PoE2 Guide - How to Fix Crashes & Freeze

[glytch]

Crashing and Freezing can be a problem with:

• Windows 11 24H2 Update
  
• Windows GPU Scheduling
  
• Nvidia Graphics Driver
  
• CPU 100% Load
  
• SSD High Disk Activity

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Note: Press Alt + Tab to switch between Game and Windows/Programs.

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Reverting Windows 11 24H2 to 23H2

See what version you are running currently by clicking Start Menu and type winver and press Enter.

You only have 10 days to revert before it is disabled.
Settings → Recovery → Go back

If you don't want to do this or are unable, try the steps below.

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PoE Uncrasher

https://github.com/Kapps/PoEUncrasher
https://github.com/Kapps/PoEUncrasher/releases
VirusTotal Check[www.virustotal.com]
Run this program before launching the game. It will manage CPU resources by reserving cores during loading screens in case of freeze so you can exit out and sets them back during gameplay so you don't lose performance.

If you don't want to use this program but want to do it manually:
While game is running
Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Details Tab → Right Click PathOfExileSteam.exe → Set affinity → Uncheck CPU 0 and 1

BES Battle Encoder Shirasé

https://mion.yosei.fi/BES
Use this program alongside PoE Uncrasher. Limit your PathOfExileSteam.exe CPU process to -10%. Now Windows has some reserve resources to prevent freezing.

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Windows 8 Compatibility Mode

In Steam Library, Right Click PoE2 Game → Manage → Browse local files

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Path of Exile 2

Right Click PathOfExileSteam.exe → Properties → Compatibility Tab → Compatibility mode: Windows 8
Do this for PathOfExile_x64Steam.exe also.
Screenshot[i.imgur.com]

Nvidia Graphics Driver Hotfix

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5608
You can try this new driver update v566.45 to see if it has any effect. Nvidia said they will release an update that fixes PoE2 crashes in January.

Disable Nvidia Threaded Opitmization

Nvidia Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Threaded optimization: off
Screenshot[i.imgur.com]

Turn Off Windows GPU Scheduling

Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Advanced graphics settings → Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling: off
Restart PC (Important)
Screenshot[i.imgur.com]

Turn Off Windows Auto HDR

Settings → System → Display → Auto HDR: off

Change Game Graphics Options

Options → Graphics Tab
Renderer: Vulkan (Switch back to DX12 if it causes performance problems)
Mode: Windowed Fullscreen

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(Maybe) you won't crash.

[Anubis Mann]

Solution: Back to Windows 11 23H2 (ISO clean install)

[Xypha]

Originally posted by Riukensei:

That's a lot of work to play a game, that is free, and that wants money from me. Maybe they should speed fix this issue and not make me jump thru hoops.

its not a poe exclusive problem tbh. can jsut google and see that right now

[⎝⧹DarkArisen⧸⎠]

Originally posted by Anubis Mann:

Solution: Back to Windows 11 23H2 (ISO clean install)

+1 and block auto update

[Crimson]

Hello folks,
recently i finished the new version (0.9) of fix that will minimize the pc freezes that POE2 and the latest Windows updates will cause on different systems.

https://github.com/CrimsonED1/POE2loadingPainFix

Basicly it will watch the POE2 logfile for loading maps, and then limit the threads of POE2.
After loading maps, it will restore normal CPU usage, so you have no FPS breakdowns.
This limitations are like BES – Battle Encoder Shirasé (https://mion.yosei.fi/BES/) is doing, but you will not have to limit POE2 manually.

Hope it will let you play more safe.
best regards
Crimson

[Botzz28]

Any word on a fix? PC is still crashing hard during loading screens. Unacceptable

[Gon Freecss]

Originally posted by Crimson:

Hello folks,
recently i finished the new version (0.9) of fix that will minimize the pc freezes that POE2 and the latest Windows updates will cause on different systems.

https://github.com/CrimsonED1/POE2loadingPainFix

Basicly it will watch the POE2 logfile for loading maps, and then limit the threads of POE2.
After loading maps, it will restore normal CPU usage, so you have no FPS breakdowns.
This limitations are like BES – Battle Encoder Shirasé (https://mion.yosei.fi/BES/) is doing, but you will not have to limit POE2 manually.

Hope it will let you play more safe.
best regards
Crimson

A new hotfix released. I think that fixed cpu issues?

[Gon Freecss]

Originally posted by Anubis Mann:

Solution: Back to Windows 11 23H2 (ISO clean install)

I have always been on 23H2 and still crash. Dx12 crash and another no where near as often that just freezes and closes the game with no error.

[Lotsrly]

Originally posted by jjguzzardo:

I have an NVIDIA 4090 and have been experiencing crashes during boss fights where I generate a lot of lightning particles or during the death effects after killing a rare. I can confirm in my case that the video drivers are crashing. I experience 2 crashes per map and the game has been largely unplayable due to this. I did achieve some level of success by disabling multithreading but milliseconds per frame was at 40ms, which was unplayable. I also tried Vulkan and no luck.

So what I did was install this nividia hotfix that is intended to fix similar issues with other games. POE2 is not specifically mentioned but installing this hotfix has worked for me. Not only does the game run more smoothly than it did before, but I've also completed 5 maps with no crashes after experiencing 1 to 2 per map previously.

Keep in mind, this is a driver hotfix so use at your own risk, but in my case it definitely fixed my CTD issues:

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5608/~/geforce-hotfix-driver-version-566.45

I also want to stress that no other changes to my system or game settings were required. I installed this patch and can no run the game at the highest settings (DX12 + DLSS/DLAA)

My man, it worked for me!

[nwcl]

the 24H2 excuse is such a cop out.
just fix your game. no other game crashes this frequently for me with PoE1 being close second. ON MULTIPLE SYSTEMS.

[CpTTryHard]

Originally posted by niewcelowany:

the 24H2 excuse is such a cop out.
just fix your game. no other game crashes this frequently for me with PoE1 being close second. ON MULTIPLE SYSTEMS.

+2

[Kamcik]

I'm kinda done with this bs - I was happy about game but because they decide to do balance changes instead of focusing technical ascepcts of the game it's getting to far - giving us messages "we're aware of the issue and we're working on it" couple of times means nothing. Bro I work in support this is type of ♥♥♥♥ we say when we have no idea what tf going on in other case they would give more details. Did i forgot to mention that 100% usage of your cpu can damage your pc components ? How im suppose to rate high this game when no other game put my pc in such a risk EVER?

[rchiefari]

I lowered my max CPU usage to 90% - no crashes yet. PC with RTX 3060

[0rion]

this should really not be necessary. Have never seen so much sh** in my 30 years+ of PC Gaming....

[TotorLeOuf]

I just had a display issue while playing poe2 : my 2 screens were unable to play anything, just as they were not connected to the pc. It ocuured each time i reloeded the game, even in the log in screen. First i tried to change the game option to Vulkan renderer, and turned off threaded opti. The crashes happened again. Then i installed the driver hotfix (gpu schedulling and HDR were off already). Didn't change a thing. Then i selected the option that allow to start the game as admin (steam library > pathOfExile2Steam.exe > properties > compatibility tab) and disabled the 2nd screen. It worked and no crash anymore.

[jstep32x]

Originally posted by rchiefari:

I lowered my max CPU usage to 90% - no crashes yet. PC with RTX 3060

just curious if this worked so far for you?