Why Does Helldivers 2 Keep Crashing

Experiencing frequent crashes in Helldivers 2? The most common solutions involve updating your graphics drivers, verifying the game file integrity through Steam, and lowering your in-game graphics settings. These steps often resolve crashes caused by outdated software, corrupted files, or hardware limitations. Let’s dive into a comprehensive troubleshooting guide.

Troubleshooting Crashing Issues in Helldivers 2

Here’s a step-by-step approach to diagnosing and fixing Helldivers 2 crashes:

1. Update Your Graphics Card Drivers

Outdated drivers are a primary suspect. Game developers frequently release optimized drivers that resolve compatibility issues and improve performance.

Nvidia Users: Download the latest Game Ready Driver from the Nvidia GeForce Experience application or directly from the Nvidia website.
AMD Users: Download the latest Adrenalin Edition drivers from the AMD website or the AMD Radeon Software application.
Clean Install: During the driver installation process, select the “clean install” option. This removes any previous driver files that might be causing conflicts. You might need to use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode if you suspect a driver conflict.

2. Verify Game File Integrity

Corrupted game files can lead to instability. The Steam client offers a built-in tool to verify the integrity of your game files.

Steam Verification:
- Right-click on Helldivers 2 in your Steam library.
- Select “Properties.”
- Go to the “Local Files” tab.
- Click “Verify integrity of game files…”
- Steam will automatically download and replace any missing or corrupted files.

3. Lower Graphics Settings

Helldivers 2 is a visually demanding game. Reducing your graphics settings can alleviate the strain on your system, especially if you have a lower-end GPU like a GeForce GTX 1650 or a Radeon RX 570.

Reduce Settings:
- Lower the “Overall Quality” preset in the game’s graphics settings.
- Reduce individual settings like “Texture Quality,” “Shadow Quality,” and “Effects Quality.”
- Disable or lower “Ambient Occlusion” and “Screen Space Reflections.”
- Experiment with “Anti-Aliasing” options. FXAA is generally less resource-intensive than TAA.
- Consider lowering the resolution.

4. Close Background Applications

Other programs running in the background can consume system resources and interfere with Helldivers 2.

Identify and Close: Close unnecessary applications like web browsers, streaming software (OBS, Streamlabs), Discord, and other resource-intensive programs.
Task Manager: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify programs with high CPU or memory usage. Be cautious about closing essential system processes.

5. Disable Overclocking

If you’ve overclocked your CPU or GPU, try running your hardware at stock speeds to see if it resolves the crashing issue. Overclocking can introduce instability, especially if your cooling solution isn’t adequate. Use tools like AMD Ryzen Master or Intel XTU to revert to default clock speeds. Similarly, for GPU overclocking, tools like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X1 can be used.

6. Check Your RAM

Insufficient RAM can lead to crashes, especially during demanding gameplay. Helldivers 2 requires a minimum of 8GB of RAM, but 16GB is recommended.

RAM Usage: Monitor your RAM usage using Task Manager while playing Helldivers 2. If you’re consistently maxing out your RAM, consider upgrading.
XMP Profile: Ensure your RAM is running at its advertised speed by enabling the XMP profile in your BIOS.
RAM Testing: Use a memory diagnostic tool like Memtest86 to check for RAM errors.

7. Run the Game as Administrator

Running Helldivers 2 with administrator privileges can sometimes resolve permission-related issues that might be causing crashes.

Run as Admin: Right-click on the Helldivers 2 executable file (usually located in the Steam installation directory) and select “Run as administrator.”

8. DirectX Issues

Try installing or repairing DirectX. You can usually find the DirectX installer within the Helldivers 2 game files or download the latest version from Microsoft. Ensure your Windows installation is up to date, as updates often include DirectX improvements. If you are encountering specific DirectX error codes, research those individually for targeted solutions.

9. Check Event Viewer for Specific Error Messages

The Windows Event Viewer logs system errors and crashes. It can provide valuable information about the cause of the Helldivers 2 crashes.

Open Event Viewer: Search for “Event Viewer” in the Windows search bar and open the application.
Check Logs: Navigate to “Windows Logs” > “Application” and look for error messages related to Helldivers 2 around the time of the crashes. These error messages can point to specific DLL files, modules, or hardware components that are causing the problem.

10. Server Issues

While less within your control, server issues can contribute to crashes.

Monitor Server Status: Check the Helldivers 2 official social media accounts (Twitter, Discord) for announcements about server issues or maintenance.

Safety First: Before attempting any hardware changes, ensure your system is powered off and unplugged. If you’re not comfortable performing these steps, seek assistance from a qualified technician.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the crashing issues plaguing your Helldivers 2 experience. Remember to test the game after each step to see if the problem is resolved. Good luck, and happy liberating!

Frequently Asked Questions