Fix: COD Black Ops 3 Keep Crashing on Startup on PC

2015’s Call of Duty: Black Ops III is still one of the best-in-class multiplayer zombie action first-person shooter video games by Treyarch and Activision. It’s a sequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops II which was released back in 2012. Though the title has launched for several platforms, it received plenty of positive reviews on Steam for the PC version. Meanwhile, it seems that the COD Black Ops 3 Keep Crashing on Startup on the Windows PC a lot for multiple players.

So, if you’re also facing the issue, you can follow this troubleshooting guide completely to fix it. There is almost every COD title for the PC version do crash quite often due to some unexpected reasons. The startup crashing or the game not launching issue becomes a common thing among PC games that we can’t deny. No matter which PC build you’re using, crash at launch is the most reported issue, and you can try manually resolving it with some workarounds.

Why COD Black Ops 3 is Crashing?

It looks like the Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 game crashed on the PC while launching due to a couple of possible reasons. Such as incompatibility issues with the game and PC specification, corrupted or outdated graphics driver, an outdated game version, issues with the antivirus software blocking, and more. Whereas background running task issues, DirectX version-related issues, conflicts with the startup apps, etc can be one of the reasons.

Additionally, Blizzard and Activision account linking issues, in-game overlay apps, game client regarding issues, corrupted or missing game files, etc can also trigger several conflicts with the game launching. As you’re now aware of the reasons, you can follow the methods below to fix it. Now, without further ado, let’s jump into it.

Fix: COD Black Ops 3 Keep Crashing on Startup on PC

Here we’ve shared a bunch of possible workarounds for you that should gonna come in handy. Just make sure to follow all methods one by one until the problem gets fixed for you. Sometimes even a basic troubleshooting method can also do the job.

1. Check System Requirements

First of all, you should check whether your PC build or specification is meeting all the system requirements of the game or not. If your PC specification is outdated or comes with a lower-end configuration then the chances are high that your game won’t gonna run properly. If your PC build is actually incompatible with the game then make sure to upgrade the specific software/hardware to make it compatible enough. If it’s already compatible, skip it.

Minimum Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7 64-Bit / Windows 8 64-Bit / Windows 8.1 64-Bit
• Processor: Intel Core i3-530 @ 2.93 GHz / AMD Phenom II X4 810 @ 2.60 GHz
• Memory: 6 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 470 @ 1GB / ATI Radeon HD 6970 @ 1GB
• DirectX: Version 11
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 100 GB of available space
• Sound Card: DirectX Compatible

2. Remove Battle.Net and Activation Friends

It seems that the Call of Duty Black Ops 3 game is prone to crash a lot when you’ve added too many friends online. You should reduce the friends limit to a minimum on your account to reduce startup crashing or in-game crashing whatsoever.

3. Force Run DirectX 11

If in case, you’re already on the latest version of DirectX which is currently DX12 then your game may not be able to run properly. Try force running the DirectX 11 version on your PC while launching and playing the Call of Duty Black Ops 3 game. To do so, you can follow the steps below:

• Open the Battle.Net client on the PC.
• Head over to the COD Black Ops 3 game from the library.
• Go to Options > Enable the Additional Command Line Arguments checkbox.
• Now, type -d3d11 and exit the client to save changes.
• Finally, launch the Black Ops III game to play it smoothly without any crashing issues.

4. Run Black Ops 3 as an administrator

Make sure to run the Black Ops 3 exe file as an administrator to avoid user account control regarding privilege issues. You should also run the battle.net client as an administrator on your PC. To do this:

• Right-click on the COD Black Ops 3 exe shortcut file on your PC.
• Now, select Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.

• Make sure to click on the Run this program as an administrator checkbox to checkmark it.
• Click on Apply and select OK to save changes.

As we’ve already mentioned, do the same steps for your Steam or Battle.Net client too.

5. Repair Game Files

Mostly corrupted or missing game files on your computer won’t gonna notify you but whenever you try launching the game, it’ll crash or after loading sometimes it won’t gonna open. In that scenario, you’ll definitely gonna scratch your head that what’s going on. But repairing the installed game files directly from the client will resolve multiple issues. To do so:

For Battle.net:

• Open the Battle.net client on your computer > Head over to the library and click on COD Black Ops 3.
• Click on Options > Select Scan and Repair > Choose to Start Scan.
• Wait for the process to get completed and then you’ll be able to play the game properly. Make sure to reboot the client to apply changes immediately.

For Steam:

• Launch Steam > Click on Library.
• Right-click on COD Black Ops 3 from the list of installed games.
• Now, click on Properties > Go to Local Files.
• Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• You’ll have to wait for the process until it gets completed.
• Once done, just restart your computer.

6. Update GPU Drivers

Somehow it may also be possible that your graphics driver hasn’t been updated for a while. If that’s the case, then make sure to update the graphics drivers on your PC to remove potential glitches whatsoever. To do so:

• Press Windows + X keys to open the Quick Link Menu.
• Now, click on Device Manager from the list > Double-click on Display adapters.
• Right-click on the dedicated graphics card that you’re using.

• Next, select Update driver > Choose to Search automatically for drivers.
• If there is an update available, the system will automatically download & install it.
• Once done, restart the computer to apply changes immediately.

7. Perform a Clean Boot

Some of the apps and their services may start automatically while booting the system right away. In that case, those apps or services will definitely gonna use a lot of internet connection as well as system resources. If you’re also feeling the same, make sure to perform a clean boot on your computer to check for the issue. To do that:

• Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Now, type msconfig and hit Enter to open System Configuration.
• Go to the Services tab > Enable the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.

• Click on Disable all > Click on Apply and then OK to save changes.
• Now, go to the Startup tab > Click on Open Task Manager.
• The Task Manager interface will open. Here go to the Startup tab.
• Then click on the particular task which has a higher startup impact.
• Once selected, click on Disable to turn them off from the startup process.
• Do the same steps for each program that has a higher startup impact.
• Once done, make sure to restart your computer to apply changes.

8. Close Unnecessary Background Tasks

Whenever there is a couple of unnecessary background running tasks that appear and seem to be third-party sources, make sure to close them one by one to reduce consumption of CPU/Memory usage. To do this:

• Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
• Click on the Processes tab > Select the task that you want to close.

• Once selected, click on End Task. Make sure to do the steps for each task individually.
• Once done, just restart your computer to change effects immediately.

9. Disable Antivirus and Firewall Program

It’s worth recommending disabling the antivirus program as well as the firewall protection on your computer to check for the issue. Sometimes the aggressive antivirus or security protection software can prevent game files to run properly or find them as viruses which basically trouble you to launch them or play them smoothly. To do that:

• Click on the Start menu > Type Control Panel and open it.
• Now, type firewall in the search box > Click on Windows Firewall.
• From the left pane, click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
• Make sure to select Turn off Windows Firewall for the Private, Domain, and Public Network Settings.
• Finally, reboot the PC to apply changes, and try checking the issue.

Now, you’ll have to disable the antivirus protection from your computer. To do so:

• Head over to the Windows Settings > Privacy and Security.
• Now, go to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
• Click on Manage settings >Then turn off the Real-time Protection option.
• Once done, make sure to reboot your PC to apply changes.

Even if you’re using any other third-party antivirus software on your PC then make sure to turn it off as well.

10. Try Disabling Overlay Apps

It seems that a couple of popular apps do have their own overlay program that can eventually run in the background and cause issues with the gaming performance or even launching issues. You should turn them off to fix the issue by following the steps below:

Disable Discord Overlay:

• Launch the Discord app > Click on the gear icon at the bottom.
• Click on Overlay under App Settings > Turn on the Enable in-game overlay.
• Click on the Games tab > Select Call of Duty: Black Ops III.
• Finally, turn off the Enable in-game overlay toggle.
• Make sure to reboot your PC to apply changes.

Disable Xbox Game Bar:

• Press Windows + I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Gaming > Go to Game Bar > Turn off Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar option.

If in case, you’re unable to find out the Game Bar option then just search for it from the Windows Settings menu.

Disable Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:

• Launch the Nvidia GeForce Experience app > Head over to Settings.
• Click on the General tab > Disable the In-Game Overlay option.
• Finally, restart the PC to apply changes, and launch the COD Black Ops 3 game again.

Also do keep in mind that you should disable some other overlay apps like MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB software, or any other third-party overlay apps that run in the background always.

11. Link Both Blizzard and Activation Accounts

Just ensure that both your Blizzard and Activision accounts are connected or linked to each other properly. It could be a reason behind the game crashing issue while launching because the accounts are not connected. To do this:

• Head over to this official Activision Support page to link your Activation account with your Blizzard account.
• If you’re getting the error message “Error: Disconnected from Server” then make sure to retry the method and use the same account that you’re using or used to purchase the game previously. [That’s important]

12. Set Power Options to High Performance

Call of Duty titles are too big in size and due to their high-end graphics or processes, they require maximum system resources while launching or running. So, it’s highly recommended to set power options to High Performance on your Windows system so that it won’t limit the use of system resources while playing COD Black Ops 3. To do that:

• Click on Start or press Windows key > Type Power Options and open it.
• Now, click on the Additional power settings option > Turn on the High-Performance toggle.
• Once done, make sure to reboot your system to change effects immediately.

13. Set Windows System to Best Performance

If you’ve some performance issues on your Windows computer even if you’re not running any high-end applications or games or if your hardware configuration is high enough then make sure to set the Windows system to Best Performance mode by removing additional features or visual enhancements. To do this:

• Go to Windows Search and type Performance then open it.
• Now, click on Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
• Just turn on the Adjust for best performance option for better results.

Please Note: Turning on the best performance option will reduce the graphics quality of the system UI or changes the UI elements or even font design. But do not worry. If that option didn’t help you, just go back to the recommended mode or the previous option again.

14. Disable the SysMain Service

Make sure to disable the SysMain service that’s also known as SuperFetch which eventually causes issues with the game launches and gameplay. To turn it off:

• Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Now, type services.msc on the field and hit Enter to open Services.
• Find SysMain service from the list of services > Right-click on SysMain.
• Click on Stop > Right-click on SysMain again > Go to Properties.
• Set the Startup Type to Disabled > Click on Apply and then OK to save changes.
• Finally, restart the computer to apply changes.

15. Adjust COD Black Ops 3 Exe Properties

Sometimes adjusting or tweaking some of the options directly from the COD Black Ops 3 executable properties option will resolve multiple issues whatsoever. To do so:

• Right-click on the COD Black Ops 3 exe file from the desktop or from the installed game location.
• Now, select Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.
• Here click on Disable Fullscreen optimizations.
• Then click on Change high DPI settings > Enable the Override high DPI scaling behavior checkbox.
• Select Scaling performed by: Application > Click on Apply and then OK to save changes.

16. Disable Crossplay Feature

Ensure to disable the Crossplay feature on your Battle.net client to check if that helps to remove the crashing issue with the COD Black Ops 3 game or not.

17. Delete Battle.Net Cache Data

It’s needless to say that corrupted cache data files can eventually cause several issues whatsoever. To do that:

• Close all the games first and then quit the Battle.net client too.
• Now, press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Type %programdata% and hit Enter to open the Program Data folder.
• Open the Blizzard Entertainment folder > Head over to Battle.net.
• Click on Cache > Select all files and delete them.
• Once all is deleted, just reboot your computer to apply changes.

Now, you should be able to launch and play the Call of Duty Black Ops 3 game quite easily.

Finally, you should also turn off or lower some of the in-game graphics settings to check for the issue. Try capping the FPS limit to under 60 FPS for an optimal gaming experience if you’re having glitches or stutters and that eventually crashes the game.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.