How to Fix Black Ops 6 Crashing on Startup

By Lidia Rozo | 2024-09-02 07:39:42

We have made a detailed guide where we explain to you How to Fix Black Ops 6 Crashing on Startup.

Black Ops 6's Early Access Beta has arrived, much to the excitement of pre-orderers and Game Pass subscribers. However, the initial launch hasn't been entirely smooth sailing for everyone. Reports are surfacing across various platforms – Battle.Net, Steam, and Game Pass – detailing crashes hindering players' ability to dive into the action. While these crashes can be frustrating, there's no need to throw in the towel just yet. The good news is that solutions implemented for previous Black Ops titles have proven effective in addressing similar issues. By trying some of these established fixes, you might be back in the fight in no time.

Troubleshooting Black Ops Crashes:

Patience: Allow the shader loading process to complete before starting the game.
Windowed Mode: Try playing Black Ops in windowed mode to see if it resolves the crashes.
Steam Refresh: If the issues persist, uninstall Steam and reinstall it. Then, verify the game files to ensure they're intact.

How to Fix Black Ops 6 Crashing on Startup?

If you're encountering persistent crashes or loading screen freezes in Black Ops 6, here's a comprehensive guide to potential solutions:

Verify System Requirements:

Hardware: Ensure your CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage meet or exceed the game's minimum specifications.
Operating System: Check if your Windows version is compatible with Black Ops 6.
Drivers: Make sure your graphics card drivers are up-to-date. Outdated drivers can lead to compatibility issues.

Restart Your Computer:

Temporary Glitches: A simple reboot can often resolve temporary software conflicts or glitches.
Background Processes: Restarting your computer can close unnecessary background applications that might be interfering with the game.

Install on an SSD:

Faster Load Times: SSDs offer significantly faster read and write speeds compared to traditional hard drives. This can dramatically reduce loading times and potentially prevent crashes.
Performance Boost: Installing Black Ops 6 on an SSD can improve overall game performance, especially during intense gameplay.

Disable Overlay Applications:

Interference: Overlay software like Razer Cortex or Nvidia GeForce Experience can sometimes conflict with games, leading to crashes or performance issues.
Temporary Disable: Disable these applications temporarily to see if the problem persists. If it does, consider uninstalling them or configuring them to avoid interfering with Black Ops 6.

Turn Off Windows Game Mode:

Compatibility Issues: While Windows Game Mode is designed to optimize gaming performance, it can occasionally cause compatibility problems with certain games.
Temporary Disable: Disable Game Mode and see if the crashes stop. If the issue is resolved, you can try re-enabling it later to see if the problem persists.

Check for Updates:

Game Patches: Ensure you have the latest game updates installed. Developers often release patches to address bugs and improve performance.
Application Updates: Keep your operating system, antivirus software, and other relevant applications up-to-date to avoid conflicts.

Scan for Malware:

Interference: Malware can interfere with game processes and cause crashes.
Scan: Run a thorough malware scan using a reputable antivirus program.

Adjust Graphics Settings:

High Demands: If your hardware is struggling to handle the game's graphics settings, try reducing them. Lowering settings can improve performance and reduce the likelihood of crashes.

Verify Game Integrity:

Corruption: If the game files are corrupted, it can lead to crashes or other problems.
Verify: Use the game's built-in verification tool to check the integrity of your game files.

Hardware-Related Solutions

Disconnect Audio Devices: If you're experiencing audio-related issues, such as distorted sound or crashes, try unplugging any external audio devices like speakers or headphones. This can sometimes resolve conflicts that arise from these devices.
Uninstall Razer Chroma: Razer Chroma software is known to interfere with certain games, including Black Ops 6. If you have Razer Chroma installed, uninstall it completely and restart your PC. This might alleviate any issues caused by the software.

Software-Related Solutions

Verify Game Files: Corrupted game files can lead to a variety of problems, from crashes to glitches. Use the built-in verification tools in the Xbox App or Steam to scan your game files and repair any damaged ones. This is a common troubleshooting step that can often resolve issues.
Delete Config File: If you've tried other solutions and are still experiencing problems, deleting the game's config file might be necessary. However, before doing so, make sure to back up your save data. The config file stores game settings, so deleting it will reset them to their default values.
Adjust Game Settings: If you can access the game settings, there are several adjustments you can make to improve performance and stability:
Switch to Windowed Fullscreen Mode: This can sometimes help with compatibility issues and reduce crashes.
Lower the Resolution: Reducing the resolution can improve performance, especially on older or less powerful systems.
Limit the FPS to 60: Limiting the frame rate can help prevent stuttering and improve overall stability.
Disable Vsync: Vsync can sometimes cause input lag or screen tearing. Disabling it might improve responsiveness.
Reduce Graphics Settings: Lowering the graphics settings can also improve performance, especially if you're experiencing crashes or stuttering.
Disable Ray Tracing: Ray tracing is a demanding feature that can significantly impact performance. If you're experiencing performance issues, consider disabling it.

Clean GPU Driver Installation:

Maintaining the latest graphics driver is crucial, but a clean installation can further optimize performance.
Download the most recent driver for your AMD or NVIDIA GPU from the official manufacturer websites (links provided).
During the installation process, select "Custom Install" and ensure the "Perform a clean install" option is checked.

Overclocking Evaluation:

While overclocking can boost performance, it can also introduce instability in some games. If you have overclocked your graphics card or CPU, consider reverting to stock settings and assess whether Black Ops 6 runs more reliably.

Per-Core Tuning Adjustment (Intel 13th Gen CPUs):

Recent reports suggest potential game crashes with certain Intel 13th generation processors. Here's how to address this:

Download and install the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility.
Launch the program and locate the "Performance Core Ratio" setting.
Lower the value from 55x to 54x. This modification might improve game stability.

Forcing DirectX Version via Launch Options:

Black Ops 6 might exhibit improved performance when running on a specific DirectX version. You can enforce this preference using Steam or Battle.net launch options:

Access the game's Properties > General > Launch Options.
Enter "-dx11" and close the window. Launch the game to test its functionality.
If crashes persist, try "-dx12" following the same steps.

Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable:

Why: Essential for the game to run.
How: Download both x86 and x64 versions from the Microsoft website and install them.

Disconnect External Devices:

Why: External devices can interfere with the game.
How: Unplug controllers, joysticks, extra monitors, and other peripherals.

Perform a Clean Boot:

Why: Third-party programs can cause conflicts.

How:

Open the Run dialog (Windows key + R).
Type msconfig and press Enter.
In the Services tab, hide Microsoft services and disable all others.
In the Startup tab, open Task Manager and disable all startup tasks.
Restart your PC.

Disable Steam Overlay:

To prevent conflicts and potential crashes, disable the Steam Overlay for Black Ops 6. This feature can interfere with the game's internal processes, leading to unexpected behavior.

Access Game Properties: Right-click on Black Ops 6 in your Steam library and select "Properties."
Disable Overlay: Navigate to the "General" tab and uncheck the "Enable the Steam overlay while in-game" option.
Save Changes: Click "OK" to apply the changes.

Increase Virtual Memory:

To allocate more memory for Black Ops 6 and prevent potential crashes due to insufficient VRAM, increase your system's virtual memory. This will allow the game to access additional memory resources when needed.

Access System Settings: Search for and open "View Advanced System Settings."
Adjust Performance: Go to the "Advanced" tab under "Performance" and click "Settings."
Change Virtual Memory: In the "Advanced" tab, click "Change" under "Virtual Memory."
Set Custom Size: Uncheck "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" and enter the following values:
Initial Size: 1.5 times your total RAM (e.g., 24,576 MB for 16 GB RAM). This sets the initial size of the paging file
Maximum Size: 3 times your total RAM (e.g., 49,152 MB for 16 GB RAM). This sets the maximum size the paging file can grow to.
Save Changes: Click "Set" and then "OK" to apply the new settings.

Run as Administrator and in Compatibility Mode:

Running Black Ops 6 as an administrator and in compatibility mode can help resolve various issues, including loading problems, crashes, and compatibility conflicts.

Locate Executable: Navigate to the game's executable file (usually found in the "Installed Files" section of the game's properties).
Adjust Settings: Right-click on the executable, go to "Properties," and:
Run as Administrator: Check the "Run this program as an administrator" option. This grants the game elevated privileges, which can resolve certain permission-related issues.
Compatibility Mode: Select "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and choose a compatible Windows version (e.g., Windows 8). This can help address compatibility issues with older games or operating systems.
Disable Fullscreen Optimizations: Check the "Disable fullscreen optimizations" option. This can prevent fullscreen-related issues and improve performance.
Save Changes: Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the new settings.

If you're experiencing Black Ops 6 crashing or getting stuck on the loading screen, it might be due to security software interference.

Allow Black Ops 6 in Security Software:

Antivirus/Windows Defender:

Open your antivirus software's settings or preferences.
Locate the "Exceptions," "Exclusions," or "Allow List" section.
Add Black Ops 6 to the list of allowed applications. This will prevent the antivirus from scanning or quarantining the game's files.

Windows Firewall:

Open the Control Panel or Windows Security app.
Navigate to "Firewall" settings.
Find the option to allow specific apps through the firewall.
Add Black Ops 6 to the list of allowed applications.

Reinstall the Game:

If the above steps don't resolve the issue, try reinstalling Black Ops 6.

Uninstall the game:

Open the control panel or app settings.
Locate the "Programs" or "Apps and Features" section.
Find Black Ops 6 and uninstall it.

Delete the game folder:

Go to the following directories and delete any folders related to Black Ops 6:
C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common (if applicable)

By following these steps on How to Fix Black Ops 6 Crashing on Startup, you should be able to resolve most issues and enjoy the game without interruptions.

Tags: Campaign Mode, Multiplayer Maps, Zombies Mode, Weapon Loadouts, Killstreak Rewards, Special Ops Missions, Perks and Atta

Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows,

Genre(s): First-person shooter

Developer(s): Raven Software, Treyarch

Publisher(s): Activision

Engine: IW engine

Mode: Single-player, multiplayer

Age rating (PEGI): +18

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