Atomfall Crashing on Startup on PC: How to FIX

Atomfall Crashing on Startup on PC: Set to release in 2025, “Atomfall” is an action-survival title from Rebellion Developments that immerses players in a chilling alternate-history version of 1960s Britain.

In this reimagined world, the Windscale nuclear incident has left Northern England as a quarantined and radioactive wasteland, creating a backdrop that promises both tension and intrigue. The game’s unique environment and engaging survival gameplay have sparked significant excitement within the gaming community.

However, some players on PC are encountering a common issue: the game crashes either at startup or during gameplay. This problem can severely hinder the gaming experience, leaving many frustrated.

If you’re facing similar crashing issues, rest assured you’re not alone. This guide is designed to provide you with effective solutions to address the crashing problems in “Atomfall” on PC, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the game and navigate the challenges of this post-apocalyptic landscape.

Why is Atomfall Crashing on PC?

Before we explore potential solutions, it’s important to understand some frequent factors that could lead to game crashes:

Outdated Graphics Drivers: Using old graphics card drivers can result in instability during gameplay.
Corrupted or Missing Game Files: Essential game files that are either damaged or absent can lead to inevitable crashes.
Resource-Heavy Background Applications: Running CPU-intensive applications in the background may disrupt the gaming experience.
Conflicts with Overlay Applications: Programs such as Steam Overlay, Discord, or GeForce Experience may occasionally cause conflicts that lead to crashes.
Obsolete Windows or DirectX Versions: Keeping your system software outdated can result in compatibility problems.
Interference from Antivirus or Firewall: Security software may unintentionally prevent the game from starting.

Having identified these common issues, we can now proceed to explore effective solutions.

Fix: Atomfall Crashes on PC

Follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.

1. Check Your System Requirements

Before trying any fixes, ensure that your PC meets the minimum or recommended system requirements to run Atomfall.

Minimum Requirements:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 or later
Processor: Intel CPU Core i5-9400f or equivalent
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia 2060 6GB or equivalent
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 60 GB available space

2. Run the Game as an Administrator

If you encounter an immediate crash or are unable to start the game, executing it with administrative privileges might resolve the issue.
Steps to Run the Game as Administrator:

Right-click on the Atomfall icon located on your desktop.
Choose ‘Properties’ from the context menu, then navigate to the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
Enable the option that says ‘Run this program as an administrator.’
Click ‘Apply,’ then ‘OK,’ and proceed to launch the game.

3. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

If your game is experiencing crashes, it may be due to missing or damaged files. Fortunately, you can resolve this issue through the game launcher.

For those using Steam, follow these steps:

Launch Steam and head to your Library.
Locate Atomfall, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
Go to the Local Files tab and select the option to Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Allow the verification process to complete, and then restart Steam to apply any changes.

Instructions for Epic Games Users:

Launch the Epic Games Launcher and navigate to your Library.
Locate Atomfall and click on the three-dot menu adjacent to it.
Choose the Verify option from the dropdown menu and allow the process to finish.
Once verification is complete, restart the game.

4. Update Graphics Drivers

Having outdated or damaged GPU drivers can lead to various performance issues and system crashes. To enhance your system’s stability and performance, it’s essential to update your drivers regularly.

For NVIDIA Users:

Launch GeForce Experience and navigate to the Drivers section.
Select the option to Check for updates and proceed to install any updates that are available.

For AMD Users:

Open the AMD Radeon Software and head to the Updates section.
Click on Check for updates and ensure you install the most recent version.

If you continue to experience problems, consider using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove any outdated drivers before installing the latest version. This can help ensure a clean slate for your new driver installation.

5. Disable Overlay Applications

Overlay applications may negatively impact gaming performance and lead to crashes. To enhance your gaming experience, consider disabling these overlays as follows:

Disabling the Steam Overlay:

Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
Locate and right-click on Atomfall, then select ‘Properties’ from the context menu.
In the properties window, uncheck the option that says “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”

Turning Off the Discord Overlay:

Open the Discord application and click on the Settings icon (⚙️).
In the menu, locate the ‘Game Overlay’ section and disable it.

Deactivating the GeForce Experience Overlay:

Start NVIDIA GeForce Experience.
Click on ‘Settings’ followed by ‘General.’
Find the option for ‘In-Game Overlay’ and switch it off.

After completing these steps, restart your game to see if the performance improves and crashes are resolved.

6. Update Windows & DirectX

Using older versions of Windows or DirectX may lead to instability and crashes in certain games.

How to Update Windows:

Open the Settings menu by pressing Win + I.
Navigate to Update & Security, then select Windows Update.
Click on Check for updates and proceed to install any updates that are available.

How to Update DirectX:

Visit Microsoft’s official website to download the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
Run the installer and restart your computer to complete the process.

7. Disable Antivirus & Firewall

It’s possible that your security software is preventing Atomfall from running properly. To troubleshoot this, consider temporarily disabling your security features.

For Windows Defender, follow these steps:

Access Windows Security.
Navigate to the Virus & Threat Protection section.
Click on Manage Settings and toggle off Real-Time Protection.

To turn off Windows Firewall:

Open the Control Panel and select Windows Defender Firewall.
Choose the option to Turn Windows Defender Firewall On or Off.
Disable the Firewall for both Private and Public networks.

After making these adjustments, attempt to launch the game again. If you still encounter issues, you may need to add Atomfall to the exclusions list within your antivirus program to ensure it runs smoothly.

8. Lower In-Game Graphics Settings

If you’re experiencing performance issues with your system, adjusting the in-game graphics settings may help minimize crashes.
To optimize your experience in Atomfall, follow these steps:

Launch the game and navigate to the Settings menu.
Decrease the quality settings for Shadows, Textures, and Anti-Aliasing.
Disable V-Sync by setting it to OFF.
Play the game in Fullscreen mode rather than in Windowed mode for better performance.

9. Reinstall Atomfall (Last Resort)

Should you encounter persistent issues, a complete reinstallation may be worth considering.
Begin by removing the game from either Steam or Epic Games.
Next, reboot your computer to ensure a fresh start.
Finally, download and install the game once again, and check to see if the problem has been resolved.

Final Thoughts

Experiencing crashes in Atomfall can be quite exasperating, particularly when you’re eager to dive into its captivating post-apocalyptic environment.

Fortunately, many of these issues can typically be attributed to familiar sources, such as outdated graphics drivers, missing game files, or conflicts with other software. Fortunately, these challenges are often manageable through some simple troubleshooting techniques.

By implementing the solutions provided in this guide, you should enhance the game’s stability and immerse yourself in the experience without further interruptions.

If you continue to encounter crashes after attempting these fixes, be sure to watch for official updates or patches from Rebellion.

Developers frequently release hotfixes following a game’s launch to rectify common performance concerns.

Still facing difficulties? Don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments section—we’re here to assist you!

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