Games Crashing Without Error Messages: Why & How to Fix This

Games typically throw up error messages when they crash. Messages can provide clues for what’s causing them to crash.

However, sometimes games randomly crash on the desktop without showing any error message. Or games sometimes freeze without showing a message. When that happens, it’s not clear why the games are crashing.

Players need to troubleshoot games that regularly crash without error messages. So, we will show how you can fix Windows games that crash without error messages.

Why does my game keep crashing for no reason?

It’s harder to cite exact causes for games crashing with no error since they don’t leave any message clues. These are some of the more general causes for Windows games crashing with no error messages:

• Corrupted system files: System file corruption can often cause games to crash.
• Insufficient RAM: Lack of available system memory causes the game to crash.
• Software conflicts: Games crash because of background third-party software competing for the same resources. Antivirus utilities can conflict with games by blocking their files.
• Malware: Malware can interfere with game processes.
• Outdated graphics drivers: Antiquated graphics drivers can generate GPU issues and persistent crashes.
• Missing or faulty game files: Some of a game’s files are missing or faulty because of an incomplete installation. For that reason, most gaming clients include troubleshooting options for verifying files.

To fix games crashing with no error messages, you may need to apply a range of potential resolutions to address those general causes.

How can I fix games crashing with no error?

1. Repair system files

1. First, find Command Prompt by pressing the Windows logo key + S and entering CMD into the search tool the hotkey activates.
2. To access Command Prompt with elevated permissions, click that app’s Run as administrator option within the search tool’s results. Run as an administrator”>
3. Then scan the files by executing this command: sfc /scannow
4. The scan will probably take 20-30 minutes or longer. Make sure you wait for the SFC tool to display a scan outcome.

3. Repair game files

🚀 Epic Games

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher window.
2. Select Library in the sidebar.
3. Then click the ellipses menu button below the game you need to fix.
4. Select Manage to bring up some options for the game.
   
5. Click Verify to scan.
   

🚀 Steam

1. Launch your Steam gaming software.
2. Next, Click Steam’s Library tab to view your games.
3. Right-click a game to fix to select a Properties context menu option.
4. Select Local Files to access the Verify integrity option.
   
5. Click Verify integrity to repair files.

4. Add the Antimalware Service to Microsoft Defender’s exception list

1. Open the Windows Security app (double-click the shield icon in the system tray).
2. Select Virus & threat protection > Manage settings in Windows Security.
3. Click the Add or remove exclusions navigation option to bring up exception settings.
4. Press the Add an exclusion button to select Folder.
5. Select to exclude the following Antimalware Service folder: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\4.18.2301.6-0
6. Click Select Folder to add the directory.
7. Aside from that, add games’ installation folders to Windows Security’s antivirus list.

If you utilize a third-party antivirus software, then you’ll need to add Antimalware Service to that utility’s exception list instead. Have a look for online instructions about how to add folder exclusions to its exception list. You’ll probably find such guidelines on the publisher’s website for the antivirus tool.

5. Perform a clean startup

1. First, bring up the Task Manager tool, which you can access by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting that utility’s Power User menu shortcut.
2. Click Task Manager’s Startup tab.
3. Select Disable for all unneeded third-party startup items listed within the tab.
   
4. Open the search text box and input an MSConfig keyword.
5. Select System Configuration to view that app’s window.
6. Then click Services inside System Configuration.
7. Select the Hide all box.
8. Click Disable all to uncheck all the service checkboxes.
   
9. To save the clean startup settings, select Apply > OK.
10. Clean boot by selecting Restart on the dialog box.
    
11. Try playing games that crash with no error after restarting Windows.

6. Run a malware (antivirus) scan

1. First, open Windows Security with its system tray icon.
2. Select Virus & threat protection > Scan options in Windows Security.
3. Click the option labeled Full Scan.
4. Press Scan now and wait for the scanning to finish.

   

7. Reinstall games that crash

Reinstalling games will replace their files and update them.

1. Open Programs and Features by pressing Windows key + R, typing appwiz.cpl in Run, and click OK.
2. Select a game to remove.
3. Click Uninstall and select Yes on any confirmation prompts.
4. Then reinstall the game with its client software or DVD.

Note that you may need to uninstall some games within their client software. For example, the Programs and Features applet doesn’t list games installed with Epic Games. Thus, you’ll need to use Epic Games to uninstall games installed with that client.

If you’ve installed a game from Microsoft Store, utilize the Apps & features uninstaller tool. To do so, input ms-settings:appsfeatures in Run and click OK. Then click the Uninstall option for a game in Apps & features.

There are many ways you can feasibly fix Windows games crashing with no error messages. That makes finding a specific solution that works for you all the harder since you may have to try lots of troubleshooting methods.

The potential resolutions in this guide will address many of the more likely causes for games crashing with no error messages – crashes that occur on startup or in the mid-game. So, they’re worth trying before contacting any support service about a game crashing with no error.