DayZ Crashing or Not Working on PC: How to FIX

DayZ Crashing or Not Working on PC: In 2018, Bohemia Interactive successfully launched DayZ, a multiplayer zombie survival game set in a post-apocalyptic environment.

This game serves as the standalone successor to ARMA 2 and has garnered positive feedback from both players and critics alike over the years.

However, if you’re an avid DayZ player, you may have experienced issues such as crashes or failure to launch while playing on your Windows PC through Steam.

For PC gamers, encountering startup crashes or launch problems can be particularly frustrating, especially when these issues arise across various games.

It’s important to note that most startup crashes or launch failures stem from player-specific factors that developers may not be able to address directly.

Therefore, it is advisable to explore the various troubleshooting methods outlined below that could potentially resolve these issues. Let’s dive in and explore these solutions.

Why Does DayZ Keep Crashing?

The problem of PC games failing to start could be attributed to several compatibility factors between your computer and the game itself.

Issues may arise from an outdated version of the game, graphics drivers, or game launcher, as well as unnecessary tasks running in the background, problems with startup applications, and an outdated Windows operating system.

Moreover, conflicts may also stem from using an outdated DirectX version, overclocking the CPU or GPU, complications with Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables, issues caused by overlay applications, and problems with antivirus software. All these elements can interfere with the successful launch of games on a Windows PC.

Fix: DayZ Crashing or Not Working on PC

Make sure to check out all the methods one by one until the problem gets fixed completely.

1. Check System Requirements

It is advisable to verify your PC’s specifications to ensure they align with the system requirements for DayZ.

If your setup is older or has lower specifications, you may experience issues such as crashes during startup.

In such cases, upgrading the incompatible hardware may be necessary to successfully run the game.

If you’re uncertain about your system’s capabilities, there are resources available that provide detailed guidance on how to check your specifications.

Minimum System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7/8.1 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i5-4430
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD R9 270X
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 16 GB available space
• Sound Card: DirectX compatible
• Additional Notes: Internet connection

Recommended System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD R5 1600X
• Memory: 12 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 25 GB available space
• Sound Card: DirectX compatible
• Additional Notes: Internet connection

2. Update Graphics Drivers

Keeping your graphics drivers up to date is essential for optimal performance of all your applications on a Windows system. Here’s how you can easily update them:

• 1. Begin by right-clicking the Start Menu to access the Quick Access Menu.
• 2. From the options presented, select Device Manager.
• 3. In the Device Manager window, locate and double-click on the Display adapters section to view the available options.
• 4. Find your dedicated graphics card in the list, right-click its name, and choose the option to Update driver.
• 5. Next, select Search automatically for drivers. If an update is available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.

After the installation is complete, don’t forget to restart your computer to apply the changes.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can manually download the latest graphics driver directly from the official website of your graphics card manufacturer.

For those using Nvidia graphics cards, you can update through the GeForce Experience app available on Nvidia’s official site. Likewise, AMD users can find the necessary updates on the AMD website.

3. Update Windows

Keeping your Windows operating system up to date is crucial for all PC users, particularly gamers, as it helps minimize system errors, compatibility problems, and crashes. The latest updates often come with new features, enhancements, security updates, and more. Here’s how to update your OS:

• 1. Press the Windows key + I to access the Settings menu.
• 2. Navigate to Update & Security and click on Check for updates in the Windows Update section.
• 3. If a feature update is available, click on Download and install.
• 4. The update process may take some time, so be patient.
• 5. After the update is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Staying current with updates ensures optimal performance and security for your system.

4. Run the game as an administrator

To prevent any user account control problems related to privileges, it is essential to execute the game executable file with administrative rights. Additionally, the Steam client should also be run as an administrator. Here’s how to do this:

• 1. Locate the DayZ executable shortcut on your computer and right-click on it.
• 2. From the context menu, select ‘Properties’ and then navigate to the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
• 3. Look for the option that says ‘Run this program as an administrator’ and check the box next to it.
• 4. Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’ to confirm your changes.

Be sure to repeat these steps for the Steam client as well. This should assist in resolving any issues you may be experiencing with DayZ on your PC.

5. Close Background Running Tasks

Background processes and applications that are not essential can significantly consume system resources such as CPU and memory, leading to decreased overall performance.

This often results in issues like startup crashes, lagging, and problems with loading applications. To mitigate these problems, it’s advisable to terminate any unnecessary background tasks. Here’s how you can do that:

• 1. Press **Ctrl + Shift + Esc** simultaneously to launch the Task Manager.
• 2. Navigate to the **Processes** tab.
• 3. Identify and select any tasks that are running without necessity and are hogging system resources.
• 4. Click on **End Task** to terminate these processes one at a time.
• 5. After closing the unnecessary tasks, restart your computer.

Once your system has rebooted, check if the crashing issue with DayZ has been resolved. If the problem persists, consider exploring additional troubleshooting methods.

6. Set High Priority in Task Manager

To optimize your gaming experience for DayZ, you can adjust its priority in the Windows Task Manager, ensuring that your system allocates more resources to the game. Here’s how to do it:

• 1. Right-click the Start Menu and choose Task Manager.
• 2. Navigate to the Processes tab, then find the DayZ game process.
• 3. Right-click on the DayZ entry and select “Set Priority,” then choose “High.”
• 4. Close the Task Manager.

After making this adjustment, launch DayZ to see if it resolves any crashing issues you may have been experiencing on your PC.

7. Reinstall DirectX (Latest)

You should try reinstalling the latest version of DirectX from the official Microsoft website on your PC/Laptop. You just need to download and install the DirectX installer package and run it. Keep in mind that you’ll require DirectX 11 or above to run the DayZ game properly.

8. Force Run the Game in DirectX 11

To begin, open the Steam client and navigate to your LIBRARY. Find the DayZ game in your list, right-click on it, and choose Properties.

In the window that appears, select the GENERAL tab from the menu on the left.

In the Launch Options field, enter -dx11. After you’ve done that, return to the main screen and start the game.

If a prompt appears, make sure to select the radio button next to the Play option for DayZ.

9. Disable Windows Firewall or Antivirus Program

There’s a significant possibility that your default Windows Defender Firewall or any third-party antivirus software may be obstructing connections or causing issues with game files.

To troubleshoot this, it’s advisable to temporarily disable both real-time protection and firewall settings. After doing so, attempt to run the game again to see if the DayZ crashing problem has been resolved. Here’s how to proceed:

• 1. Open the Start Menu and type ‘firewall.’
• 2. From the search results, select ‘Windows Defender Firewall.’
• 3. Click on ‘Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off’ from the options on the left side.
• 4. A new window will appear; select ‘Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)’ for both Private and Public Network Settings.
• 5. Click ‘OK’ to apply the changes.
• 6. Finally, restart your computer.

In addition, you should also disable Windows Security protection. Follow these steps:

• 1. Press the Windows + I keys to access the Windows Settings menu.
• 2. Navigate to ‘Update & Security,’ then select ‘Windows Security’ from the left sidebar.
• 3. Click the ‘Open Windows Security’ button.
• 4. Go to ‘Virus & threat protection’ and then click on ‘Manage settings.’
• 5. Simply toggle off the ‘Real-time protection’ option.
• 6. If you receive a prompt, confirm by clicking ‘Yes.’

You may also consider disabling ‘Cloud-delivered protection’ and ‘Tamper protection’ if necessary.

10. Set High Performance in Power Options

If your Windows system is currently set to Balanced mode in the Power Options, consider switching to High-Performance mode for improved performance. Keep in mind that this setting may lead to increased power consumption or battery drain. To change your power plan, follow these steps:

• 1. Open the Start Menu and type “Control Panel,” then select it from the search results.
• 2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound, then click on Power Options.
• 3. Choose the High Performance option to activate it.
• 4. After making this change, ensure you close the window and properly shut down your computer. To do this, click on the Start Menu, proceed to Power, and select Shut Down.
• 5. Once your system is completely powered off, you can turn it back on.

This adjustment may resolve the DayZ crashing issue on your PC in most situations. However, if you continue to experience problems, please proceed to the next troubleshooting method.

11. Close the game from Background Apps

If you are experiencing ongoing issues with the DayZ game, consider disabling it from your PC’s Background Apps. Here’s how to do that:

• 1. Press the Windows + I keys to access the Windows Settings.
• 2. Navigate to the Privacy section and select Background apps from the left sidebar.
• 3. Locate the DayZ game in the list as you scroll down.
• 4. Switch off the toggle next to the game’s name.

After completing these steps, close the settings window and restart your computer. This approach may resolve the problem. If you still encounter issues, you can explore additional troubleshooting methods.

12. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime

To resolve various gaming issues or errors, it is essential to reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime on your computer. Follow these steps to complete the process:

• 1. Open the Start Menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
• 2. In the search bar, type “Apps & Features” and select it from the results.
• 3. Scroll through the list to find the Microsoft Visual C++ programs installed on your system.
• 4. Click on each program and select “Uninstall” to remove them.
• 5. Next, navigate to the official Microsoft website to download the most recent version of the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime.
• 6. After the download is complete, run the installer to set it up on your computer. Finally, restart your system to apply the changes.

By following these steps, you should be able to effectively address the gaming issues you have been experiencing.

13. Perform a Clean Boot

Certain applications and services may initiate automatically when your system starts, consuming significant amounts of internet bandwidth and system resources. If you’re experiencing similar issues, it’s advisable to conduct a clean boot of your computer to identify the root cause. Here’s how to do it:

• 1. Press the **Windows + R** keys simultaneously to access the Run dialog box.
• 2. Type **msconfig** and press **Enter** to launch the System Configuration utility.
• 3. Navigate to the **Services** tab and check the box that says **Hide all Microsoft services**.
• 4. Click on **Disable all**, then select **Apply** and **OK** to confirm the changes.
• 5. Next, head to the **Startup** tab and select **Open Task Manager**.
• 6. In the Task Manager window, go to the **Startup** tab.
• 7. Identify any programs listed with a high startup impact, select them, and click **Disable** to prevent them from launching at startup.
• 8. Repeat this process for each program that has a significant startup impact.

After completing these steps, don’t forget to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

14. Try Disabling Overlay Apps

Several widely used applications feature their own overlay functions that can operate in the background, potentially leading to gaming performance issues or problems during launch. To resolve these issues, it is advisable to disable these overlays by following the steps outlined below:

**Turning Off Discord Overlay:

• 1. Open the Discord application and select the gear icon located at the bottom of the window.
• 2. In the App Settings menu, click on “Overlay” and ensure that the “Enable in-game overlay” option is activated.
• 3. Navigate to the “Games” tab and locate “DayZ” in the list.
• 4. Toggle off the “Enable in-game overlay” option.
• 5. Restart your computer to implement the changes.

**Disabling Xbox Game Bar:

• 1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to access Windows Settings.
• 2. Select “Gaming” and go to the “Game Bar” section.
• 3. Disable the option labeled “Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar.”
• 4. If you cannot locate the Game Bar settings, use the search function within Windows Settings to find it.

**Deactivating Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:

• 1. Launch the Nvidia GeForce Experience application and navigate to the Settings menu.
• 2. Under the “General” tab, turn off the “In-Game Overlay” feature.
• 3. Finally, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect and then re-launch the game.

Additionally, consider disabling other overlay applications that may be running in the background, such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB management software, or any other third-party overlay tools. This can help further improve your gaming experience.

15. Verify Integrity of Game Files on Steam

In the event that you encounter problems with your game files, such as corruption or missing data, follow these steps to identify and resolve the issue effectively.

• 1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
• 2. Locate DayZ in your list of installed games and right-click on it.
• 3. Select Properties from the context menu, then head to the Local Files tab.
• 4. Click on the option to Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• 5. Allow the verification process to complete; this may take some time.
• 6. After the process is finished, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.

16. Disable CPU or GPU Overclocking

It’s important to note that if you are experiencing frequent crashes or stuttering in your games, you should avoid enabling CPU or GPU overclocking on your computer.

While overclocking can significantly enhance gaming performance, it can also lead to problems such as bottlenecks or compatibility issues. For the best performance, consider resetting your hardware settings to their default frequencies.

17. Update DayZ

If you haven’t updated your DayZ game in a while, it’s important to check for any available updates and install the latest patch. Follow these steps to ensure your game is up to date:

• 1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
• 2. Locate and select DayZ from the list on the left side of the screen.
• 3. The client will automatically search for any available updates. If an update is found, click on the “Update” button.
• 4. The installation process may take some time, so please be patient. Once the update is complete, close the Steam client.
• 5. To finalize the changes, restart your PC before attempting to launch DayZ again.

We hope you find this guide helpful! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below.

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