Why Does GMod Keep Crashing? Troubleshooting Guide

Garry’s Mod (GMod) is a sandbox game renowned for its freedom and creativity. However, frequent crashes can interrupt the fun. If you’re experiencing persistent crashes in GMod, you’re not alone. Several factors can contribute to this issue. This guide will walk you through the common causes and solutions to get you back to building and playing.

Common Causes of GMod Crashes

GMod crashes can stem from various sources, ranging from hardware limitations to software conflicts. Here’s a breakdown of the most frequent culprits:

  • Insufficient System Resources: GMod, especially with mods and complex creations, can demand significant CPU, RAM, and VRAM. If your system doesn’t meet the game’s requirements, crashes are likely.
  • Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: Graphics card drivers are crucial for game stability. Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers can lead to crashes.
  • Mod Conflicts: GMod’s extensive modding community is a huge draw, but mods can clash with each other or the base game, causing instability.
  • Corrupted Game Files: Game files can become corrupted due to incomplete downloads, disk errors, or other issues.
  • Overclocking Instability: Overclocking your CPU or GPU can improve performance, but it can also lead to instability and crashes if not done correctly.
  • Software Conflicts: Other programs running in the background might interfere with GMod.
  • Operating System Issues: Problems with the operating system itself can sometimes trigger crashes.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix GMod Crashes

Here’s a comprehensive troubleshooting guide to address these potential causes:

1. Verify System Requirements

Ensure your computer meets the minimum and recommended system requirements for GMod. These are easily found on the Steam store page for GMod. Pay close attention to the CPU, RAM, and graphics card specifications. If your system barely meets the minimum requirements, consider upgrading your hardware for a smoother experience.

2. Update Graphics Card Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are a common cause of game crashes.

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

During the driver installation, opt for a clean installation to remove any previous driver files that might be causing conflicts.

3. Verify Integrity of Game Files

Steam has a built-in tool to verify the integrity of game files. This process checks for corrupted or missing files and redownloads them.

  1. In Steam, right-click on Garry’s Mod in your library.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Go to the Local Files tab.
  4. Click on Verify integrity of game files…

This process may take some time to complete.

4. Disable or Remove Conflicting Mods

Mod conflicts are a frequent cause of GMod crashes. Try disabling mods in batches to identify the culprit.

  1. In GMod, go to the Addons menu.
  2. Disable recently installed or updated mods first.
  3. Restart GMod and see if the crashes persist.
  4. If the game is stable, re-enable mods one by one until you find the conflicting mod.

Consider unsubscribing from old or abandoned mods, as they are more likely to cause issues.

5. Reduce Graphics Settings

Lowering the graphics settings can reduce the strain on your system, potentially preventing crashes.

  • Reduce the texture quality.
  • Lower the shadow quality.
  • Disable anti-aliasing.
  • Reduce the resolution.

Test the game after each adjustment to see if the crashes are resolved.

6. Close Background Applications

Other programs running in the background can consume system resources and interfere with GMod. Close unnecessary applications before launching the game.

  • Web browsers (especially with many tabs open)
  • Streaming software
  • Resource-intensive programs

7. Adjust Launch Options

Launch options are commands that you can use to customize how GMod starts. Some launch options can improve performance or stability.

  1. Right-click on Garry’s Mod in your Steam library.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Click on Set Launch Options…

Try these launch options:

  • -noaddons (Disables all addons)
  • -autoconfig (Restores default video and performance settings)
  • -windowed or -fullscreen (Forces windowed or fullscreen mode)
  • -heapsize [value] (Sets the heap size; try -heapsize 2048 or -heapsize 4096 depending on your RAM)

8. Reinstall GMod

If none of the above solutions work, reinstalling GMod can resolve any persistent issues related to corrupted game files or configuration problems.

  1. Right-click on Garry’s Mod in your Steam library.
  2. Select Manage > Uninstall.
  3. After the uninstall is complete, reinstall the game.

9. Check Overclocking Settings

If you are overclocking your CPU or GPU, try reverting to the default clock speeds. Overclocking can cause instability and crashes if not configured properly.

10. Check for Operating System Issues

Run a system file checker to identify and repair corrupted system files.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

This process may take some time to complete. If it finds and repairs any errors, restart your computer.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the basic troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the crashes, consider these advanced solutions:

  • Check Event Viewer: The Windows Event Viewer can provide clues about the cause of the crashes. Look for error messages or warnings related to GMod.
  • Test Your RAM: Use a memory testing tool like Memtest86+ to check for RAM errors.
  • Monitor Hardware Temperatures: Overheating can cause crashes. Monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures using monitoring software.

By systematically addressing these potential causes, you can significantly reduce the frequency of GMod crashes and enjoy a more stable and enjoyable gaming experience.