Helldivers 2 Blue Screen of Death Error: Not all issues with PC games stem from incompatibility; often, conflicts between in-game files and the Windows operating system can lead to significant problems, including startup crashes.
One particularly severe error is the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), which occurs when the system encounters a critical failure, forcing Windows to shut down to prevent further damage. Many gamers have reported experiencing the BSoD error while playing Helldivers 2 on their Windows machines, both during startup and gameplay.
The BSoD appears when Windows cannot manage a series of operations effectively, resulting in repeated system crashes without prior warning. This blue error screen is notorious among Windows users, as it indicates serious underlying issues.
If you are encountering the BSoD, it suggests that a specific application or a problem with the operating system installation is causing your system to fail. Recent reports indicate that Windows 11 users have faced this error after installing a problematic update, encountering corrupted device drivers, or dealing with faulty hardware.
Players of Helldivers 2, particularly those using Windows 11, have noted the occurrence of BSoD errors either while launching the game or during gameplay, which is quite unexpected.
Some users have mentioned that these issues emerged following the latest game patch. While a definitive cause has yet to be identified, there are claims on Steam that the integrated GameGuard anti-cheat system may be contributing to the Blue Screen of Death errors experienced by some players.
Helldivers 2 Blue Screen of Death Error: How to FIX
With these considerations in mind, we encourage Arrowhead Game Studios and PlayStation PC LLC to delve deeper into this issue. However, users can explore several potential solutions before reaching a final verdict.
Various factors related to the game or PC may contribute to the problem, including an outdated game version, corrupted game files, outdated graphics drivers, system updates, and interference from antivirus software, among others.
Additionally, issues such as system compatibility, conflicts with startup programs, DirectX problems, VCRedist errors, insufficient virtual memory, and conflicts during game or system installations can lead to crashes or even Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors.
Thankfully, we have compiled a list of troubleshooting strategies that should prove helpful. It is essential to follow each step until the issue is resolved. Let’s get started.
If you prefer a more concise format, feel free to check out our troubleshooting video guide below:
1. Restart the PC
Prior to exploring alternative solutions, it is advisable to restart your Windows computer in order to resolve any temporary system errors. A simple reboot can often rectify a variety of problems. To proceed with this, follow these instructions:
- 1. Press the Windows key to access the Start menu.
- 2. Select the Power icon, then choose Restart.
- 3. Once your computer has restarted, launch the Helldivers 2 game to see if the issues persist.
2. Run Helldivers 2 as an Administrator
To ensure that the Helldivers 2 game operates smoothly on your Windows PC, you can run it with administrator privileges by following these steps:
- 1. Launch the Steam client on your computer.
- 2. Navigate to your Library section.
- 3. Locate Helldivers 2 and right-click on it.
- 4. Select the ‘Manage‘ option from the context menu.
- 5. Click on ‘Browse local files‘ to access the game’s installation folder.
- 6. Find the Helldivers2.exe file and right-click on it.
- 7. Choose ‘Properties‘ and then switch to the Compatibility tab.
- 8. Check the box that says ‘Run this program as an administrator.’
- 9. Click ‘Apply‘ and then ‘OK‘ to confirm your changes.
By doing this, you can help prevent any issues that might interfere with the game’s performance.
3. Use Windows Compatibility for Helldivers 2
To ensure that Helldivers 2 operates seamlessly on your system, it’s important to enable the Windows compatibility settings. Follow the steps outlined below to set the game to run in compatibility mode for Windows 7 or Windows 8.
- 1. Navigate to the folder where Helldivers 2 is installed.
- 2. Locate the Helldivers2.exe file and right-click on it.
- 3. From the context menu, select ‘Properties’ and then click on the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
- 4. Check the box for ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for:.’
- 5. From the dropdown menu, choose either Windows 7 or Windows 8.
- 6. Finally, click ‘Apply‘ and then ‘OK‘ to confirm your changes.
By completing these steps, you can enhance the performance of the game on your system.
4. Check for the Graphics Driver Update
An outdated or malfunctioning graphics driver on a Windows computer can lead to game crashes and other issues. To ensure optimal performance, it is advisable to regularly check for the most recent graphics driver updates. You can do this by following the steps outlined below.
**Recommended Method:
- 1. Press the **Win+X** keys to access the Quick Link Menu.
- 2. Select **Device Manager** from the options presented.
- 3. Expand the **Display adapters** section by double-clicking it.
- 4. Locate your dedicated graphics card, right-click on it, and choose **Update driver**.
- 5. Select **Search automatically for drivers** to allow Windows to find and install the latest version.
- 6. If an update is found, it will download and install automatically. Once the process is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
**Manual Method:
Alternatively, you can manually download the latest graphics driver from the official website of your graphics card manufacturer. Identify your graphics card model and manufacturer, then download the appropriate driver file. Follow the installation instructions provided to update your driver.
5. Update the Helldivers 2 Game
To ensure that your game is running on the latest version and is free of outdated patches, it’s important to check for updates manually on your computer. While new patch updates may occasionally come with bugs or instability, keeping your game current is generally recommended.
Here’s how to check for updates on your Steam client:
- 1. Launch the Steam application.
- 2. Navigate to your Library.
- 3. Locate HELLDIVERS 2 and right-click on it.
- 4. Select ‘Properties‘ from the context menu.
- 5. Go to the ‘Updates‘ section.
- 6. Activate the option for automatic updates.
Once you enable this setting, Steam will automatically download and install any new updates as they become available.
6. Scan and Repair the Game Files
It appears that the game files for Helldivers 2 on your PC may be experiencing corruption or are missing, which can lead to frequent crashes. To address these issues and potentially resolve any BSOD errors, it is advisable to scan and repair the game files. You can do this by following these steps:
- 1. Open your Steam client.
- 2. Navigate to your Library and locate Helldivers 2. Right-click on it.
- 3. Select ‘Properties’ from the context menu.
- 4. Click on the ‘Local Files‘ tab.
- 5. Choose the option to ‘Verify integrity of game files.’
- 6. Allow the verification process to complete.
- 7. Relaunch Helldivers 2 and see if the problem persists.
This should help in rectifying any file-related issues you may be encountering.
7. Check for Windows Updates
An older or unreliable version of the Windows operating system on your computer can indeed lead to problems with game performance. To resolve this, it’s important to manually install any available system updates. Follow these steps:
- 1. Press the Windows key and the “I” key simultaneously to access the Windows Settings.
- 2. Navigate to the “Windows Update” section.
- 3. Select the “Check for updates” option.
- 4. If updates are found, click on “Download and Install” to proceed.
- 5. After the installation is complete, restart your computer to ensure the updates take effect.
8. Force Use DirectX 12 on Steam
If you’re experiencing crashes while playing Helldivers 2 on Steam, you might want to try launching the game with DirectX 12. Many players have found that switching to the latest DirectX version has resolved similar issues for them. Here’s how you can do it:
- 1. Open your Steam client and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Locate Helldivers 2 in your game list and right-click on it.
- 3. Select Properties from the context menu.
- 4. In the Properties window, head to the General tab.
- 5. Look for the Launch Options section and enter -d3d12.
- 6. After making this change, attempt to start the game again.
This simple adjustment could help improve your gaming experience!
9. Disable Steam Input
Steam Input mode is designed to facilitate easy connections for users of the Steam client who wish to use compatible controllers. However, if you’re not utilizing a controller, it’s advisable to disable Steam Input mode on your PC. If you’d prefer to keep Steam Input enabled for other games but disable it specifically for Helldivers 2, follow these instructions:
- 1. Open the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Locate Helldivers 2 and right-click on it.
- 3. Select ‘Properties‘ from the context menu, then click on the ‘Controller’ tab.
- 4. Look for the option labeled ‘Override for Helldivers 2‘ and click on it.
- 5. Choose ‘Disable Steam Input‘ from the dropdown menu.
- 6. You can now launch Helldivers 2 with the changes applied.
This method allows you to tailor your settings without affecting your overall Steam experience.
11. Perform a Clean Boot
It’s quite likely that several programs are automatically launching in the background when your system starts up. Even if you’re not actively using these applications, they will continue to run until you shut down your computer. This can lead to increased resource consumption, which may result in issues such as game crashes.
To manage these startup programs, follow these steps:
- 1. Press the **Win + R** keys together to open the Run dialog box.
- 2. Type **msconfig** and press **Enter** to access the System Configuration utility.
- 3. Navigate to the **Services** tab.
- 4. Check the box that says **Hide all Microsoft services** to prevent those from being displayed.
- 5. Click on **Disable all**, then hit **Apply** followed by **OK** to confirm your changes.
- 6. Next, switch to the **Startup** tab and click on **Open Task Manager**.
- 7. In the Task Manager, go to the **Startup** tab.
- 8. Identify any programs that have a significant startup impact, click on them, and then select **Disable** to prevent them from launching at startup.
- 9. Repeat this process for all programs with high startup impact.
- 10. Finally, restart your PC to apply the changes.
By managing these startup applications, you can help improve your system’s performance and reduce the likelihood of crashes during gameplay.
12. Delete Temporary Windows Installation Files
If you’re experiencing issues like the blue screen of death, particularly due to corrupted Windows Update components, it may be beneficial to remove temporary installation files. Here’s how to clear out those files:
- 1. Press the Win+I keys together to access the Windows Settings menu.
- 2. Navigate to the System section and select Storage.
- 3. Click on Temporary Files to view the cleanup options.
- 4. Hit the Refresh button to load the temporary files list.
- 5. Choose the following items to delete:
- – DirectX Shader Cache
- – Temporary Files
- – Delivery Optimization Files
- – Temporary Internet Files
- – Temporary Windows Installation Files
- 6. After making your selections, click the Remove Files button at the top of the screen.
- 7. Once the deletion process is complete, return to the main settings menu.
- 8. Go to Windows Update and select Check for updates.
This process will enable your system to re-download necessary installation files, potentially resolving update-related issues.
14. Increase the Virtual RAM
If your physical RAM is running low, it could significantly degrade your system’s performance and affect how smoothly your programs run. To enhance your computer’s performance, consider increasing the virtual memory by following the steps outlined below. Many users have reported positive results from this approach.
Important: To complete this process, you need to be logged in as an administrator or part of the Administrators group. Additionally, if your computer is part of a network, certain network policy settings may also contribute to these performance issues.
- 1. Open the Start menu and select Control Panel.
- 2. Navigate to Performance and Maintenance.
- 3. Click on System.
- 4. In the Advanced tab, find the Performance section and click on Settings.
- 5. Go to the Advanced tab again and select Change under Virtual Memory.
- 6. Identify the drive that holds the paging file and select it under Drive [Volume Label].
- 7. For the Paging file size for the selected drive, choose System Managed Size.
- 8. Click on Set, then switch to Custom size under Paging file size for the selected drive.
- 9. Enter a new paging file size in megabytes in the Initial size (MB) and Maximum size (MB) fields. A good rule of thumb is to set this value to 1.5 to 2 times your physical RAM.
- 10. Click Set and then save your changes.
- 11. Finally, restart your computer to apply these updates.
By increasing your virtual memory, you can help restore your system’s performance and improve your overall computing experience.
15. Uninstall and Reinstall the Helldivers 2 Game
We highly recommend that our readers consider a manual uninstall and reinstall of Helldivers 2 on their PC. This process can effectively resolve issues stemming from corrupt game installation files, which may lead to frequent crashes. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Start by opening the Steam client on your computer.
- 2. Navigate to your Library and locate Helldivers 2. Right-click on it.
- 3. Select the option labeled “Manage.”
- 4. Click on “Uninstall,” and if you receive a prompt, confirm by clicking “Uninstall” again.
- 5. Follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
- 6. After the uninstallation is finished, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
- 7. Reopen Steam and proceed to reinstall Helldivers 2, preferably on a different drive if possible.
- 8. Finally, launch the game to see if the issue has been resolved.
This method provides a fresh installation that may rectify any persistent problems you’ve been experiencing.
16. Reinstall Windows from Recovery
Consider using the Recovery menu in Windows 11 to perform a reinstallation of the operating system.
This approach can potentially resolve issues quickly by leveraging Windows Update settings to reinstall the existing version.
Many users experiencing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) alongside other software errors find this method effective. Here’s how to proceed:
- 1. Open the Windows Settings by pressing the Win+I keys together.
- 2. Navigate to the System section.
- 3. Select Recovery.
- 4. Click on the Reinstall Now option.
- 5. Choose the option to automatically restart your PC 15 minutes after the installation.
- 6. Confirm by clicking the OK button.
Following these steps will initiate the reinstallation of your update or operating system.
17. Fresh Install Windows 11
Performing a clean installation of Windows can be beneficial in various situations. To accomplish this, you’ll need either the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Windows 11 Installation Media on a USB drive. Below are the steps to create and use installation media:
- 1. **Prepare Your USB Drive**: Start by connecting a USB flash drive to your computer.
- 2. **Download the Installation Media**: Visit the official Microsoft website for downloading Windows 11.
- 3. **Initiate the Download**: Click on the “Download Now” button to transfer the installation media onto your USB flash drive.
- 4. **Reboot Your Computer**: Restart your PC and access the Boot Sequence menu by pressing F12 during startup.
- 5. **Set the Boot Priority**: Choose the USB drive as the primary boot device and save the changes.
- 6. **Alternative Access**: You can also enter the BIOS settings using the F2 or Del key to adjust the boot order.
- Once your system boots from the USB drive, the Windows 11 Installation screen will appear:
- 7. **Begin Installation**: Click the “Next” button on the Windows Setup screen.
- 8. **Select Installation Option**: Click “Install Now” to proceed.
- 9. **Product Key**: When prompted, choose the option “I don’t have a product key” to continue.
- 10. **Choose Your Edition**: Select the appropriate edition of Windows 11 for activation purposes and click “Next.”
- 11. **Accept License Terms**: Agree to the license terms by checking the corresponding box and click “Next.”
- 12. **Installation Type**: Opt for “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” to proceed with a fresh installation.
- 13. **Select Partition**: Identify the disk partition for the OS installation (usually labeled as “Drive 0”).
- 14. **Delete Old Partition**: Click the “Delete” button to remove the current partition.
- 15. **Create New Installation Space**: Select the newly unallocated space labeled “Drive 0 – Unallocated Space.”
- 16. **Start Installation**: Click “Next” to initiate the installation of Windows 11.
The installation process will take a few minutes. After it’s completed, reboot your system again and allow a bit more time for the setup to finalize.
Finally, complete the initial configuration of Windows 11, reinstall the Helldivers 2 game, and verify if the BSOD error persists.
18. Contact Arrowhead Game Studios Support
For specialized assistance, consider reaching out to Arrowhead Game Studios Support. To enhance your support experience, please submit a support ticket with all necessary information. This will enable the development team to thoroughly investigate the issue you are facing.
19. Ask for the Helldivers 2 Refund
If you’ve exhausted all available troubleshooting methods and are still experiencing issues, it may be time to consider requesting a refund for Helldivers 2, if you’re eligible. Once the game receives necessary updates and becomes more stable, you can choose to repurchase it. For now, follow these steps to initiate your refund request:
- 1. Launch the Steam client and log into your account.
- 2. Navigate to the “Help” section and select “Steam Support.”
- 3. Click on “Purchases” and then choose “Helldivers 2.”
- 4. Select the option for a refund.
- 5. Choose your preferred refund method.
- 6. Submit your request.
After submitting, please be patient while waiting for approval and the processing of your payment. We hope this guide has been useful! If you have any further questions, feel free to leave a comment below.