Fix: PayDay 2 Keep Crashing on Startup on PC 2023

PayDay 2, a thrilling first-person shooter game that puts you in the shoes of a bank robber, offers an exciting gaming experience. However, like any software, it can encounter issues that disrupt your gameplay. One common problem reported by users is PayDay 2 crashing on startup or displaying a black screen. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various troubleshooting methods to resolve these issues and get you back to enjoying the game.

Update Your Drivers to Ensure Compatibility

Outdated graphics card drivers can often lead to crashes or low FPS in PayDay 2. To ensure smooth gameplay, it is crucial to keep your drivers up to date. Updating drivers manually can be a time-consuming task, but fortunately, you can utilize driver update software like Outbyte Driver Updater to simplify the process. This tool automatically scans your PC for outdated drivers and downloads the latest versions from a vast database. It ensures that your PC’s essential components are in good shape, optimizing your gaming experience.

Actionable Solution:

1. Download and install Outbyte Driver Updater from the official website.
2. Run a system scan to identify outdated drivers.
3. Follow the software’s recommendations and update the drivers accordingly.

“Updating your drivers can significantly improve PayDay 2’s performance and reduce the likelihood of crashes.” – Expert Gamer

Disable Steam Overlay to Prevent Crashes

The Steam Overlay feature, designed to enhance the gaming experience, can sometimes cause compatibility issues with PayDay 2. Disabling this feature can potentially resolve crashing problems. Here’s how you can disable Steam Overlay for PayDay 2:

To disable Steam Overlay for all games:

1. Launch Steam and go to Settings.
2. Select the In-Game tab.
3. Uncheck the Enable Steam Community In-Game option.
4. Click OK to save the changes.

To disable Steam Overlay for PayDay 2 specifically:

1. Open your Steam Library and right-click on PayDay 2.
2. Choose Properties from the context menu.
3. Go to the General tab.
4. Uncheck the Enable Steam Community In-Game option.

“Disabling Steam Overlay can resolve compatibility issues and prevent crashes in PayDay 2.” – Gaming Enthusiast

Run PayDay 2 in Compatibility Mode

Running PayDay 2 in compatibility mode can help resolve startup crashes. This method allows the game to run as if it were on an earlier version of Windows, potentially bypassing any compatibility issues with your current operating system. Follow these steps to run PayDay 2 in compatibility mode:

1. Locate the PayDay 2 shortcut or go to the game installation directory and find the PayDay 2 .exe file.
2. Right-click the file and select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Check the box that says Run this program in compatibility mode for and choose a previous version of Windows from the drop-down menu.
5. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

“Running PayDay 2 in compatibility mode can often resolve startup crashes by bypassing compatibility issues with the current operating system.” – Tech Expert

Move the Render_Settings File

In some cases, PayDay 2 crashes on startup due to a corrupted RenderSettings file. Moving this file to a different location can help resolve the issue. Follow these steps to move the RenderSettings file:

1. PressWindows + R and type%appdata%. PressEnter or clickOK.
2. Navigate to theAppData folder.
3. Open theLocal folder.
4. Locate and enter thePAYDAY 2 folder.
5. Find therender_settings file and move it to your desktop.
6. Optionally, verify the integrity of the game cache.
7. Try running PayDay 2 again.
8. If the problem persists, restart your computer and attempt to launch the game once more.

“Moving the Render_Settings file can often resolve PayDay 2 crashes caused by file corruption.” – Gaming Specialist

Disable Mods to Eliminate Compatibility Issues

Mods can enhance the gaming experience, but they can also introduce compatibility issues that lead to crashes in PayDay 2. Disabling mods individually until you identify the problematic one can help resolve the issue. Follow these steps to disable mods in PayDay 2:

1. Navigate to the game’s installation folder and locate the Mods folder.
2. Remove the mods individually or delete the entire Mods folder to disable all mods.
3. Launch PayDay 2 and check if the crashes persist.

“Disabling mods can eliminate compatibility issues and prevent crashes in PayDay 2 caused by conflicting modifications.” – Modding Enthusiast

Enable the Use HQ Weapons Option

A common cause of sudden crashes in PayDay 2 is the Use HQ Weapons option. Enabling this option from the game settings menu has resolved crashing issues for many users. Follow these steps to enable the Use HQ Weapons option:

1. Launch PayDay 2.
2. Go to the game settings menu.
3. Locate the Use HQ Weapons option.
4. Ensure that the option is enabled.
5. Save the changes and restart the game.

“Enabling the Use HQ Weapons option in PayDay 2 settings can prevent crashes, especially when other players are using new gadgets.” – PayDay 2 Enthusiast

Troubleshooting PayDay 2 Not Launching

If PayDay 2 fails to launch altogether, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue.

Verify Game Cache

Verifying the game cache ensures that the game files are intact and not corrupted. Follow these steps to verify the game cache:

1. Open Steam.
2. Navigate to your game library and locate PayDay 2.
3. Right-click on PayDay 2 and selectProperties.
4. Go to theLocal Files tab.
5. Click on theVerify integrity of game cache button.
6. Wait for the process to complete and try launching the game again.

“Verifying the game cache can fix issues with PayDay 2 not launching by repairing any corrupted game files.” – Gaming Expert

Change the Resolution

Changing the resolution settings can sometimes resolve issues with PayDay 2 not launching. Follow these steps to change the resolution:

1. Open the Run dialog by pressingWindows + R.
2. Enter%appdata% and clickOK.
3. Navigate to theAppDataLocal folder.
4. Locate the PayDay 2 folder and open it.
5. Find therender_settings file and open it with Notepad.
6. Locate the line that saysresolution=”1280 720″ (the values may differ).
7. Change the values between the quotation marks to a different resolution.
8. Save the changes and try launching the game again.
9. If the issue persists, try changing the resolution values multiple times until you find one that works.

“Changing the resolution settings can often resolve PayDay 2 not launching issues by adjusting the game’s display settings.” – Resolution Specialist

Delete IPHLPAPI.dll

If PayDay 2 still fails to launch, it may be necessary to remove the IPHLPAPI.dll file. This file is often located in the PayDay 2 installation directory. Deleting it can help resolve the issue.

“Deleting the IPHLPAPI.dll file can fix PayDay 2 not launching problems by removing any potential conflicts with the game.” – Troubleshooting Expert

Fixing PayDay 2 Black Screen Issues

Experiencing a black screen when launching PayDay 2 can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are a couple of troubleshooting steps you can take to address this problem.

Run PayDay 2 in Windowed Mode

Running PayDay 2 in windowed mode can sometimes resolve black screen issues. Follow these steps to run the game in windowed mode:

1. Go to theAppDataLocal folder (refer to previous sections for instructions).
2. Open the PayDay 2 directory.
3. Locate therender_settings file and open it with Notepad.
4. Find the line that sayswindowed=”false” and change it towindowed=”true”.
5. Save the changes and try launching the game again.

“Running PayDay 2 in windowed mode can resolve black screen issues by adjusting the game’s display settings.” – Display Specialist

Reinstall PayDay 2

If all else fails, a clean reinstall of PayDay 2 may be necessary. This involves completely removing the game and its associated files before reinstalling it. Follow these steps to perform a clean reinstall:

1. Open the Steam Client.
2. Navigate to your Library.
3. Right-click on PayDay 2 and selectUninstall.
4. Go to the installation folder and the AppData folder, and delete any remaining PayDay 2 files.
5. Use an uninstaller tool to ensure complete removal of all game files and registry entries.
6. Restart your PC and reopen Steam.
7. Locate PayDay 2 in your library and reinstall the game.

“Performing a clean reinstall of PayDay 2 can resolve black screen issues by eliminating any corrupted or conflicting game files.” – Reinstallation Expert

In conclusion, encountering crashes or black screens when launching PayDay 2 can be frustrating, but with the troubleshooting methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve these issues and get back to enjoying the game. Remember to keep your drivers up to date, disable Steam Overlay, run the game in compatibility mode, and try other troubleshooting steps such as moving the Render_Settings file and disabling mods. If PayDay 2 still refuses to launch or displays a black screen, verifying the game cache, changing the resolution, or performing a clean reinstall may be necessary. By following these steps, you can ensure a smoother gaming experience in PayDay 2.

“By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can fix PayDay 2 crashes on startup or black screen issues and enjoy uninterrupted gameplay.” – Gaming Enthusiast