Home
ARC Raiders

Fix ARC Raiders Crashing and Freezing Issues on PC - Solutions

ARC Raiders game crashing error fix guide

ARC Raiders has arrived, dropping players into a tense, cooperative sci-fi world powered by the impressive Unreal Engine 5. Developer Embark Studios has crafted a visually stunning and mechanically deep experience that runs surprisingly well for most. However, as is common with any major PC launch, a portion of the player base is encountering technical hurdles, including sudden crashes, frustrating freezes, and performance stutters that can bring a promising run to a halt.

If you’re one of the players whose game is crashing to the desktop, freezing in the middle of a firefight, or refusing to launch, you've come to the right place. This guide provides a comprehensive list of verified solutions to help you stabilize your game and get back to scavenging and fighting for survival.

First, Check Your System Specifications

Before diving into complex fixes, it's essential to ensure your PC meets the game's minimum requirements. Running a demanding Unreal Engine 5 title on underpowered hardware is a common cause of instability and crashes.

  • Operating System: Windows 10/11 64-bit
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 / AMD Radeon RX 5700
  • Storage: 50 GB available space (SSD recommended)

If your system is below these specifications, you may need to lower all in-game settings significantly or consider upgrading your hardware for a stable experience.

Essential Fixes for ARC Raiders Crashing

Work through these steps in order, as they are organized from the most common and simple solutions to more involved troubleshooting.

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

This is the single most important step you can take. Outdated graphics drivers are the number one cause of crashes in new games. Both NVIDIA and AMD frequently release "Game Ready" drivers specifically optimized for major new titles like ARC Raiders.

  • For NVIDIA users: Download the latest drivers through the GeForce Experience application or directly from the NVIDIA website.
  • For AMD users: Use the Radeon Software application to check for updates or visit the AMD support website to find the latest drivers for your specific graphics card.

After installing the new drivers, perform a full restart of your computer before launching the game again.

2. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can easily cause instability and prevent the game from running correctly. Luckily, PC launchers have a built-in tool to fix this.

  • On Steam:
    1. Open your Steam Library.
    2. Right-click on ARC Raiders and select Properties.
    3. Go to the Installed Files tab.
    4. Click on Verify integrity of game files...
  • On Epic Games Store:
    1. Open your Epic Games Library.
    2. Click the three dots next to the ARC Raiders title.
    3. Select Manage.
    4. Click the Verify option.

Let the process complete. If it finds and redownloads any damaged files, try launching the game once it's finished.

3. Disable In-Game Overlays

Software overlays that run on top of your game can conflict with the game engine and cause crashes. Try disabling them to see if it resolves your issue.

  • Steam Overlay: Go to Steam > Settings > In Game and uncheck "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game."
  • Discord Overlay: Go to User Settings > Game Overlay and turn off "Enable in-game overlay."
  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience Overlay: Open GeForce Experience, click the Settings cog, and toggle off the "In-Game Overlay."

Other programs like MSI Afterburner, OBS, and various hardware monitoring tools also use overlays, so try disabling them temporarily as well.

4. Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings

While ARC Raiders is well-optimized, certain high-end settings can strain even powerful systems. If you're crashing during intense gameplay, try lowering some settings.

  • Shadow Quality: Lower this from Ultra to High or Medium.
  • Texture Quality: If you have a GPU with less VRAM, lowering this can improve stability.
  • Anti-Aliasing: Experiment with different AA settings or lower the quality.
  • Upscaling (DLSS/FSR): While designed to boost performance, sometimes specific versions can cause instability. Try changing the mode (e.g., from Quality to Balanced) or turning it off entirely to see if it stops the crashes.

5. Run the Game as an Administrator

Granting the game administrator privileges can sometimes resolve permission-related issues that lead to crashes.

  1. Navigate to the ARC Raiders installation folder.
  2. Find the main executable file (e.g., ARCRaiders.exe).
  3. Right-click the file and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Compatibility tab.
  5. Check the box for Run this program as an administrator.
  6. Click Apply and then OK.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the essential fixes didn't work, these more advanced steps may help solve deeper-rooted problems.

  • Close Background Applications: Ensure no unnecessary programs are running while you play. Use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to close web browsers, streaming apps, and any other non-essential software to free up CPU and RAM resources.
  • Check for Windows Updates: An outdated operating system can cause compatibility issues. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any pending updates.
  • Monitor System Temperatures: Overheating is a major cause of system shutdowns and game crashes. Use a tool like HWMonitor to check your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing. If they are running too hot, you may need to clean your PC's internal components and ensure your cooling system is working correctly.
  • Perform a Clean Reinstallation: As a final resort, uninstalling the game completely and then reinstalling it can fix persistent issues caused by a faulty installation.

ARC Raiders Crash FAQ

Q: Why is ARC Raiders crashing even on my high-end PC? A: Crashes on powerful hardware are often due to software conflicts, not a lack of power. The most common culprits are outdated graphics drivers, conflicting background applications or overlays, or specific bugs in the game's initial launch version that will likely be patched by the developer.

Q: Is Embark Studios working on a fix for the crashes? A: While there has been no official singular statement covering all crash reports, development studios actively monitor player feedback, especially after a game's launch. It is standard practice for developers to gather data from crash reports and work on stability patches to resolve widespread issues.

Q: Can a full hard drive cause the game to crash? A: Yes. PC games often require extra space for temporary files, shaders, and virtual memory. If your SSD or HDD is nearly full, it can lead to performance problems and crashes. Ensure you have at least 20-30 GB of free space beyond the game's installation size.

Related Posts