Fallout: New Vegas - Why Does It Keep Crashing and How to Fix It

Fallout: New Vegas, despite being a beloved classic, is notorious for its instability and frequent crashes. Several factors contribute to these crashes, ranging from outdated hardware and software conflicts to inherent bugs within the game engine itself. The good news is that many of these issues can be resolved with some troubleshooting. Let’s dive into the common causes and solutions.

Common Causes of Fallout: New Vegas Crashes

  • Outdated Hardware/Drivers: Older systems or drivers not optimized for the game can lead to instability.
  • Software Conflicts: Conflicts with other programs running in the background.
  • Game Bugs: Fallout: New Vegas, like many Bethesda games, has inherent bugs that can cause crashes.
  • Modding Issues: Incompatible or poorly implemented mods are a frequent cause of crashes.
  • Operating System Compatibility: Issues with running the game on modern operating systems like Windows 10 or 11.
  • Memory Limitations: The game was originally designed for systems with limited RAM; modern systems may require adjustments.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Fallout: New Vegas Crashes

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are a major culprit for game crashes. Ensure you have the latest drivers installed for your GPU (Nvidia, AMD, or Intel).

  • Nvidia: Go to the Nvidia website and download the latest drivers for your specific graphics card.
  • AMD: Visit the AMD website and download the drivers for your AMD GPU.
  • Intel: Check the Intel website for the latest integrated graphics drivers.

2. Verify Game Files Integrity

Corrupted game files can lead to crashes. Use Steam’s built-in file verification tool to check and repair your installation.

  • Steam: Right-click on Fallout: New Vegas in your Steam library, select “Properties,” go to the “Local Files” tab, and click “Verify integrity of game files…”

3. Run Fallout: New Vegas in Compatibility Mode

Running the game in compatibility mode for Windows XP or Windows 7 can resolve compatibility issues on newer operating systems.

  • Right-click on the Fallout: New Vegas executable (FalloutNV.exe). This is usually found in your Steam installation directory, under \SteamApps\common\Fallout New Vegas.
  • Select “Properties.”
  • Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
  • Check the box that says “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”
  • Select “Windows XP (Service Pack 3)” or “Windows 7” from the dropdown menu.
  • Check “Run this program as an administrator.” Click Apply, then OK.

4. Adjust Graphics Settings

Lowering the graphics settings can reduce the strain on your system and prevent crashes.

  • In the game launcher, select “Options” and lower the graphics settings (e.g., Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, Anti-Aliasing).
  • Try running the game in a lower resolution.

5. Disable or Remove Mods

If you’re using mods, try disabling them one by one or in groups to identify any problematic mods.

  • Use a mod manager like Mod Organizer 2 (MO2) to easily manage your mods.
  • Disable mods that alter core game mechanics or add large amounts of content first.
  • Read mod descriptions and compatibility notes carefully before installing mods.

6. Increase the Game’s Memory Allocation

Fallout: New Vegas is a 32-bit application, which means it can only use up to 2GB of RAM by default. You can increase this limit using the 4GB Patcher.

  • Download the 4GB Patcher from the Nexus Mods website (search for “Fallout New Vegas 4GB Patcher”).
  • Run the patcher and select the FalloutNV.exe file.
  • This will patch the executable, allowing the game to use up to 4GB of RAM.

7. Edit the Fallout.ini File

Adjusting settings in the Fallout.ini file can improve stability. This file is located in Documents\My Games\FalloutNV.

  • Open the Fallout.ini file with a text editor (e.g., Notepad).
  • Add the following lines under the [General] section:
[General]
bUseThreadedAI=1
iNumHWThreads=2
  • Replace iNumHWThreads=2 with the number of CPU cores you have. E.g., If you have a quad-core processor, use iNumHWThreads=4.

8. Disable Background Applications

Conflicting programs running in the background can cause crashes. Close unnecessary applications before launching the game.

  • Close programs like web browsers, media players, and other resource-intensive applications.
  • Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to see which programs are using the most resources.

9. Reinstall the Game

If all else fails, try reinstalling Fallout: New Vegas. This can resolve issues caused by corrupted game files or installation problems.

  • Uninstall the game through Steam.
  • Delete any remaining Fallout: New Vegas files in the Steam installation directory and in Documents\My Games\FalloutNV.
  • Reinstall the game through Steam.

10. Consider the NVAC - New Vegas Anti Crash Mod

NVAC is a mod specifically designed to prevent crashes in Fallout: New Vegas. It implements various fixes and stability improvements.

  • Download NVAC from the Nexus Mods website.
  • Install NVAC using a mod manager like Mod Organizer 2.
  • Ensure NVAC is enabled in your mod manager.

Conclusion

While Fallout: New Vegas can be prone to crashing, many solutions can improve its stability. By updating drivers, verifying game files, adjusting settings, and using compatibility modes or dedicated anti-crash mods, you can significantly reduce the frequency of crashes and enjoy a more stable gaming experience. Remember to troubleshoot systematically and test each solution individually to identify the root cause of your crashes.