225/”

installed successfully

D5 Launcher opens

However, D5 Render won’t open, plus I cannot create a new project in D5 Launcher

6. Uninstalled D5 Launcher and D5 Render

7. Now trying to install on other drive (D).Performed silent installation (cmd) in location D:/

Command:
C:/Users/jimni/Downloads/D5_Render_installer-2.11.1.0623.exe -silent -agreeEula -isForCurrentUser=false -installPath=“D:/D5 Render” -workspacePath=“D:/D5WorkSpace” -logPath=“D:/”

Result: Gets stuck here when trying to open D5 Render: Initializing, please wait…
then dialog box: Program Startup Failed - System environment error

I’ve also tried installing in other locations, like Program Files and in the root of the C-drive without success. I’m at a point now where I don’t know what to do. I’ve updated drivers, turned off anti-virus and firewalls. Tried regular and silent installations. I’ve also tried installing older versions of D5, and they won’t open either. Fast computer with zero problems installing and running other apps. Appreciate help with this. Thanks.

[ela]

Hi @nilzonpublishing

Sorry to hear you’re running into this, and thanks for trying to troubleshoot so far. To help narrow down the cause, could you please confirm the following:

1. Did you run D5 Render as Administrator when installing or launching?
2. Did you delete all D5-related files from your computer before reinstalling?
3. Are your graphics drivers fully up to date?
4. Did this issue happen previously in version 2.10, or only after updating to 2.11?

To help us verify further, can you attach a screenshot of your System Info from the D5 Launcher? Looking forward to your response.

You can also check the official full documentation here for reference: Why prompt 'The program cannot be launched because of DLL errors...' or 'Program Startup Failed'? | User Manual

[nilzonpublishing]

1. I ran it as an administrator when doing the silent install from the cmd.

2. I deleted all D5-related file before each attempted install, including temp files in AppData - Local and Roaming. When nothing else worked I went as far as completely wiping my computer and starting with a fresh system with nothing but the base Windows 11 system and no files and programs. Also ran system scans for corrupt files and drives. But I was still unable to install 2.11. However, I was able to install it with a silent install from cmd, but the program wouldn’t open.

3. I have latest graphic card driver: Game Ready Driver - 591.59 - Thu Dec 18, 2025

4. I did not have this problem when installing version 2.10 earlier this year (this was a normal install). The way this started is that a little over a week ago I was rendering out a video file with Path Tracer engaged with snow and fog outside the window in an interior scene, and the finial video file was all jittery and had a lot of artifacts in it. I assumed it had something to do with the snow and fog, and the fact that Path Tracer was in beta in 2.10, because I had used Path Tracer in numerous video renders before - scenes without snow and fog - without issues. So I decided to upgrade to 2.11, and that when the problems started.

I’m attaching some images I captured of dialog boxes the system gave me during my many attempts to make things work.

Thanks.

[ela]

Hi @nilzonpublishing

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Can you please also attach a screenshot of your D5 System Info?

[nilzonpublishing]

[ela]

Hi @nilzonpublishing

Thank you for sending the screenshot, and I apologize for the delayed response over the holiday.

May I know if the issue persists? I noticed that you are currently using an AMD graphics card. To help rule out all possible causes, could you please try reverting to an earlier driver version? This issue may be related to a known AMD driver compatibility problem that several users have encountered recently.

Kindly follow the steps outlined in this thread below, along with the corresponding driver download link provided there: [Hot Issue] After updating to the AMD driver (25.10.1), D5 crashes or becomes unusable

Please let me know once you’ve completed the steps and if the issue persists. Thank you for your patience.

[nilzonpublishing]

I checked, and it appears I don’t have the problematic driver you mentioned (25.10.1). My AMD driver version: 32.0.21030.2001 Driver Date: 9/25/2025

The program crashing is one thing, which is a major problem. But how do you explain that I can’t install D5 using the regular install, being forced to do a silent install for it to even work? Also, why do I have to open the program as an administrator, and it’s impossible to run it as a user? And also, I can’t render anything without artifacts, and video files that are basically unusable. This is a huge set of issues. And as a side note, everything else - all other programs - on my computer are running without problems. The computer is working the way it should, which has been checked with scans of systems and drives.

[nilzonpublishing]

9 days have gone by, and no one at D5 is responding. Trying to reach support over email as well. I’m being ignored. I’ve been trying to solve this problem for over a month now. Paid $360 for a pro license. This is terrible.

[ela]

Hi @nilzonpublishing

I’m very sorry for the delayed response and for the inconvenience this situation has caused.

I’ve reviewed your case and can confirm that our support team responded to your email approximately three days ago. To help us move forward and identify the root cause, could you please follow up by sending us the log files requested in that message?

Thank you for your patience, and we truly appreciate your cooperation.