Helldivers 2 Crashing After Tutorial? Here's How To Fix It

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Helldivers 2 Crashing After Tutorial? Here's How to Fix It

Hey there, Helldivers! Having trouble with Helldivers 2 crashing right after the tutorial? Don't worry; you're not alone! Many players have reported similar issues, and luckily, there are several potential fixes you can try to get back into spreading managed democracy. Let's dive into some troubleshooting steps to get you back in the game and fighting for Super Earth.

Why is Helldivers 2 Crashing After the Tutorial?

Before we jump into the solutions, it's helpful to understand why these crashes might be happening. Game crashes, especially right after a tutorial, can stem from various sources. Common causes include driver incompatibility, game file corruption, system incompatibility, or server-side issues. Sometimes, the game might be trying to load something specific after the tutorial that triggers the crash, like connecting to the online servers or loading a complex mission environment. Knowing this can help you approach the troubleshooting process more methodically. For instance, if it's a driver issue, updating your graphics drivers is the first step. If it seems more like a file problem, verifying the game files might be the way to go. Understanding the 'why' helps narrow down the 'how' of fixing it, making the process much smoother.

Also, consider that Helldivers 2 is a relatively new game, and new releases often come with their fair share of bugs and optimization issues. Developers are usually quick to address these problems with patches, but in the meantime, players might need to implement some workarounds. High player traffic can also strain the servers, leading to instability and crashes, especially during peak hours. Therefore, it's a good idea to check the game's official social media channels or forums to see if there are any known issues being widely reported. This can save you time and effort by confirming whether the problem is on your end or a more widespread issue that the developers are actively working on. Remember, patience is key, and a bit of detective work can go a long way in resolving these frustrating crashes. Keep your eyes peeled for updates and community solutions!

Potential Fixes to Stop the Crashing

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and explore some solutions that might help resolve the Helldivers 2 crashing issue you're experiencing after the tutorial. Here are several steps you can take:

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are often a major culprit behind game crashes. New games like Helldivers 2 often require the latest drivers to run smoothly. Updating your drivers can resolve compatibility issues and improve performance. Here's how to do it:

  • NVIDIA: Download the latest drivers from the NVIDIA website or through the GeForce Experience app.
  • AMD: Get the newest drivers from the AMD website or using the AMD Adrenalin software.
  • Intel: Update drivers via the Intel website or the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

After updating, restart your computer to ensure the new drivers are properly installed and active. Then, relaunch Helldivers 2 and see if the crashing issue has been resolved. Sometimes, a clean installation of the drivers can also help. This involves completely removing the old drivers before installing the new ones. You can use a tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to ensure a clean removal. Remember to download the latest drivers again after the clean uninstall and then install them. Keeping your graphics drivers up-to-date is not just a fix for crashes; it's also essential for optimizing game performance and ensuring you get the best visual experience. Make it a habit to check for driver updates regularly to avoid potential issues with new games or updates.

2. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

Sometimes, game files can become corrupted, leading to crashes. Steam and other game launchers have a built-in feature to verify the integrity of game files. This process checks if all the necessary files are present and uncorrupted, and it will re-download any damaged files. Here’s how to do it on Steam:

  1. Right-click on Helldivers 2 in your Steam library.
  2. Select “Properties.”
  3. Go to the “Local Files” tab.
  4. Click on “Verify integrity of game files.”

The process might take a few minutes, depending on your storage speed and the size of the game. Once it's complete, Steam will inform you if any files were reacquired. After that, restart your computer and launch Helldivers 2 again to see if the issue is resolved. This is a simple yet effective step that can often fix crashes related to file corruption. Game files can get corrupted for various reasons, such as interrupted downloads, disk errors, or even software conflicts. Regularly verifying the integrity of your game files can help prevent such issues and ensure a smoother gaming experience. Make it a routine to perform this check whenever you encounter unexpected crashes or errors in Helldivers 2 or any other game on Steam.

3. Run the Game as Administrator

Running a game as an administrator grants it elevated privileges, which can help bypass permission-related issues that might be causing crashes. This is especially useful if the game needs to access system files or make changes to certain settings. Here’s how to run Helldivers 2 as an administrator:

  1. Right-click on the Helldivers 2 shortcut on your desktop or in the game installation folder.
  2. Select “Properties.”
  3. Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
  4. Check the box that says “Run this program as an administrator.”
  5. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”

Now, every time you launch Helldivers 2 using that shortcut, it will run with administrator privileges. This can help resolve crashes that are caused by insufficient permissions. Sometimes, games need to write data to protected directories or access system resources, and running as an administrator allows them to do so without being blocked by the operating system. If you're still experiencing crashes after trying this, it might indicate that the issue lies elsewhere, but it's a good step to rule out permission-related problems. Always be cautious when granting administrator privileges, but in this case, it can be a necessary step to ensure the game runs smoothly and without interruptions.

4. Adjust Graphics Settings

High graphics settings can sometimes strain your system, leading to crashes, especially if your hardware isn't up to par. Try lowering the graphics settings in Helldivers 2 to see if it resolves the issue. Here’s what you can adjust:

  • Resolution: Reduce the screen resolution.
  • Graphics Quality: Lower the overall graphics quality preset (e.g., from Ultra to High or Medium).
  • Shadows: Reduce shadow quality or disable them altogether.
  • Effects: Lower the quality of special effects.
  • Texture Quality: Reduce texture quality.

Experiment with different settings to find a balance between visual quality and stability. Start by making small adjustments and testing the game after each change to see if the crashes persist. Sometimes, a single setting can be the culprit, so it's worth trying different combinations. Additionally, consider your monitor's refresh rate. If it's set too high for your system to handle, it can also cause instability. Try lowering the refresh rate to see if it helps. Monitoring your system's performance while playing can also give you valuable insights. Use tools like MSI Afterburner or the built-in performance monitor in Windows to track your CPU and GPU usage, temperature, and memory usage. If you notice that any of these components are consistently maxing out, it's a sign that your system is struggling, and you should definitely lower the graphics settings further.

5. Disable Overlays and Background Applications

Overlays from applications like Discord, Steam, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience can sometimes interfere with games and cause crashes. Try disabling these overlays to see if it resolves the issue. Also, close any unnecessary background applications that might be consuming system resources. Here’s how to disable common overlays:

  • Discord: Go to User Settings > Overlay and disable “Enable in-game overlay.”
  • Steam: Go to Steam Settings > In-Game and uncheck “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”
  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience: Open GeForce Experience, click on the settings icon, and disable “In-Game Overlay.”

Closing background applications is straightforward – simply close any programs that you don't need running while playing Helldivers 2. This can free up valuable CPU and memory resources, which can improve the game's stability. Some applications, like antivirus software, can also interfere with games, so consider temporarily disabling them to see if it makes a difference. However, remember to re-enable your antivirus software afterward to protect your system. Overlays and background applications can introduce conflicts or consume resources that the game needs to run smoothly. By disabling them, you're giving Helldivers 2 the best chance to run without interruptions. If you find that disabling a particular overlay resolves the issue, you can try re-enabling it later to see if the problem returns. This can help you identify the specific application that's causing the conflict.

6. Check System Requirements

Ensure your PC meets the minimum or recommended system requirements for Helldivers 2. Running the game on hardware that doesn't meet these requirements can lead to crashes and poor performance. Here are the general system requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or later
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 470
  • Storage: 100 GB available space

If your system barely meets the minimum requirements, you'll likely need to run the game on lower settings to avoid crashes. If your system falls short of the minimum requirements, consider upgrading your hardware or playing the game on a different device. Checking the system requirements is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth gaming experience. Even if your system meets the requirements, it's worth checking if any specific components are underperforming. Use monitoring tools to check your CPU and GPU usage, temperature, and memory usage while playing the game. If you notice that any of these components are consistently maxing out or overheating, it might be a sign that your system is struggling to handle the game. In such cases, consider upgrading the bottlenecked component or lowering the graphics settings further. Staying within the recommended system requirements is essential for a stable and enjoyable Helldivers 2 experience.

7. Reinstall Helldivers 2

If all else fails, try reinstalling Helldivers 2. This can resolve issues caused by corrupted or incomplete game installations. Before reinstalling, make sure to back up any important save files or custom configurations. Here’s how to reinstall the game on Steam:

  1. Right-click on Helldivers 2 in your Steam library.
  2. Select “Manage” and then “Uninstall.”
  3. Once the game is uninstalled, restart your computer.
  4. Reinstall Helldivers 2 from your Steam library.

The reinstallation process might take some time, depending on your internet speed and storage speed. Once it's complete, launch the game and see if the crashing issue is resolved. Reinstalling the game ensures that you have a clean and complete installation, which can often fix issues that are difficult to diagnose. It's a good idea to also clear any remaining game files from your computer after uninstalling the game. These files can sometimes interfere with the new installation and cause problems. You can manually delete the game folder from your Steam library or use a tool like CCleaner to remove any residual files. Make sure to back up any important save files or custom configurations before deleting the game folder. Reinstalling the game is a last resort, but it can often resolve stubborn issues that are caused by corrupted or incomplete game installations.

Still Crashing? Contact Support

If you’ve tried all the above fixes and Helldivers 2 is still crashing after the tutorial, it might be time to contact the game's support team. They might be able to provide more specific solutions based on your system configuration and the game's current state. Provide them with as much detail as possible about your issue, including your system specifications, the steps you’ve already tried, and any error messages you’ve encountered. The more information you provide, the better equipped they'll be to assist you.

Conclusion

Crashing issues can be frustrating, but with a bit of troubleshooting, you should be able to get back to spreading democracy in Helldivers 2. Remember to keep your drivers updated, verify game file integrity, and adjust your settings as needed. Good luck, and see you on the battlefield, Helldiver!