Solved: Overwatch 2 Keeps Crashing on Windows 11

First, try restarting the game

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Key notes

  • Overwatch 2 might crash on Windows 11 due to outdated drivers or corrupted game files.
  • To fix the issue, repair game files, run an SFC scan, update the graphics driver, or change the power plan.
  • To learn the detailed steps for each method, keep reading! 
Overwatch 2 Keeps Crashing on Windows 11

Many users have complained that Overwatch 2 has been crashing mid-game for no reason. If you are one of them, this guide can help!

We will discuss the potential causes of the issue along with expert-recommended fixes to put you back in the video game with uninterrupted excitement.

Why does Overwatch 2 keep crashing my computer?

  • Compatibility issues due to outdated graphics drivers.
  • Your system doesn’t meet the system requirements, causing performance issues.
  • Software conflicts or corrupted game files.
  • Overheating or overclocking.

How do I stop Overwatch 2 from crashing on Windows 11?

Before proceeding with any steps to fix Overwatch 2 crashing on Windows 11, go through the following preliminary checks:

1. Repair files on Battle.net

  1. Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer window.
  2. Go to Documents, locate the Overwatch file, and rename it Overwatch.old.
  3. Press the Windows key, type battlenet, and click Open.Battlenet - overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  4. Go to the Library section, go to Overwatch 2, then select the Settings menu.
  5. Click Game Settings.Select Game Settings
  6. Select Additional command line arguments, copy & paste this command, and click Done: --tank_WorkerThreadCount 2 -d3d11 -threads 2Additional command line arguments
  7. Now click the Settings icon again, and select Scan and Repair.Settings icon again, and select Scan and Repair
  8. Next, click Begin Scan, wait for 15 minutes, and it will inform you if it fixed any files.Begin Scan

2. Change the compatibility settings for the game

  1. Navigate to this path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Overwatch
  2. Right-click the game’s exe file and select Properties from the context menu.Right-click the game and select Properties from the context menu -overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  3. Go to the Compatibility tab, remove a checkmark next to Disable fullscreen optimizations, and place one next to Run this program as an administrator.explorer_run as admin
  4. Click Apply, then OK to save the changes.

3. Update/reinstall your graphic driver

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.Device Manager Run command -overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  2. Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
  3. Locate and click Display adapters to expand it.
  4. Right-click the graphics driver and select Update driver.Graphics Driver update
  5. Click Search automatically for drivers, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.Update driver 2
  6. If no update is available, right-click the driver and select Uninstall device.Uninstall graphics driver
  7. Go to Action, then select Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the graphics card driver & resolve compatibility issues.Action scan for hardware changes
Keeping all drivers up-to- date and error-free is the key to play intense games without any crashes, lags, or freezes.Since manual checks are challenging to do, we suggest using an automated assistant that will regularly check for new driver versions. Here is how to use it:
  1. Download Outbyte Driver Updater.
  2. Launch it on your PC to find all the problematic drivers.
  3. Afterward, Click Update & Apply Selected to get new driver versions.
    OutByte Driver Updater Scan
  4. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Outbyte Driver Updater

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Disclaimer: this program needs to be upgraded from the free version in order to perform some specific actions.

4. Run an SFC scan

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and click Run as administrator.CMD elevated overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  2. Type the following command to identify and replace the problematic system files with a clean copy from the local cache or the original installation media and hit Enter: sfc /scannowSFCSCANNOW CMD
  3. Once the commands are executed, restart your computer to let the changes take effect.

5. Adjust the graphics settings

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System, then click Display.System display -overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  3. Choose Graphics.Graphics  -overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 1
  4. Click Browse and look for the Overwatch game folder on your computer, then select Add.
  5. Once added, click the app, then select Options.Options
  6. Choose High performance or Let Windows decide (High performance) and click Save.Choose High performance and click Save

6. Change the Power plan

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.Type powercfg.cpl and click OK to open the Power plans - overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  2. Type powercfg.cpl and click OK to open the Power plans.
  3. Select the High Performance option, then close the window. Launch the game to check if the issue persists.explorer_High performance

7. Allow the game through the firewall

  1. Press the Windows key, type control panel, and click Open.Control Panel start menu -overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  2. Select Category as View by and choose System and Security.System and Security CP
  3. Click Allow an app through Windows Firewall under the Windows Defender Firewall option.Windows Defender
  4. Click Change settings, then click Allow another app.Change app
  5. Next, click Browse, select the app, and click Add to include it in the list.explorer_click Browse, select the app, and click Add to include it
  6. Now locate the app, place a checkmark next to Public & Private, then click OK to save the changes.explorer_lace a checkmark next to Public & Private, then click OK to save the changes.

Maintaining a stable internet connection and allowing Overwatch 2 through the Windows firewall can help you prevent other issues like Overwatch Lost Connection to Game Server [LC-202] as well.

8. Set High Priority for Overwatch 2 and Battle.net

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Details tab, and locate Battle.net.exe, then select Set priority, then select High.Battle.net.exe, then select Set priority, then select High. -overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  3. Locate Overwatch 2 and follow the same steps, then close Task Manager.

9. Reinstall the Overwatch app

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to  Apps, and select Installed Apps.Apps - Installed apps -overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  3. Click the three dots next to Overwatch 2, and select Uninstall.Uninstall - overwatch 2 keeps crashing windows 11
  4. Click Uninstall again to confirm the step.Uninstall 2
  5. After Overwatch is removed from your PC, download the game from the Battlenet app.
  6. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

Reinstalling the app can also be beneficial if you are experiencing high CPU usage caused by Overwatch.

Does Overwatch 2 needs a high-end PC?

No, you can get 30 FPS in Overwatch 2 if your PC fulfills the minimum requirements, i.e., Memory 6 GB RAM, 50 GB free disk space, a graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600 series, AMD Radeon™ HD 7000 series, and Intel Core i3 processor.

Also, the game is not resource-intensive and can be played without any issues. However, corrupted game files of Overwatch 2 can cause it to crash.

Therefore, to avoid game crashes on your PC, keep your graphics driver updated, ensure there is sufficient space on your computer, and keep Windows OS updated to the latest version.

Did we miss a method that helped you? Don’t hesitate to mention it in the comments section below. We will be happy to add it to the list.

More about the topics: Overwatch issues, Windows 11