Reasons; Why Games Crash After Windows 11 Update

Fix Game Crashes After Windows 11 Update: Ultimate troubleshooting Windows 11 game issues Guide

Gaming Suddenly Broke After a Windows 11 Update? Here’s How to Get Back in the Game. You just installed the latest Windows 11 update, rebooted your PC, and launched your favorite game—only for it to crash right on the loading screen. Or worse, it doesn’t launch at all. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Game crashes after a Windows 11 update are a common occurrence, especially for gamers using mid-range or budget systems. Whether you are playing something like Call of Duty, Valorant, Fortnite, or perhaps another PC title, nobody wants their gaming experience (and hours being wasted in-game) to be interrupted by an unexpected crash.

But don’t panic, it isn’t the end of your gaming streak. In this guide, we’ll walk you through why PC games crash on Windows 11, and give you step-by-step instructions to fix games not launching after update problems. We’ll also address general Windows 11 gaming problems and provide expert tips to get you back to smooth, stable gameplay.

Why Do Games Crash After Windows 11 Updates?

Windows 11 updates often include changes to system drivers, background services, DirectX files, and GPU performance optimization protocols. These changes are usually beneficial, but they can also unintentionally break compatibility with certain games or create instability in your system.

Here are the most common reasons:

• Outdated or mismatched GPU drivers
  
• Conflicts between new updates and existing game files
  
• Memory-hogging background apps
  
• Windows security settings or firewalls blocking games
  
• Corrupted system or game files
  
• DirectX, Visual C++ Redistributables, or .NET Framework issues
  

Once you identify the root cause, fixing these Windows 11 gaming problems becomes much easier.

How to Fix Game Crashes After Windows 11 Update

Let’s troubleshoot the issue step by step and apply practical fixes that can restore your gaming performance.

1. Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers

After any Windows update, the first thing you should check is your graphics driver. Incompatible or outdated drivers are one of the leading causes of game crashes after Windows 11 update.

How to fix:

• Open Device Manager (Press Windows + X > Device Manager)
  
• Expand Display adapters
  
• Right-click on your GPU > Update driver
  
• Or go directly to your manufacturer’s site:
  
  • NVIDIA: GeForce Experience
    
  • AMD: Adrenalin Software
    
  • Intel: Driver & Support Assistant
    

If updating doesn’t work, uninstall the driver and reinstall the latest version.

2. Disable Game Mode and Xbox Game Bar (Temporarily)

While Game Mode usually improves performance, some users experience stability issues post-update.

How to disable:

• Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode > Turn it Off
  
• Then go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar > Turn Off
  

Disabling these can help isolate whether Windows’ built-in gaming features are clashing with your updated system.

3. Run Games as Administrator

A simple yet effective solution for fixing game not launching after update is to run the game with elevated permissions.

How to do it:

• Right-click the game shortcut or .exe file
  
• Select Properties > Compatibility tab
  
• Check Run this program as an administrator
  
• Click Apply and OK
  

4. Verify Game File Integrity (For Steam, Epic, Battle.net, etc.)

Post-update crashes can be due to corrupted game files. Most launchers offer tools to verify and repair them.

Steam:

• Go to Library
  
• Right-click on the game > Properties
  
• Go to Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files
  

Epic Games:

• Go to Library
  
• Click the three dots > Manage
  
• Click Verify
  

Battle.net:

• Click on your game > Options > Scan and Repair
  

5. Disable Overlays (Discord, NVIDIA, etc.)

Some overlays conflict with games after a Windows update, causing freezing or crashing.

Steps:

• In Discord: Go to User Settings > Game Overlay > Toggle Off
  
• In NVIDIA GeForce Experience: Disable in-game overlay from settings
  
• Also disable any other third-party overlays like MSI Afterburner, Steam Overlay, etc.
  

6. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot helps identify if background services are causing the crash.

How to perform a clean boot:

• Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter
  
• Go to Services tab > Check Hide all Microsoft services
  
• Click Disable all
  
• Go to Startup tab > Open Task Manager
  
• Disable all unnecessary startup items
  
• Restart your PC
  

Try launching your game again. If it works, a background service is the culprit.

7. Check for Missing Dependencies (DirectX, .NET, Visual C++)

Games often rely on certain libraries. A Windows 11 update may accidentally alter or remove these.

Fix:

• Reinstall DirectX: Download DirectX Runtime
  
• Update .NET Framework: Latest .NET Downloads
  
• Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributables: Microsoft Visual C++ Downloads
  

8. Check Windows Security or Antivirus Settings

Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software might block your game after an update.

Fix:

• Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings
  
• Temporarily turn off Real-time protection
  
• Add the game’s .exe file as an exception or exclusion
  

Be sure to re-enable real-time protection once you confirm the game is working.

9. Rollback the Windows 11 Update (If Necessary)

If none of the above work and the game was running perfectly before the update, rolling back could be the best fix.

How to rollback:

• Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History
  
• Click Uninstall Updates
  
• Select the latest update and click Uninstall
  

This will revert to a previous version where the game was stable.

10. Use Compatibility Mode for Older Games

Some older games simply aren’t fully compatible with the latest Windows 11 build.

Fix:

• Right-click on the game’s executable
  
• Select Properties > Compatibility
  
• Check Run this program in compatibility mode
  
• Choose Windows 10 or Windows 7
  
• Apply changes and launch the game
  

Bonus Tips: Improve Stability and Prevent Future Crashes

• Keep your Windows 11 fully updated, but delay optional updates until they’re proven stable.
  
• Enable System Restore before each major update.
  
• Use Storage Sense to clear junk files and prevent bloated system performance.
  
• Always run games with minimal background apps open.
  

Minimum System Requirements for Smooth Gaming on Windows 11

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Windows 11 Updates Break Your Fun

Experiencing game crashes after an update to Windows 11 can be frustrating, but it is fixable! Whether your PC games are crashing right after startup, freezing while you’re in-game, or not starting at all, you can solve them! 

Each step – updating your GPU drivers, verifying the game files, checking overlays or background tasks – takes you one step closer to a world without game crashes. 

Fix game not launching after update, and enjoy your smooth and immersive gaming experience. Take back control of your gaming life – even when Windows 11 complicates it!