How to resolve Star Wars Outlaws launch crash and loading screen freezes issues?

Are you eagerly trying to play Star Wars Outlaws but frustrated by crashes on startup or getting stuck on the loading screen? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many players have reported similar issues with this new action-adventure game from Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft. Fortunately, there are several solutions you can try to get past these annoying problems and finally enjoy the game.

Solution 1: Restart Your PC

Sometimes a simple reboot is all you need. It clears out minor glitches that might be causing the crash.

Solution 2: Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing files are often the culprits. Verify your game files on Ubisoft Connect or the Epic Games Store:

Ubisoft Connect

Library > Game > Three Dots > Verify files.

Epic Games Store

Library > Three Dots > Manage > Verify.

Solution 3: Install on an SSD

Games run faster and smoother on an SSD. If you’re using an HDD, consider moving the game to an SSD with enough free space.

Solution 4: Disable Overlays

Overlays from Ubisoft Connect or other apps can interfere. Turn them off in Ubisoft Connect under Settings > General > Uncheck “Enable in-game overlay.”

Solution 5: Run as Administrator

Right-click the game or .exe file and select “Run as administrator” to avoid permission issues that might cause crashes.

Solution 6: Clean Install GPU Drivers

Old or corrupt GPU drivers could be causing the issue. Perform a clean install of the latest drivers from AMD or NVIDIA.

Solution 7: Delete Save & Config Files

Corrupt save or config files can lead to crashes. Delete them and see if it helps.

Solution 8: Tweak In-Game Settings

Adjusting settings can improve performance:

Switch to Windowed Mode or Fullscreen.
Lower the resolution.
Cap FPS at 60.
Disable Vsync.
Lower graphics settings.

Solution 9: Revert Overclocking

If you’ve overclocked your CPU or GPU, revert to default settings to avoid instability.

Solution 10: Unplug External Devices

Disconnect controllers, USB drives, or extra monitors to rule out conflicts.

Solution 11: Adjust Performance Per Core (Intel CPUs)

Lowering performance per core might reduce crashes. Use Intel Extreme Tuning Utility:

Performance Core Ratio > Reduce from 55x to 54x.

Solution 12: Disable Antivirus/Firewall

Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall, as they might block the game from running correctly.

Solution 13: Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Ensure you have the x86 and x64 versions installed from the official Microsoft website.

Solution 14: Perform a Clean Boot

To identify background services or applications causing crashes:

System Configuration > Services tab > Hide all Microsoft services > Disable the rest.
Startup tab > Disable all items > Reboot.

Solution 15: Enter System Launch Options

Try launching the game with DX11 or DX12 for better performance:

Ubisoft Connect

Right-click game > Properties > Game Launch Arguments > Enter “-dx11” or “-dx12”.

Epic Games Store

Library > Three Dots > Manage > Additional Command Line Arguments > Enter “-dx11” or “-dx12”.

Solution 16: Increase Virtual Memory

If your physical RAM is maxed out, increase virtual memory:

Windows Search > View Advanced System Settings > Advanced tab > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Change under Virtual Memory > Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size” > Set Custom Size based on RAM (e.g., 24,576 MB Initial, 49,152 MB Maximum for 16 GB RAM).

Solution 17: Reinstall the Game

If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall the game. Fresh installs can often resolve persistent issues.

By systematically working through these potential solutions, you should be able to overcome the startup crashes and loading screen freezes in Star Wars Outlaws.