Why Do Games Keep Crashing on PC? You’re Not Alone—Here’s How to Solve It. You’re sinking deep into the game you love, and bam! Out of nowhere, the game crashes. This can be super frustrating—and it happens frequently. Whether you are unexpectedly sent back to your desktop, freeze mid-battle, or even reboot your entire system, every kind of PC game crash can ruin the experience.
Windows 11 has extended its gaming features, which means it also has background services and visual effects that create instability, especially on mid- or low-end PCs.Fortunately, you do not need new hardware—you just need some adequate settings and fixes.Here’s your complete guide to fix PC game crashes using simple Windows 11 tweaks that are proven to work.
Why Fixing PC Game Crashes Is More Than Just Annoying
Crashes not only interrupt your gameplay but can:
- Corrupt saved game files
- Trigger blue screen errors
- Cause overheating or driver failures
- Lower your PC’s gaming potential
By troubleshooting PC game issues at the source, you ensure smoother sessions, better performance, and less frustration.
Enable Game Mode in Windows 11
Game Mode helps prevent crashes in Windows gaming by limiting unnecessary system processes.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I > Go to Gaming > Game Mode
- Toggle Game Mode to On
This prioritizes your game’s performance and reduces interruptions from updates or background apps.
Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupt GPU drivers are the #1 reason games keep crashing on PC.Keeping your drivers updated helps with common game crash solutions related to rendering and shader errors.
Solutions:
- For NVIDIA: Use GeForce Experience
- For AMD: Use Adrenalin Software
- For Intel: Use Driver & Support Assistant
Disable Visual Effects
Windows 11’s animations and transparency effects look nice—but cost stability.This is one of the best troubleshooting PC game issues fixes—it frees up RAM and CPU usage immediately.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, hit Enter
- Under Advanced > Performance, click Settings
- Choose Adjust for best performance > Apply
Disable Background Apps & Startup Programs
Too many apps running in the background can cause crashes during gaming.This frees up system memory and helps fix PC game crashes due to resource overload.
How to disable:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
- Uninstall or disable apps you don’t need
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc for Task Manager
- Under Startup, disable unnecessary apps
Set Power Mode to Best Performance
Windows defaults to “Balanced” power mode—even for gaming rigs.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > System > Power & Battery
- Under Power Mode, select Best Performance
This ensures your CPU and GPU operate at maximum capacity, reducing chances of overheating-related crashes.
Turn Off Xbox Game Bar & Captures
Xbox features like Game Bar and background recording are notorious for game interruptions and FPS drops.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar
- Turn it Off
- Under Captures, disable Record in background
This is essential for preventing crashes in Windows gaming, especially on older or budget systems.
Clean Up Storage and Use Storage Sense
Low disk space can trigger crashes due to delayed asset loading or failed memory allocation.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > System > Storage
- Turn Storage Sense On
- Use Disk Cleanup to remove junk files
- Delete unused game files or large apps
This common game crash solution also improves load times.
Check Game File Integrity (Steam, Epic, etc.)
Corrupted or incomplete game files cause sudden crashes.
Steam Steps:
- Right-click your game > Properties > Installed Files
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files
Epic Games Steps:
- Click the three dots next to your game > Select Manage
- Click Verify
These tools often resolve why games keep crashing on PC after updates or installs.
Disable Overlays (Discord, Steam, NVIDIA)
Overlays may seem helpful—but they interfere with games and cause crashes.
What to do:
- Disable Discord Overlay: User Settings > Game Overlay > Turn Off
- Steam Overlay: Go to Settings > In-Game > Uncheck Enable Overlay
- NVIDIA Overlay: Open GeForce Experience > Settings > In-Game Overlay > Turn Off
Disabling overlays is one of the easiest common game crash solutions you can try.
Run Games as Administrator
Some games crash because they lack the permissions to access files or services.
How to:
- Right-click your game shortcut or .exe file
- Choose Properties > Compatibility
- Check Run this program as administrator
- Click Apply > OK
This is a surprisingly effective fix for troubleshooting PC game issues on Windows 11.
Bonus Tip: Pause Windows Updates While Gaming
Automatic updates can cause crashes mid-game due to background downloads or restarts.
How to pause updates:
- Go to Settings > Windows Update
- Click Pause updates for 7 days
- Use Advanced Options for longer periods
Avoid frustrating interruptions during competitive play or critical missions.
Recommended Specs to Prevent Game Crashing (Windows 11 PCs)
| Component | Minimum Requirement | Ideal for Crash-Free Gaming |
| CPU | Intel i3 / AMD A6 | 4+ core CPU |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or higher |
| GPU | Intel UHD / AMD Vega | Dedicated GPU preferred |
| Storage | 5400 RPM HDD | SSD recommended |
| OS | Windows 11 (64-bit) | Latest build, fully updated |
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend hundreds to fix PC game crashes. With the right Windows 11 settings, you can transform your laggy, unstable gaming experience into a smooth ride.
From updating your graphics driver to turning off unnecessary services and overlays, these common game crash solutions are all proven ways to prevent crashes in Windows gaming—especially on low-end setups.
Still wondering why games keep crashing on PC? Start applying these tips today and experience gaming the way it should be: smooth, stable, and crash-free.
