Helldivers 2 Crashing, Won’t Launch, or Not Responding on PC: Solution

Helldivers 2 Crashing, Won’t Launch, or Not Responding on PC: “Helldivers 2, developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, is a third-person shooter that serves as the follow-up to the 2015 top-down shooter, Helldivers. Released on February 8, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Windows, the game has garnered attention for its engaging gameplay.

However, as is often the case with newly launched titles, some players have reported experiencing technical issues, including crashes, failure to launch, and unresponsiveness.

If you find yourself facing a startup crash or difficulties launching the game on PC, rest assured that you are not alone. Such issues are relatively common in the realm of PC gaming, impacting both blockbuster franchises and indie projects alike.

These problems may stem from in-game bugs or general stability concerns. Given that Helldivers 2 is still in its early stages post-launch, it is likely that the developers will be addressing these issues in future updates to enhance stability and reduce bugs.”

What are the Reasons for Helldivers 2 Crashing?

There are several factors that could contribute to the Risk of Rain game not launching properly on your PC. These may range from momentary system errors and compatibility challenges with your hardware to outdated game updates, corrupted files, or an obsolete graphics driver.

Additionally, issues may arise from conflicts with older operating system versions, problems with the Steam overlay, missing or outdated DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables, as well as interference from unnecessary third-party applications running in the background.

The good news is that there are effective solutions to address these challenges. We recommend systematically following each troubleshooting step provided until the issue is resolved. Now, let’s get started on finding a fix.

1. Restart the PC

It is advisable to perform a manual restart of your computer prior to exploring additional troubleshooting methods. This simple action can help eliminate temporary glitches or cache-related problems that may be interfering with game launches.

A restart is a fundamental solution that frequently resolves such issues. Should this approach prove ineffective, you may proceed to the subsequent troubleshooting techniques.

2. Check the System Requirements

For a smooth gaming experience with Helldivers 2, it’s essential to verify that your system’s hardware and software align with the game’s minimum system requirements.

If your setup doesn’t meet these specifications, you may encounter difficulties when attempting to launch the game. Below, you will find the minimum system requirements for Helldivers 2, which you can consult to confirm your system’s compatibility.

Minimum System Requirements:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 470
Storage: 100 GB available space

Recommended System Requirements:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600XT
Storage: 100 GB available space
Additional Notes: SSD Recommended

3. Run Helldivers 2 as an Administrator

To troubleshoot any issues with launching Helldivers 2 on your PC, it is important to run the application with administrative privileges. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Navigate to the folder where Helldivers 2 is installed on your computer.
2. Locate the Helldivers 2.exe file and right-click on it.
3. Select ‘Properties‘ from the context menu, then proceed to the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
4. Check the box next to ‘Run this program as an administrator.’
5. After making this change, click ‘Apply‘ and then ‘OK‘ to confirm and save your adjustments.

Running the game with these settings may resolve any launching issues you are experiencing.

4. Update Helldivers 2

To ensure a smooth gaming experience, it’s advisable to verify if there are any updates available for your game and adjust the update settings in your Steam client to avoid problems related to outdated patches.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
2. Find Helldivers 2 in your game list and right-click on it.
3. Select ‘Manage‘ and then click on ‘Properties.’
4. In the Properties window, go to the ‘Updates’ tab.
5. Look for the ‘Automatic Updates‘ option and enable it.

By activating this setting, your game will automatically download and install updates whenever a new version is released, keeping your gameplay experience up to date.

5. Verify and Repair the Game Files

Your game files may occasionally become corrupted or lost for various unforeseen reasons. This can lead to difficulties when trying to launch the game on your PC. To address this issue, it’s advisable to check and repair your game files using the following steps:

1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
2. Find Helldivers 2 in your game list and right-click on it.
3. Select Properties, then proceed to the Local Files tab.
4. Click on the option to Verify Integrity of Game Files.
5. Allow some time for the verification and repair process to finish.
6. After the process is complete, restart your PC to ensure all changes take effect.

6. Turn Off the Steam Overlay

To prevent potential conflicts when launching Helldivers 2, consider disabling the Steam in-game overlay feature directly within the Steam client. This overlay can sometimes cause crashes during the game’s startup process. Here’s how you can disable it:

1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
2. Locate and right-click on Helldivers 2.
3. Select ‘Properties‘ from the dropdown menu.
4. In the GENERAL tab, uncheck the option labeled ‘Enable Steam Overlay while in-game.’

After you’ve made this change, attempt to start the game again to see if the issue persists.

7. Check for Graphics Driver Updates

An outdated or corrupted graphics card driver may lead to various problems, including game crashes or failure to launch. To resolve this, it’s advisable to check for updates to your graphics driver by following these steps:

1. Press the Win+X keys on your keyboard, then select Device Manager from the menu that appears.
2. Expand the Display adapters section by double-clicking on it.
3. Locate your active graphics card, right-click on it, and select Update driver.
4. Opt for the Search automatically for drivers option. If an update is available, it will download and install automatically.
5. After the installation is complete, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Alternatively, you can visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer to manually download and install the latest driver version. Make sure to select the appropriate driver that corresponds to your specific graphics card model.

8. Close Background Apps

Running unnecessary background applications can significantly consume your system’s resources, such as CPU and memory, which can lead to decreased overall performance.

This often results in issues like crashes, lag, and failure to load properly. To resolve this, it is advisable to completely terminate any non-essential third-party processes that are running in the background. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab.
3. Identify and select any resource-intensive tasks that are not needed.
4. Click on “End Task” to stop these applications.
5. Repeat these steps for any other unnecessary third-party processes.
6. Finally, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

By following these steps, you can help improve your system’s performance and resolve any ongoing issues.

9. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

To prevent any potential conflicts related to fullscreen display, it’s advisable to manually turn off fullscreen optimizations on your Windows system. Follow these steps for a seamless experience:

1. Right-click on the Helldivers 2 application icon on your computer.
2. Choose ‘Properties‘ from the context menu, then navigate to the ‘Compatibility‘ tab.
3. Check the box labeled ‘Disable fullscreen optimizations‘ to activate it.
4. After making this selection, click ‘Apply‘ and then ‘OK‘ to confirm and save your changes.

10. Update Windows

Outdated system software can lead to performance issues, particularly in resource-intensive applications like multiplayer games. To ensure your device operates smoothly, it’s essential to keep your system software up to date. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Windows Settings by pressing the Win + I keys simultaneously.
2. Navigate to the “Update & Security” section.
3. Select “Windows Update,” then click on “Check for updates.”
4. If an update is available, click on “Download and Install.”
5. Allow the system to complete the update process and restart your computer as needed.

By following these steps, you can help maintain optimal performance on your device.

11. Turn Off the Antivirus Protection

To prevent potential interference with the game application, it is advisable to temporarily disable the antivirus protection on your PC.

1. Open Windows Settings by pressing the Win + I keys together.
2. Navigate to Update & Security, then select Windows Security from the menu on the left.
3. Click on the Open Windows Security option.
4. Proceed to the Virus & Threat Protection section.
5. Select Manage Settings.
6. Locate the Real-time Protection toggle and turn it off.
7. If a confirmation prompt appears, click Yes to continue.

After completing these steps, you can check if the game crashing issue persists.

Additionally, if you are using a third-party antivirus program, make sure to disable its real-time protection feature manually as well.

12. Perform a Clean Boot

Numerous sources indicate that some third-party applications consistently operate in the background when Windows starts up. To enhance system performance, it’s essential to perform a clean boot and deactivate any startup applications that may cause conflicts.

To initiate this process:

1. Press the Win+R keys together to open the Run dialog box.
2. Enter “msconfig” and press Enter to access the System Configuration utility.
3. Navigate to the Services tab and check the option to “Hide all Microsoft services.”
4. Then, click on “Disable all,” followed by “Apply” and “OK” to implement the changes.
5. Next, switch to the Startup tab and select “Open Task Manager.”
6. In Task Manager, go to the Startup tab.
7. Identify and select any tasks marked with a significant startup impact.
8. For each selected task, click “Disable” to prevent it from launching at startup.
9. Repeat this process for every application that exhibits a high startup impact.

Finally, restart your computer to ensure that all changes take effect.

13. Update DirectX and VCRedist

Another approach you might consider is updating to the most recent versions of DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables on your computer. Having outdated versions of these components can cause issues with application launches and may create conflicts with system processes. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Go to the official Microsoft website to download the latest DirectX installer.
2. Execute the installer and follow the prompts to complete the DirectX installation.
3. After that, head back to the Microsoft website.
4. Download and install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime for your system.
5. Finally, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

14. Contact Arrowhead Game Studios Support

If you have tried all the suggested methods without success, we recommend reaching out to Helldivers 2 Support for additional help.

Creating a support ticket can lead to a more effective resolution, as it enables the developers to delve deeper into the problem. You might also consider following the @ArrowheadGS Twitter account for updates on issues reported by other players.

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

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