Fix Death Stranding PC Crashes, Stuttering & Controller Issues

Death Stranding on PC is a fantastic port, but it’s not immune to crashes, stuttering, and controller glitches. This guide walks you through the most common fixes, from quick settings tweaks to deeper system adjustments, so you can get back to making deliveries without frustration.

What You’ll Need

• Administrator access to your Windows PC
• Your Steam or Epic Games Store login (for verifying files)
• An internet connection for downloading updates and drivers
• Optional: a second controller or USB cable for testing

Step-by-Step

1. Update Your GPU Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are the #1 cause of crashes and stuttering in Death Stranding. Visit the official website for your GPU (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver for your model. After installing, restart your PC before launching the game.

2. Verify Game File Integrity

Corrupted or missing files can cause crashes at startup or during gameplay.

• Steam: Right-click Death Stranding in your library → Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• Epic Games Store: Click the three dots next to the game → Verify.

Wait for the process to finish—it may take a few minutes.

3. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Windows’ fullscreen optimizations can interfere with the game’s rendering, causing stuttering or black screens.

1. Navigate to your game’s installation folder (e.g., Steam\steamapps\common\Death Stranding).
2. Right-click DS.exe (or DeathStranding.exe) → Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations.”
5. Click Apply and OK.

4. Run the Game as Administrator

This can resolve permission-related crashes, especially if you’re using mods or the game can’t write to its save folder.

1. Right-click the game executable (same as above).
2. Select Properties → Compatibility tab.
3. Check “Run this program as an administrator.”
4. Apply and OK.

5. Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings

If you’re experiencing stuttering, particularly in open areas, try lowering these settings:

• Shadow Quality: Set to Medium or High (not Ultra).
• Ambient Occlusion: Set to Medium or Off.
• Volumetric Clouds: Lower to Medium.
• DLSS (if you have an RTX GPU): Enable it and set to Quality or Balanced. If you already have it on, try turning it off to see if that helps.

Also, ensure your resolution scaling is set to 100% (or lower if you’re desperate).

6. Disable Overlays

Steam Overlay, Discord, GeForce Experience, and other overlays can cause stuttering and crashes. Disable them temporarily:

• Steam: Steam Settings → In-Game → Uncheck “Enable Steam Overlay while in-game.”
• Discord: User Settings → Overlay → Toggle off.
• GeForce Experience: Settings → General → Toggle off “In-Game Overlay.”

7. Fix Controller Issues

Death Stranding has known issues with controllers, especially if you have multiple devices plugged in.

1. Unplug all other USB devices except your mouse, keyboard, and controller.
2. For PS4/PS5 controllers: Use a wired connection via USB. If you must use Bluetooth, ensure your controller’s firmware is updated (via PlayStation or third-party tools).
3. For Xbox controllers: Update the controller firmware via the Xbox Accessories app. Try a wired connection if wireless is glitchy.
4. Steam Input: In Steam, go to Settings → Controller → General Controller Settings. Enable the support for your controller type (e.g., PlayStation Configuration Support). Then, for Death Stranding, right-click the game → Properties → Controller → Disable Steam Input (or try forcing it on/off).
5. Epic Games Store: The game uses Steam Input even if you bought it on Epic, so you might need to add the game to Steam as a non-Steam game to get controller support working properly.

8. Check Windows Game Mode and Background Apps

Windows Game Mode can sometimes reduce performance instead of improving it. Disable it:

1. Open Settings → Gaming → Game Mode.
2. Turn it off.

Also, close background apps like Chrome, Spotify, or any recording software that you’re not using.

9. Increase Virtual Memory (Pagefile)

If you have 8GB of RAM or less, or you’re running out of memory, increasing your pagefile can prevent crashes.

1. Open Control Panel → System → Advanced System Settings.
2. Under Performance, click Settings → Advanced → Virtual Memory → Change.
3. Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
4. Select your system drive (usually C:), choose “Custom size,” and set Initial and Maximum to 8192 MB (or 16384 MB if you have a lot of free space).
5. Click Set, then OK, and restart your PC.

10. Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, a clean reinstall can fix stubborn file corruption. Uninstall the game, delete the remaining folder in your Steam/Epic directory, and reinstall. Your save data is stored in your Documents folder and will not be deleted.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping driver updates: Many players update their GPU drivers only when they remember, but Death Stranding specifically benefits from the latest drivers.
• Using a controller with a dead battery: A dying battery can cause intermittent disconnects that look like a software issue.
• Not disabling overlays: Overlays are notorious for causing stutters, yet many players forget to turn them off.
• Assuming more RAM is the fix: Increasing virtual memory is a temporary fix, not a replacement for physical RAM. If you have 8GB, consider upgrading to 16GB.

Tips

• Play in borderless windowed mode: Some players find this reduces stuttering compared to fullscreen.
• Limit your frame rate: If you have a high refresh rate monitor (144Hz+), try capping the game at 60fps. The game’s physics can act oddly at very high frame rates.
• Use a frame rate limiter: Tools like RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) can help maintain a consistent frame time, reducing stutter.
• Check your CPU temperature: Overheating can cause crashes. Use a tool like HWMonitor to check your temps while playing.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve tried all the steps and still have issues, here’s what to do next:

• Check the game’s crash log: Look in Documents\Kojima Productions\Death Stranding for a file named crash.dmp or similar. You can upload it to a forum for help.
• Search for your specific error: If you get a crash message like “Fatal Error” or “Out of Memory,” search for that exact phrase online—it may have a specific fix.
• Try a different controller: If your controller still doesn’t work, test with another one to rule out a hardware issue.
• Use the game’s built-in benchmark: Death Stranding has a benchmark tool in the main menu. Run it to see if your system is stable.
• Contact support: If all else fails, contact 505 Games or Kojima Productions support with your system specs and crash logs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Death Stranding keep crashing on my PC?

Most crashes are caused by outdated GPU drivers, corrupted game files, or overlays conflicting with the game. Follow the steps above, especially updating drivers and verifying files.

How do I fix stuttering in Death Stranding?

Lower your graphics settings, disable overlays, and try borderless windowed mode. Also, ensure your pagefile is large enough if you have low RAM.

My PS4 controller isn’t working with Death Stranding on PC. What should I do?

Connect it via USB, enable PlayStation Configuration Support in Steam, and disable Steam Input for the game if it’s still not responding. If you bought the game on Epic, add it to Steam as a non-Steam game.

Does Death Stranding support Xbox controllers?

Yes, Xbox controllers work natively on PC. If you have issues, update the controller firmware and try a wired connection.

Why is my controller disconnecting randomly?

This is often due to a low battery or interference with Bluetooth. Use a wired connection or replace the batteries.

Will disabling Steam Overlay affect my achievements?

No, achievements will still unlock. The overlay only provides a visual interface for them.

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