Deep Rock Galactic Crashing on PC: How to FIX

Deep Rock Galactic Crashing on PC: Deep Rock Galactic is a cooperative first-person shooter designed for 1-4 players, created by Ghost Ship Games and released by Coffee Stain Publishing in May 2020 for PC and Xbox One.

The game features captivating space Dwarves, fully destructible environments, procedurally generated caves, and relentless waves of alien creatures, among other exciting elements.

However, some players have reported encountering issues when launching the game or during gameplay. If you’re experiencing crashes in Deep Rock Galactic on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, or XP, we have a straightforward solution for you.

Like many PC games, Deep Rock Galactic is not without its challenges, including crashing, lag, stuttering, and graphical glitches that can significantly diminish the gaming experience.

If you find yourself facing these problems, it’s important to explore the potential causes and available solutions outlined below to help you resolve these issues effectively.

Why Does Deep Rock Galactic Crash on PC?

When it comes to PC gaming, many titles tend to come with a variety of technical issues. These problems can arise from several factors, including corrupted or missing game files, outdated versions of the game, or an unsupported Windows operating system.

Other potential culprits include conflicts with antivirus software, background processes, or startup applications, as well as running the game without administrative privileges.

Additionally, the game may not function correctly if it is competing for resources with other active processes. Other common issues can stem from having an older version of Windows, using DirectX 11 instead of the more recent DirectX 12, outdated graphics drivers for AMD or NVIDIA cards, or enabling full-screen mode.

Other factors, such as background overlays, overclocked CPUs, and various system configurations, can also lead to problems like crashes, failure to launch, lag, freezing, or stuttering during gameplay.

Fix: Deep Rock Galactic Crashing on PC

Luckily, here we’ve shared all the possible solutions that should work for you. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

1. Check System Requirements

Before making any assumptions about a game, it’s essential to review its specific system requirements.

If your PC does not meet these requirements, you may encounter issues such as lag, crashes, or other errors during launch or gameplay.

Therefore, it’s advisable to verify that your computer’s hardware is sufficiently compatible with the game.

Minimum System Requirements:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 7 64 Bit
Processor: 2.4 GHz Dual Core
Memory: 6 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or AMD Radeon HD 5770 /w 1GB VRAM
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 3 GB available space

Recommended System Requirements:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 64 Bit
Processor: 2.4 GHz Quad-Core
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA 970 / AMD Radeon 290
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 3 GB available space

2. Update Graphics Drivers

To ensure optimal performance of your applications on a Windows system, it is essential to keep your graphics drivers up to date. Here’s how you can do this:

1. Begin by right-clicking on 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 your graphics hardware.
4. Find your dedicated graphics card in the list, right-click on its name, and choose the option to Update driver.
5. Next, select the option to Search automatically for drivers. If an update is available, it will download and install the latest version automatically.
6. After the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Alternatively, you can also manually download the latest graphics driver directly from the official website of your graphics card manufacturer.

If you use an Nvidia graphics card, you can update the GeForce Experience application from Nvidia’s official website. For those with AMD graphics cards, updates can be found on the AMD website.

3. Force Use Windowed Borderless Mode

To enhance your gaming experience, consider running the game in a windowed borderless mode instead of fullscreen. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Launch Steam and navigate to your Library.
2. Find Deep Rock Galactic, right-click on it, and select Properties from the context menu.
3. In the Properties window, click on the General tab, then look for the Set Launch Options section.
4. In the provided field, enter the following command-line parameters: -windowed –noborder.
5. Finally, restart the Steam client to ensure the changes take effect.

This adjustment can help improve performance and multitasking capabilities while playing.

4. Update Windows

Regularly updating your Windows operating system is crucial for both general users and gamers alike. These updates help mitigate system glitches, compatibility problems, and unexpected crashes.

Additionally, the latest versions often come packed with new features, enhancements, and important security updates. To ensure your system is up to date, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Settings menu by pressing the Windows key and the ‘I’ key simultaneously.
2. Navigate to the Update & Security section and click on it. Then, look for the Windows Update category and select “Check for updates.”
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 has been successfully installed, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Keeping your OS updated is a simple yet effective way to enhance performance and security.

5. Close Background Running Tasks

Background tasks and applications that are not needed can significantly drain system resources, such as CPU and memory, leading to decreased overall performance. This can result in frequent issues like crashes, lag, or failure to load applications. To improve performance, it is advisable to terminate any unnecessary background processes. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab and identify tasks that are running in the background and consuming resources unnecessarily.
3. Select each unwanted task and click on “End Task” to close them individually.
4. After you’ve finished, restart your computer.

Once your system has rebooted, check to see if the issue with Deep Rock Galactic not opening, launching, or crashing has been resolved. If the problem persists, proceed to the next solution.

6. Run the game as an Administrator

To prevent user account control issues related to privileges, it is important to launch the game executable file with administrative rights. Additionally, you should also run the Steam client with administrative permissions on your computer. Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click on the Deep Rock Galactic shortcut on your desktop or in your file explorer.
2. From the context menu, choose ‘Properties‘ and navigate to the ‘Compatibility‘ tab.
3. Look for the option labeled ‘Run this program as an administrator‘ and ensure the box is checked.
4. Click ‘Apply‘ and then ‘OK‘ to confirm and save your changes.

7. Set High Priority in Task Manager

To enhance the performance of your game, you can assign it a higher priority through the Task Manager, which will help your Windows system allocate resources more effectively. Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click on the Start Menu and choose Task Manager from the list.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab and locate the game’s process.
3. Right-click on the game process and select “Set Priority,” then choose “High.”
4. Exit the Task Manager.

After completing these steps, launch Deep Rock Galactic to see if the crashing issue on your PC has been resolved.

8. Reinstall DirectX (Latest)

To ensure optimal performance of the Deep Rock Galactic game, it’s advisable to download and install the most recent version of DirectX from the official Microsoft website for your computer or laptop.

Simply obtain the DirectX installer package and execute it. Remember, DirectX 12 or a newer version is essential for the game to function correctly.

9. Disable Windows Firewall or Antivirus Program

Simply obtain the DirectX installer package and execute it. Remember, DirectX 12 or a newer version is essential for the game to function correctly.

10. Set High Performance in Power Options

If your Windows system is currently set to Balanced mode in Power Options, switching to High-Performance mode may enhance your experience, particularly for demanding applications. Please note that this setting will consume more power or battery life. To make this adjustment, 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. Select “High Performance” to activate this mode.
4. After making the change, be sure to close the window and fully shut down your computer by clicking on the Start Menu, selecting “Power,” and then choosing “Shut Down.”
5. Once your system has completely powered off, you can turn it back on.

This change may resolve the crashing issues you are experiencing with Deep Rock Galactic. If you continue to encounter problems, please proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

11. Close the game from Background Apps

If you’re still experiencing issues with Deep Rock Galactic, consider disabling it from the Background Apps feature on your PC. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the Settings menu.
2. Navigate to the Privacy section, then scroll down in the left sidebar and select Background apps.
3. Look for Deep Rock Galactic in the list and click on it.
4. Turn off the toggle switch next to the game title.

After completing these steps, close the window and restart your computer. This should resolve the problem. If the issue persists, you may want to explore additional troubleshooting options.

12. Update Deep Rock Galactic

If you haven’t recently updated your Deep Rock Galactic game, it’s important to ensure you have the latest version installed. Follow these steps to check for updates and install any available patches:

1. Launch the Steam client on your computer.
2. Navigate to your Library and locate Deep Rock Galactic in the left-hand menu.
3. The client will automatically check for any updates. If an update is found, be sure to click on the “Update” button to begin the installation process.
4. Allow some time for the update to download and install. Once it’s finished, close the Steam client.
5. To ensure the changes take effect, restart your PC, and then try opening the game again.

This will help you enjoy the most current features and improvements in the game.

13. Disable CPU or GPU Overclocking

It is important to avoid enabling CPU or GPU overclocking on your computer if you are experiencing frequent crashes or stuttering during gameplay.

While overclocking can significantly enhance performance, it may also lead to bottlenecks or compatibility problems. For the best gaming experience, it’s advisable to revert to the default frequency settings.

14. Try Disabling Overlay Apps

Certain widely-used applications have their own overlay features that can run in the background, potentially impacting gaming performance or causing launch issues. To resolve these problems, it’s advisable to disable these overlays by following the instructions below:

**Disable Discord Overlay

1. Open the Discord application and click the gear icon located at the bottom.
2. Navigate to the “Overlay” section under App Settings and toggle the “Enable in-game overlay” option on.
3. Go to the “Games” tab, select “Deep Rock Galactic,” and then toggle off the “Enable in-game overlay.”
4. Restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

**Disable Xbox Game Bar

1. Press the Windows + I keys to access Windows Settings.
2. Click on “Gaming,” then select “Game Bar,” and turn off the option for “Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar.”
3. If you cannot locate the Game Bar settings, use the search function in the Windows Settings menu.

**Disable Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay

1. Open the Nvidia GeForce Experience application and go to the “Settings” section.
2. Click on the “General” tab and disable the “In-Game Overlay” feature.
3. Restart your PC to apply these changes, and then relaunch your game.

Additionally, be sure to disable any other overlay applications you may have running, such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB software, or any other third-party overlay tools that operate in the background.

15. Perform a Clean Boot

Some applications and their associated services may initiate automatically when your system boots up, which can lead to significant consumption of both internet bandwidth and system resources.

If you’re experiencing sluggish performance or connectivity issues, it’s advisable to perform a clean boot on your computer to identify the problem. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to bring up the Run dialog box.
2. Type in “msconfig” and hit Enter to access the System Configuration utility.
3. Navigate to the Services tab and check the box labeled “Hide all Microsoft services.”
4. Click on “Disable all,” then apply the changes by clicking Apply and OK.
5. Next, switch to the Startup tab and click on “Open Task Manager.”
6. In the Task Manager window, go to the Startup tab.
7. Identify any tasks 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 impact on startup performance.
9. Finally, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

By following these steps, you can reduce the strain on your system and improve overall performance.

16. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime

To resolve various gaming issues or errors, it’s essential to reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime on your computer. Follow these steps to do so:

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. Browse through the list to find any Microsoft Visual C++ programs installed on your system.
4. Click on each program and choose the Uninstall option.
5. Head over to the official Microsoft website to download the latest version of the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime.
6. After downloading, proceed with the installation on your computer and restart your system to apply the changes.

We hope you find this guide useful! If you have any additional questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

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