Fix Borderlands General Protection Fault on Windows

This guide fixes the General Protection Fault (GPF) error that crashes Borderlands on Windows. The error usually stems from outdated drivers, corrupted game files, or compatibility issues. Follow the steps below to resolve it and get back to looting.

What You’ll Need

• Windows 10 or 11 (the steps also work on Windows 7/8)
• Administrator access to your PC
• Your Borderlands installation (Steam, Epic, or disc)
• A stable internet connection for driver and game updates

Step-by-Step

1. Restart your PC. A simple reboot clears temporary memory issues that can trigger a GPF.
2. Update your graphics drivers. Go to your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver for your card. Use the auto-detect tool if unsure. Restart after installing.
3. Verify game files. In Steam: right-click Borderlands → Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files. In Epic Games Launcher: click the three dots on the game → Verify. This replaces corrupted or missing files.
4. Run the game in Windows compatibility mode. Right-click the game’s executable (e.g., Borderlands.exe) → Properties → Compatibility tab → check “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select Windows 7. Also check “Run this program as an administrator”. Apply and try launching.
5. Set the game to use a single CPU core. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) while the game is running. Go to Details, right-click Borderlands.exe, select Set Affinity, and uncheck all but one CPU. This often stops the GPF on older games.
6. Disable fullscreen optimizations. Right-click the executable → Properties → Compatibility tab → check “Disable fullscreen optimizations”. This is a common fix on Windows 10/11.
7. Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables. Install the latest DirectX End-User Runtime and all Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages from Microsoft’s official site. These are required for Borderlands.
8. Check for Windows updates. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Check for updates. Install all pending updates and restart.
9. Lower in-game graphics settings. Launch the game (if it starts) and reduce resolution, shadows, and texture quality. GPF errors can be triggered by unstable high settings.
10. Reinstall the game. If nothing else works, uninstall Borderlands completely, delete leftover folders in Documents/My Games/Borderlands, and reinstall fresh.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the restart after driver updates. Drivers often need a reboot to take effect.
• Using a third-party driver updater. These can install wrong or beta drivers. Always use the manufacturer’s official site.
• Only verifying files once. If the error persists, verify again—some files may fail to download on the first try.
• Not checking the game’s executable path. If you’re using a mod or a shortcut, you might be running the wrong .exe. Right-click the shortcut and choose “Open file location” to confirm.
• Forgetting to disable overclocking. GPU or CPU overclocks can cause random GPFs. Reset to stock clocks temporarily.

Tips

• Back up your save files (in Documents/My Games/Borderlands) before reinstalling or deleting folders.
• Use the game’s built-in benchmark if available, to test stability after changes.
• Keep your Windows power plan on High Performance to avoid CPU throttling that can cause crashes.
• Check the game’s official forums for known issues with your specific GPU model.
• If you’re using a laptop, ensure it’s plugged in and not in battery saver mode.

Troubleshooting

If the error still appears after following all steps:

• Check the Windows Event Viewer. Press Win+X → Event Viewer → Windows Logs → Application. Look for the error around the crash time. The faulting module (e.g., nvlddmkm.dll) can point to the culprit.
• Try a clean boot. Disable all non-Microsoft services via msconfig. If the game works, a background program is conflicting. Re-enable services one by one to find the culprit.
• Test your RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic. Type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” in Start, run it, and let it restart. Faulty RAM can cause GPFs.
• Update your BIOS/chipset drivers. Outdated motherboard drivers can cause instability. Check your motherboard manufacturer’s site.
• If the game crashes on startup only, try running it in windowed mode. Add -windowed to the launch options in Steam or Epic.
• As a last resort, check if your GPU is overheating. Use MSI Afterburner or similar to monitor temperatures. If it exceeds 90°C, clean the fans or reseat the card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a General Protection Fault?

It’s a Windows error that occurs when a program tries to access memory it’s not allowed to. In Borderlands, it’s often triggered by driver conflicts or corrupted files.

Will this fix work for Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel?

Yes, these steps apply to all games in the Borderlands series, as they share the same engine and similar crash causes.

I get the error only after playing for an hour. What’s wrong?

This points to overheating or a memory leak. Check your GPU/CPU temperatures and try lowering graphics settings. Also, update your drivers, as newer versions often fix memory leaks.

Do I need to reinstall Windows?

No. Reinstalling Windows is rarely necessary for a game-specific error. Try all the steps above first. If the error happens in multiple games, then you might have a deeper system issue.

Can mods cause the GPF error?

Yes, mods that alter game files or memory can trigger it. Disable all mods and verify game files to see if that fixes the issue.

Is there a way to prevent this error from happening again?

Keep your drivers and Windows updated, avoid overclocking, and regularly verify game files. Also, set the game to run in compatibility mode and as administrator from the start.

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