Why Does Call of Duty Keep Crashing on Steam?

Experiencing Call of Duty (COD) crashes on Steam can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re eager to jump into a match. Several factors could be the culprit, ranging from software glitches to hardware limitations. Understanding these causes is the first step in resolving the issue and getting back into the game. This comprehensive guide explores the common reasons for COD crashes on Steam and provides potential solutions to fix them.

Common Causes of Call of Duty Crashes on Steam

Here’s a breakdown of the typical reasons why Call of Duty might be crashing on your Steam client:

  • Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers: Graphics drivers are essential for translating game data into visuals on your screen. Outdated or corrupted drivers are a very common cause of crashes.
  • Insufficient System Resources: COD games, particularly newer titles, require significant processing power, RAM, and VRAM. If your system doesn’t meet the minimum or recommended specifications, crashes are likely.
  • Game File Integrity Issues: Damaged or missing game files can lead to instability and crashes. This can happen during the download or installation process.
  • Overheating: If your CPU or GPU gets too hot, it can cause the game, or even your entire system, to crash as a safety mechanism.
  • Software Conflicts: Other programs running in the background, especially overlays, antivirus software, or conflicting drivers, can interfere with COD’s operation.
  • Steam Client Issues: Problems within the Steam client itself, such as outdated versions or corrupted files, can also trigger crashes.
  • Overclocking Instability: While overclocking can boost performance, it can also lead to instability and crashes if not done correctly.
  • DirectX Issues: Call of Duty relies on DirectX for rendering. Problems with the DirectX installation can cause crashes.
  • Administrator Privileges: Sometimes, the game requires administrator privileges to access certain system resources properly.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix COD Crashes

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to address the crashing issue:

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

  • Nvidia: Go to the Nvidia website or use the GeForce Experience application to download and install the latest drivers.
  • AMD: Visit the AMD website or use the AMD Radeon Software to update your drivers.
  • Clean Installation: Consider performing a clean installation of the drivers to remove any potentially conflicting files from previous installations. This can be done during the driver installation process.

2. Verify Game File Integrity

  • In Steam, right-click on the Call of Duty game in your library.
  • Select Properties.
  • Go to the Local Files tab.
  • Click on Verify integrity of game files…
  • Steam will scan your game files and replace any damaged or missing ones.

3. Close Background Applications

  • Close any unnecessary programs running in the background, especially overlays like Discord, MSI Afterburner, or other resource-intensive applications.
  • Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify and close any programs consuming significant CPU or memory resources.

4. Lower Graphics Settings

  • Reduce the in-game graphics settings to lower the strain on your GPU and CPU.
  • Lower the resolution, texture quality, shadow details, and other demanding settings.
  • Experiment with different settings to find a balance between visual quality and stability.

5. Check Your System Temperatures

  • Use hardware monitoring software like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to check your CPU and GPU temperatures.
  • Ensure that your components are not overheating. CPU temperatures should ideally stay below 80°C under load, and GPU temperatures below 85°C.
  • If overheating is an issue, improve your system’s cooling by cleaning dust, reapplying thermal paste, or upgrading your cooling solutions.

6. Run Call of Duty as Administrator

  • Right-click on the Call of Duty executable file (usually located in the game’s installation directory).
  • Select Properties.
  • Go to the Compatibility tab.
  • Check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.
  • Click Apply and then OK.

7. Update Steam

  • Ensure that you are running the latest version of the Steam client.
  • Steam usually updates automatically, but you can manually check for updates by going to Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates… in the Steam menu.

8. Reinstall DirectX

  • The DirectX installer is often located in the game’s installation directory, within a “Redist” or similar folder. Look for a file named DXSETUP.exe or similar.
  • Run the installer to reinstall DirectX.

9. Check for Windows Updates

  • Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date.
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

10. Disable Overclocking (If Applicable)

  • If you have overclocked your CPU or GPU, revert to the stock clock speeds to see if that resolves the crashing issue.
  • Overclocking can introduce instability, so removing it is a good troubleshooting step.

11. Increase Virtual Memory (Page File)

  • Insufficient virtual memory can sometimes cause crashes, especially on systems with lower amounts of RAM.
  • Increase the size of your page file in Windows settings.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and Call of Duty continues to crash, it might be time to seek professional help. This could indicate a more serious hardware issue or a complex software conflict that requires expert assistance.

By systematically addressing these potential causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you should be able to resolve most Call of Duty crashing issues on Steam and enjoy a smoother gaming experience.