Fix PUBG Crash Issues on PC: Complete Guide

PUBG crashes on PC can stem from outdated drivers, corrupted game files, or background software conflicts. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes, from verifying game integrity to adjusting Windows settings, so you can get back to the battlegrounds without repeated crashes.

Why PUBG Crashes on PC

PUBG is a demanding game that relies heavily on your system’s stability. Crashes can happen for several reasons, often a combination of software and hardware factors. Common culprits include:

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers – The GPU driver is the bridge between the game and your hardware; a bad driver update or an old version can cause immediate crashes.
Corrupted game files – A failed update or a disk error can leave game files incomplete, leading to crashes when the game tries to load certain assets.
Background applications – Overlays (Discord, GeForce Experience), antivirus scans, or memory-hungry browsers can conflict with the game or consume resources.
Overheating or unstable overclocks – High temperatures or unstable CPU/GPU overclocks can cause random crashes, especially during intense firefights.
Windows or DirectX issues – Missing Windows updates or a broken DirectX installation can prevent the game from running properly.

Before You Start: Quick Checks

Before diving into deeper fixes, run through these quick checks to rule out simple issues:

Restart your PC – a fresh boot clears temporary memory leaks and background processes.
Make sure your PC meets the minimum system requirements for PUBG. If you’re below the minimum, crashes are more likely.
Check for Windows updates – go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any pending updates.
Close any unnecessary background applications, especially those with overlays (Discord, Steam Overlay, NVIDIA GeForce Experience).

Step-by-Step Fixes for PUBG Crashes

Work through these fixes in order. They are arranged from most common to least common causes.

1. Verify Game Files (Steam)

Corrupted or missing game files are a leading cause of crashes. Steam can check and repair them:

Open Steam and go to your Library.
Right-click PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS and select Properties.
Go to the Local Files tab.
Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Wait for the process to complete (it may take a few minutes). If any files are corrupted, Steam will re-download them. Try launching the game again.

2. Update Your Graphics Drivers

GPU drivers are updated frequently to fix bugs and improve performance. An outdated driver can cause crashes in new games or after game updates.

NVIDIA: Use GeForce Experience to check for updates, or download from NVIDIA’s website.
AMD: Use AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition to check for updates, or download from AMD’s website.

After updating, restart your PC. If you recently updated and crashes started, try rolling back the driver (in Device Manager > Display adapters > right-click GPU > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver) to see if that fixes it.

3. Disable Overlays and Background Apps

Overlays from Discord, GeForce Experience, or even the Steam overlay can interfere with PUBG. Disable them temporarily:

In Discord: User Settings > Overlay > Enable in-game overlay – turn it off.
In GeForce Experience: Settings > General > In-Game Overlay – turn it off.
In Steam: Settings > In Game > Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game – uncheck it.

Also, close other heavy applications like Chrome, Spotify, or OBS before launching PUBG. If crashes stop, re-enable overlays one at a time to find the culprit.

4. Adjust In-Game Settings

Sometimes the game’s graphics settings push your hardware too hard, causing crashes. Try lowering these settings:

Set Graphics Quality to Low or Medium.
Turn off Motion Blur and V-Sync.
Set Shadows to Low or Very Low.
Reduce Screen Scale to 100% or lower.

You can also try running the game in Windowed Fullscreen mode instead of Fullscreen, which sometimes helps with stability.

5. Check for Overheating and Overclocks

If your CPU or GPU is overheating, it can crash to protect itself. Monitor temperatures using software like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor. If temperatures exceed 90°C (194°F) under load, clean your PC’s fans, improve airflow, or consider reapplying thermal paste.

If you have overclocked your CPU or GPU, revert to stock clocks (disable XMP or DOCP in BIOS) and test. Unstable overclocks are a common cause of random crashes in demanding games.

6. Reinstall DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables

PUBG relies on DirectX and Visual C++ libraries. If they are corrupted, the game may crash on startup or during play.

Download and install the latest DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft.
Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables (both x64 and x86).

7. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations (Windows)

Windows 10 and 11 have a feature called Fullscreen Optimizations that can sometimes cause crashes in games. Disable it for PUBG:

Navigate to your PUBG installation folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\PUBG).
Right-click on TslGame.exe and select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
Click Apply and OK.

Common Crash Scenarios and Specific Fixes

Crash on Launch

If PUBG crashes immediately after clicking Play, it’s often a driver or file issue. Try verifying files, updating drivers, and disabling overlays. Also, check if your antivirus is blocking the game – add PUBG to the exclusion list.

Crash During a Match

If the game crashes mid-match, it’s often due to memory or overheating. Close background apps, lower graphics settings, and monitor temperatures. Also, try increasing your Windows page file (virtual memory) if you have 8GB or less RAM.

Crash After an Update

Game updates can sometimes introduce bugs. If crashes started after an update, check the PUBG community forums for known issues. Often, a hotfix is released quickly. In the meantime, try verifying files and updating drivers.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above steps don’t work, try these more advanced methods:

Clean boot – Disable all non-Microsoft services and startup programs to see if a background service is causing the crash. Type msconfig in the Start menu, go to Services, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all. Restart and test PUBG.
Update BIOS – A newer BIOS can fix stability issues, especially with newer CPUs. Check your motherboard manufacturer’s website for updates.
Check event logs – Windows Event Viewer (type eventvwr in Start) can show crash details. Look under Windows Logs > Application for errors related to TslGame.exe. The error code may point to a specific cause.
Reinstall PUBG – If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall the game. This ensures a completely clean installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does PUBG crash on startup?

Startup crashes are usually caused by corrupted game files, outdated drivers, or missing DirectX/Visual C++ libraries. Verify the game files first, then update your GPU drivers and install the latest DirectX runtime.

Can overclocking cause PUBG crashes?

Yes, unstable overclocks (CPU, GPU, or RAM) can cause random crashes, especially in demanding games. Test with your components at stock speeds to see if crashes stop. If they do, your overclock is unstable and needs adjustment.

How much RAM does PUBG need to avoid crashes?

PUBG recommends 16GB of RAM. With 8GB, you may experience stuttering and occasional crashes, especially if you have background apps open. If you have 8GB, close all other programs and consider increasing your page file.

Is there a way to prevent crashes without lowering graphics?

Yes, you can try updating drivers, disabling overlays, and verifying files first. If crashes persist, lowering only specific settings like shadows and motion blur can help without a major visual impact. Also, ensure your PC is well-ventilated to avoid overheating.

Does PUBG crash on Windows 11?

PUBG runs on Windows 11, but some users report issues due to compatibility. If you’re on Windows 11, try running the game in Windows 8 compatibility mode (right-click TslGame.exe > Properties > Compatibility > Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 8). Also, ensure you have the latest Windows updates installed.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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