How to Fix Elden Ring Crashing on Startup on Windows PC

FromSoftware Inc. has released Elden Ring, an action role-playing video game, in February 2022. The game is published by Bandai Namco Entertainment and features soul-like characters and gameplay, accompanied by stunning graphics. Elden Ring is available on multiple platforms, including PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS5, and Windows.

Unfortunately, some players have encountered a crash issue when launching Elden Ring on Windows PC. If you are also facing this problem, there’s no need to worry. Simply follow this troubleshooting guide thoroughly to resolve the issue effortlessly.

Fix Elden Ring Crashing on Startup on Windows PC

Many players have reported encountering the crashing issue in Elden Ring, and it is likely caused by multiple factors. Here are some of the reasons that could be responsible for the problem:

1. High graphic settings: One possible cause is that the game’s rendering settings are set too high for your PC. Lowering the settings to a medium or lower configuration, depending on your PC’s capabilities, can resolve this issue. Feel free to experiment to find the right balance.
2. Common glitch: Restarting the Steam launcher has been found to solve the problem for some players. If you have recently experienced the crashing issue, try restarting Steam before launching the game again.
3. AMD rendering instability: Users with AMD GPUs may experience more frequent crashes compared to those with Nvidia GPUs. This could be due to rendering instability.
4. Corrupted files: The crashing issue may be caused by corrupted game files in the installation folder. Verifying the integrity of the game files through Steam can help fix this problem.
5. Interfering Epic Games Launcher: Even if you are not using the Epic Games Launcher to play Elden Ring, it may still cause crashing issues. A conflict between the Easyanticheat launcher and the game’s launcher could be the reason. Uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher can resolve this conflict.
6. Conflicting temp files: Temporary files on your PC, whether software- or hardware-related, can interfere with the game’s rendering and lead to crashes. Deleting the temp files in the TEMP, %TEMP%, and PREFETCH folders can help resolve this issue.
7. Interfering Steam overlay: Incompatibility between Steam’s overlay feature and the game might cause crashes. While there is no official confirmation, some users have reported that disabling the overlay feature in Steam prevented further crashes.
8. Incompatible Rivatuner: Running the Rivatuner Statistics Server while playing the game can cause crashes. Terminating the application’s processes through the Task Manager can resolve this issue.
9. Incompatible MSI Afterburner: Temporarily disabling MSI Afterburner software has helped some users fix the Elden Ring crashing issue. Ending its tasks in the Task Manager can disable the software in this scenario.

By considering these various factors and applying the suggested solutions, you can address the crashing issue in Elden Ring.

Elden Ring Crashing in Windows PC 2023

Now that we have identified all the potential problems, here is a comprehensive list of methods that have helped other players resolve the crashing issue:

Update Graphic Driver

Firstly, ensure that you have updated your graphics driver. This will help avoid potential conflicts and improve the game’s performance.

There are two options available for updating your driver: manual and automatic.

For manual updating, you can search for the specific driver on the manufacturer’s official website, download it, and then install it.

Alternatively, you can use driver software that automatically updates the driver for you.

Check System Requirements

It is strongly advised to cross-reference the system requirements of the game with your PC’s specifications to identify any compatibility issues.

If you are unsure whether your PC meets the requirements or suspect compatibility issues, please refer to the following guidelines:

Minimum System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: INTEL CORE I5-8400 or AMD RYZEN 3 3300X
• Memory: 12 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060 3 GB or AMD RADEON RX 580 4 GB
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 60 GB of available space
• Sound Card: Windows Compatible Audio Device

Recommended System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10/11
• Processor: INTEL CORE I7-8700K or AMD RYZEN 5 3600X
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1070 8 GB or AMD RADEON RX VEGA 56 8 GB
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 60 GB of available space
• Sound Card: Windows Compatible Audio Device

Change Settings to Medium

Adjusting the graphics settings of the game is often suggested as an initial and straightforward troubleshooting step.

Many players have reported that changing the settings to medium has resolved crashing and stuttering issues. However, this adjustment can only be made once you have progressed beyond the initial screen.

If you did not encounter crashing problems prior to playing the game, access the graphics settings and ensure that all options are set to medium or low.

If this method does not resolve your Elden Ring crashing issue, please proceed to try the other troubleshooting methods provided.

Update/Delete Epic Games Launcher

Some Elden Ring players have encountered crashing issues due to outdated versions of the Epic Games Launcher. It appears that the game’s Anti-Cheat system conflicts with two parallel processes of the launcher, although the exact cause is unknown.

Fortunately, updating or deleting the Epic Games Launcher has helped some users resolve the crashing problem. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and log in.
2. Click on your profile icon located in the top right corner.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
4. Click on the “Restart and Update” option.
5. Launch Elden Ring again to see if the issue is resolved.

If the crashing problem persists, you can try uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher entirely by deleting its folder. Then, reinstall it and attempt to play the game again.

Alternatively, it’s possible that your anti-virus program or Windows Defender is interfering with Elden Ring. To troubleshoot this, try temporarily disabling them and then launch Elden Ring.

Restart Steam

Restarting the Steam application can be an effective solution to fix Elden Ring crashes. Many players have successfully resolved the issue using this method, especially when the game used to launch and play without any problems.

This fix is particularly useful if you’re experiencing issues due to using an outdated version of the game or if you’re enrolled in the Beta program. Please note that this method applies only if you’re playing the game through Steam.

To restart Steam, follow these steps:

1. Open Steam and click on the Steam button located in the top-right corner. Then, select “Settings.”
2. In the Settings menu, click on “Change” under the Beta participation section.
3. In the drop-down menu, select “Steam Beta Update.” Click “OK” to apply the changes.
4. You will need to restart the Steam application for the changes to take effect. Select “Restart Steam” and wait for the application to relaunch.
5. Once Steam has reopened, launch Elden Ring. If the game still crashes, try launching it again.

That’s it! By restarting Steam and ensuring you’re using the latest version or opting out of the Beta program, you may be able to resolve the crashing issue in Elden Ring.

Verify Game Files

When you experience game crashes, it is recommended to verify the integrity of your game files, as Elden Ring may crash due to missing or corrupted files.

To fix this issue, follow these steps to verify the integrity of your Steam game files:

1. Sign in to your Steam account and open the Library.
2. Right-click on Elden Ring and select Properties.
3. In the Properties window, go to the Local Files tab.
4. Click on “Verify integrity of game files.”

Steam will now begin the process of verifying the game files, which may take a few minutes. Once the verification is complete, any missing or corrupted files will be replaced or repaired.

After the verification process is finished, launch Elden Ring again and check if the crashing issue has been resolved.

By verifying the integrity of the game files through Steam, you can ensure that any potential issues with missing or corrupted files are addressed, potentially resolving the crashing problem in Elden Ring.

Activate Radeon Anti-Lag

If you’re experiencing unexpected crashes with Elden Ring on a PC with an AMD GPU, there’s a quick fix that can help mitigate the issue until AMD and FromSoftware coordinate an update to improve compatibility.

The Radeon Anti-Lag feature within the Radeon Software has been found to resolve the crashing problem, as well as address stuttering and lag. By utilizing this feature, you can potentially eliminate these issues.

To activate Radeon Anti-Lag, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Radeon Software application.
2. Select “Gaming” from the Radeon app, then click the three dots in the top right corner.
3. Choose “Add A Game” and locate the executable file for Elden Ring. Click “Open” to select it.
4. You’ll now find the Elden Ring icon in the list of games. Double-click on it to access its settings.
5. Finally, enable the Radeon Anti-Lag feature by toggling the corresponding option.

After enabling Radeon Anti-Lag, launch Elden Ring and check if the crashing issue persists. This solution is specifically tailored for AMD users. If you don’t have access to this feature or the problem persists, proceed to the next method outlined below.

Disable Steam Overlay

To resolve the issue, you can disable the Steam overlay in the game settings before launching Elden Ring. Many gamers have found success with this method. Follow these steps to disable the Steam overlay:

1. Open your Steam library.
2. Right-click on Elden Ring and select “Properties.”
3. Navigate to the “General” tab.
4. Untick the “Enable Steam Overlay while in-game” option.
5. Save the changes and exit the properties menu.

After disabling the Steam overlay, restart the game. This should help resolve the issue you were experiencing.

Delete DXCache Files

Steam has proven helpful for some players in resolving issues by verifying the integrity of game files and deleting Nvidia’s cache files. This problem often occurs after an unexpected system shutdown or a false positive during a game update. Follow these steps to address the issue:

1. Verify the game files using the method mentioned earlier.
2. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “%appdata%” and press Enter to access the AppData folder.
3. Open the “AppData” folder when it appears on your screen.
4. Within the “Local” folder, locate the “NVIDIA” folder.
5. Navigate to the “DXCache” folder within the NVIDIA folder.
6. Select and delete all the files within the DXCache folder.
7. Restart your computer and launch Elden Ring after the restart to check if the crashing issue has been resolved.

By following these steps, you should be able to address the problem and play the game without further crashes.

Replace your DLL file

Please note that the following method is not recommended as it involves modifying game files. Proceed with caution and consider creating backups before attempting this fix. Here are the steps:

1. Open the folder where the game is installed and locate the file named “oo2core_6_win64.dll”.
2. Rename the file “oo2core_6_win64.dll” to any other name you prefer.
3. Download a fresh copy of “oo2core_6_win64.dll” and place it in the game folder, replacing the older version.
4. Navigate to the game folder where Elden Ring is installed.
5. Locate the file named “start_protected_game.exe” and change its name to something else.
6. Make a copy of “elden_ring.exe”.
7. Rename the copied file to “start_protected_game.exe”.

After completing these steps, launch the game through Steam and check if the issue is resolved. However, please be aware that modifying game files can potentially lead to unforeseen issues, so proceed at your own risk.

Disable Afterburner

It’s possible that the crashes in Elden Ring are caused by conflicts with the MSI Afterburner program or your current driver. The MSI Afterburner software allows you to overclock your GPU and enhance performance, but it may interfere with the game. To determine if this is the issue, try closing the program. Unfortunately, there is no option to disable it directly in the Afterburner software. However, you can terminate the process through Task Manager. Follow these steps:

1. Press the keyboard shortcut CTRL + Shift + ESC to open Task Manager. Look for MSI Afterburner in the list of processes.
2. Right-click on MSI Afterburner and select “End Task” to terminate the process.
3. Close Task Manager once you’ve completed this step.
4. Launch Elden Ring again and check if the game still crashes.

Deleting Temp Files

Several players have reported that temporary files stored on their PC were causing Elden Ring to crash. However, they were able to resolve this issue by deleting the files within the TEMP, %TEMP%, and PREFETCH folders. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type “TEMP” in the search box and click OK to open the TEMP folder.
2. Select all the files within the TEMP folder and delete them. If you encounter any files that cannot be deleted, click Skip.
3. Close the TEMP folder. Open another Run dialog box using the same method as before, but this time type “%TEMP%” in the box and hit Enter to open the %TEMP% folder.
4. Delete all the files inside the %TEMP% folder once it appears on your screen.
5. Close the folder. Open the Run dialog box again, type “PREFETCH” in the search bar, and open the folder.
6. Delete all the files within the PREFETCH folder. If there are any remaining files that cannot be deleted, you can skip them.

After completing these steps, restart your computer. Test the game once your computer boots back up to see if the issue persists.

Turn off Rivatuner Statistics Server

If you are using the Rivatuner Statistics Server software, it may cause crashes in Elden Ring. To resolve this issue, you can disable the Rivatuner Statistics Server, especially if you have previously used it to overclock your hardware.

Please note that the Rivatuner Statistics Server does not have a built-in option to turn it off, so you will need to use the Task Manager to end its processes. Follow these instructions:

1. Press CTRL + Shift + ESC to directly open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager, search for Rivatuner processes and terminate all of them.
3. Launch the game to check if disabling the Rivatuner Statistics Server has resolved the crashing issues.

That’s all you need to do.

Please let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with.

Final Words

These are the methods you can follow to fix the issue of Elden Ring crashing on startup on your PC. Simply follow the instructions provided above, and you should be able to resolve this problem. We would appreciate it if you could leave a comment and let us know which methods worked best for you.

If you have any further questions or need assistance with anything else, feel free to ask.