Why Does ‘Call of Duty: Zombies’ Keep Crashing? Troubleshooting Guide

‘Call of Duty: Zombies’ is a fan-favorite mode, but persistent crashing can ruin the undead fun. This article dives into the common reasons behind these crashes and offers troubleshooting steps to get you back to slaying zombies.

Common Culprits Behind ‘Zombies’ Crashes

Several factors can lead to crashes in ‘Call of Duty: Zombies.’ Understanding these is the first step to resolving the issue:

  • Software/Driver Issues:
    • Outdated Graphics Drivers: This is the most frequent cause. ‘Call of Duty’ titles are graphically demanding, and old drivers struggle to keep up, leading to instability.
    • Corrupted Game Files: During installation or updates, game files can become corrupted, resulting in crashes.
    • Operating System Issues: Outdated or corrupted operating system files can also interfere with the game’s performance.
  • Hardware Limitations:
    • Insufficient RAM: ‘Zombies’ can be memory-intensive, especially on higher rounds. If your system doesn’t have enough RAM, it can crash.
    • Overheating: Prolonged gameplay can cause your CPU or GPU to overheat, triggering a crash as a safety mechanism.
    • Outdated Hardware: Older CPUs or GPUs may not meet the game’s minimum requirements, leading to performance issues and crashes.
  • Network Problems:
    • Unstable Internet Connection: While ‘Zombies’ can be played solo, online connectivity issues during co-op play can cause crashes.
    • Server Issues: Problems on the game servers themselves can also lead to disconnects and crashes. This is usually widespread and affects many players.
  • Game Settings:
    • High Graphics Settings: Running the game at settings that are too high for your hardware can strain your system and cause crashes.
    • Conflicting Settings: Certain in-game settings may conflict with each other or with your hardware, leading to instability.
  • Background Applications:
    • Resource-Intensive Programs: Other programs running in the background can consume system resources and interfere with the game. For example, multiple browser tabs or streaming software.
    • Antivirus Software: In rare cases, antivirus software can mistakenly flag game files as threats and cause crashes.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix ‘Zombies’ Crashes

Here’s a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting ‘Call of Duty: Zombies’ crashes:

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

  • NVIDIA: Go to the NVIDIA website and download the latest drivers for your graphics card.
  • AMD: Go to the AMD website and download the latest drivers for your graphics card.
  • Intel: If you have an integrated Intel GPU, download the latest drivers from the Intel website.

After downloading, install the drivers and restart your computer.

2. Verify Game File Integrity

  • Steam: Right-click on the game in your Steam library, go to ‘Properties,’ then ‘Local Files,’ and click ‘Verify Integrity of Game Files.’
  • Battle.net: In the Battle.net launcher, click the gear icon next to the game and select ‘Scan and Repair.’

This process will check for and repair any corrupted or missing game files.

3. Monitor System Temperatures

  • Use monitoring software like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to check your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing the game.
  • If temperatures are consistently high (above 80°C for the CPU or 85°C for the GPU), consider improving your cooling solution (e.g., cleaning dust, reapplying thermal paste, or upgrading your cooler).

4. Adjust Graphics Settings

  • Lower the graphics settings in the game menu. Start by reducing the texture quality, shadow quality, and anti-aliasing settings.
  • Experiment with different settings to find a balance between performance and visual quality.
  • Disable V-Sync, which can sometimes cause performance issues.

5. Close Background Applications

  • Close any unnecessary programs running in the background, such as web browsers, streaming software, or other games.
  • Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to identify resource-intensive processes.

6. Check Your Internet Connection

  • Ensure you have a stable internet connection, especially if playing online co-op.
  • Run a speed test to check your internet speed and ping.
  • Try restarting your router and modem.

7. Update Your Operating System

  • Windows: Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Update & Security’ > ‘Windows Update’ and check for updates.
  • macOS: Go to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Software Update’ and check for updates.

8. Check Antivirus Software

  • Temporarily disable your antivirus software to see if it’s causing the crashes. If the game runs without crashing, add the game’s folder to your antivirus exclusion list.

9. Reinstall the Game

  • If all else fails, try uninstalling and reinstalling the game.
  • This ensures a clean installation and can fix any persistent issues.

10. Check for Hardware Issues

  • Run memory tests to check for RAM errors.
  • Check your hard drive for errors using diagnostic tools.
  • Consider upgrading your hardware if it doesn’t meet the game’s minimum requirements.

When to Seek Further Assistance

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing crashes, consider:

  • Contacting ‘Call of Duty’ Support: They may have specific solutions or be aware of known issues.
  • Checking Online Forums: Other players may have encountered similar problems and found solutions.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the crashes in ‘Call of Duty: Zombies’ and get back to enjoying the game.