What can I do if The Outer Worlds 2 is crashing for me?

If you are experiencing crashes with The Outer Worlds 2, please try the following things:

  1. Verify your PC Specs
  2. Update Graphics Card Drivers
  3. Clear Shader Cache
  4. Verify the integrity of the files
  5. Check for Operating System Updates
  6. Check for Overheating
  7. Do you have a 13th or 14th generation Intel CPU?
  8. Disable Certain Graphical Features

1. Verify Your PC Specs

First, let’s verify your system meets the game’s minimum requirements. If your hardware falls below these standards, you may experience sluggish performance or more severe issues while playing.

The Outer Worlds 2 System Requirements

If your hardware meets or exceeds our system requirements, let’s continue to the next suggestions.

2. Update Graphics Card Drivers

If your system meets the game’s minimum requirements, we recommend updating your graphics card drivers to the latest version.

If you’re still experiencing issues that may be graphics-related, try updating your drivers again, this time using the “clean install” option (if available, depending on the manufacturer). This ensures old driver files are removed, preventing potential conflicts.

Finally, restart your PC after installing new drivers before starting the game again.

3. Clear Shader Cache

Your graphics card stores pre-compiled files that help the game render faster. Sometimes, these cached files can get corrupted or outdated after an update. Clearing them can help your PC rebuild fresh, optimized copies.

If you're seeing strange graphical glitches, stuttering, black screens, or performance drops after a drive update or patch, clearing your shader cache might help.

Before You Start

  • Close all games and 3D programs, including any launchers, Battle.net, Steam, Epic Game Store, Unreal, or anything else that might use your GPU.

NVIDIA

Step 1 - Disable Cache

  1. Right-click your desktop → Show more options → NVIDIA Control Panel
  2. Under 3D Settings, click Manage 3D settings
  3. Change Shader Cache Size to Disabled → click Apply
  4. Reboot your PC

Step 2 - Delete Cache

  1. After the PC boots, press Windows + R
  2. Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\NVIDIA and press Enter
  3. Double-click the DXCache folder
  4. Press Ctrl + A and press Delete on your keyboard

Step 3 - Re-enable Cache

  1. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel and set Shader Cache Size to Driver Default → click Apply
  2. Restart your PC again

AMD

Step 1 - Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition

  • Right-click on your desktop and click AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
  • If it doesn't appear, you can also search "AMD Software" in the Start menu

Step 2 - Open Graphics Settings

  1. Click on the ⚙️ gear icon in the top-right corner
  2. In the top menu, click Gaming tab and then the Graphics tab below it
  3. Scroll down until you see Reset Shader Cache and click Perform Reset

Step 3 - Confirm and Restart

  1. Confirm by clicking OK when asked if you want to clear the shader cache
  2. Restart your computer and play the game again

ℹ️ NOTE: When clearing your shader cache, it can take a fair amount of time to rebuild shaders from scratch.

4. Verify File Integrity

On rare occasion, files can get corrupted or become missing during or after the installation process which can cause issues like crashes. Each of the platforms the game is supported on allows you to verify your game files to make sure everything is there and working as expected.

Battle.net

Steam

Xbox

  1. Open the Xbox app for Windows
  2. In My Library, select the game
  3. Click the more options ( ⋯ ) button
  4. Click Manage > Files tab > Check for updates
  5. If no updates are found or available, click Verify and Repair to repair the game. Then try to launch it again.

5. Check for Operating System Updates 

Let’s verify you’re running the latest Windows Updates.

How to Install Windows Updates on Windows 11

If any updates are installed, please be sure to restart your PC before starting the game again.

6. Check for Overheating

Random crashes and unexpected behavior can occur if your PC components, especially your CPU or graphics card, overheat.

Check for Overclocking 

Are you overclocking your PC? Overclocking can push components beyond their limits, leading to instability. Try disabling overclocking while playing the game using system tools like MSI Afterburner, Intel Extreme Tuning Utility, AMD EXPO, or AMD Ryzen Master. If you’re unsure whether your system is overclocked, check the software that came with your motherboard or PC.

Ensure Proper Airflow

Is your PC getting enough airflow? Ensure that fans have unobstructed intake and exhaust areas, typically along the back, side, or top of the case. Even slightly repositioning your PC can improve ventilation and cooling performance, reducing the risk of crashes.

Check for Dust and Debris

Do you have pets or smoke near your PC? Has it been a while since you cleaned it? Over time, dust, pet hair, and debris can clog fans and heatsinks, leading to overheating and reducing system stability.

Cleaning your PC, especially the fans, vents, and filters, can improve cooling efficiency and lead to better stability.

7. Do you have a 13th or 14th generation Intel CPU?

If you’re using a 13th or 14th generation Intel CPU, ensure your BIOS is up to date to help prevent system stability issues while playing.

  • For Prebuilt Gaming PCs (Alienware, Lenovo, MSI, etc.)

    Check your manufacturer’s support site or use their system update tools (e.g., Alienware Update) to install the latest BIOS.

  • For Custom-Built PCs 

    Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest BIOS for your specific model or motherboard.

⚠️ Why This Matters: An outdated BIOS can cause crashes and instability, especially on these CPUs.

Advanced Users: Verify that your BIOS includes the Intel microcode version 0x12B or later. This information is usually available in your system or motherboard manufacturer’s support articles.

How do I know what CPU I have? 

  1. Select Start > Settings > About.
  2. Under the Device specifications section, look at Processor. 

If you have a processor that starts with "13th Gen Intel" or "14th Gen Intel", please update your BIOS to the latest version.

How you can test your CPU

You can test your Intel CPU to make sure everything is running well by downloading and installing the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool. If you have any issues with your PC while running this tool, you may need to request service from your manufacturer.

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8. Disable Certain Graphical Features

Disabling the following graphics features may help with stability and/or performance if you are experiencing issues:

Disable Ray Tracing

If you're not able to start the game:

  • Add -noraytracing     to your startup parameters when running the game.

If you are able to start the game, disable ray tracing in the Settings.

  • Run the game and open Settings. Under the Graphics tab, toggle Hardware Raytracing to Off. Apply changes, exit the game, and restart to see if things improve.

Disable Upscaling

Run the game and open Settings. Under the Graphics tab, switch Upscaling to None. Apply changes, exit the game, and restart to see if things improve.

Latency Reduction Method

Run the game and open Settings. Under the Graphics tab, switch Latency Reduction Method to Off. Apply changes, exit the game, and restart to see if things improve.


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