How to Fix Games Crashing on Windows 11 or 10 PC

If you’re experiencing frustrating game crashes on your Windows 11 or 10 PC, you’re not alone. Many gamers face this issue, which can ruin the gaming experience. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem and get back to smooth gaming sessions. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective solutions to fix games crashing on Windows 11 or 10.

Identify the Cause of Game Crashes

Before diving into the fixes, it’s essential to understand the potential causes of game crashes on Windows 11 or 10. Some common reasons include:

• Outdated or incompatible drivers, especially for the graphics card
• Conflicting background programs or services
• Corrupted game files or installation
• Hardware issues, such as overheating or faulty components
• Malware or viruses affecting the system

Update Drivers

One of the most effective ways to fix game crashes is to ensure you have the latest drivers installed, especially for your graphics card. Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause various issues, including game crashes. Follow these steps to update your drivers:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Device Manager”
2. Expand the “Display adapters” section and right-click on your graphics card
3. Select “Update driver” and choose “Search automatically for updated driver software”
4. If Windows doesn’t find an updated driver, visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your specific model
5. Install the downloaded driver and restart your PC

Disable Background Programs

Background programs and services running on your system can sometimes interfere with game performance and cause crashes. To fix this issue, try disabling unnecessary programs and services:

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl Shift Esc or right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager”
2. Go to the “Startup” tab and disable any unnecessary startup programs by right-clicking on them and selecting “Disable”
3. Switch to the “Details” or “Processes” tab and end any resource-intensive background processes that are not essential
4. Restart your PC and test the game again

Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Windows 11 and 10 have a feature called “Fullscreen Optimizations” that aims to improve gaming performance. However, in some cases, this feature can cause game crashes. To disable it:

1. Right-click on the game’s executable file or shortcut and select “Properties”
2. Go to the “Compatibility” tab and check the “Disable fullscreen optimizations” box
3. Click “OK” to save the changes and launch the game

Run System File Checker

Corrupted or missing system files can also lead to game crashes. You can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan for and repair any issues:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt”
2. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”
3. In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter
4. Wait for the scan to complete, which may take some time
5. If any issues are found, the tool will automatically attempt to repair them
6. Restart your PC and test the game again

Reset or Repair the Game

If the game itself is causing the crashes, you can try resetting or repairing it through the Windows Settings:

1. Open the Start menu and go to “Settings > Apps > Apps & Features”
2. Find the game in the list and click on it
3. Click on “Advanced options” and look for the “Reset” or “Repair” button
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset or repair the game
5. Restart your PC and test the game again

If resetting or repairing the game doesn’t work, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the game:

1. Uninstall the game from the same “Apps & Features” section in Windows Settings
2. Restart your PC
3. Reinstall the game from the Microsoft Store or the game’s official website

Check for Hardware Issues

In some cases, hardware issues such as overheating or faulty components can cause game crashes. Here are a few things you can check:

1. Check if your computer is overheating by monitoring the temperatures using a tool like HWMonitor
2. Make sure your computer’s fans are working properly and the airflow is not obstructed
3. If you’ve recently upgraded or changed any hardware components, ensure they are compatible and installed correctly
4. Run a memory test using a tool like Windows Memory Diagnostic to check for RAM issues

Scan for Malware and Viruses

Malware and viruses can also cause game crashes and other system instability issues. Make sure you have a reliable antivirus program installed and run a full system scan:

1. Open your antivirus software and run a full system scan
2. If any threats are detected, follow the instructions provided by your antivirus software to remove them
3. Restart your PC and test the game again

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to consider more advanced troubleshooting steps, such as performing a clean installation of Windows or contacting the game developer for further assistance.

Remember, the specific steps to fix game crashes may vary depending on the game, your hardware configuration, and the underlying cause of the issue. However, following the general troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide should help you resolve most game crashes on Windows 11 or 10.