Devil May Cry 5 Keep Crashing on Startup on PC: How to FIX

Devil May Cry 5 Keep Crashing on Startup on PC: Released in 2019 by Capcom, “Devil May Cry 5” is an action-adventure video game that marks the fifth installment in the popular Devil May Cry series. It is available on multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox One, as well as Xbox Series X|S.

While Capcom has excelled in delivering impressive graphics and a captivating gameplay experience, some players have reported encountering various issues on their Windows PCs. If you’re experiencing problems such as startup crashes or unexpected shutdowns, this troubleshooting guide will help you resolve the crashes in “Devil May Cry 5.”

Game crashes are a common concern among PC gamers, affecting numerous titles across the board. Therefore, there’s no need for alarm. In this guide, we will outline potential causes of these crashes and provide practical solutions.

Often, issues can stem from an incompatible PC setup, problems with the graphics driver, or outdated system components.

Additionally, factors such as an outdated Windows version, issues related to DirectX, or corrupted game files can also contribute to the crashing problems. By following the recommendations provided here, you can enhance your gaming experience and minimize disruptions.

Why Does Devil May Cry 5 Keep Crashing?

Your PC’s configuration might not meet the necessary system requirements for Devil May Cry 5, which can lead to frequent crashes during gameplay. To ensure smooth performance, please refer to the system requirements listed below.

Occasionally, temporary cache issues or system glitches can result in various problems. Additionally, game crashes may be triggered by missing or corrupted game files.
It’s also important to consider that an outdated version of Windows or an old graphics driver may contribute to instability. Moreover, having an outdated DirectX version can hinder the game’s ability to function correctly.
If your graphics card is older, it might lack support for the Direct3D Hardware Feature Level 11.0, which is essential for running the game. Furthermore, if either the game or its client has not been updated in some time, this could also lead to issues.
Running unnecessary background processes can consume excessive CPU and memory resources, potentially causing crashes as well.
Lastly, be aware that Windows Defender Firewall or any third-party antivirus software might interfere with the game’s files unless they are disabled or added to the whitelist.

Minimum System Requirements:

OS: WINDOWS 7, 8.1, 10 (64-bit Required)
Processor: Intel Core i5-4460, AMD FX-6300, or better
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD Radeon R7 260x with 2GB Video RAM, or better
Storage: 35 GB available space
DirectX: 11

Recommended System Requirements:

OS: WINDOWS 7, 8.1, 10 (64-bit Required)
Processor: Intel Core i7-3770, AMD FX-9590, or better
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6GB VRAM, AMD Radeon RX 480 with 8GB VRAM, or better
Storage: 35 GB available space
DirectX: 11

How to Quickly Fix Devil May Cry 5 Crash

Now, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into the steps below.

1. Run the Program as an administrator

To ensure that the game and Steam executable files have the necessary permissions on your Windows system, follow these steps:

1. Locate the game’s executable file, right-click on it, and select ‘Properties.’
2. Navigate to the ‘Compatibility‘ tab.
3. Check the box that says ‘Run this program as an administrator.’
4. Click ‘Apply,’ then ‘OK‘ to confirm your changes.

Repeat this process for the Steam executable as well.

Once you have completed these steps, you should be able to launch Devil May Cry 5 without any issues. You can apply the same method to the Epic Games Launcher if needed.

2. Update Graphics Drivers

To ensure that your Windows system operates smoothly and efficiently, it’s essential to keep your graphics drivers up to date. Follow these steps to perform the update:

1. Begin by right-clicking the Start Menu to access the Quick Access Menu.
2. From the list, select Device Manager.
3. Locate the Display adapters section and double-click it to expand the options.
4. Find your dedicated graphics card from the list, right-click on its name, and select Update driver.
5. Choose the option to Search automatically for drivers. If a newer version is available, it will download and install automatically.
6. After the installation is complete, reboot your computer to apply the changes.

Alternatively, you can manually download the latest graphics driver directly from the official website of your graphics card manufacturer. For users with Nvidia graphics cards, visit the Nvidia website to update the GeForce Experience application. AMD graphics card users should head to the AMD website for their updates.

3. Update Windows

Keeping your Windows operating system up to date is crucial for both everyday users and gamers alike. Regular updates help minimize system errors, enhance compatibility, and prevent crashes. Additionally, the latest updates often introduce new features, performance enhancements, and important security fixes. To update your OS, follow these steps:

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

By keeping your system updated, you ensure a smoother and more secure computing experience.

4. Modify dmc5config.ini File

Devil May Cry 5 is optimized to run on DirectX 12 by default on Windows systems. However, numerous players have experienced crashes when attempting to run the game using DirectX 11. If you’ve ensured that both your game and Windows operating system are up-to-date but the issue continues, you may need to modify the dmc5config.ini file located in your game directory. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
2. Locate Devil May Cry 5 in your game list, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
3. Click on the Local Files tab, then select Browse Local Files.
4. In the folder that opens, find and double-click on the dmc5config.ini file to open it in Notepad.
5. Change the settings by setting Capability=DirectX11 and TargetPlatform=DirectX11 instead of DirectX12.
6. After making the adjustments, save the file by pressing Ctrl + S.
7. Close Notepad, restart your Steam client, and relaunch Devil May Cry 5 to see if the crashing issue has been resolved.

5. Close Background Running Tasks

Background processes and applications that are not essential can significantly drain system resources such as CPU and memory, leading to decreased performance. This often results in issues like crashes, lag, and failure to load applications. To improve system efficiency, it is advisable to terminate any non-essential tasks. Here’s how you can do this:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab.
3. Identify and select any unnecessary tasks that are running in the background and consuming significant resources.
4. Click on “End Task” to terminate them individually.
5. After closing these tasks, restart your computer.

Following these steps may resolve the crashing issues with Devil May Cry 5 on your PC. If the problem persists, please proceed to the next troubleshooting method.

6. Set High Priority in Task Manager

To optimize your gaming experience for Devil May Cry 5, you can prioritize the game in the Windows Task Manager. This adjustment can help ensure that your system allocates the necessary resources for smoother gameplay. Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click on the Start Menu and choose “Task Manager.”
2. Navigate to the “Processes” tab.
3. Locate your game in the list, right-click on it, and select “Set Priority.”
4. Choose “High” from the options.
5. Close the Task Manager.

After making these changes, launch Devil May Cry 5 to see if the crashing issue has been resolved.

7. Reinstall DirectX (Latest)

It is recommended that you download and install the most recent version of DirectX from the official Microsoft website for your PC or laptop. Simply acquire the DirectX installer package and execute it. Please be aware that to ensure optimal performance of Devil May Cry 5, you will need at least DirectX 11 or a later version.

8. Disable Windows Firewall or Antivirus Program

There is a significant possibility that your default Windows Defender Firewall or any third-party antivirus software may be hindering ongoing connections or preventing game files from operating correctly.

To address this, you should consider temporarily disabling the real-time protection and firewall. After doing so, attempt to launch the game again to see if the issue of Devil May Cry 5 crashing on PC is resolved. Here’s how you can 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” located in the left sidebar.
4. A new window will appear. Choose the “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)” option for both the Private and Public Network Settings.
5. Click “OK” to apply the changes.
6. Restart your computer.
In addition, you will need to disable Windows Security protection. Follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows + I keys together to access the Windows Settings menu.
2. Navigate to “Update & Security,” then click on “Windows Security” in the left panel.
3. Go to “Virus & threat protection” and select “Manage settings.”
4. Simply toggle off the “Real-time protection” option.
5. If prompted, confirm by clicking “Yes.”
6. Optionally, you may also disable “Cloud-delivered protection” and “Tamper protection” if desired.

By following these steps, you can determine if the crashing issue is resolved.

9. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime

To resolve various gaming-related issues or errors, it is essential to reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime on your computer. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to access the Start Menu.
2. Type “Apps & Features” into the search bar and select it from the list.
3. In the Apps & Features window, scroll through the installed applications to find the Microsoft Visual C++ programs.
4. Click on each program you see and select the “Uninstall” option to remove them.
5. Next, head over to the official Microsoft website to download the latest version of the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime.
6. After the download is complete, install the new version on your computer. Remember to restart your system afterward to ensure that the changes take effect.

By following these steps, you can effectively address the gaming issues you’ve been experiencing.

10. Disable Steam Overlay

To disable the Steam Overlay while playing games on your Windows PC, start by launching the Steam application. Next, navigate to the Settings menu and select the In-Game tab.

Here, you will find an option labeled “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.” Uncheck this box to turn off the overlay feature. After you’ve done this, confirm your changes by clicking OK.

11. Adjust Discord Settings

To begin, open Discord and navigate to your User Settings by clicking on the gear icon. In the left-hand menu, find and select the Voice & Video section.

Scroll down until you see the Advanced settings, and there, you should turn off the OpenH264 Video Codec, which is managed by Cisco System, Inc. Additionally, make sure to disable the option for Quality of Service High Packet Priority.

Next, move to the Overlay settings, where you have the option to disable the in-game overlay feature if you prefer not to use it.

After that, go to the Appearance section and find the Advanced settings. Here, you should disable Hardware Acceleration to optimize performance.

Once you have made all these adjustments, it’s a good idea to restart your system to ensure that the changes take effect.

12. Adjust Nvidia Control Panel Settings

To modify your image settings for optimal performance, begin by selecting “Adjust image settings with preview” within the 3D settings section.

Then, choose the option to “Use the advanced 3D image settings.” After that, open the Nvidia Control Panel and navigate to “Manage 3D settings,” followed by the “Global Settings” tab.

You may also want to consider making the following adjustments for improved performance:

– Disable Image Sharpening
– Enable Threaded Optimization
– Set Power Management to Maximum Performance
– Turn off Low Latency Mode
– Change Texture Filtering Quality to Performance mode

Once you have made these changes, restart your computer to see if the crashing issue in Devil May Cry 5 has been resolved.

13. Change AMD Control Panel Settings

To optimize your graphics settings, follow these steps in the Global Graphics menu:

1. Disable Radeon Anti-Lag.
2. Turn off Radeon Boost.
3. Set Anti-Aliasing Mode to Application settings.
4. Choose Multi-sampling for the Anti-Aliasing Method.
5. Turn off Morphological Filtering.
6. Disable Image Sharpening.
7. Switch off Anisotropic Filtering.
8. Select Performance mode for Texture Filtering Quality.
9. Optionally, you can enable Surface Format Optimization.
10. Enable AMD’s optimization for Tesselation Mode.
11. Make sure V-sync is disabled.
12. Utilize AMD optimization for the Shader Cache.
13. Turn off OpenGL Triple Buffering.
14. Disable Maximum Tesselation Level.
15. Adjust Graphics settings for the GPU Workload.
16. Disable Radeon Chill.
17. Turn off Frame Rate Target Control.

By implementing these adjustments, you can enhance your gaming performance and experience.

14. Remove Temporary Files

To initiate the RUN dialog, simply press the Windows key and the R key simultaneously on your keyboard.
In the dialog box that appears, enter the command %temp% and hit Enter.
This action will bring up a directory filled with temporary files.
To select all the files in this directory, press Ctrl + A. Once all the files are highlighted, you can permanently delete them by pressing Shift + Delete.
Be aware that some temporary files may not be deletable; in such cases, you can leave those files untouched and close the window.

15. Set Default CPU and Graphics Speed

Many users aspire to maximize the performance of their CPU and GPU right from the start. Consequently, it’s common for them to either purchase factory-overclocked models or manually adjust the overclocking settings themselves.

If you have overclocked your GPU and are now facing issues such as bottlenecks, lag, or crashes, it’s advisable to revert to the default settings.

To adjust your clock speeds, you can utilize tools like MSI Afterburner or Zotac Firestorm. After making the necessary adjustments, launch Devil May Cry 5 to see if the startup crashing issue persists.

We hope you found this guide helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

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