---
title: Vulkan 1.3 — Why Kiln Requires It | Kiln
description: Vulkan 1.3 explained for Kiln, a PlayStation 5 emulator for Windows PC: the required graphics API, current drivers from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel, discrete device selection. Own the games you already have. Not affiliated with Sony.
canonical: https://consolepc.net/brief/vulkan-1-3
updated: 2026-10-13
---

# Vulkan 1.3.

Vulkan 1.3 is the graphics API Kiln renders on. Your driver provides it. Old driver, wrong GPU, no frames.

## Facts (2026-10-13)

- **Term:** Vulkan 1.3
- **What:** Required graphics API
- **Provided by:** Current GPU driver
- **Setting:** Discrete device selected

## Definition

Vulkan is the low-level graphics API Kiln renders through. Version 1.3 is the baseline — the emulator will not run on older Vulkan or on DirectX fallbacks.

Your GPU driver provides Vulkan. Current drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel all ship Vulkan 1.3-capable loaders for supported cards.

## What goes wrong

Old driver: missing features, crashes, black screens. Fix is a driver update, not a setting.

Wrong GPU: the launcher renders on the iGPU while the discrete card idles. Fix is selecting the discrete Vulkan device — see [GPU and CPU](/rig/gpu-cpu).

Stale iGPU driver interfering with the discrete card: update both drivers. Yes, both.

## Vulkan is necessary, not sufficient

Vulkan 1.3 does not guarantee a card exposes every feature a title asks for. Old or weak cards expose the version and still choke.

8 GB VRAM is the realistic bar for graded 1080p. The API opens the door; the hardware walks through it.

## FAQ

### How do I get Vulkan 1.3?

Update your GPU driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. The driver ships the Vulkan loader — there is no separate Vulkan download for users.

### Kiln says Vulkan is missing. What now?

Update the GPU driver, confirm the discrete device is selected in the launcher, and check the missing runtime page for loader-adjacent errors.

## Related

- [Briefs.](https://consolepc.net/brief)
- [GPU and CPU.](https://consolepc.net/rig/gpu-cpu)
- [Boost fps.](https://consolepc.net/lab/boost-fps)
- [Firmware PUP.](https://consolepc.net/brief/firmware-pup)
- [Missing runtime.](https://consolepc.net/lab/missing-runtime)

## Download

Free Windows app: [Download Kiln](https://consolepc.net/download)

Markdown mirror: https://consolepc.net/brief/vulkan-1-3.md