Fix The Outer Worlds Crashing on PC

If The Outer Worlds keeps crashing on your PC, you’re dealing with a common issue that usually comes down to a few fixable causes: outdated drivers, corrupted game files, or a settings conflict. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes in order, from quick checks to deeper system tweaks, so you can get back to the Halcyon colony without interruptions.

What You’ll Need

• Administrator access to your Windows PC
• Your game installation platform (Steam, Epic Games Store, or Microsoft Store) installed and logged in
• At least 10 GB of free disk space for verification and temporary files
• An internet connection to download driver updates and verify game files

Step-by-Step

1. Update your graphics drivers. The most common crash cause is an outdated or corrupted GPU driver. Go to your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver for your specific card model. Use the automatic detection tool if you’re unsure which card you have. After installing, restart your PC.
2. Verify the integrity of game files. Corrupted or missing game files often cause crashes. On Steam: right-click the game in your library, select Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files. On Epic Games Store: click the three dots next to the game, select Verify. On Microsoft Store: go to Settings → Apps → The Outer Worlds → Advanced Options → Repair. Wait for the process to complete, then launch the game.
3. Run the game as administrator. Right-click the game executable (or its shortcut) and select Properties → Compatibility tab → check “Run this program as an administrator.” Also check “Disable fullscreen optimizations” in the same tab. Apply and relaunch.
4. Disable overlay software. Overlays from Discord, GeForce Experience, Steam, or Xbox Game Bar can conflict with the game. Close these programs entirely, or disable their in-game overlays in their settings. For Steam: Settings → In-Game → uncheck “Enable Steam Overlay.”
5. Lower in-game graphics settings. If crashes happen during intense scenes, your hardware might be struggling. In the game’s Options menu, reduce settings like Shadows, Textures, and Anti-Aliasing. Also set the game to Windowed or Borderless mode instead of Fullscreen, which can help with stability.
6. Check for Windows updates. Ensure your OS is up to date. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and click “Check for updates.” Install any pending updates and restart.
7. Disable background programs. Close unnecessary background apps, especially those that use significant CPU or GPU (like browsers, streaming software, or RGB lighting utilities). Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to end any non-essential processes.
8. Adjust the game’s compatibility mode. If the game is from Steam or Epic, you can also try setting the executable to run in compatibility mode for Windows 8. Right-click the .exe, go to Properties → Compatibility, and check “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and select Windows 8. Apply and test.
9. Reinstall the game. If none of the above works, uninstall the game completely, delete the remaining installation folder (usually in Steam\steamapps\common\The Outer Worlds), and reinstall. This clears any deeply corrupted files.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping driver updates: Many players only update drivers when prompted by Windows, which may be months old. Always download the latest from the manufacturer’s site.
• Not verifying files after a crash: A crash can corrupt files; always verify after an unexpected shutdown.
• Overclocking too aggressively: If you’ve overclocked your GPU or CPU, even a stable overclock in other games can cause crashes in The Outer Worlds. Try reverting to stock clocks.
• Ignoring the installation directory: Installing the game on a hard drive with very little free space can cause crashes. Keep at least 20% of the drive free.

Tips

• Set the game’s graphics preset to “High” instead of “Ultra” if you have a mid-range card—it looks almost identical but is far more stable.
• Cap the framerate to your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 60 FPS) using the in-game V-Sync option or a tool like RivaTuner Statistics Server. Uncapped framerates can cause instability.
• If you have a dual-GPU laptop, ensure the game uses your dedicated GPU (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings) rather than the integrated one.
• Keep your Windows power plan set to “High Performance” while gaming, especially on laptops.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve tried all the steps above and the game still crashes, try these advanced checks:

• Check the Windows Event Viewer. Press Win+X, select Event Viewer, and look under Windows Logs → Application for errors related to “The Outer Worlds” or “obsidian.exe.” The error code may point to a specific issue (e.g., a missing DLL).
• Run a stress test on your hardware. Use tools like FurMark (GPU) or Prime95 (CPU) to see if your system is stable under load. If it crashes during these tests, you have a hardware issue (overheating, PSU, memory).
• Disable antivirus temporarily. Some antivirus programs (especially Avast, Bitdefender) can interfere with the game. Add the game folder to the exclusion list, or temporarily disable the antivirus to test.
• Check for corrupted save files. If the crash happens when loading a specific save, that save may be corrupted. Try loading an earlier save or starting a new game to see if the issue persists.
• Test with a different platform. If you have the game on both Steam and Game Pass, try the other version to isolate whether it’s a platform-specific issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does The Outer Worlds crash on startup?

Startup crashes are often due to outdated graphics drivers or missing Visual C++ redistributables. Install the latest drivers and run the game as administrator. If that fails, verify game files.

Will lowering graphics settings fix crashes?

Yes, if the crash is caused by GPU instability or insufficient VRAM. Lowering settings like textures and shadows reduces the load on your graphics card.

Does the game crash on all PCs?

No, many players run it without issues. Crashes are typically hardware- or software-specific, so the fixes above address the most common causes.

Can a corrupted save file cause crashes?

Yes, a corrupted save can cause the game to crash when loading it. Try loading an earlier save or starting a new game to test.

Is there a known fix for crashes on Windows 11?

Windows 11 users may need to disable fullscreen optimizations and run the game in compatibility mode for Windows 8. Also ensure your graphics drivers are up to date.

Should I reinstall the game if nothing else works?

Reinstalling is a last resort but can clear deeply corrupted files. Make sure to back up your saves first (they’re usually in Documents\My Games\The Outer Worlds).

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