How To Fix Hollow Knight Silksong Crashing on Startup Error on PC

After years of anticipation, Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally launched, captivating players with its intricate platforming, atmospheric design, and challenging combat. But for some, the excitement is cut short by a frustrating issue: the game crashes immediately upon launch. If you're facing this problem, you're not alone—and there are several effective ways to resolve it. This guide offers a comprehensive breakdown of potential causes and step-by-step solutions to help you get back into Hornet’s adventure without interruptions.

⚠️ Common Reasons Why Silksong May Crash on Startup

Before diving into fixes, it’s important to understand what might be causing the issue. Startup crashes in PC games are often linked to:

• Incomplete or corrupted game installation
• Conflicts with graphics settings or DirectX versions
• Outdated GPU drivers
• Background applications interfering with game processes
• Lack of administrative permissions

Let’s explore how to tackle each of these problems.

✅ Step 1: Restart Your System

It may sound simple, but restarting your computer can resolve temporary glitches or memory conflicts that prevent the game from launching properly. Make sure to fully shut down your PC, wait a few moments, and then power it back on.

🔍 Step 2: Check Game File Integrity

One of the most common culprits behind launch failures is missing or damaged game files. Most game platforms, like Steam, offer built-in tools to scan and repair your installation. To do this, open your game library, access the properties of Silksong, and look for an option to verify or validate the game files. This process will automatically detect and replace any problematic files.

🧩 Step 3: Adjust DirectX Settings

Silksong may default to a specific version of DirectX thatisn’t compatible with your system. Switching between DirectX 11 andDirectX 12 can often resolve startup issues.

To change this setting, access the game’s launch options through your platform (e.g., Steam), and input the appropriate command to force thegame to use a different DirectX version. Try launching the game withDirectX 11 first, especially if your hardware is older or less powerful.

🎮 Step 4: Update Your Graphics Drivers

Even if your GPU meets the game’s requirements, outdated drivers cancause crashes or performance issues. Keeping your drivers up to dateensures compatibility with the latest games and system updates.

For Nvidia Users:

Use the Nvidia app or GeForce Experience to check for driver updates. Download and install the latest version, and restart your PC afterward.

For AMD Users:

Open the AMD Adrenalin software, which will automatically detectavailable updates. Follow the prompts to install the latest drivers andreboot your system once complete.

🧼 Step 5: Close Unnecessary Background Applications

Apps running in the background—especially those that use overlays orcapture video—can interfere with game processes. Close programs likeDiscord, OBS, MSI Afterburner, or web browsers before launching Silksong.

Use Task Manager to identify high-resource applications and end themtemporarily to free up system memory and reduce potential conflicts.

🔐 Step 6: Run the Game with Elevated Permissions

Sometimes, games require administrative access to function correctly. Running Silksong as an administrator can bypass permission-related issues.

To do this, locate the game’s executable file, right-click it, andselect “Run as administrator.” You can also set this as a defaultbehavior by adjusting the file’s properties.

🔄 Step 7: Reinstall the Game

If none of the above steps work, a clean reinstall may be necessary.Uninstall the game completely, restart your PC, and then download itagain from your platform. This ensures that any corrupted files ormisconfigured settings are removed.

Startup crashes can be a major buzzkill, especially when you’ve waited years to play a game like Hollow Knight: Silksong. Fortunately, most issues can be resolved with a few simple steps.Whether it’s verifying your installation, updating drivers, or tweakinglaunch settings, these solutions are designed to help you troubleshootquickly and effectively.

Still stuck? Share your system specs or error message, and I’ll helpyou dig deeper. Let’s get you back into the action—Hornet’s journeyawaits.

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