Borderlands 4 Keeps Crashing on PC: How to FIX

Borderlands 4 Keeps Crashing on PC: Borderlands 4 is the latest installment in the beloved looter-shooter franchise known for its unique art style, engaging gameplay, and cooperative multiplayer.

However, many players have reported that Borderlands 4 keeps crashing on their PCs — whether during startup, in the middle of gameplay, or when loading zones. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re trying to enjoy the game or play with friends.

If you’re experiencing frequent crashes or freezes with Borderlands 4 on your PC, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the most common reasons why the game crashes and offer detailed, step-by-step fixes to get you back into the action with stability.

Why Does Borderlands 4 Crash on PC?

Before jumping into the solutions, it’s helpful to understand the main causes of crashing issues. Borderlands 4 can crash due to:

Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers
Conflicts with background software or overlays
Corrupted game files or installations
Insufficient hardware resources or overheating
Issues with DirectX or Windows system files
Incompatible settings or mods
Faulty or outdated Visual C++ Redistributables or .NET Framework
Hardware problems such as faulty RAM or overheating

Knowing these potential causes allows us to troubleshoot effectively.

Step-by-Step Fixes to Stop Borderlands 4 from Crashing on PC

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

The most common cause of crashes in graphically intensive games is outdated or corrupted GPU drivers.

For NVIDIA GPUs:
Visit NVIDIA’s official driver page or use GeForce Experience to get the latest drivers.
For AMD GPUs:
Download the latest drivers via AMD Radeon Software.

Make sure to perform a clean installation to remove old driver versions that might conflict.

2. Verify Game Files Integrity

Corrupted or missing game files cause crashes during startup or gameplay.

Steam:

Right-click Borderlands 4 in your Steam library → Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Epic Games:

Open Epic Games Launcher → Library → Click the three dots next to Borderlands 4 → Verify.

This will automatically detect and fix corrupted or missing files.

3. Run the Game as Administrator

Borderlands 4 may require admin privileges to access certain system files or services.

Right-click the game executable or shortcut
Select Run as administrator

This simple step can prevent permission-related crashes.

4. Disable Overlays and Background Applications

Third-party overlays can cause conflicts or crashes in many games.

Disable overlays for:

Steam
Discord
NVIDIA GeForce Experience
AMD Radeon Software
Xbox Game Bar

Also, close unnecessary apps running in the background via Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), such as browsers, recording software, or VPNs.

5. Set Borderlands 4 to Use Dedicated GPU (for Laptops)

If you have a laptop with integrated and dedicated GPUs, the game might default to the weaker GPU, causing crashes.

NVIDIA:

Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D settings → Program Settings → Add Borderlands 4 → Select High-performance NVIDIA processor → Apply.

AMD:

Open Radeon Software → System → Switchable Graphics → Browse for Borderlands 4 → Set to High Performance.

6. Update Windows and DirectX

System files and DirectX versions can affect game stability.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update → Check for updates and install all pending updates.
Download the latest DirectX Runtime from Microsoft and install.

7. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations and Compatibility Mode

Sometimes Windows features cause instability.

Right-click Borderlands 4 executable → Properties → Compatibility tab
Check Disable fullscreen optimizations
Ensure Run this program in compatibility mode is unchecked unless recommended otherwise.

8. Check Your Antivirus and Firewall Settings

Sometimes antivirus software may mistakenly flag Borderlands 4 files or block the game’s connections, causing crashes.

Add Borderlands 4 folder to your antivirus exclusion list
Temporarily disable antivirus and firewall, then try launching the game
If the game runs fine, add exceptions or whitelist the game permanently.

9. Increase Virtual Memory (Pagefile)

Insufficient virtual memory can cause crashes, especially on systems with limited RAM.

Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter
Go to the Advanced tab → Performance → Settings → Advanced tab → Virtual memory → Change
Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size
Select your system drive and set Initial size and Maximum size to 1.5 to 2 times your RAM size (e.g., for 8 GB RAM, set 12288 MB)
Click OK and restart your PC.

10. Clean Boot Your PC

A clean boot starts Windows with minimal services and can help identify conflicts.

Press Win + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter
Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services then click Disable all
Go to the Startup tab, open Task Manager and disable all startup programs
Restart your PC and try launching Borderlands 4.

If the game works, enable services/startup items one by one to find the problematic program.

11. Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributables and .NET Framework

Missing or corrupt Microsoft runtime libraries can cause crashes.

Download and install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables (both x64 and x86 versions).
Update or repair the .NET Framework.

12. Lower In-Game Graphics Settings

High graphics settings can overwhelm your system, leading to instability and crashes.

Set these options to lower values:

Texture Quality → Medium or Low
Shadow Quality → Low
Anti-Aliasing → FXAA or Off
Volumetric Effects → Off or Low
Ambient Occlusion → Off
Disable motion blur and depth of field

13. Monitor Temperatures and Hardware Health

Overheating can cause system crashes, especially during intense gameplay.

Use software like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to check CPU and GPU temperatures.
Clean your PC fans and ensure proper ventilation.
Consider lowering overclock settings or resetting to stock if unstable.

14. Reinstall Borderlands 4

If all else fails, a full reinstall may be required.

Uninstall Borderlands 4 completely
Delete remaining files in the installation folder
Reboot your PC
Reinstall the game from Steam or Epic Games launcher

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FAQs About Borderlands 4 Crashing on PC

Q1: Why does Borderlands 4 crash immediately on startup?

This often points to driver issues, corrupted game files, or software conflicts. Try updating your GPU drivers, verifying game files, disabling overlays, and running the game as administrator.

Q2: How can I fix crashes during loading screens?

Loading screen crashes are often caused by corrupted files or insufficient memory. Verify game integrity, increase virtual memory, and lower texture streaming settings.

Q3: My Borderlands 4 crashes only when playing multiplayer. What should I do?

Multiplayer crashes can be caused by network issues, firewall blocks, or corrupted saves. Ensure your firewall allows the game, try port forwarding, and update the game and network drivers.

Q4: Does Borderlands 4 require a specific version of DirectX?

Borderlands 4 supports both DirectX 11 and 12. You can force DirectX 11 by adding -dx11 in the game’s launch options, which can improve stability on some systems.

Q5: Could faulty RAM cause Borderlands 4 to crash?

Yes, defective or failing RAM can cause crashes in many games. Use Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86 to check your RAM health.

Q6: How do I disable overlays that might be causing crashes?

In Discord, go to User Settings > Game Overlay and disable it. In Steam, go to Settings > In-Game and disable the Steam overlay. For NVIDIA, open GeForce Experience and turn off in-game overlay under settings.

Q7: Can antivirus software cause Borderlands 4 to crash?

Yes, some antivirus programs may flag game files or interfere with network connections. Adding the game to exceptions or temporarily disabling the antivirus can help identify this.

Q8: Does running Borderlands 4 in windowed mode help with crashes?

Running in fullscreen mode is generally recommended for performance and stability, but windowed or borderless modes can help if you are experiencing fullscreen-related crashes.

Conclusion

Crashing issues in Borderlands 4 on PC can stem from a variety of causes, from driver conflicts and corrupted files to system settings and hardware problems. By methodically applying the fixes outlined above — updating drivers, verifying game files, disabling overlays, optimizing Windows settings, and monitoring hardware — most players can restore stability and enjoy a smooth gaming experience.

If you’ve tried all solutions and the game continues to crash, consider reaching out to Gearbox Software support or the official Borderlands community forums for additional assistance tailored to your hardware setup.