Monster Hunter World Crashing on PC? Fixes That Work

Monster Hunter World can crash on PC for several reasons, most commonly due to outdated graphics drivers, DirectX 12 issues, or mod conflicts. The fixes below resolve the vast majority of crashes, starting with the simplest and most likely solutions.

Why Monster Hunter World Crashes on PC

Monster Hunter World is a demanding title that relies heavily on the DirectX 12 API (though it also supports DirectX 11). Crashes typically fall into one of these categories:

• Graphics driver instability – outdated or corrupted GPU drivers are the #1 cause.
• DirectX 12 rendering bugs – the game’s DX12 mode has known stability issues on certain hardware.
• Mod conflicts – outdated or incompatible mods (especially after title updates) can cause immediate crashes.
• Overheating or power delivery – high CPU/GPU temperatures or insufficient PSU wattage can trigger shutdowns.
• Corrupted game files – a partial download or failed update can leave the game unplayable.

First: Update Your Graphics Drivers

Before anything else, update your GPU drivers. Both NVIDIA and AMD release optimizations for Monster Hunter World, and a driver from the last few months usually contains critical fixes.

1. For NVIDIA: open GeForce Experience (or download the latest driver from the official site) and install the newest Game Ready driver.
2. For AMD: use the Adrenalin software’s “Check for Updates” or download from AMD’s site.
3. After installing, restart your PC and try launching the game.

If you recently updated and crashes started, try a clean install of the driver (using “Custom Install” and checking “Clean Installation” on NVIDIA) to remove any leftover settings.

Switch to DirectX 11 (or 12) in the Game Settings

Monster Hunter World defaults to DirectX 12 on capable GPUs, but that mode has known crash bugs on some systems (especially with AMD cards and older NVIDIA cards). Switching to DirectX 11 is the single most effective fix for random crashes.

1. Launch the game. If it crashes before you reach the menu, edit the config file: go to steamapps\common\Monster Hunter World\ and open graphics_options.ini in Notepad.
2. Find the line DirectX12=On and change it to DirectX12=Off.
3. Save the file and relaunch. If the game runs stable, you can leave it on DX11. If you want to try DX12 again later, you can toggle it in the in-game Options > Display.

Conversely, if you’re already on DX11 and crashing, try enabling DX12 – some newer GPUs have better stability there.

Verify Game Files and Remove Mods

Corrupted or incomplete game files are a common cause. Steam can verify and repair them automatically.

1. In Steam, right-click Monster Hunter World → Properties → Local Files → “Verify integrity of game files”.
2. Wait for the process to finish (it may take a few minutes).
3. If you use mods, the most common crash trigger is a mod that hasn’t been updated for the current game version. Temporarily move the entire nativePC folder (in the game’s root directory) to your desktop, then launch the game. If it works, one of your mods is the culprit – re-add them one by one to find the bad one.

Check Temperatures and Power Supply

Monster Hunter World is CPU-intensive, especially in crowded hub areas. If your CPU or GPU overheats, the system can crash or restart. Use a tool like MSI Afterburner or HWiNFO to monitor temperatures while playing.

• Safe maximums: GPUs typically under 85°C, CPUs under 90°C (check your specific model’s limits).
• If temps are high, clean dust from fans, ensure proper case airflow, and consider reapplying thermal paste if the system is old.
• If your power supply is near its wattage limit or is a low-quality unit, a sudden power draw spike can cause a crash. If you’re using a 450W PSU with a high-end GPU, that’s a likely culprit.

Disable Overlays and Background Apps

Overlays from Discord, GeForce Experience, Razer Synapse, or MSI Afterburner can inject into the game and cause crashes. Disable them temporarily to test.

• Discord: Settings → Overlay → disable “Enable in-game overlay”.
• GeForce Experience: Settings → General → disable “In-Game Overlay”.
• Also close background browsers, RGB control software, and any monitoring tools that hook into the game.

Common Crash Scenarios and Specific Fixes

Not all crashes are the same. Here are the most reported patterns and what works for each:

• Crash on startup (black screen then desktop) – Usually a driver issue or DX12 problem. Try updating drivers, then switch to DX11 via the config file.
• Crash when entering the Gathering Hub or during multiplayer – Often a network or memory issue. Disable Steam overlay, lower texture quality to reduce VRAM usage, and verify files.
• Crash after a few hours of play – Likely a memory leak or overheating. Restart the game periodically, check temps, and consider increasing your pagefile size (Windows settings).
• Crash with an error message like “ERR_GFX_D3D_ERR_OUTOFMEMORY” – This means the GPU ran out of video memory. Lower texture quality to High instead of Highest, and close other GPU-hungry apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Monster Hunter World crash on my high-end PC?

Even high-end PCs can crash due to software conflicts. The most common cause is DirectX 12 instability – switch to DX11 in the config file. Also, check that your RAM is running at its rated speed (XMP profile) and that your PSU is sufficient for your GPU.

Do I need DirectX 12 for better performance?

No. DirectX 12 can improve performance on some systems, but on many it causes stuttering and crashes. DirectX 11 is more stable and often performs equally well. If you’re crashing, use DX11.

Will removing mods delete my save?

No, mods are separate from your save files. Moving the nativePC folder only disables mods; your character and progress are safe. Your save is stored in your Steam userdata folder.

How do I know if a mod is causing the crash?

After removing all mods and confirming the game works, add mods back one at a time, testing the game after each. The mod that causes a crash is the culprit. Also, check the mod page for updates – many mods break after game updates.

Can I fix the crash by lowering graphics settings?

Yes, lowering settings like Texture Quality, Volumetric Fog, and Ambient Occlusion can reduce VRAM usage and GPU load, which helps with crashes related to memory or overheating. It won’t fix driver or mod issues, but it’s a good temporary workaround.

Is there a known issue with Windows 11 and Monster Hunter World?

Some players report crashes on Windows 11, often related to the “Memory Integrity” (Core Isolation) feature. Try disabling it in Windows Security → Device Security → Core Isolation, then restart. If that fixes it, you can re-enable it after playing.

Related

• Fix Outlook Sent Items Missing? Quick Solutions
• Slow Context Menu in Windows 11: Fixes
• Declutter Safari on iPhone: 15 Quick Tips