Games Suddenly Crash on New PC
Building or purchasing a brand-new PC is an exciting venture, especially for gamers who want to experience the latest titles with the highest settings and performance. However, the excitement can quickly turn into frustration if you encounter sudden game crashes.
These crashes, whether they’re random or frequent, can be disruptive and lead to a lot of confusion, especially when the PC is new.
Understanding the causes behind game crashes and troubleshooting them can help resolve these issues and enhance your gaming experience.
This article will delve into the common reasons why games may suddenly crash on a new PC, provide troubleshooting steps to fix these problems, and offer helpful advice to prevent future crashes. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the possible causes and how to fix them.
Why Do Games Crash on a New PC?
When you encounter game crashes on a brand-new PC, it’s natural to feel perplexed. After all, a new PC should provide the latest hardware, software, and optimizations.
However, game crashes can happen for several reasons, even on new systems. Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver Issues
- Hardware Incompatibility
- Software Conflicts
- Overheating
- Faulty RAM or Storage
- Outdated Game Versions
- Operating System Conflicts
- Corrupted Game Files
Let’s take a deeper look at these factors and how they contribute to game crashes.
1. Driver Issues
One of the most common causes of game crashes, even on new PCs, is outdated or incompatible drivers. Drivers are software components that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware components like the graphics card, sound card, and peripherals.
When you build or buy a new PC, the drivers may not be up to date. Even though the PC is new, it’s essential to ensure that you’re using the latest drivers for your GPU (graphics processing unit), CPU (central processing unit), motherboard, and other components.
- Solution: Ensure that all drivers, especially your GPU drivers, are up to date. For NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel cards, you can go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers. Additionally, Windows Update can help keep your drivers up to date, but it’s often better to use dedicated software provided by the hardware manufacturer.
Links for driver updates:
2. Hardware Incompatibility
Incompatibilities between your hardware components can cause instability in your system, leading to game crashes.
Sometimes, a new GPU may not be fully compatible with your motherboard or other components, especially if they don’t have the right slots, power supply, or BIOS settings.
A mismatch in hardware performance can also result in crashes, particularly with demanding games.
- Solution: Double-check your hardware compatibility before building a new PC. Ensure that all components, such as the CPU, motherboard, GPU, RAM, and storage devices, are compatible with one another. Use websites like PCPartPicker to verify compatibility, and consult the manufacturer’s specifications for each component.
Link for PC part compatibility:
3. Software Conflicts
A new PC typically comes with a pre-installed operating system like Windows 10 or 11, but there could be conflicts between the operating system and certain software.
Programs running in the background, such as antivirus software, system utilities, or other applications, can sometimes interfere with your game and cause crashes.
For instance, antivirus software can incorrectly flag game files or prevent essential processes from running. Background programs may also consume valuable resources, leading to performance issues and crashes.
- Solution: Disable unnecessary background applications while gaming. Consider adjusting the settings on your antivirus software to prevent it from interfering with your game. You can also temporarily disable antivirus software to check if it is causing the crash (remember to turn it back on afterward for security reasons).
4. Overheating
Even a new PC can experience overheating if the cooling system is not functioning optimally. A GPU or CPU running too hot can lead to crashes, as the system may shut down certain components to prevent damage.
This can be particularly noticeable when playing graphically intensive games that push the hardware to its limits.
- Solution: Monitor your system’s temperature using tools like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner. Ensure your PC has adequate airflow and cooling. Clean any dust that may accumulate inside the case, as this can block airflow. If necessary, you may need to add more fans or replace the thermal paste on the CPU.
Link for temperature monitoring:
5. Faulty RAM or Storage
Faulty RAM or storage devices (like hard drives or SSDs) can cause crashes during gaming. A new PC may have defective or improperly seated RAM modules.
Likewise, if your storage device has bad sectors or is running out of space, it may lead to game crashes or performance issues.
- Solution: Use Windows Memory Diagnostic to check for faulty RAM, or you can use MemTest86 for a more thorough test. For storage, run CHKDSK to check for errors, and ensure your storage device has sufficient space for games and game updates.
Links for memory and storage tests:
6. Outdated Game Versions
Many games require regular updates to ensure compatibility with new hardware, operating systems, or drivers. If the game is out of date or has unresolved bugs, it could result in frequent crashes, even on a new PC.
Game developers frequently release patches and updates to address compatibility issues, improve performance, and fix bugs.
- Solution: Make sure that the game is fully updated. Use platforms like Steam or Epic Games Store to ensure that the latest patches are applied automatically. Check the game’s official website or community forums for updates and fixes.
Link for game updates:
7. Operating System Conflicts
Operating system conflicts, especially in newly installed systems, can sometimes lead to crashes. In particular, Windows 10 and Windows 11 might have issues with compatibility in some rare cases, especially with certain updates or system configurations. This can cause software, including games, to crash unexpectedly.
- Solution: Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date by using Windows Update. You should also check for any pending driver updates, especially for components like your graphics card or motherboard. If the issue persists, you may want to perform a clean boot or reset Windows settings.
Link for Windows Update:
8. Corrupted Game Files
Sometimes, game crashes can be caused by corrupted or missing game files. This can happen during installation, patching, or even from system interruptions such as power outages. Corrupt files prevent the game from running correctly, causing it to crash.
- Solution: Use the built-in file repair feature of game clients like Steam or Epic Games. This option verifies the integrity of the game files and downloads any missing or corrupted files. Reinstalling the game is another effective solution if the issue persists.
Link for file repair:
Conclusion
While it can be frustrating to experience game crashes on a new PC, it’s important to remember that these problems can usually be fixed with some simple troubleshooting steps.
Whether it’s updating your drivers, ensuring hardware compatibility, checking for overheating, or resolving software conflicts, most issues can be identified and solved.
By following the steps above, you can resolve the issues causing your game crashes and start enjoying your gaming experience without interruptions.
If the crashes persist, consider reaching out to the game’s support team or seeking help from online gaming communities.
With a little bit of patience and knowledge, your new PC can become the perfect gaming machine, free of crashes and full of exciting gaming moments. Happy gaming!
