Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for Elden Ring is live for PC and consoles. Fans of the From Software games are loving the expansion despite the difficulty spike. There is no doubt about the quality of the game and its expansion, and despite that, PC users are experiencing in-game crashes and crashes at startup with Elden Ring. I have compiled a list of fixes that help PC users resolve Elden Ring in-game crash and crashes at startup.
Try These Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Crash Fixes
PC users report that Elden Ring is crashing randomly while playing following the Shadow of the Erdtree update. If you are experiencing the game freezes and then crashes, check our Elden Ring Freezing and crashing fixes. Multiple reasons are crashing the game to the desktop like outdated or incompatible GPU drivers, in-game overlays, overclocked GPU, and more. The following fixes will help PC users resolve Elden Ring’s in-game crashes.
Fix #1: Update GPU Driver
The game is crashing to the desktop because your current GPU driver version is either old or incompatible with it. Update or install a different GPU driver version to fix Elden Ring’s in-game crashes. Ensure you do a clean installation so that settings from the previous driver install won’t interfere with the new one.
Fix #2: Disable In-game Overlays
In-game overlays are useful as they allow PC users to access features without closing or minimizing the game. However, they can interfere with the game and cause in-game crashes. If any in-game overlay like Steam, Discord, or GeForce Experience overlay is enabled, disable it to fix the in-game crashes.
Discord:
- Open User settings
- Go to the Game Overlay tab
- Turn off the “Enable In-game overlay” options.
Steam:
- Open Setting settings
- Go to the In-Game tab
- Uncheck “Enable the Steam overlay while in-game” and press OK.
GeForce Experience:
- Open GeForce Experience
- Click on the Gear icon next to your username
- Go to the General tab
- Turn off the “IN-GAME Overlay” option
Fix #3: Disable SSDPSRV Service
Windows’ SSDPSRV service is freezing and then crashing Elden Ring to the desktop for some PC users. Disable the service to fix the issue.
- Open Task Manager.
- Go to the Services tab.
- Find the “SSDPSRV” service from the list.
- Right-click SSDPSRV and stop it.
- Ply Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and it won’t crash.
Fix #4: Disable GPU overclock
Overclocking the GPU or the CPU can net PC users a boost in performance, but it can make gaming an unstable experience as games crash to the desktop randomly. If you have overclocked your GPU, it’s crashing Elden Ring. Revert the graphics card to its default GPU and Memory clocks to fix the in-game crashes.
Fix #5: Enable Debug Mode
While you haven’t overclocked the graphics card, it might be factory overclocked or using higher GPU and Memory clocks than Nvidia’s reference models. Most graphics cards from AIB partners like Zotac are factory overclocked or use higher clocks compared to reference models. This is the reason for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree ‘s in-game crashes. Enable the Debug Mode through the Nvidia Control Panel and the graphics card will use Nvidia’s recommended GPU and Memory clocks. This will fix the in-game crashes. Open the Nvidia Control Panel > Help > Debug Mode.
Fix #6: Limit Max FPS
Elden Ring is one of the games that benefit from high FPS as it reduces input latency which helps players to time their dodges and attacks. However, playing a game at an unlocked FPS strains the GPU and the CPU, which leads to random in-game crashes. If you are playing Elden Ring at an unlocked FPS, it’s crashing the game. Limit the game’s max frame rate to reduce the GPU and CPU load and it will stop crashing.
- Open the Nvidia Control Panel.
- Click “Manage 3D Settings” and open the Program Settings tab.
- Select Elden Ring from the drop-down menu.
- Scroll down, enable Max Frame Rate, and set a value.
Note: Unless you use a Freesync or G.sync display, your Max Frame Limit should be 1/2, 1/3rd, or 1/4th of your monitor’s refresh rate. Otherwise, the game will feel jittery.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Crash At Startup Fixes That’ll Help
PC users report that Elden Ring is crashing at startup after installing the Shadow of the Erdtree update. Multiple factors are crashing the game at launch like third-party anti-virus blocking the executable, Windows Game Mode, corrupt or missing Visual C++ components, and more. The following fixes will help PC users resolve Elden Ring’s in-game crashes.
Fix #1: Disable Anti-Virus
Some PC users have third-party anti-virus software installed to protect the system. However, these third-party anti-viruses, like DeepGuard, often detect the game executable as malware and quarantine it. If you are using an anti-virus, it is crashing Elden Ring at startup. Either disable the real-time protection or exclude the game from the anti-virus, I recommend the latter. After that, right-click Elden Ring in your Steam library > properties > Installed files tab > click “Verify Integrity of game files”. Once all of this is done, play Elden Ring and it won’t crash at launch.
Fix #2: Run The Game As An Administrator
The game is crashing at launch because it doesn’t have administrative rights. Run Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree as an administrator and the issue will be fixed.
- Right-click Elden Ring in your Steam library > Manage > Browse local files.
- A new explorer window will open containing the game files.
- Right-click the game’s executable > Properties > Compatibility tab
- Check “Run this program as an administrator” and hit apply.
- Launch Elden Ring and it won’t crash at startup.
Fix #3: Disable Game Mode
Enabling the Game Mode setting in Windows helps maintain steady in-game performance in some games. I have experienced games running better with Game Mode enabled. However, Game Mode can cause games to crash at launch. If you have enabled the Game Mode setting in Windows, it’s crashing Elden Ring at startup. Disable this setting to fix crashes.
- Open Windows Settings.
- Navigate to Gaming > Game Mode.
- Disable the Game Mode and the game will stop crashing at launch.
Fix #4: Update or Install Visual C++ Components
Visual C++ is essential to run games on Windows. Visual C++ components can go corrupt or missing following Windows updates and it’s the reason Elden Ring is crashing at launch. Install or repair Visual C++ Redistributables to fix it.
- Open the Steam library and type ‘Steamworks’ in the search bar.
- Right-click “Steamworks Common Redistributables” > Manage > Browse local files.
- A new Explorer window will open.
- Go to _CommonRedist\vcredist
- There are folders with names in years starting from 2010.
- Open each folder and run the VC_redis, both x64 and x86 versions.
- Install or repair Visual C++ Redistributables and restart your PC.
Fix #5: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Windows enabled Fullscreen Optimizations by default for every game or program installed. It can crash games at startup. To fix Elden Ring’s crash at startup issue disable Fullscreen Optimizations.
- Right-click Elden Ring in Steam library > Manage > browse local files.
- A new Explorer window will open with game files.
- Right-click the executable > properties > Compatibility tab
- Check “Disable Fullscreen Optimizations” and apply.
- Launch Elden Ring and it won’t crash at launch.
Fix #6: Repair system files
Corrupt or missing system files are crashing Elden Ring at launch. Run the SFC scan and it’ll download and replace any corrupt or missing files.
- Open Command Prompt(CMD) and run it as an administrator.
- Type sfc / scannow and press enter.
- Let the scan complete.
- It’ll automatically repair or replace system files that need it.
- Play Elden Ring and it won’t crash at launch.
Fix #7: Update Windows
Nowadays games regularly receive updates, which can change the game’s OS requirement to the latest build. If you haven’t updated your Windows OS in a while, it’s crashing Elden Ring at startup. Update Windows to fix it. Open Windows Settings > Windows Updates > click “Check for updates” > install all available updates.
Fix #8: Delete DirectX Shader Cache
Microsoft sometimes breaks the Windows OS with its updates and DirectX shader cache getting corrupt is common. The game crashes at launch on your PC because the DirectX shader cache is corrupt or incompatible. Delete the cache and Windows will create a new one the next time you launch a game. This will fix Elden Ring’s crashes at startup.
- Open Windows Settings
- Go to System > Storage > Temporary Files
- Select DirectX Shader Cache and click “Remove Files”
- Launch Elden Ring and it’ll work without crashing at startup.
That is all for our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree fixes for in-game crashes and crashes at startup. Also, see our hub for commonly occurring PC errors and their fixes if you are experiencing errors with other PC video games or PCs.
