diff --git a/src/core/gpu.cpp b/src/core/gpu.cpp
index f4d5d076d..7f495323f 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu.cpp
+++ b/src/core/gpu.cpp
@@ -985,7 +985,7 @@ void GPU::UpdateCRTCDisplayParameters()
   if ((cs.display_vram_width != old_vram_width || cs.display_vram_height != old_vram_height) &&
       g_settings.gpu_resolution_scale == 0)
   {
-    GPUThread::RunOnBackend([](GPUBackend* backend) { backend->UpdateResolutionScale(); }, false, false);
+    GPUBackend::QueueUpdateResolutionScale();
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_backend.cpp b/src/core/gpu_backend.cpp
index a1bbe8e04..c61bc5027 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/core/gpu_backend.cpp
@@ -125,10 +125,12 @@ bool GPUBackend::Initialize(bool clear_vram, Error* error)
   return true;
 }
 
-void GPUBackend::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
+bool GPUBackend::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error)
 {
   if (g_gpu_settings.display_show_gpu_stats != old_settings.display_show_gpu_stats)
     GPUBackend::ResetStatistics();
+
+  return true;
 }
 
 GPUThreadCommand* GPUBackend::NewClearVRAMCommand()
@@ -369,6 +371,20 @@ bool GPUBackend::AllocateMemorySaveStates(std::span<System::MemorySaveState> sta
   return result;
 }
 
+void GPUBackend::QueueUpdateResolutionScale()
+{
+  DebugAssert(!GPUThread::IsOnThread());
+
+  GPUThread::RunOnBackend(
+    [](GPUBackend* backend) {
+      Error error;
+      if (!backend->UpdateResolutionScale(&error)) [[unlikely]]
+        GPUThread::ReportFatalErrorAndShutdown(
+          fmt::format("Failed to update resolution scale: {}", error.GetDescription()));
+    },
+    false, true);
+}
+
 void GPUBackend::HandleCommand(const GPUThreadCommand* cmd)
 {
   switch (cmd->type)
@@ -753,3 +769,158 @@ void GPUBackend::RenderScreenshotToFile(const std::string_view path, DisplayScre
     },
     false, false);
 }
+
+namespace {
+
+class GPUNullBackend final : public GPUBackend
+{
+public:
+  GPUNullBackend(GPUPresenter& presenter);
+  ~GPUNullBackend() override;
+
+  bool Initialize(bool upload_vram, Error* error) override;
+  bool UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error) override;
+
+  u32 GetResolutionScale() const override;
+  bool UpdateResolutionScale(Error* error) override;
+
+  void RestoreDeviceContext() override;
+  void FlushRender() override;
+
+  void ReadVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height) override;
+  void FillVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height, u32 color, bool interlaced_rendering,
+                u8 interlaced_display_field) override;
+  void UpdateVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height, const void* data, bool set_mask, bool check_mask) override;
+  void CopyVRAM(u32 src_x, u32 src_y, u32 dst_x, u32 dst_y, u32 width, u32 height, bool set_mask,
+                bool check_mask) override;
+
+  void DrawPolygon(const GPUBackendDrawPolygonCommand* cmd) override;
+  void DrawPrecisePolygon(const GPUBackendDrawPrecisePolygonCommand* cmd) override;
+  void DrawSprite(const GPUBackendDrawRectangleCommand* cmd) override;
+  void DrawLine(const GPUBackendDrawLineCommand* cmd) override;
+  void DrawPreciseLine(const GPUBackendDrawPreciseLineCommand* cmd) override;
+
+  void DrawingAreaChanged() override;
+  void ClearCache() override;
+  void OnBufferSwapped() override;
+  void ClearVRAM() override;
+
+  void UpdateDisplay(const GPUBackendUpdateDisplayCommand* cmd) override;
+
+  void LoadState(const GPUBackendLoadStateCommand* cmd) override;
+
+  bool AllocateMemorySaveState(System::MemorySaveState& mss, Error* error) override;
+  void DoMemoryState(StateWrapper& sw, System::MemorySaveState& mss) override;
+};
+
+} // namespace
+
+GPUNullBackend::GPUNullBackend(GPUPresenter& presenter) : GPUBackend(presenter)
+{
+}
+
+GPUNullBackend::~GPUNullBackend() = default;
+
+bool GPUNullBackend::Initialize(bool upload_vram, Error* error)
+{
+  return GPUBackend::Initialize(upload_vram, error);
+}
+
+bool GPUNullBackend::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error)
+{
+  return GPUBackend::UpdateSettings(old_settings, error);
+}
+
+u32 GPUNullBackend::GetResolutionScale() const
+{
+  return 1;
+}
+
+bool GPUNullBackend::UpdateResolutionScale(Error* error)
+{
+  return true;
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::RestoreDeviceContext()
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::FlushRender()
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::ReadVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::FillVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height, u32 color, bool interlaced_rendering,
+                              u8 interlaced_display_field)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::UpdateVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height, const void* data, bool set_mask, bool check_mask)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::CopyVRAM(u32 src_x, u32 src_y, u32 dst_x, u32 dst_y, u32 width, u32 height, bool set_mask,
+                              bool check_mask)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::DrawPolygon(const GPUBackendDrawPolygonCommand* cmd)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::DrawPrecisePolygon(const GPUBackendDrawPrecisePolygonCommand* cmd)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::DrawSprite(const GPUBackendDrawRectangleCommand* cmd)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::DrawLine(const GPUBackendDrawLineCommand* cmd)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::DrawPreciseLine(const GPUBackendDrawPreciseLineCommand* cmd)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::DrawingAreaChanged()
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::ClearCache()
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::OnBufferSwapped()
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::ClearVRAM()
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::UpdateDisplay(const GPUBackendUpdateDisplayCommand* cmd)
+{
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::LoadState(const GPUBackendLoadStateCommand* cmd)
+{
+}
+
+bool GPUNullBackend::AllocateMemorySaveState(System::MemorySaveState& mss, Error* error)
+{
+  return false;
+}
+
+void GPUNullBackend::DoMemoryState(StateWrapper& sw, System::MemorySaveState& mss)
+{
+}
+
+std::unique_ptr<GPUBackend> GPUBackend::CreateNullBackend(GPUPresenter& presenter)
+{
+  return std::make_unique<GPUNullBackend>(presenter);
+}
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_backend.h b/src/core/gpu_backend.h
index a3fee89c3..5baa6448b 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_backend.h
+++ b/src/core/gpu_backend.h
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ public:
 
   static std::unique_ptr<GPUBackend> CreateHardwareBackend(GPUPresenter& presenter);
   static std::unique_ptr<GPUBackend> CreateSoftwareBackend(GPUPresenter& presenter);
+  static std::unique_ptr<GPUBackend> CreateNullBackend(GPUPresenter& presenter);
 
   static bool RenderScreenshotToBuffer(u32 width, u32 height, bool postfx, Image* out_image);
   static void RenderScreenshotToFile(const std::string_view path, DisplayScreenshotMode mode, u8 quality,
@@ -67,6 +68,8 @@ public:
 
   static bool AllocateMemorySaveStates(std::span<System::MemorySaveState> states, Error* error);
 
+  static void QueueUpdateResolutionScale();
+
 public:
   GPUBackend(GPUPresenter& presenter);
   virtual ~GPUBackend();
@@ -75,13 +78,13 @@ public:
 
   virtual bool Initialize(bool upload_vram, Error* error);
 
-  virtual void UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings);
+  virtual bool UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error);
 
   /// Returns the current resolution scale.
   virtual u32 GetResolutionScale() const = 0;
 
   /// Updates the resolution scale when it's set to automatic.
-  virtual void UpdateResolutionScale() = 0;
+  virtual bool UpdateResolutionScale(Error* error) = 0;
 
   // Graphics API state reset/restore - call when drawing the UI etc.
   // TODO: replace with "invalidate cached state"
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_hw.cpp b/src/core/gpu_hw.cpp
index 78d84c900..521a551c8 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_hw.cpp
+++ b/src/core/gpu_hw.cpp
@@ -277,11 +277,8 @@ bool GPU_HW::Initialize(bool upload_vram, Error* error)
 
   if (m_use_texture_cache)
   {
-    if (!GPUTextureCache::Initialize(this))
-    {
-      ERROR_LOG("Failed to initialize texture cache, disabling.");
-      m_use_texture_cache = false;
-    }
+    if (!GPUTextureCache::Initialize(this, error))
+      return false;
   }
   else
   {
@@ -435,9 +432,10 @@ void GPU_HW::RestoreDeviceContext()
   m_batch_ubo_dirty = true;
 }
 
-void GPU_HW::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
+bool GPU_HW::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error)
 {
-  GPUBackend::UpdateSettings(old_settings);
+  if (!GPUBackend::UpdateSettings(old_settings, error))
+    return false;
 
   FlushRender();
 
@@ -543,21 +541,19 @@ void GPU_HW::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
 
   if (shaders_changed)
   {
-    Error error;
-    if (!CompilePipelines(&error))
+    if (!CompilePipelines(error))
     {
-      ERROR_LOG("Failed to recompile pipelines: {}", error.GetDescription());
-      Panic("Failed to recompile pipelines.");
+      Error::AddPrefix(error, "Failed to recompile pipelines: ");
+      return false;
     }
   }
   else if (resolution_dependent_shaders_changed || downsampling_shaders_changed)
   {
-    Error error;
-    if ((resolution_dependent_shaders_changed && !CompileResolutionDependentPipelines(&error)) ||
-        (downsampling_shaders_changed && !CompileDownsamplePipelines(&error)))
+    if ((resolution_dependent_shaders_changed && !CompileResolutionDependentPipelines(error)) ||
+        (downsampling_shaders_changed && !CompileDownsamplePipelines(error)))
     {
-      ERROR_LOG("Failed to recompile resolution dependent pipelines: {}", error.GetDescription());
-      Panic("Failed to recompile resolution dependent pipelines.");
+      Error::AddPrefix(error, "Failed to recompile resolution dependent pipelines: ");
+      return false;
     }
   }
 
@@ -568,11 +564,10 @@ void GPU_HW::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
     g_gpu_device->PurgeTexturePool();
     g_gpu_device->WaitForGPUIdle();
 
-    Error error;
-    if (!CreateBuffers(&error))
+    if (!CreateBuffers(error))
     {
-      ERROR_LOG("Failed to recreate buffers: {}", error.GetDescription());
-      Panic("Failed to recreate buffers.");
+      Error::AddPrefix(error, "Failed to recreate buffers: ");
+      return false;
     }
 
     UpdateDownsamplingLevels();
@@ -591,10 +586,10 @@ void GPU_HW::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
 
   if (m_use_texture_cache && !old_settings.gpu_texture_cache)
   {
-    if (!GPUTextureCache::Initialize(this))
+    if (!GPUTextureCache::Initialize(this, error))
     {
-      ERROR_LOG("Failed to initialize texture cache, disabling.");
-      m_use_texture_cache = false;
+      Error::AddPrefix(error, "Failed to initialize texture cache: ");
+      return false;
     }
   }
   else if (!m_use_texture_cache && old_settings.gpu_texture_cache)
@@ -602,7 +597,8 @@ void GPU_HW::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
     GPUTextureCache::Shutdown();
   }
 
-  GPUTextureCache::UpdateSettings(m_use_texture_cache, old_settings);
+  if (!GPUTextureCache::UpdateSettings(m_use_texture_cache, old_settings, error))
+    return false;
 
   if (g_gpu_settings.gpu_downsample_mode != old_settings.gpu_downsample_mode ||
       (g_gpu_settings.gpu_downsample_mode == GPUDownsampleMode::Box &&
@@ -622,6 +618,8 @@ void GPU_HW::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
                                     m_draw_mode.mode_reg.texture_mode == GPUTextureMode::Palette8Bit);
     }
   }
+
+  return true;
 }
 
 void GPU_HW::CheckSettings()
@@ -783,10 +781,12 @@ u32 GPU_HW::CalculateResolutionScale() const
   return std::clamp<u32>(scale, 1, GetMaxResolutionScale());
 }
 
-void GPU_HW::UpdateResolutionScale()
+bool GPU_HW::UpdateResolutionScale(Error* error)
 {
-  if (CalculateResolutionScale() != m_resolution_scale)
-    UpdateSettings(g_settings);
+  if (CalculateResolutionScale() == m_resolution_scale)
+    return true;
+
+  return UpdateSettings(g_settings, error);
 }
 
 GPUDownsampleMode GPU_HW::GetDownsampleMode(u32 resolution_scale) const
@@ -900,8 +900,6 @@ GPUTexture::Format GPU_HW::GetDepthBufferFormat() const
 
 bool GPU_HW::CreateBuffers(Error* error)
 {
-  DestroyBuffers();
-
   // scale vram size to internal resolution
   const u32 texture_width = VRAM_WIDTH * m_resolution_scale;
   const u32 texture_height = VRAM_HEIGHT * m_resolution_scale;
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_hw.h b/src/core/gpu_hw.h
index 302bcf8e4..f696c1a67 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_hw.h
+++ b/src/core/gpu_hw.h
@@ -67,10 +67,9 @@ public:
   void RestoreDeviceContext() override;
   void FlushRender() override;
 
-protected:
-  void UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings) override;
+  bool UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error) override;
 
-  void UpdateResolutionScale() override;
+  bool UpdateResolutionScale(Error* error) override;
 
   void FillVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height, u32 color, bool interlaced_rendering, u8 active_line_lsb) override;
   void ReadVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height) override;
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_hw_texture_cache.cpp b/src/core/gpu_hw_texture_cache.cpp
index ea738fa8b..bc04d6150 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_hw_texture_cache.cpp
+++ b/src/core/gpu_hw_texture_cache.cpp
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ static bool IsDumpingVRAMWriteTextures();
 static void UpdateVRAMTrackingState();
 
 static void SetHashCacheTextureFormat();
-static bool CompilePipelines();
+static bool CompilePipelines(Error* error);
 static void DestroyPipelines();
 
 static const Source* ReturnSource(Source* source, const GSVector4i uv_rect, PaletteRecordFlags flags);
@@ -581,20 +581,20 @@ bool GPUTextureCache::IsDumpingVRAMWriteTextures()
   return (g_gpu_settings.texture_replacements.dump_textures && !s_state.config.dump_texture_pages);
 }
 
-bool GPUTextureCache::Initialize(GPU_HW* backend)
+bool GPUTextureCache::Initialize(GPU_HW* backend, Error* error)
 {
   s_state.hw_backend = backend;
 
   SetHashCacheTextureFormat();
   ReloadTextureReplacements(false);
   UpdateVRAMTrackingState();
-  if (!CompilePipelines())
+  if (!CompilePipelines(error))
     return false;
 
   return true;
 }
 
-void GPUTextureCache::UpdateSettings(bool use_texture_cache, const GPUSettings& old_settings)
+bool GPUTextureCache::UpdateSettings(bool use_texture_cache, const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error)
 {
   const bool prev_tracking_state = s_state.track_vram_writes;
 
@@ -613,8 +613,11 @@ void GPUTextureCache::UpdateSettings(bool use_texture_cache, const GPUSettings&
           s_state.config.replacement_scale_linear_filter != old_replacement_scale_linear_filter)
       {
         DestroyPipelines();
-        if (!CompilePipelines()) [[unlikely]]
-          Panic("Failed to compile pipelines on TC replacement settings change");
+        if (!CompilePipelines(error)) [[unlikely]]
+        {
+          Error::AddPrefix(error, "Failed to compile pipelines on TC replacement settings change: ");
+          return false;
+        }
       }
     }
 
@@ -625,6 +628,8 @@ void GPUTextureCache::UpdateSettings(bool use_texture_cache, const GPUSettings&
 
   if (s_state.track_vram_writes != prev_tracking_state)
     Invalidate();
+
+  return true;
 }
 
 bool GPUTextureCache::GetStateSize(StateWrapper& sw, u32* size)
@@ -828,7 +833,7 @@ void GPUTextureCache::SetHashCacheTextureFormat()
   INFO_LOG("Using {} format for hash cache entries.", GPUTexture::GetFormatName(s_state.hash_cache_texture_format));
 }
 
-bool GPUTextureCache::CompilePipelines()
+bool GPUTextureCache::CompilePipelines(Error* error)
 {
   if (!g_gpu_settings.texture_replacements.enable_texture_replacements)
     return true;
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_hw_texture_cache.h b/src/core/gpu_hw_texture_cache.h
index f8023da49..42ad5f3bf 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_hw_texture_cache.h
+++ b/src/core/gpu_hw_texture_cache.h
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 #include "gpu_types.h"
 
+class Error;
 class Image;
 class GPUTexture;
 class StateWrapper;
@@ -103,8 +104,8 @@ struct Source
   TListNode<Source> hash_cache_ref;
 };
 
-bool Initialize(GPU_HW* backend);
-void UpdateSettings(bool use_texture_cache, const GPUSettings& old_settings);
+bool Initialize(GPU_HW* backend, Error* error);
+bool UpdateSettings(bool use_texture_cache, const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error);
 
 bool GetStateSize(StateWrapper& sw, u32* size);
 bool DoState(StateWrapper& sw, bool skip);
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_presenter.cpp b/src/core/gpu_presenter.cpp
index 2fea1c54d..7590c7969 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_presenter.cpp
+++ b/src/core/gpu_presenter.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ bool GPUPresenter::Initialize(Error* error)
   return true;
 }
 
-void GPUPresenter::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
+bool GPUPresenter::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error)
 {
   if (g_gpu_settings.display_scaling != old_settings.display_scaling ||
       g_gpu_settings.display_deinterlacing_mode != old_settings.display_deinterlacing_mode ||
@@ -69,11 +69,14 @@ void GPUPresenter::UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
     if (!CompileDisplayPipelines(
           g_gpu_settings.display_scaling != old_settings.display_scaling,
           g_gpu_settings.display_deinterlacing_mode != old_settings.display_deinterlacing_mode,
-          g_gpu_settings.display_24bit_chroma_smoothing != old_settings.display_24bit_chroma_smoothing, nullptr))
+          g_gpu_settings.display_24bit_chroma_smoothing != old_settings.display_24bit_chroma_smoothing, error))
     {
-      Panic("Failed to compile display pipeline on settings change.");
+      Error::AddPrefix(error, "Failed to compile display pipeline on settings change:\n");
+      return false;
     }
   }
+
+  return true;
 }
 
 bool GPUPresenter::CompileDisplayPipelines(bool display, bool deinterlace, bool chroma_smoothing, Error* error)
@@ -818,6 +821,7 @@ bool GPUPresenter::PresentFrame(GPUPresenter* presenter, GPUBackend* backend, bo
     if (pres == GPUDevice::PresentResult::DeviceLost) [[unlikely]]
     {
       ERROR_LOG("GPU device lost during present.");
+      GPUThread::ReportFatalErrorAndShutdown("GPU device lost. The log may contain more information.");
       return false;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_presenter.h b/src/core/gpu_presenter.h
index 47033928a..ccd84d3af 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_presenter.h
+++ b/src/core/gpu_presenter.h
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ public:
 
   bool Initialize(Error* error);
 
-  void UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings);
+  bool UpdateSettings(const GPUSettings& old_settings, Error* error);
 
   void ClearDisplay();
   void ClearDisplayTexture();
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_sw.cpp b/src/core/gpu_sw.cpp
index f85aa321c..3e913446f 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_sw.cpp
+++ b/src/core/gpu_sw.cpp
@@ -65,8 +65,9 @@ void GPU_SW::ClearVRAM()
   std::memset(g_gpu_clut, 0, sizeof(g_gpu_clut));
 }
 
-void GPU_SW::UpdateResolutionScale()
+bool GPU_SW::UpdateResolutionScale(Error* error)
 {
+  return true;
 }
 
 void GPU_SW::LoadState(const GPUBackendLoadStateCommand* cmd)
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_sw.h b/src/core/gpu_sw.h
index 8c2c6ee9d..a0e31cc56 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_sw.h
+++ b/src/core/gpu_sw.h
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ public:
 
   u32 GetResolutionScale() const override;
 
-protected:
   void ReadVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height) override;
   void FillVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height, u32 color, bool interlaced_rendering, u8 active_line_lsb) override;
   void UpdateVRAM(u32 x, u32 y, u32 width, u32 height, const void* data, bool set_mask, bool check_mask) override;
@@ -47,7 +46,7 @@ protected:
 
   void ClearVRAM() override;
 
-  void UpdateResolutionScale() override;
+  bool UpdateResolutionScale(Error* error) override;
 
   void LoadState(const GPUBackendLoadStateCommand* cmd) override;
 
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_thread.cpp b/src/core/gpu_thread.cpp
index 06f4534ad..675dd0ebd 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_thread.cpp
+++ b/src/core/gpu_thread.cpp
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ void GPUThread::Internal::SetThreadEnabled(bool enabled)
                    requested_fullscreen_ui, true, &error))
   {
     ERROR_LOG("Reconfigure failed: {}", error.GetDescription());
-    Panic("Failed to reconfigure when changing thread state.");
+    ReportFatalErrorAndShutdown(fmt::format("Reconfigure failed: {}", error.GetDescription()));
   }
 }
 
@@ -780,7 +780,8 @@ bool GPUThread::CreateGPUBackendOnThread(GPURenderer renderer, bool upload_vram,
 
       s_state.requested_renderer = GPURenderer::Software;
       s_state.gpu_backend = GPUBackend::CreateSoftwareBackend(*s_state.gpu_presenter);
-      okay = s_state.gpu_backend->Initialize(upload_vram, &local_error);
+      if (!s_state.gpu_backend->Initialize(upload_vram, &local_error))
+        Panic("Failed to initialize fallback software renderer");
     }
 
     if (!okay)
@@ -971,8 +972,14 @@ void GPUThread::UpdateSettingsOnThread(const GPUSettings& old_settings)
 
     PostProcessing::UpdateSettings();
 
-    s_state.gpu_presenter->UpdateSettings(old_settings);
-    s_state.gpu_backend->UpdateSettings(old_settings);
+    Error error;
+    if (!s_state.gpu_presenter->UpdateSettings(old_settings, &error) ||
+        !s_state.gpu_backend->UpdateSettings(old_settings, &error)) [[unlikely]]
+    {
+      ReportFatalErrorAndShutdown(fmt::format("Failed to update settings: {}", error.GetDescription()));
+      return;
+    }
+
     if (ImGuiManager::UpdateDebugWindowConfig() || (PostProcessing::DisplayChain.IsActive() && !IsSystemPaused()))
       PresentFrameAndRestoreContext();
     else
@@ -1071,6 +1078,21 @@ void GPUThread::UpdateSettings(bool gpu_settings_changed, bool device_settings_c
   }
 }
 
+void GPUThread::ReportFatalErrorAndShutdown(std::string_view reason)
+{
+  DebugAssert(IsOnThread());
+
+  std::string message = fmt::format("GPU thread shut down with fatal error:\n\n{}", reason);
+  Host::RunOnCPUThread([message = std::move(message)]() { System::AbnormalShutdown(message); });
+
+  // replace the renderer with a dummy/null backend, so that all commands get dropped
+  ERROR_LOG("Switching to null renderer: {}", reason);
+  s_state.gpu_backend.reset();
+  s_state.gpu_backend = GPUBackend::CreateNullBackend(*s_state.gpu_presenter);
+  if (!s_state.gpu_backend->Initialize(false, nullptr)) [[unlikely]]
+    Panic("Failed to initialize null GPU backend");
+}
+
 bool GPUThread::IsOnThread()
 {
   return (!s_state.use_gpu_thread || s_state.gpu_thread.IsCallingThread());
@@ -1193,7 +1215,11 @@ void GPUThread::DisplayWindowResizedOnThread()
     }
 
     if (g_gpu_settings.gpu_resolution_scale == 0)
-      s_state.gpu_backend->UpdateResolutionScale();
+    {
+      Error error;
+      if (!s_state.gpu_backend->UpdateResolutionScale(&error)) [[unlikely]]
+        ReportFatalErrorAndShutdown(fmt::format("Failed to update resolution scale: {}", error.GetDescription()));
+    }
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/gpu_thread.h b/src/core/gpu_thread.h
index 3c1daaaa1..73f349a22 100644
--- a/src/core/gpu_thread.h
+++ b/src/core/gpu_thread.h
@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@ const WindowInfo& GetRenderWindowInfo();
 
 void UpdateSettings(bool gpu_settings_changed, bool device_settings_changed);
 
+/// Triggers an abnormal system shutdown and waits for it to destroy the backend.
+void ReportFatalErrorAndShutdown(std::string_view reason);
+
 bool IsOnThread();
 bool IsUsingThread();
 void RunOnThread(AsyncCallType func);
diff --git a/src/core/system.cpp b/src/core/system.cpp
index c64313b0d..f8d6a043f 100644
--- a/src/core/system.cpp
+++ b/src/core/system.cpp
@@ -2005,6 +2005,24 @@ void System::DestroySystem()
   Host::OnSystemDestroyed();
 }
 
+void System::AbnormalShutdown(const std::string_view reason)
+{
+  if (!IsValid())
+    return;
+
+  ERROR_LOG("Abnormal shutdown: {}", reason);
+
+  Host::OnSystemAbnormalShutdown(reason);
+
+  // Immediately switch to destroying and exit execution to get out of here.
+  s_state.state = State::Stopping;
+  std::atomic_thread_fence(std::memory_order_release);
+  if (s_state.system_executing)
+    InterruptExecution();
+  else
+    DestroySystem();
+}
+
 void System::ClearRunningGame()
 {
   UpdateSessionTime(s_state.running_game_serial);
@@ -4636,8 +4654,11 @@ void System::CheckForSettingsChanges(const Settings& old_settings)
     Error error;
     if (!Bus::ReallocateMemoryMap(g_settings.export_shared_memory, &error)) [[unlikely]]
     {
-      ERROR_LOG(error.GetDescription());
-      Panic("Failed to reallocate memory map. The log may contain more information.");
+      if (IsValid())
+      {
+        AbnormalShutdown(fmt::format("Failed to reallocate memory map: {}", error.GetDescription()));
+        return;
+      }
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/core/system_private.h b/src/core/system_private.h
index 964f38a43..770300f84 100644
--- a/src/core/system_private.h
+++ b/src/core/system_private.h
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ void DisplayWindowResized();
 /// Updates the internal GTE aspect ratio. Use with "match display" aspect ratio setting.
 void UpdateGTEAspectRatio();
 
+/// Immediately terminates the virtual machine, no state is saved.
+void AbnormalShutdown(const std::string_view reason);
+
 /// Performs mandatory hardware checks.
 bool PerformEarlyHardwareChecks(Error* error);
 
@@ -96,6 +99,9 @@ void OnSystemPaused();
 /// Called when the VM is resumed after being paused.
 void OnSystemResumed();
 
+/// Called when the VM abnormally exits because an error has occurred, and it cannot continue.
+void OnSystemAbnormalShutdown(const std::string_view reason);
+
 /// Called when performance metrics are updated, approximately once a second.
 void OnPerformanceCountersUpdated(const GPUBackend* gpu_backend);
 
diff --git a/src/duckstation-qt/qthost.cpp b/src/duckstation-qt/qthost.cpp
index 95dcc7679..6420744a1 100644
--- a/src/duckstation-qt/qthost.cpp
+++ b/src/duckstation-qt/qthost.cpp
@@ -1045,6 +1045,18 @@ void Host::OnSystemDestroyed()
   emit g_emu_thread->systemDestroyed();
 }
 
+void Host::OnSystemAbnormalShutdown(const std::string_view reason)
+{
+  Host::ReportErrorAsync(
+    TRANSLATE_SV("QtHost", "Error"),
+    fmt::format(
+      TRANSLATE_FS("QtHost",
+                   "Unfortunately, the virtual machine has abnormally shut down and cannot be recovered. Please use "
+                   "the available support options for further assistance, and provide information about what you were "
+                   "doing when the error occurred, as well as the details below:\n\n{}"),
+      reason));
+}
+
 void Host::OnGPUThreadRunIdleChanged(bool is_active)
 {
   g_emu_thread->setGPUThreadRunIdle(is_active);
diff --git a/src/duckstation-regtest/regtest_host.cpp b/src/duckstation-regtest/regtest_host.cpp
index 31778350d..db21771d9 100644
--- a/src/duckstation-regtest/regtest_host.cpp
+++ b/src/duckstation-regtest/regtest_host.cpp
@@ -293,6 +293,11 @@ void Host::OnSystemResumed()
   //
 }
 
+void Host::OnSystemAbnormalShutdown(const std::string_view reason)
+{
+  // Already logged in core.
+}
+
 void Host::OnGPUThreadRunIdleChanged(bool is_active)
 {
   //