Why Does My Game Keep Crashing On Startup And Quick Fixes To Try

Nothing disrupts the excitement of diving into a new or favorite game like an immediate crash at launch. Whether you're playing a AAA title or an indie gem, startup crashes are frustrating and often leave players puzzled. The good news is that most of these issues stem from common technical problems—many of which can be resolved quickly without needing advanced technical knowledge.

This guide breaks down the most frequent causes behind game crashes on startup and provides actionable solutions. From outdated drivers to corrupted files and system conflicts, we’ll walk through proven troubleshooting methods that have helped thousands of gamers restore stability to their experience.

Common Causes of Game Crashes on Startup

Before jumping into fixes, it helps to understand what might be triggering the crash. Games demand significant resources and coordination between hardware, software, and operating systems. When any part of this chain fails, the result is often a crash before the main menu even loads.

• Incompatible or outdated graphics drivers: GPUs require up-to-date drivers to support modern rendering techniques.
• Corrupted game files: Missing or damaged assets can prevent initialization.
• Background application interference: Overlays (Discord, Steam, GeForce Experience) or antivirus tools may conflict with game processes.
• Insufficient system resources: Low RAM, full disk space, or high CPU usage can halt startup.
• Operating system issues: Missing Windows updates or incorrect permissions may block execution.
• Antivirus or firewall blocking: Security software sometimes flags legitimate game components as threats.
• Incorrect game settings or configuration files: Saved settings from previous versions may not be compatible after updates.

Identifying the root cause saves time and prevents unnecessary reinstallation or hardware upgrades. Start with the simplest explanations first—often, the fix lies in something small but critical.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Follow this structured approach to isolate and resolve the issue efficiently. Each step builds on the last, increasing in complexity only when needed.

1. Restart your computer. A simple reboot clears temporary glitches, resets memory allocation, and ends rogue processes.
2. Check for game updates. Open your platform (Steam, Epic, etc.) and ensure the game is fully updated. Developers frequently patch known startup bugs.
3. Verify integrity of game files. On Steam: Right-click the game > Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files. This scans and replaces missing or corrupted data.
4. Update graphics drivers. Visit NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s official site and download the latest driver for your GPU model. Avoid third-party updater tools.
5. Close background applications. Disable overlays (Steam, Discord, Xbox Game Bar), screen recorders, and other non-essential software before launching.
6. Run the game as administrator. Right-click the executable or shortcut > Run as Administrator. This grants necessary permissions, especially if installed in protected directories.
7. Temporarily disable antivirus. Test-launch the game with real-time protection off. If it works, add the game folder to your antivirus whitelist.
8. Update Windows. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for Updates. Critical OS patches often resolve compatibility issues.
9. Clear shader or cache folders. Some games store temporary rendering data that becomes corrupt. Delete contents in folders like Documents\\My Games\\[GameName]\\Cache.
10. Reinstall the game. As a last resort, uninstall completely, delete leftover folders, then reinstall fresh.

Most users find success within the first five steps. Persistent issues may require deeper diagnostics, such as checking Event Viewer logs or monitoring hardware temperatures.

Tip: Always restart your PC after updating drivers or installing major Windows updates—some changes only take effect after a full reboot.

Troubleshooting Checklist

Use this checklist to methodically eliminate potential causes. Mark each item as completed once tested.

• ✅ Restarted computer
• ✅ Checked for game updates
• ✅ Verified game file integrity
• ✅ Updated GPU drivers
• ✅ Closed background apps and overlays
• ✅ Ran game as administrator
• ✅ Disabled antivirus temporarily
• ✅ Installed all pending Windows updates
• ✅ Cleared game-specific cache or shader folders
• ✅ Reinstalled the game (if necessary)

Keep this list handy for future issues. Many of these steps apply across multiple games and platforms, making them essential habits for any PC gamer.

Do’s and Don’ts When Fixing Game Crashes

Do	Don’t
Download drivers directly from manufacturer websites	Use third-party \"driver booster\" tools that bundle bloatware
Create a restore point before making system changes	Skip backups when modifying system settings
Check community forums for known issues with your setup	Assume the problem is unique to you—someone else has likely encountered it
Test one change at a time to identify what worked	Change multiple settings simultaneously and guess which fixed it
Monitor CPU/GPU temperatures using tools like HWMonitor	Ignore overheating signs—even idle crashes can stem from thermal throttling

Real Example: Resolving a Persistent Crash in Cyberpunk 2077

A user reported that Cyberpunk 2077 crashed instantly upon launch, displaying no error message. Their system met minimum requirements, and the game had worked previously. After a recent Windows update, however, it stopped launching entirely.

The troubleshooting process began with a restart—no change. They verified game files via Steam; two files were repaired. Still, the crash persisted. Next, they closed Discord, GeForce Experience, and MSI Afterburner. No improvement.

They then updated their NVIDIA drivers manually from the official site. Upon reboot, the game launched successfully. Further investigation revealed that the Windows Update had rolled back their GPU driver to a generic version incompatible with DX12 initialization in Cyberpunk.

This case highlights how automatic OS updates can interfere with specialized software. It also underscores the importance of verifying driver status after system changes.

“Over 60% of reported game crashes on startup are resolved by updating or rolling back graphics drivers.” — Alex Tran, Senior Support Engineer at NVIDIA Developer Support

When Hardware Might Be the Culprit

While software issues dominate startup crashes, hardware cannot be ruled out—especially if the problem affects multiple games or began after a new component was added.

Common hardware-related triggers include:

• Failing RAM: Use Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86 to test for errors.
• Overheating GPU or CPU: Monitor temps during boot. Sustained temps above 90°C under load suggest cooling issues.
• Disk errors: Run chkdsk /f /r in Command Prompt (as admin) to scan for bad sectors.
• Power supply instability: An underpowered or aging PSU may cause sudden shutdowns during high-demand phases like loading screens.

If crashes occur across different games or even in benchmark tools like 3DMark, consider running stress tests. Tools like Prime95 (CPU), FurMark (GPU), and CrystalDiskInfo (storage health) help pinpoint failing components.

Tip: Dust buildup in fans and heatsinks can lead to overheating. Clean your PC every 6–12 months using compressed air.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my game crash immediately after launching?

Immediate crashes are typically due to missing dependencies (like DirectX or Visual C++ Redistributables), corrupted files, or driver incompatibility. Start by verifying game files and ensuring your system has the required runtime libraries installed.

Can too many background apps really crash a game?

Yes. Applications like Discord, OBS, or RGB control software inject code into running processes. This can conflict with anti-cheat systems or memory allocation, causing instability. Try closing non-essential programs before launching.

I’ve tried everything—what should I do next?

If standard fixes fail, check the game’s official support page or subreddit. Look for logs in folders like Documents\\My Games or AppData\\Local. These logs often contain specific error codes that can be searched online. You can also try booting Windows in Safe Mode with Networking to test if a core service is interfering.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Game crashes on startup are more common than many realize—and far less intimidating once you know where to look. Most solutions involve routine maintenance tasks: updating drivers, verifying files, managing background software, and keeping your system clean.

The key is patience and systematic testing. Jumping to reinstallation or hardware replacement too soon wastes time and may miss the real issue. By following the steps outlined here, you’re equipped to diagnose and resolve the vast majority of startup crashes on your own.

Don’t let a crashing game keep you away from the experience you paid for. Take control, apply these fixes, and get back to playing. And if you discover a unique solution that worked for you, share it—your insight could help another frustrated player get back in the game.

💬 Found a fix that worked? Have a question we didn’t cover? Join the conversation—leave a comment below and help build a better troubleshooting community.