How To Fix: Last Epoch Keeps Crashing on Startup on PC

Playing Last Epoch on your PC can sometimes feel like you’re really there. But it can be frustrating if the game keeps crashing, stopping you from playing and causing you to lose data. Don’t worry if you’re having trouble with this. We’ll take care of you. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you can do to stop Last Epoch from crashing on your PC. By doing these things, you’ll be able to fix the problem and get back to playing games without any problems.

Why is Last Epoch Crashing?

You might be having trouble with Last Epoch crashing at startup because of a temporary bug, a problem with a game file, or even a problem with your computer. A lot of PC gamers have problems with their game files, software, or hardware, which can cause their games to crash at any time.

There are steps you can take to figure out what’s wrong and fix it. Before making a quick decision, it’s important to find out why the game might be crashing. Many players have been able to fix their problems by doing the following:

• Checking compatibility issues with the PC’s specifications
• Updating to the latest game version
• Updating the game launcher
• Updating graphics drivers
• Checking DirectX version issues
• Closing unnecessary background running tasks
• Checking if antivirus or firewall software is blocking the game
• Checking for startup app issues
• Checking for Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables issues
• Checking if an overclocked CPU/GPU is causing the issue
• Checking for overlay apps issues.

By doing these things, you might be able to fix the problem where Last Epoch crashes when you start it up and get back to playing it without any problems. Don’t let this problem keep you from having fun with this exciting game.

Fix: Last Epoch Keeps Crashing on Startup on a PC

Now that you know what could be wrong, you can try the troubleshooting steps below until the problem is fixed. PC gamers sometimes don’t do a few things because they think these workarounds won’t help. But the truth is that even a simple method can help you a lot, even if it doesn’t help other people. Don’t skip any steps until you’re finished. Let’s get started without further ado.

1. Check System Requirements

Make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements for running Last Epoch before you try to fix the problem. The game needs at least a 64-bit version of Windows 7, a processor that is either an Intel Core i5-2500K or an AMD FX-6300, 6GB of RAM, and a graphics card that is either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 470 or an AMD Radeon HD 7770. If your system doesn’t meet these requirements, you might be able to fix the problem by upgrading it.

Minimum Requirements:

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: Windows 7
• Processor: Intel Core i5 2500 or AMD FX-4350
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: nVidia GTX 660ti or AMD R9 270 with 2+ GB of VRAM
• DirectX: Version 11
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 20 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD strongly recommended

Recommended Requirements:

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i5 6500 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: nVidia GTX 1060 or AMD RX 480 with 4+ GB of VRAM
• DirectX: Version 11
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 20 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD strongly recommended

2. Run the game as an admin

Ensure that you run the game app file on your PC as an administrator to give the User Account Control (UAC) access to the system. In order to run a very important program, your system may need UAC access permission. If you follow the steps below, you’ll only need to give admin access once. After that, it won’t ask you again. To do so:

• Go to the directory where you put the Last Epoch game.
• Right-click the program file on your computer.
• Click “Properties,” then click “Compatibility.”

• To enable it, check the Run this program as an administrator checkbox.
• Once finished, click Apply and then OK to save your changes.
• Finally, double-click the game app file to begin playing.

If you’re running the game through Steam, follow the same steps for the Steam application.

3. Disable fullscreen optimizations

Turning off the Windows system’s fullscreen optimizations for your specific game application file may resolve compatibility issues for some PCs. Though it is disabled by default, you should double-check it to ensure that fullscreen optimization is not enabled. To accomplish this, first:

• Launch the Steam client > Select Library.
• Right-click on the Last Epoch > Select Manage.
• Select Browse local files > Navigate to the Last Epoch installed folder.
• Right-click on Last Epoch.exe and select Properties.
• Select Properties.
• Go to the Compatibility tab and check the box next to Disable fullscreen optimizations.
• Once finished, click Apply and then OK to save your changes.

4. Update GPU Driver

You should also update the graphics driver version on your PC by following the steps outlined below. If an update is available, make sure to install it. An outdated GPU driver can cause program launching issues, such as in games or during gameplay sessions. Not only will your game look bad, but your PC will be unable to run at full speed due to graphics conflict. To accomplish this:

• To access the Quick Access Menu, press the Win+X keys together.
• Select Device Manager from the list.
• Display adapters can be expanded by double-clicking them.

• Right-click on the active or currently used dedicated graphics card.
• Now, select “Update Driver” and then “Automatically search for drivers.”
• It will automatically check for updates and download and install the most recent version. Simply wait for the same and restart the computer to apply the changes.

Updating your graphics card driver is critical because it can improve your computer’s performance and stability. It is recommended that you check for updates on a regular basis to ensure that you have the most recent version installed.

If no update is available for your GPU, you can go to the official graphics card website via the links below and manually search for the model of your graphics. As directed by the manufacturer, download and install the most recent GPU driver for your model number.

• Nvidia GPU
• AMD GPU
• Intel GPU

5. Update Windows

If you’ve been using an old Windows version or build number for a while, use the steps below to check for it. Always try to install the most recent system update to get the most recent security patch, improved performance, bug fixes, new features, and more.

Updating your operating system is critical for your device’s security and stability, as older versions are more vulnerable to cyber attacks and may cause compatibility issues with newer software.

• To open Settings, press the Windows + I keys together.
• Select Windows Update, then Check for updates.

• If an update is available, select “Download and Install.”
• Wait for the update process to finish.
• After that, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Furthermore, you should check for optional updates by following the steps below, because a couple of driver updates or security patch updates may appear here that can help you fix a variety of bugs or issues.

• To open Settings, press the Windows + I keys together.
• Select “Advanced Options” from the Windows Update menu.
• Scroll down to find More options.
• Select Optional updates.” You can choose an update if one is available.
• Now, click on “Download and install,” and wait for it to finish.
• Finally, manually restart the system.

6. Force Use the Dedicated GPU

It is strongly advised to always use a dedicated (external) graphics card on your desktop for heavy games and applications to ensure consistent high graphics performance. To accomplish this:

For Nvidia GPU:

• Select “Open Nvidia Control Panel” from the context menu of the blank desktop screen.
• Navigate to 3D Settings and select Manage 3D Settings.
• Select Last Epoch from the list in Program Settings.
• Choose your preferred graphics processor from the list for this program.
• Once completed, it can be viewed as a high-performance Nvidia processor.
• Make sure to save your changes and restart your computer.

For AMD GPU:

• Right-click on the empty desktop screen and select Open Radeon Settings.
• Navigate to Additional Settings > Preferences. Select Power > Switchable Graphics Application Settings.
• Choose Last Epoch from the drop-down menu. [If the game isn’t visible, choose Add Application to include it.]
• After that, go to Graphics Settings and select High Performance. Finally, restart the computer to apply the changes.

7. Disable Background Programs

It is recommended that you close all unnecessary background running tasks on your system by following the steps below because the more system resources that are used, the lower the performance of your system will be. When you experience in-game lags, framerate drops, stutters, and other issues, you may not notice it immediately. However, this method should be beneficial to you in a variety of ways.

• To open Task Manager, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

• Click on Processes to see which tasks are using the most resources.
• Simply right-click on the process and select End Task to forcefully terminate it.
• Make sure to repeat these steps for each third-party app process that consumes more resources.
• After that, exit Task Manager and restart your computer.

8. Repair Game Files

It goes without saying that issues with corrupted or missing game files on the PC can cause game launches to crash frequently with no proper error message in some cases.

This issue can be aggravating for gamers who want to play continuously. To avoid this problem, it is recommended that game files and drivers on the PC be checked and updated on a regular basis.

If your game starts loading for a few seconds before closing automatically or not launching at all, it’s best to verify and repair the installed game files on the PC by following the steps below:

For Steam:

• Launch the Steam client > Select Library.
• Select Last Epoch from the list by right-clicking it.
• Go to Local Files by clicking on Properties.

• Select “Verify Game File Integrity.”
• This procedure could take some time to complete. So, please be patient.
• Once completed, restart the computer to apply the changes.

9. Update Last Epoch

We also recommend that you manually check for the game update via the Steam client to ensure that there is no outdated game version interfering with the game’s launch. This is especially important if you have disabled automatic game updates. Regularly checking for updates will help you avoid potential problems and ensure a smooth gaming experience. An out-of-date patch version can cause a variety of problems, including crashes. To accomplish this:

• Navigate to the Library in Steam.
• From the left pane, select Last Epoch.
• Steam will automatically look for the latest update.
• If an update is available, click Update.
• Make sure to give the update some time to finish.
• After that, restart the computer to apply the changes.

10. Turn Off Third-Party Overlay Apps

The majority of conflicts with the background occur because third-party overlay apps, like the processes that start whenever you start the game, can cause several issues with the game launching. To avoid such conflicts, it is recommended that any overlay apps that are not required for gameplay be disabled or uninstalled.

Additionally, cleaning up your system and optimizing its performance on a regular basis can help prevent these conflicts. Even though the game does not start, the overlay app starts and runs until you manually close it. Some overlay apps, on the other hand, may begin running as soon as you boot the system. So, try manually disabling overlay apps.

Disable Discord Overlay:

• Open the Discord app. At the bottom, click the gear icon (Settings).
• Under App Settings, go to Overlay > Enable in-game overlay.
• Select Last Epoch from the Games menu.
• Make sure the Enable in-game overlay toggle is turned off.
• After that, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Disable Xbox Game Bar:

• To open Settings, press the Windows + I keys together.
• Now, go to the game bar by clicking on Gaming.
• Using the Game Bar, disable the recording of game clips, screenshots, and broadcasts.
• Once finished, save the changes and restart the computer to apply them.

Disable Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:

• Navigate to Settings in the Nvidia GeForce Experience app.
• “General” > “Disable the In-Game Overlay Option”
• After that, restart the computer to apply the changes.

Disable Steam Overlay:

• Launch the Steam client and select “Library.”
• Right-click on “Last Epoch,” then select “Properties.”
• Select “General” > “Turn off the Enable Steam Overlay while in-game” option.
• After that, restart the computer to change the effects.

Other overlay applications, such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB software, and so on, are utilized by a number of PC gamers and advanced users. During gameplay, you should consider turning off any additional mouse or keyboard software, as well as any RGB tools that aren’t required to the same extent. This is for your own safety.

11. Turn Off Windows Firewall and Antivirus Software

There is a good chance that you are protecting your computer with the Windows Firewall that comes preinstalled on Windows, but turning it off momentarily before starting a game can sometimes significantly cut down on the number of crashes that occur during game startup. To achieve this:

• Open the Windows Defender Firewall by selecting it from the Start menu, typing in its name, and then clicking the Enter key.
• After that, navigate to the left pane of the window and select “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.”
• Choose the “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall” option for each domain, despite the fact that this is not recommended.
• When you are finished, you should click OK to save the changes and then restart your computer so that the changes take effect.

In addition, make sure that the antivirus program known as Windows Defender that is installed on your personal computer is disabled. This will ensure that there is no other security software that is obstructing the game files. To do so:

• To open Settings, press the Windows + I keys together.
• Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Security.
• Select “Virus & Threat Protection” from the Open Windows Security menu.

• Now, click Manage settings > Simply deactivate the real-time protection toggle.
• To proceed, select Yes when prompted.

Note: If you have another third-party antivirus program installed on your PC, make sure to disable it from its settings menu.

12. Adjust Power Management Options

As Windows prefers to run in the default balanced power mode to save power and offer medium performance for your daily tasks, switching to the high-performance power option is recommended prior to playing games if you want to get the full potential of the system. High-performance mode, which uses more power but delivers stunning performance, is necessary for demanding games or applications. In order to achieve this goal:

• Start by clicking the Start button, then typing “control panel,” and then opening it.
• A drop-down menu will appear; select “Hardware and Sound” > “Select Power Options.”
• Make sure “High Performance” is selected.
• Close out all open windows and restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

13. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime

Make sure to manually reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables on your Windows system even if it already has them installed by following the steps below, whether or not your system already has them installed.

• Open the Start menu, select the Type apps and features option, and launch it.
• Individually select the Microsoft Visual C++ programs from the list.
• Click Uninstall, and then adhere to the on-screen instructions.
• After removing all Visual C++ programs, restart the computer.
• Now, navigate to the Microsoft website and download the most recent version of the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime.
• Install it on your computer and restart the system in order to alter its effects.

14. Perform a Clean Boot

Due to the fact that some applications or tasks begin at the very beginning, several users asserted that performing a clean boot on the computer did resolve the system boot-up issue. These processes use a lot of system resources and are constantly running. To do this, you should take the actions listed below:

• Hit Windows + R to launch the Run dialogue box.
• To open System Configuration, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• To enable it, go to Services > Hide all Microsoft services.

• Now, select Disable all to switch off the remaining services.
• To save changes, click Apply and then OK.
• Next, navigate to Startup > Open Task Management.
• Choose the individual task with the highest startup impact by clicking on the Startup tab.
• To turn it off, click Disable.

Except for the audio or graphics services, repeat these steps for any programme with a higher startup impact.

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Next, restart your computer to effect the modifications.

15. Restore Default to Overclocked CPU or GPU

Overclocked CPU or GPU on the PC may cause problems with other hardware, resulting in a bottleneck issue. It is preferable to temporarily disable or restore the overclocked CPU/GPU to factory default settings in order to investigate the likely cause of the crashing issue. MSI Afterburner, Riva Tuner, AMD Ryzen Master, EVGA Precision X, and other utilities are available online to tune an overclocked CPU or GPU on a PC.

That’s all there is to it, guys. We hope you found this guide useful. You can leave a comment if you have any further questions.