Why Does War Thunder Keep Crashing? Troubleshooting Guide

War Thunder, the popular free-to-play vehicular combat multiplayer game, can sometimes be plagued by frustrating crashes. These crashes can occur seemingly randomly or during critical moments of gameplay, disrupting the experience. Understanding the potential causes and how to troubleshoot them is crucial for a smoother and more enjoyable War Thunder experience.

Common Reasons for War Thunder Crashes

Several factors can contribute to War Thunder crashes. Here’s a breakdown of the most common culprits:

  • Hardware Limitations: War Thunder, despite being relatively well-optimized, still requires sufficient hardware to run smoothly. Insufficient RAM, an underpowered CPU, or a weak graphics card can lead to crashes, especially during intense battles with many vehicles and effects.
  • Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers: Graphics drivers are essential for translating game instructions into visual output. Outdated or corrupted drivers are a frequent cause of game crashes across various titles, including War Thunder. These drivers may not be properly optimized for the game or may have compatibility issues with other system components.
  • Software Conflicts: Other programs running in the background can sometimes interfere with War Thunder, leading to crashes. This includes antivirus software, overlays (like Discord or Nvidia GeForce Experience), and other resource-intensive applications.
  • Game File Corruption: The game’s installation files can become corrupted due to various reasons, such as incomplete downloads, disk errors, or software conflicts. Corrupted files can lead to instability and crashes.
  • Overheating: If your computer’s components, especially the CPU or GPU, are overheating, they may trigger crashes to prevent permanent damage. This is more common during long gaming sessions or in environments with poor ventilation.
  • Operating System Issues: Operating system errors, outdated system files, or compatibility issues can also contribute to game crashes. Regular system updates and maintenance are important for stability.
  • Network Problems: Although less frequent, unstable or interrupted network connections can cause crashes, especially during online multiplayer matches. Packet loss or high latency can sometimes trigger errors that lead to game termination.
  • Mod Conflicts (if applicable): If you’re using mods, they might be incompatible with the current version of the game or conflict with each other, causing crashes. Always ensure your mods are up-to-date and compatible.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix War Thunder Crashes

Here’s a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting War Thunder crashes:

1. Verify System Requirements

  • Ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum and preferably the recommended system requirements for War Thunder. These specifications are available on the War Thunder website or the game’s Steam page. Pay close attention to the CPU, GPU, RAM, and operating system requirements.

2. Update Graphics Drivers

  • Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (Nvidia or AMD) and download the latest drivers for your specific graphics card model. Cleanly uninstall the old drivers before installing the new ones. This ensures a fresh installation without any conflicting files.

3. Close Background Applications

  • Before launching War Thunder, close any unnecessary programs running in the background. This includes web browsers, music players, and other resource-intensive applications. Use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify and close programs consuming significant CPU or memory resources.

4. Verify Game File Integrity

  • If you’re playing War Thunder through Steam:

    • Right-click on War Thunder in your Steam library.
    • Select “Properties”.
    • Go to the “Local Files” tab.
    • Click on “Verify integrity of game files…”.

  • If you’re playing the standalone version of War Thunder, use the game launcher’s built-in file integrity check (usually found in the launcher’s settings).

5. Monitor System Temperatures

  • Use hardware monitoring software (like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor) to check your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing War Thunder. If the temperatures are consistently high (above 80-90°C for the CPU or GPU), it could indicate an overheating issue. Consider improving your computer’s cooling system or cleaning out dust from the fans and vents.

6. Run War Thunder as Administrator

  • Right-click on the War Thunder executable file (usually located in the game’s installation folder) and select “Run as administrator.” This can sometimes resolve permission issues that may be causing crashes.

7. Adjust Graphics Settings

  • Lowering the graphics settings in War Thunder can significantly reduce the load on your hardware. Try reducing the resolution, texture quality, shadow detail, and other graphical options. Start with the “Medium” or “Low” preset and gradually increase the settings until you find a balance between visual quality and stability.

8. Update or Reinstall DirectX

  • DirectX is a collection of APIs that are essential for running games. Make sure you have the latest version of DirectX installed. You can download the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from the Microsoft website.

9. Check for Operating System Updates

  • Ensure your operating system is up-to-date with the latest updates and patches. These updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can improve stability.

10. Reinstall War Thunder

  • If none of the above steps work, try reinstalling War Thunder. This will ensure a clean installation without any corrupted files or conflicting settings. Back up any custom configurations or replays you want to keep before uninstalling the game.

11. Check for RAM Issues

  • Run a memory diagnostic tool to check for RAM errors. Windows has a built-in Memory Diagnostic tool that you can access by searching for “Windows Memory Diagnostic” in the Start menu.

12. Disable Overlays

  • Disable any in-game overlays, such as Discord, Nvidia GeForce Experience, or Steam Overlay, as they can sometimes cause conflicts. To disable Steam Overlay, right-click on War Thunder in your Steam library, select “Properties,” and uncheck the “Enable Steam Overlay while in-game” option.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and War Thunder continues to crash, the problem may be more complex. Consider seeking professional help from a computer technician or contacting War Thunder’s support team. They may be able to provide further assistance and diagnose any underlying hardware or software issues.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can identify and resolve the most common causes of War Thunder crashes and enjoy a more stable and enjoyable gaming experience.