Ascent Keeps Crashing on PC? Fixes That Work

If The Ascent keeps crashing on your PC, the fix is usually a combination of updating your graphics drivers, disabling overlays, and verifying game files. Start with those three steps, and you will resolve the majority of crashes. Below is a detailed troubleshooting guide covering the most common causes and solutions, from simple settings tweaks to more advanced fixes.

Why Does The Ascent Crash on PC?

The Ascent is a visually demanding twin-stick shooter that relies heavily on DirectX 12 and ray tracing. Crashes often stem from unstable graphics drivers, corrupted game files, or conflicts with background software. The game is also known to be sensitive to overclocking and certain in-game settings like ray tracing, which can push hardware beyond stable limits. Understanding the specific trigger for your crash is the first step to fixing it.

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or buggy GPU drivers are the number one cause of crashes in modern games. The Ascent was released with several driver-related issues that were later patched by NVIDIA and AMD.

• NVIDIA: Use GeForce Experience or download the latest Game Ready driver from the NVIDIA website.
• AMD: Use AMD Software Adrenalin or download the latest driver from AMD’s site.
• Intel: If you have integrated graphics, update via Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

After updating, restart your PC. If the crash persists, try a clean installation of the driver (using the “Custom� option in the installer) to remove any conflicting settings.

2. Disable Overlays and Background Apps

Overlays from Discord, GeForce Experience, Xbox Game Bar, or MSI Afterburner can inject code into the game and cause instability. The Ascent is particularly prone to this.

1. Close all overlay programs before launching the game.
2. In Discord: Settings → Overlay → disable “Enable in-game overlay�.
3. In GeForce Experience: Settings → General → disable “In-game overlay�.
4. Disable Xbox Game Bar via Windows Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar.
5. Temporarily close other background apps like RGB control software, hardware monitors, or browser with many tabs.

3. Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can cause crashes at specific points (e.g., during a cutscene or when loading a new area). Verifying files checks for and repairs these issues.

• Steam: Right-click the game → Properties → Local Files → “Verify integrity of game files�.
• Xbox App / Game Pass: Open the Xbox app → My Library → right-click The Ascent → Manage → Files → “Verify and repair�.
• GOG Galaxy: Click the game → More → Manage Installation → “Verify�.

This process can take several minutes, but it is a reliable fix for crashes related to file corruption.

4. Adjust In-Game Settings

The Ascent’s ray tracing and high-end graphics options are extremely demanding. If your PC meets the minimum specs but still crashes, lowering these settings can help.

• Disable Ray Tracing: This is the most common crash trigger. Set it to “Off� and see if stability improves.
• Lower DLSS/FSR: If you have these enabled, try setting them to “Off� or “Quality� mode.
• Reduce Shadow Quality and Reflections: These are also heavy on the GPU.
• Cap the Frame Rate: Use the in-game limiter or a tool like RivaTuner to cap at 60 FPS. Uncapped frame rates can cause instability in some systems.

If the game crashes at the main menu or during the first cutscene, try changing the graphics settings via the GameUserSettings.ini file (located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\TheAscent\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor). Set RayTracingQuality to 0 and ShadowQuality to 1.

5. Check for Overheating and Power Issues

Hardware instability from overheating or insufficient power can cause crashes, especially during intense action scenes. Monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures using a tool like MSI Afterburner or HWInfo. If temperatures exceed 90°C for CPU or 85°C for GPU, consider cleaning your PC’s fans, improving airflow, or re-applying thermal paste. Also, ensure your power supply unit (PSU) has enough wattage for your components. A failing PSU can cause random crashes under load.

6. Disable Overclocking (CPU/GPU)

Overclocks that are stable in other games may not be stable in The Ascent due to its heavy multi-threaded and GPU load. If you have overclocked your CPU, GPU, or RAM, revert to stock speeds (or enable “Optimized Defaults� in BIOS) and test the game. This is a common fix for crashes that occur after a few minutes of gameplay.

7. Run the Game in DirectX 11 (Workaround)

Some players have found that forcing the game to run in DirectX 11 mode eliminates crashes, even though the game is designed for DX12. This is a workaround, not a perfect fix, but it can help if you have an older GPU or driver issues.

1. Open the game’s launch options in Steam (or create a shortcut and add the argument).
2. For Steam: Right-click the game → Properties → Launch Options, and add -dx11.
3. For Game Pass: Edit the shortcut or use the “Edit� option in the Xbox app to add the argument.

Note that DX11 mode may lack some features like ray tracing, but it can be much more stable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does The Ascent crash at the main menu?

Main menu crashes are often caused by corrupted save files or outdated drivers. Try verifying game files first, then update your GPU drivers. If the issue persists, try disabling overlays, as they can interfere with the game’s UI rendering.

Does The Ascent crash more on Game Pass than Steam?

Game Pass versions sometimes have different build versions or lack certain optimizations. However, the most common causes (drivers, overlays, settings) are identical across platforms. If you have the Game Pass version, ensure the Xbox app is up to date and try the “Verify and repair� option.

Can a save file cause crashes?

Yes, a corrupted save file can cause crashes on loading or during gameplay. If you suspect this, try starting a new game (temporarily) to see if the crash still occurs. If it doesn’t, your save file is likely the issue. You can back up your save folder and delete it to force a fresh start.

Is there a known fix for the “Out of Video Memory� crash?

This error usually means your GPU doesn’t have enough VRAM. Lower the texture quality and disable ray tracing. Also, make sure your page file is set to “System managed� (Windows Settings → System → About → Advanced system settings → Performance → Advanced → Virtual memory).

Should I reinstall the game?

Reinstalling is a last resort, but it can fix issues that verification misses. Before reinstalling, try moving the game to a different drive, as some users have reported crashes related to certain storage devices.

Does the game have a memory leak?

Some players have reported that the game’s memory usage grows over time, leading to crashes after long sessions. If you experience this, try limiting your play session to 1-2 hours, or use a tool like “ISLC� (Intelligent Standby List Cleaner) to clear standby memory.

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