Cities Skylines 2 is a popular city-building simulation game that offers players the chance to create and manage their own virtual metropolis. However, it can be incredibly frustrating when gameplay is interrupted by a blue screen error. Not only does it disrupt the immersive gaming experience, but it can also lead to lost progress and wasted time. In this guide, we will walk you through several steps to help you fix the blue screen issue in Cities Skylines 2. By following these recommendations, you will be able to improve performance, eliminate blue screen problems, and enjoy a smoother gaming experience.
How to Fix Cities Skylines 2 Blue Screen
Update GPU Drivers
One of the most common causes of blue screen errors in gaming is outdated or incompatible GPU drivers. GPU drivers play a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance and stability while playing Cities Skylines 2. To update your GPU drivers, follow these step-by-step instructions:
- 1. Identify your GPU: First, determine the manufacturer and model of your graphics card. This information can usually be found in the "Device Manager" on Windows or the "About This Mac" section on macOS.
- 2. Visit the manufacturer's website: Once you have identified your GPU, visit the manufacturer's official website. Nvidia, AMD, and Intel are some of the most popular GPU manufacturers
- 3. Download the latest drivers: Look for the "Support" or "Drivers" section on the website and search for the latest drivers compatible with your GPU model and operating system. Download the appropriate drivers and save them to a convenient location on your computer.
- 4. Install the drivers: Run the downloaded driver installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. It is recommended to perform a clean installation, which removes any existing drivers and installs the new ones from scratch.
Alternatively, you can use software like GeForce Experience (for Nvidia GPUs) or AMD Radeon Software (for AMD GPUs) to automatically detect and update your GPU drivers. These applications also provide additional features and optimizations for gaming.
Fix DirectX Issues
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DirectX is a collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) essential for running Cities Skylines 2 and other games smoothly. If you are experiencing blue screen errors, it is possible that there might be issues with DirectX. Follow these troubleshooting tips to fix DirectX issues:
- 1. Check DirectX version: Press the Windows key + R, type "dxdiag" in the Run dialog box, and press Enter. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, you can find your DirectX version on the System tab. Make sure you have the latest version installed.
- 2. Update DirectX: Visit the official Microsoft website and download the latest version of DirectX compatible with your operating system. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to update DirectX.
- 3. Reinstall DirectX: If updating DirectX does not fix the issue, you can try reinstalling it. Uninstall DirectX from your system using the Control Panel or a third-party uninstaller, and then reinstall it using the latest version available from the Microsoft website.
Lower Graphics Options
Graphics settings have a significant impact on the performance of Cities Skylines 2. If your system is struggling to handle the game at higher settings, lowering the graphics options can help reduce strain and prevent blue screen errors. Here are some suggestions:
- 1. Launch Cities Skylines 2: Open the game and navigate to the graphics settings menu. This can usually be accessed from the main menu or within the game's settings.
- 2. Adjust graphics settings: Experiment with lowering various graphics options such as resolution, texture quality, shadow quality, anti-aliasing, and post-processing effects. Start with the most demanding settings and gradually lower them until you achieve a stable gameplay experience. Remember to apply the changes and test the game after each adjustment.
- 3. Disable unnecessary features: Some games offer additional features like ambient occlusion, motion blur, or depth of field. Disabling these features can further improve performance and reduce the chances of encountering blue screen errors.
Verify or Repair Game Files
Corrupted or missing game files can often lead to crashes or blue screen errors. It is essential to verify and repair the game files to ensure they are intact and properly installed. Here's how to do it through the Steam platform:
- 1. Open Steam: Launch the Steam client and navigate to your game library.
- 2. Right-click Cities Skylines 2: Locate the game in your library, right-click on it, and select "Properties" from the drop-down menu.
- 3. Navigate to the "Local Files" tab: In the Properties window, click on the "Local Files" tab.
- 4. Verify game files: Click on the "Verify Integrity of Game Files" or a similar option. Steam will then verify the game files and replace any corrupted or missing files.
Select Performance Mode:
Cities Skylines 2 offers a performance mode option that can significantly improve gameplay on lower-end systems. Enabling performance mode reduces the visual quality but enhances the overall performance and stability of the game. Follow these steps to activate performance mode:
- 1. Launch Cities Skylines 2: Open the game and navigate to the settings menu.
- 2. Find performance mode: Look for the performance mode option, which is usually located in the graphics or display settings.
- 3. Enable performance mode: Toggle the performance mode option to "On" or "Enabled," and apply the changes. The game will now prioritize performance over visuals, resulting in smoother gameplay.
Lock FPS in Cities Skylines 2
Framerate fluctuations can cause instability in the game, leading to crashes or blue screen errors. Locking the FPS (frames per second) can help stabilize gameplay and prevent such issues. Follow these steps to lock the FPS:
- 1. In-game settings: Check if Cities Skylines 2 has an option to limit or cap the FPS within its settings menu. If available, set the desired FPS limit, usually between 30 and 60 FPS, depending on your system capabilities.
- 2. External software: If the game does not have an FPS locking option, you can use third-party software like Rivatuner Statistics Server (RTSS) or Nvidia Control Panel (for Nvidia GPUs) to limit the FPS of Cities Skylines 2. These software tools allow you to set a global FPS limit for all your games.
Experiencing blue screen errors while playing Cities Skylines 2 can be frustrating, but with the help of this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and enjoy a smoother gaming experience. Remember to update your GPU drivers regularly, fix any DirectX issues, lower graphics options, verify and repair game files, select performance mode, and lock the FPS. By implementing these solutions, you can improve performance, eliminate blue screen problems, and fully immerse yourself in the world of Cities Skylines 2. Enjoy your gaming journey, and remember that individual system configurations and other factors may affect your results.