Fix Wasteland 3 Crash on Startup or Not Launching

Although it’s been a long wait we finally have the third title in the popular RPG Wasteland. The previous installment was released in 2014 and the first, way back in 1988. So, there’s been a large gap between each title release. As early players jump to play the game, an old error that come about in most games in expected. As such, we are writing this early blog on the game to help players who jump into the game on the first day and hopefully, have to quick resolution.

The DirectX version of your system may be the primary culprit causing Wasteland 3 crash on startup and not launching or unable to launch problems as it’s been with the previous version of the game. If you are running an old graphics card or using an old computer, the chances of crash is more. In such a case, we have a solution we will later discuss.

An outdated graphics card is the second most probable cause for the crash, so as a gamer’s modus operandi you must update the graphics card and if you are on Windows 10, update your system to the 2004 built or the May 2020 Update.

Besides the above two solutions, we have a whole list of possible causes and fixes for the Wasteland 3 crash at startup and not launching problem.

Fix Wasteland 3 Game Crash on Startup

As the list of fixes is quite extensive, we suggest that you try one at a time and between each solution attempt to launch the game. If the game works, stop trying other solutions and enjoy. If it doesn’t move to the next fix.

But before you proceed with the solutions, ensure that your system meets the recommendations to run Wasteland 3.

  Now, let’s begin with the fixes.       

Fix 1: Update the Graphics Drivers

Although an outdated graphics card driver causes the most crashes, you should keep all drivers and software updated on the system. This includes the OS, audio drivers, motherboards, processors, etc.

So, first update the graphics card drivers and check if Wasteland 3 crashes on startup or in-game. Nvidia recently released Game Ready Driver. Here are the link to both Nvidia and AMD drivers you need.

Nvidia Game Ready Driver

AMD Radeon Software Driver

Select your OS and other specs and download and install the software. If the problem persists, update everything from OS to audio drivers and check again.

Fix 2: Force the Game to Run on DirectX 10 or 9

For users who are using an old graphics card, the DirectX 11 of the game may be causing problems. Launching the game on DirectX 10 or 9 can fix the problem. You may have to sacrifice some features that comes with DirectX 11, but that’s minimal and should not affect much of the gameplay. Here are the steps.

1. Lunch Steam > Library > Wasteland 3
2. Right-click on Wasteland 3 and select Properties
3. Click on Set launch Options and type -force-d3d10 or –force-d3d9
4. Click Ok to save changes
5. Launch the game and check if the error is resolved.

Fix 3: Terminate Unnecessary Applications and Perform Clean Boot

With so many games, third-party software that forcefully inject themselves between operations cause crash in the game. Hence, the first thing we must do to resolve the Wasteland 3 crashing on startup or failed to launch error is suspend all unnecessary programs and then launch the game. Here are the steps you can follow.

1. Press Windows Key + R and type msconfig, hit Enter
2. In General tab, uncheck Load startup items
3. Go to the Services tab
4. Check Hide all Microsoft services
5. Now, click Disable all
6. Click on Apply and OK.

Try launching the game, check if the error still occurs.

Fix 4: Disable Steam Overlay

If the game crashes right after the intro video, the cause of the problem can be the Steam Overlay. This feature has been known to act up with some games. You can resolve the error by disabling the Steam Overlay. Launch Steam client. Click on Library and right-click on Wasteland 3. Select Properties and uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.

Close Steam and check if the in-game crash or Wasteland 3 crash at startup still occurs.

Fix 5: Disable or Remove GeForce Experience / MSI Afterburner

Sometimes third-party software can tune the GPU settings that does not pair with the game leading to the error. By simply disabling the software, you can resolve the errors. You can uninstall the programs to disable them or simply disable them from the Task Manager. Disable the programs via any method that suits you. Once done, try playing the game and check if the error still appears.

Fix 6: Disable Shader Cache

For Nvidia users, you can disable the Shader Cache which is known to crash games. Here are the steps to disable Shader Cache from the Nvidia Control panel.

1. Right-click on Desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel
2. Expand 3D Settings > Manage 3D settings > Program Settings
3. Click Add and select Wasteland 3
4. Under Specify the settings for this program, locate Shader Cache and select Off.

Check if the Wasteland 3 Game Crashes at Startup, Crashes Mid-game, and DirectX 11 Crash errors still occur. If they do, try the next fix.

Fix 7: Verify Integrity of Game Files

If the game itself is corrupted that could also lead to crash at startup or mid-game crash with Wasteland 3. Here are the steps to check and repair corrupt files on Steam.

1. Launch the Steam client
2. From the LIBRARY, right-click on DOOM Eternal and select Properties
3. Go to LOCAL FILES and click on VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES…

Fix 8: Remove Bad Sectors from the HHD

If you have bad sectors on your HDD, it could also be causing the crash. Although you could correct the corruption in the file system via CHKDSK on Command Prompt, here is a simple alternative.

1. Right-click on C drive or the partition where you have installed the game and the launcher.
2. Select Properties and go to Tools
3. Click on Check and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Try playing the game.
4. After the process completes, the window will auto-exit.

Now, try playing the game and check if Wasteland 3 crashing error still occurs.

There are several other reasons due to which a game can crash on PC, we have covered the frequently occurring causes and provided a solution. If they don’t work in your case, you can comment and provide your system details. We will try to provide you a solution or if you have a more effective fix share them in the comments.