Why Do Video Games Crash On Startup And How To Stop It For Good

Video games crashing before they even launch is one of the most frustrating experiences for players. You’ve downloaded a highly anticipated title, clicked the icon with excitement, and—nothing. Or worse, the screen flickers, the splash screen appears, and then it’s back to your desktop. These startup crashes aren’t just random glitches; they’re symptoms of underlying system or software conflicts. The good news? Most of them are fixable. Understanding the root causes and applying targeted solutions can restore stability and get you playing smoothly again.

Common Causes of Game Crashes on Startup

Before diving into fixes, it's essential to understand what might be causing the issue. Game crashes at startup typically stem from hardware limitations, software incompatibilities, or corrupted components. Below are the most frequent culprits:

• Incompatible or outdated graphics drivers: Games rely heavily on GPU performance. Outdated drivers can fail to render modern game engines properly.
• Missing or corrupt game files: Whether due to an incomplete download or file corruption, missing assets can prevent initialization.
• Conflicting background applications: Antivirus tools, overlay software (like Discord or GeForce Experience), and other running processes can interfere with game execution.
• Insufficient system resources: Low RAM, high CPU usage, or inadequate VRAM can cause immediate shutdowns during loading.
• Operating system issues: Missing Windows updates, incorrect permissions, or .NET Framework/DirectX problems can block game launches.
• Overclocked hardware: Unstable CPU or GPU overclocks may pass regular use but fail under gaming loads.

Tip: Always check the game’s official support page first—many developers list known issues and pre-launch troubleshooting steps.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Game Crashes on Startup

Resolving startup crashes requires a methodical approach. Jumping straight to reinstallation often misses simpler fixes. Follow this logical sequence to identify and eliminate the root cause.

1. Verify System Requirements: Confirm your PC meets or exceeds the minimum and recommended specs. Pay attention to GPU model, RAM, and OS version—not just “Windows 10 or later.” Some games require specific driver versions or firmware.
2. Update Graphics Drivers: Visit your GPU manufacturer’s website—NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel—and download the latest WHQL-certified driver. Avoid third-party updater tools, which may install incompatible versions.
3. Run the Game as Administrator: Right-click the game executable or shortcut and select “Run as administrator.” This grants necessary permissions that some games need to access system resources.
4. Disable Overlays and Background Apps: Turn off overlays from Discord, Steam, Xbox Game Bar, or MSI Afterburner. Use Task Manager to end non-essential processes before launching the game.
5. Verify Game Files: On Steam, right-click the game > Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Cache. For Epic Games, go to Settings > Manage > Verify. This replaces missing or corrupted files automatically.
6. Install Critical Windows Updates: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Install all pending updates, especially optional ones related to DirectX, Visual C++ Redistributables, or security patches.
7. Check Disk Space and Drive Health: Ensure you have at least 15–20% free space on the drive where the game is installed. Use built-in tools like CHKDSK or CrystalDiskInfo to assess drive health.
8. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables: Many games depend on these runtime libraries. Reinstall both x86 and x64 versions from Microsoft’s official site if they’re missing or damaged.
9. Adjust Compatibility Mode: Right-click the game’s .exe file > Properties > Compatibility. Try running in Windows 8 or Windows 7 mode, especially for older titles. Disable fullscreen optimizations here as well.
10. Reset BIOS/UEFI Settings (if overclocked): If you’ve overclocked your CPU, GPU, or RAM, revert to default settings. Unstable clocks can cause crashes under load—even at startup.

Troubleshooting Table: Do’s and Don’ts

Action	Do	Don't
Driver Updates	Download directly from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel websites	Use third-party driver updaters or OEM bloatware
Game Launch	Run as administrator and disable overlays	Launch while multiple apps are running in the background
File Verification	Use platform tools (Steam/Epic) to scan integrity	Delete game folder manually without verifying first
System Maintenance	Keep Windows updated and disk defragmented (HDD only)	Ignore critical updates or run games on nearly full drives
Hardware Tweaks	Test stability after overclocking with stress tools	Assume overclocks are stable just because desktop runs fine

Real Example: Fixing a Persistent Cyberpunk 2077 Crash

A user reported that Cyberpunk 2077 would crash immediately after the CD Projekt RED logo, returning them to the desktop. No error message appeared. Initial attempts—restarting the PC, reinstalling the game via Steam, and updating Windows—failed.

The breakthrough came when checking Event Viewer logs, which revealed a recurring fault in nvlddmkm.sys, a core NVIDIA driver component. Despite having “updated” drivers through a third-party tool, the version was outdated and unstable.

The solution involved:

• Uninstalling current GPU drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode.
• Downloading and installing the latest Game Ready driver directly from NVIDIA’s site.
• Disabling GeForce Experience overlay and shader cache preloading.

After these steps, the game launched successfully. This case highlights how misleading symptoms can be—what seemed like a game-specific bug was actually a driver-level conflict masked by poor error reporting.

“Over 60% of ‘game crashes’ we see in support tickets are actually driver or dependency issues, not bugs in the game code.” — Adrian Chen, Senior Technical Support Lead at a major PC game publisher

Preventative Checklist: Stop Crashes Before They Start

Once you’ve fixed a crash, don’t assume the problem won’t return. Proactive maintenance reduces future risks. Use this checklist regularly, especially before installing new games:

• ✅ Update GPU drivers monthly or with each major game release.
• ✅ Keep Windows and all system software up to date.
• ✅ Maintain at least 20% free space on your primary SSD/HDD.
• ✅ Disable unnecessary overlays (Discord, Steam, etc.) when gaming.
• ✅ Run periodic disk cleanup and error checks.
• ✅ Monitor temperatures using tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp.
• ✅ Regularly verify game file integrity, especially after updates.
• ✅ Avoid aggressive overclocks unless thoroughly stress-tested.
• ✅ Use a reliable power supply and surge protector to prevent sudden shutdowns.
• ✅ Create a system restore point before installing demanding games.

Tip: Enable automatic Windows updates and driver notifications so you're alerted before compatibility issues arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my game crash on startup but work fine a few hours later?

This often points to temporary resource conflicts. Background apps like cloud sync tools, antivirus scans, or Windows updates may be consuming memory or CPU at launch. It could also be thermal throttling—if your system heats up during idle tasks, the GPU may fail to initialize properly until it cools down.

Can antivirus software really cause game crashes?

Yes. Overzealous real-time protection can block game executables or DLL files from loading, especially if the game uses anti-cheat systems that mimic suspicious behavior. Add your game installation folder and launcher to your antivirus’s exclusion list to prevent interference.

I’m on a laptop—could power settings be causing crashes?

Absolutely. Laptops often default to “Power Saver” mode, which limits CPU and GPU performance. Switch to “High Performance” or “Best Performance” in Windows Power Options. Also ensure the game is set to use the dedicated GPU in NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software.

Conclusion: Stability Is Within Reach

Game crashes on startup are rarely unsolvable mysteries. They stem from identifiable technical mismatches between software demands and system capabilities. By systematically addressing drivers, dependencies, permissions, and hardware stability, you can resolve most issues permanently. More importantly, adopting preventative habits—like routine updates, file verification, and smart resource management—can stop crashes before they occur.

Modern gaming shouldn’t mean constant troubleshooting. With the right knowledge and maintenance routine, your system can deliver smooth, crash-free gameplay every time you hit “Play.” Don’t tolerate repeated failures—take control of your setup today and enjoy the seamless experience you deserve.

💬 Have a stubborn crash you finally fixed? Share your story in the comments—your solution might help someone else get back in the game!