Ghostrunner 2 is the sequel to the critically acclaimed 2020 action platformer Ghostrunner. The sequel is an incredible game that expands upon the mechanics from the original and also runs on the Unreal Engine 4. While the game runs smoothly across all platforms, a lot of PC users are experiencing crashes when playing Ghostrunner 2. In this Ghostrunner 2 guide, I will list fixes that will help PC users fix the crashes.
Ghostrunner 2 Crash Fixes That’ll Help
PC users report that Ghostrunner 2 is crashing to the desktop while playing. Some PC users get error messages like UE4 Fatal Error and some don’t. The following are the fixes that’ll help PC users fix Ghostrunner 2’s in-game crashes.
Switch DirectX
Ghostrunner 2 supports both DirectX 11 and 12 APIs. DirectX 12 is required to access specific features like DLSS. However, turns out that using the DirectX 12 API to play Ghostrunner 2 causes it to crash to the desktop. Switch to DirectX 11 and the game will stop crashing.
- Right-click Ghostrunner 2 in your Steam library
- Select Properties
- type -d3d11 under Launch Options and press Ok
- Launch Ghostrunner 2, and it’ll run using DX11
Upgrade Windows
Your Windows version is the reason for Ghostrunner 2’s crashes. PC users report that upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 fixes the crashes. So upgrade your Windows to Win11 and the issue will be fixed.
Enable Debug Mode
Most GPUs from third-party AIB partners like Zotac or Gigabyte, use higher GPU and Memory clocks compared to Nvidia’s reference models or are factory overclocked. This is the reason why Ghostrunner 2 is crashing to the desktop while playing. Enable the Debug mode through the Nvidia Control Panel to force the GPU to use Nvidia’s recommended GPU and Memory clocks to fix Ghostrunner 2 crashes. Open the Nvidia Control Panel > Help > Debug Mode.
Increase Shader Cache Size
As I mentioned above, Ghostrunnner 2 runs on the Unreal Engine 4, which means the game relies heavily on shaders. GPU drivers create a shader cache by default but, it seems that the default cache size isn’t enough for Ghostrunner 2 which is the reason why it’s crashing. Increase the Shader Cache size and the issue will be fixed.
- Open the Nvidia Control Panel
- Go to Manage 3D Settings > Global Settings
- Scroll down to Shader Cache
- Select 10 GB and apply the changes.
- Play Ghostrunner 2 and it won’t crash anymore
Limit Max Frame Rate
Ghostrunner 2 is a fast-paced action platformer that requires players to be precise and quick. This means playing Ghostrunner 2 at a high or unlocked FPS, helps players to make difficult maneuvers with minimal input latency and precision. However, playing the game at an unlocked FPS is causing it to crash. Limit Ghostrunner 2’s maximum frame rate and it won’t crash.
I recommend that you limit the FPS through the Nvidia Control Panel as in-game FPS limiters often introduce bad frame pacing.
- Open the Nvidia Control Panel
- Go to Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings
- Select Ghostrunner 2 from the drop-down list
- Scroll down the options and enable “Max Frame Rate” and set a value for it
- Play Ghostrunner 2 and it won’t crash
Note: Unless you are using 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.
Disable In-game Overlays
In-game overlays are common among gaming-related software like Discord or performance monitoring tools. In-game overlays are useful as they allow PC users to use their features without minimizing or quitting the game. If you are using or have enabled in-game overlays, it’s the reason for Ghsotrunner 2’s crashes. Disable in-game overlays and it’ll stop crashing.
To disable Discord overlay, open User settings > Game Overlay > turn off the “Enable In-game overlay” options.
To disable Steam in-game overlay, open Setting settings > In-Game tab > uncheck “Enable the Steam overlay while in-game” and press OK.
If you have installed GeForce Experience, its overlay is enabled by default. To disable GeForce Experience Overlay, open GeForce Experience> click on the Gear icon next to your username > General > turn off the “IN-GAME Overlay” options.
Ghostrunner 2 Crash At Startup Fixes You Can Try
PC users report that Ghostrunner 2 is crashing at startup or doesn’t launch. There are multiple reasons why the game is crashing at startup like damaged DirectX shader cache, corrupt or missing Visual C++ files, and more. The following are the fixes that’ll help PC users resolve the Ghostrunner 2’s crash at startup issue.
Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Fullscreen optimizations are enabled by default in Windows for every installed program or video game. However, it is one of the reasons why Ghostrunner 2 is crashing at startup. Disable fullscreen optimizations and the issue will be fixed.
- Right-click Ghostrunner 2 in Steam library > Manage > Browse local files
- A new window will open containing game files
- Right-click the game executable and select Properties
- Go to the Compatibility tab, check “Disable Fullscreen optimizations” and apply the changes
- Play Ghostrunner 2 and it won’t crash at startup
Install/Repiar Visual C++ Redistributables
Another reason why Ghostrunner 2 is crashing at launch is because your system is missing necessary Visual C++ files or they have gone corrupt. Visual C++ Redistributables are necessary to run any video game on Windows, if a single file goes corrupt or isn’t installed, it can cause games to crash at startup. Install or repair the Visual C++ Redistributables and Ghostrunner 2 will stop crashing
- 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
- Play Ghostrunner 2 and the game won’t crash at launch
Delete DirectX Shader Cache
A damaged DirectX Shader cache can crash Ghostrunne 2 at startup. As I mentioned above, the game relies heavily on shaders as it runs on the Unreal Engine. A corrupt DirectX shader cache will crash Ghsotrunner 2 at startup and it can be fixed by deleting the DirectX shader cache. Open Disk Cleanup utility > select C drive > check “DirectX Shader Cache” and press OK.
Run The Game In Compatibility Mode
Another potential fix for Ghostrunner 2’s crash at startup issue is to run the game in compatibility mode for Windows 7.
- Right-click Ghostrunner 2 in Steam library > Manage > Browse local files
- A new window will open containing game files
- Right-click the executable and select Properties
- Go to the Compatibility tab
- Check “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select Windows 7 from the drop-down menu
- Launch Ghostrunner 2 and it won’t crash
That is all for our Ghostrunner 2 fixes for in-game crashes and crashes at startup issues. If you are facing errors and issues with other PC games or your PC, then also see our hub for commonly occurring PC errors and their fixes.