Troubleshooting Game Crashes: Diagnosing and Resolving Issues
If you're experiencing crashes while playing Hunt: Showdown 1896, this guide will help you diagnose the problem, try common fixes, and, if necessary, submit a support ticket for further assistance. It is possible that an update has introduced a widespread crash, in which case multiple people would be experiencing it, however if this hasn't started right after we released an update, this guide might help.
Follow the steps below to get started.
Step 1: Diagnose the Problem
To effectively troubleshoot the issue, gather information about when and how the crashes occur. This will help identify potential causes.
1. Check Windows Reliability Monitor
Open the Windows Reliability monitor (search for "perfmon /rel" in the Start menu).
Navigate to the "Reliability History" tab to find any crashes, warnings, or errors correlated with game.
2. Identify When the Game Crashes
Does the crash happen during a specific action? Examples include:
While launching the game.
During gameplay (e.g., loading a map, performing a specific action).
Knowing the timing of the crash can help pinpoint the cause.
3. Determine When the Crashing Started
Did the crashes begin after a specific event? Examples include:
After the last game update.
After a driver update (e.g., GPU or Windows).
After a hardware or software change.
This can help determine if a recent change is responsible.
4. Monitor Hardware Utilization
Use tools like Task Manager to track hardware usage while the game is running.
Look for spikes when the crash occurs, such as:
CPU Core 1 reaching 100%.
VRAM (video memory) filling up completely.
High hardware temperatures (CPU, GPU, etc.).
5. Check for Error Messages
Note any error messages displayed when the game crashes. Common examples include:
"DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED" (DirectX-related issue).
Other specific error codes or messages.
These can provide clues about the underlying issue.
Step 2: Try Common Solutions
Below are common fixes that may resolve game crashing issues. Try them one at a time, testing the game after each step to see if the issue is resolved.
1. Reinstall or Update GPU Drivers
Steps:
Download the latest GPU drivers from the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove old drivers:
Boot into Safe Mode.
Run DDU and select "Clean and Restart."
Install the latest drivers with a clean installation option.
Why? Corrupted or outdated GPU drivers are a common cause of crashes.
2. Install the Latest Windows Updates
Steps:
Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click Check for Updates and install any available updates.
Why? Missing updates can cause compatibility issues with the game.
3. Remove User Folder and Verify Game Files
Steps:
Navigate to the game’s installation folder (usually \Steam\steamapps\common\Hunt Showdown).
Delete the user folder (this resets settings but may remove custom configurations).
Open Steam (or your game launcher), right-click the game, and select Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Why? Corrupted game files or settings can cause crashes.
4. Remove Overclocking or Custom XMP Profiles
Steps:
Enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing Del, F2, or a similar key during boot).
Reset any overclocked CPU, GPU, or RAM settings to default.
Disable custom XMP profiles for RAM.
Why? Overclocking can destabilize your system, leading to crashes.
5. Cap Maximum FPS
Steps:
Open the Hunt’s settings menu, under GRAPHIC locate the Max FPS option.
Set it to a value your system can easily achieve (e.g., 90 FPS).
Why? Uncapped FPS can strain your hardware, causing throttling or crashes.
6. Update BIOS Software
Steps:
Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website.
Download the latest BIOS update for your specific model.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to update.
Why? An outdated BIOS can cause hardware compatibility issues.
7. Add Game Exception to Antivirus
Steps:
Open your antivirus software's settings or control panel.
Look for "Exclusions," "Exceptions," or "Allowed Applications."
Click "Add Exception" and browse to your game's installation folder.
Select the main game executable (usually GameName.exe).
Save the changes and restart your computer.
Why? Antivirus software can sometimes interfere with game files or block necessary processes, leading to crashes or performance issues.
8. Run the Game or Steam as Administrator
Steps:
Right-click the game’s executable file (or Steam) and select Run as Administrator.
Alternatively, set it to always run as admin:
Right-click the file > Properties > Compatibility > Check "Run this program as an administrator" > Apply.
Why? Permission issues can prevent the game from functioning properly.
9. Run System File Checker (SFC)
Steps:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search "cmd" in Start, right-click, and select "Run as Administrator").
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen instructions.
Why? Corrupted Windows system files can cause crashes.
10. Check NVIDIA/AMD Control Panel Settings
Steps:
Open your GPU control panel (e.g., NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software).
Reset settings associated to Hunt to default or ensure no conflicting options are enabled (e.g., forced anti-aliasing).
Why? Incorrect settings can interfere with the game’s performance.
11. Increase Pagefile Size
Steps:
Open Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings.
Under "Performance," click Settings > Advanced > Change (Virtual Memory).
Uncheck "Automatically manage paging file size," set a custom size (e.g., 1.5–2x your RAM size), and click Set > OK.
Restart your computer.
Why? Insufficient virtual memory can cause crashes, especially if RAM usage is high.
Step 3: Submit a Support Ticket (If Needed)
If none of the above solutions resolve the issue, our support team is here to help. Follow the steps below to create a ticket and provide the necessary information for faster assistance.
How to Create a Ticket
Navigate to www.huntshowdown.com
In the bottom right corner of the page, you’ll see “Please log in for Support”.
Login with your Crytek account, and select “Ask a question”.
Follow the bot flow, and fill out the form with the required details (see below).
Submit the ticket and wait for a response from our team.
Information to Include
To help us diagnose and resolve your issue quickly, please include the following in your ticket:
Description of the Problem:
Explain what happens when the game crashes (e.g., timing, error messages).
Mention when the issue started (e.g., after an update).
DxDiag Report:
Press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
Click Save All Information and attach the .txt file to your ticket.
Windows Reliability Monitor Screenshots:
Open Reliability Monitor (type "perfmon /rel" in the Start menu).
Find the day of the crash and take a screenshot.
If a specific error is listed, take a screenshot of the error details.
List of Troubleshooting Steps Tried:
List all the solutions you’ve attempted from this guide, or any other steps you took.
Note any changes or differences after applying each solution (e.g., "Crashes still occur, but error message changed").
Additional Notes
Ensure your system meets the minimum requirements for Hunt: Showdown 1896:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 64 bit
Processor: Intel CPU 7th Gen 7700 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650 Super or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT, with a minimum of 4GB of VRAM
DirectX: Version 12
If you suspect hardware issues (e.g., overheating, failing components), consult a technician or your hardware manufacturer.
We’re committed to helping you get back to gaming as soon as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via our support portal.