Fix: Overwatch 2 Keep Crashing on Startup on PC

Blizzard Entertainment is known for its stunning video games for years and the Overwatch 2 is the latest hero shooter video game which becomes quite popular among multiplayer gamers. It’s a sequel to Overwatch that offers a fresh multiplayer experience in PvP mode and PvE mode. However, the chances are high that somehow you’re facing the Overwatch 2 Crashing issue on your Windows PC that needs to be fixed manually by following this guide.

So, if you’re also one of the victims to encounter such an issue then don’t worry because here we’ve shared a couple of possible workarounds for you to easily resolve it. Sometimes issues with the PC hardware or software can trigger crashes a lot. But the chances are high that you’re facing such an issue due to the Overwatch 2 build. That means the early access stage of the game does have multiple issues until developers come up with a few patch updates.

Why Does Overwatch 2 Crash?

Well, the startup crashing or the game not launching becomes one of the most common issues among PC gamers that you can fix by yourself. The chances are high that your game is crashing on the PC due to several possible reasons. Whereas the PC compatibility issue with the game should be proper to ensure that the game won’t trigger crashes or stutters, etc. Sometimes the outdated software version can also bring multiple problems with the game.

On the other side, you may encounter the startup crashing issue due to some other reasons like the outdated game version, corrupted/missing game files, outdated or corrupted GPU drivers, background running tasks, startup apps issues, outdated game launcher, etc. While the antivirus software issues, outdated DirectX version, issues with Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables files, overlay apps issues, an overclocked CPU/GPU, etc can do the same.

Fix: Overwatch 2 Crashing on PC

We’ll recommend our readers simply follow this troubleshooting guide to fix the crashing issue on the PC. It’s better to go through all the possible workarounds one by one until the problem gets fixed for you. Sometimes a simple method can also fix the issue, so without further ado, let’s get into it.

1. Check System Requirements

You should always try checking the game’s system requirements to ensure there is an issue with the PC compatibility or not. Sometimes your PC configuration doesn’t meet the requirements to run the game properly. It eventually causes crashes, lags, stutters, etc. Sometimes an outdated PC build or low-end specifications can also trouble you a lot. If in case, you’re not sure whether your PC is capable to run the game or not, you can check out the details below.

Minimum System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 64-bit (latest service pack)
• Processor: Intel Core i3 or AMD Phenom X3 8650
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600 or AMD Radeon HD 7000
• Memory: 6 GB RAM
• Storage: 50 GB of available hard disk space

Recommended System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (latest service pack)
• Processor: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 5
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD R9 380
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Storage: 50 GB of available hard disk space

2. Update Graphics Drivers

It’s always required to update graphics drivers on your Windows system to run all the programs smoothly. To do this:

• Right-click on the Start Menu to open up the Quick Access Menu.
• Click on Device Manager from the list.

• Now, double-click on the Display adapters category to expand the list.

• Then right-click on the dedicated graphics card name.
• Select Update driver > Choose Search automatically for drivers.
• If there is an update available, it’ll automatically download and install the latest version.
• Once done, make sure to reboot your computer to change the effects.

Alternatively, you can manually download the latest version of the graphics driver and install it directly from the official website respective to your graphics card manufacturer. Nvidia graphics card users can update the GeForce Experience app via the Nvidia official site. Meanwhile, AMD graphics card users can visit the AMD website for the same.

3. Update Windows

Updating Windows OS build is always essential for PC users as well as PC gamers to reduce system glitches, compatibility issues, and crashes. Meanwhile, the latest version mostly includes additional features, improvements, security patches, and more. To do that:

• Press Windows + I keys to open up the Windows Settings menu.
• Next, click on Update & Security > Select Check for updates under the Windows Update section.
• If there is a feature update available, select Download and install.
• It may take a while to complete the update.
• Once done, restart your computer to install the update.

4. Run the game as an administrator

Make sure to run the game 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 Overwatch 2 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.

Make sure to do the same steps for the Battle.net client too. It should help you to fix Overwatch 2 issue on your PC.

5. Close Background Running Tasks

Unnecessary background running tasks or programs can eat up a lot of system resources like CPU or Memory usage literally reducing system performance. Hence, the startup crashing, lagging, and not loading issues appear quite often. Simply, close all the unnecessary background running tasks completely. To do this:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open up the Task Manager.

• Now, click on the Processes tab > Click to select tasks that are unnecessarily running in the background and consuming enough system resources.
• Click on End Task to close it one by one.
• Once done, restart your system.

Now, you can check whether you’ve fixed Overwatch 2 Crashing on your PC or not. If not, follow the next method.

6. Set High Priority in Task Manager

Make your game priority in the higher segment via the Task Manager to tell your Windows system to run the game properly. To do this:

• Right-click on the Start Menu > Select Task Manager.
• Click on the Processes tab > Right-click on Overwatch 2 game task.
• Select Set Priority to High.
• Close Task Manager.
• Finally, run Overwatch 2 game to check if it crashing on PC or not.

7. Disable Windows Firewall or Antivirus Program

The chances are that maybe your default Windows Defender Firewall protection or any third-party antivirus program is preventing the ongoing connections or game files from running properly. So, temporarily disable or turn off the real-time protection and firewall protection. Then you should try running the game to check if Overwatch 2 Crashing on PC issue has been fixed. To do this:

• Click on the Start Menu > Type firewall.
• Select Windows Defender Firewall from the search result.
• Now, click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the left pane.

• A new page will open > Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) option for both the Private & Public Network Settings.

• Once selected, click on OK to save changes.
• Finally, restart your computer.

Similarly, you have to turn off the Windows Security protection too. Just follow the steps below:

• Press Windows + I keys to open the Windows Settings menu.
• Click on Update & Security > Click on Windows Security from the left pane.

• Now, click on the Open Windows Security button.
• Go to Virus & threat protection > Click on Manage settings.

• Next, you’ll need to simply turn off the Real-time protection toggle.
• If prompted, click on Yes to proceed further.
• Additionally, you can also turn off cloud-delivered protection, Tamper protection if you want.

8. Set High Performance in Power Options

If, in case, your Windows system is running on the Balanced mode in Power Options, just set the High-Performance mode for better results. Although this option will take higher power usage or battery usage. To do this:

• Click on the Start Menu > Type Control Panel and click on it from the search result.
• Now, go to Hardware and Sound > Select Power Options.
• Click on High Performance to select it.
• Make sure to close the window and fully shut down your computer. To do this, click on the Start Menu > Go to Power > Shut Down.
• Once your computer is fully turned off, you can power it on again.

This should fix Overwatch 2 Crashing issue on your PC in most cases. However, if none of the methods worked for you, follow the next one.

9. 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 Overwatch 2.
• 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 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.

10. Verify and Repair Game Files

If in case there is an issue with the game files and somehow it gets corrupted or missing, then make sure to perform this method to easily check for the issue.

1. Launch the Battle.net client on your PC.
2. Now, click on the Overwatch 2 icon that you’re trying to repair.
3. Click on the cogwheel icon (settings) next to the Play button.
4. Select Scan and Repair > Click on Begin Scan.
5. Wait for the repair to finish > Once done, close the Battle.net desktop, and reboot the PC to apply changes.

11. Check for Game Updates

According to Blizzard Support, corrupted or damaged game files can cause a wide variety of problems and errors with game launching or gameplay. Mostly updating the game can resolve these issues in a jiffy.

• Open the Battle.net desktop app on your PC.
• Now, click on the Overwatch 2 icon that you’re trying to repair.
• Click on the cogwheel icon (settings) next to the Play button.
• Finally, select Check for Updates and wait for the process to be completed. [If there is an update available, make sure to download and install the game update]

This method should resolve the game files missing or corrupted issues completely. However, if you’re unable to fix the issue then we’ll recommend you uninstall and reinstall the specific game on the PC. Otherwise, you can visit Blizzard Technical Support Forums for further assistance.

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