I Finally Solved My Crash Issue.

[MeowPoo]

I Finally Solved My Crash Issue
(Patch version at the time of posting: 01.002.203)

Here are my PC specs — it's quite an old system:

• OS: Windows 10 Pro x64bits 22H2 (Build 19045.5737)
• Motherboard: MSI A320M PRO-VH PLUS
• BIOS Version: 7B07v3I7
• Chipset Driver: 6.10.22.027
• CPU: Ryzen 5 1600x
• CPU Driver: 2.13.1.3097
• GPU: MSI RX 570 8GB
• GPU Driver: Adrenalin Edition 24.9.1
• RAM: 16GB (8x2) DDR4 3000MHz
• PSU: Corsair 550W VS550 (80+ Bronze)

All drivers and BIOS mentioned above are up to date.

Here are my in-game settings:
I set the resolution to 1280x720, framerate limited to 60, and for all graphics settings, I turned off everything I could. For settings that can't be turned off, I set them to the lowest possible.

I bought the game on April 1st, and I’m not using any mods.
I experienced frequent crashes right from the beginning.
The crashes happened randomly on the Hellpod loading screen, during missions with 4 players, and sometimes even when exiting the game.

Here are the things I tried to fix the crashes:

1. Verified game files
2. Used the Hellbomb Script recommended by the official Discord group
3. Forced the game to run in DirectX 11

Unfortunately, none of these worked — until I tried forcing the game to run in Vulkan using the guide below:
📺 YouTube Guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgb77CPzrjg

Note: I did not use DXVK version 2.3.1 as in the guide.
Instead, I used version 2.6.1, which was the latest at the time I posted this.

And guess what? It worked!
The crashes completely disappeared.

I hope this helps others who are facing the same issue.

Additional Notes:
During the first few runs, the game may stutter heavily — don't panic.
That’s because it’s generating Shader Cache at:
SteamLibrary\steamapps\shadercache\553850

Once the Shader Cache has been fully generated, the stuttering will stop.

***********

Fix for Crashes When Launching the Game:
I encountered this too, and here’s how I fixed it:

1. Delete the file user_settings.config and the folder shader_cache in:
C:\Users\***\AppData\Roaming\Arrowhead\Helldivers2

*** = Your system's username.

2. Clear Shader Cache from the GPU driver.
Since I’m using an AMD GPU, I went to:
AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition → Gaming → Graphics → Reset Shader Cache

3. Delete all Shader Cache files in:
SteamLibrary\steamapps\shadercache\553850

Then, launch the game again and it will automatically generate a new user_settings.config and fresh Shader Cache.

[TFCaesar]

Does anyone know if this works on PC with Nvidia GPU?

EDIT: tried the method OP provided, it does work with Nvidia GPU. FPS has increased quite a bit in diff 10 game and so far I haven't encountered any errors. But for whatever whenever I open a monitoring software like game pp in the middle of the game, the game will crash. It's no big deal for me but just so you know.

[AKAYY]

this worked for me, thx friend you are a legend

[ScytheKnight]

Ahh yes the good old "Hey this 20+ minute video of rambling and testing has a fix for things.... somewhere, I promise."

[MeowPoo]

Originally posted by ScytheKnight:

Ahh yes the good old "Hey this 20+ minute video of rambling and testing has a fix for things.... somewhere, I promise."

I understand that this video format may not suit everyone’s preference, but some of us are simply doing our best to share what little progress we've made, in hopes it might help someone else. It’s always easier to critique than to contribute—but kindness, even in disagreement, tends to leave a better impression.

[bigbishounen]

I tried this, and the game would get to the black screen just prior to full launch, and then crash, with just some random process running in the background.

[TFCaesar]

Originally posted by bigbishounen:

I tried this, and the game would get to the black screen just prior to full launch, and then crash, with just some random process running in the background.

try delete the shader cache file in appdata/roaming/arrowhead/helldivers2 foler before you launch the game, also just for extra measure use disk cleanup to delete all the shader cache files as well.

[Inciner8]

This solved my issue after months of being unable to play. Thanks!

[Rocken]

This solved for me some months ago, but now it came back, this fix doesnt work for me, makes my screen go black, any idea?

Just like @bigbishounen

[TheTruDoc]

Done this to me randomly today and followed your instructions. Appreciate the help!

[Sometimes I Pull Off Pro Shit]

My dude I've been pulling my hair out over this issue. Vulkan works like a dream over DX12. No crashes mid mission wasting my time.

[spiked]

For anyone out there I deleted the shader cache and that seemed to have done the trick. Also, if you are using mods go ahead and purge them after deleting the cache.

[Applebox]

Still works

[Joe's Foreskin]

thank you