Fix: Overwatch 2 Keep Crashing on Startup on PC

If you’re an avid Overwatch fan eagerly anticipating the launch of Overwatch 2, it can be incredibly disappointing to encounter crashing issues right from the start. However, there’s no need to worry just yet. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue and get you back into the game as quickly as possible.

Scan and Repair Files

One possible reason for Overwatch 2 crashing at startup is that some of the game files may not have been installed correctly. To fix this issue, you can use the Battle.net launcher to scan and repair the game files. Here’s how:

1. Open the Battle.net launcher on your computer.
2. Click on the Overwatch button at the top of the client.
3. Next, click on the settings button located next to the “Play” button.
4. From the dropdown menu, choose the option to “Scan and Repair.”
5. Click on “Begin Scan” and wait for the process to complete.
6. Once the corrupted files are fixed, try launching Overwatch 2 again to see if the crashing issue persists.

Reduce the Game Settings

Even if your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Overwatch 2, it’s possible that the game is crashing due to high in-game settings. To troubleshoot this issue, try reducing the game settings and see if it improves the stability. Lowering the settings may result in a smoother gameplay experience, albeit with reduced visual quality.

Update your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can often cause games to crash at launch. It’s crucial to ensure that you have the latest graphics drivers installed to avoid compatibility issues. To update your graphics drivers, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer, such as NVIDIA or AMD.
2. Locate the section for driver downloads.
3. Enter the necessary information to find the appropriate drivers for your graphics card.
4. Download and install the latest drivers.
5. After installing the drivers, restart your computer and try launching Overwatch 2 again to see if the crashing issue has been resolved.

Close Background Programs that are Not Needed

Having multiple programs running in the background can put a strain on your computer’s resources, leading to game lag and potential crashes. To improve performance and stability, it’s recommended to close any unnecessary processes and applications. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Task Manager on your computer. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager.”
2. In the Task Manager window, navigate to the “Processes” or “Details” tab.
3. Identify the processes and applications that are not needed while playing Overwatch 2.
4. Right-click on each unnecessary process or application and select “End Task” or “End Process.”
5. Once you have closed the unnecessary programs, try launching Overwatch 2 again to see if the crashing issue persists.

Temporarily Disable Programs that may Interfere with OW2

Certain programs, such as antivirus software, firewalls, VPNs, and download managers, can sometimes interfere with game clients like Overwatch 2. To determine if any of these programs are causing the crashes, temporarily disable them and see if the issue is resolved. If disabling these programs resolves the crashing issue, consider adding Battle.net and Overwatch 2 as exceptions in the respective programs to prevent future interruptions.

Launch as Admin

Running Overwatch 2 with administrative privileges can sometimes resolve crashing issues. To launch the game as an administrator, follow these steps:

1. Locate the Overwatch 2 executable file on your desktop.
2. Right-click on the executable file and select “Run as Administrator” from the context menu.
3. If you want to grant administrative access to the game every time you launch it, right-click on the executable file, go to the “Compatibility” tab, and check the box next to “Run this program as an administrator.”
4. Click “Apply” to save the changes.
5. Try launching Overwatch 2 again to see if the crashing issue has been resolved.

Close the Game & Restart

If you’re experiencing crashing issues during the Overwatch 2 beta, it’s important to remember that the developers are actively collecting bug and crash reports from players to improve the game before its final launch. If you encounter a bug that causes crashes, it’s recommended to close the game or client and restart it. If the problem persists, consider reinstalling Overwatch 2 and verifying its stability before playing continuously.

Check if there’s a Windows update

Ensuring that your Windows operating system is up to date is essential for optimal performance and compatibility with games like Overwatch 2. Check if there are any available updates for your Windows OS and upgrade accordingly. Updating your operating system can potentially improve the game’s performance and address any underlying system-related issues.

Disable Fullscreen Optimisations

Fullscreen optimisations, a feature in Windows, can sometimes cause compatibility issues with certain games. To disable fullscreen optimisations for Overwatch 2, follow these steps:

1. Go to the file location of Overwatch 2, which is typically located in Program Files (x86) > Overwatch > Beta.
2. Right-click on the Overwatch application and select “Properties” from the context menu.
3. In the Properties window, click on the “Compatibility” tab.
4. Under the Compatibility Settings section, check the box next to “Disable fullscreen optimisations.”
5. Click “Apply” to save the changes.
6. Additionally, right-click on your desktop and click on “Display Settings.”
7. Under the “Scale & Layout” section, ensure that the scale is set to 100% (Recommended) for optimal display performance.

Overclocking

If you have overclocked your hardware to achieve better performance in Overwatch 2, it’s possible that the overclocked settings are causing instability in the game, leading to crashes. In such cases, it’s recommended to revert your overclock settings to their default values. Overclocking and underclocking can potentially damage your system, so proceed with caution and make changes only if you are confident in their impact.

Conclusion

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the Overwatch 2 crashing issue at startup or launch. Remember to experiment with each solution and test the game after implementing the fixes to ensure stability and optimal performance. If you encounter any unexpected server error messages while playing Overwatch 2, refer to our guide on how to address them for a seamless gaming experience.

Remember, your journey in Overwatch 2 should be filled with excitement and enjoyment, and we’re here to assist you every step of the way.

Happy gaming!