So, you’re diving into the chaotic world of Borderlands 2 on PC, guns blazing, loot flying, and then BAM — crash. Your monitor freezes, or worse, the game says “Fatal Error” and kicks you to the desktop. Ugh. We’ve all been there.
Don’t panic! You’re not alone in this digital wasteland. These crashes are more common than Claptrap’s chatter. But fear not — we’ve got your back with a step-by-step fix guide that’s easy and even a little fun.
Step 1: First, Let’s Identify the Crash
Not all crashes are created equal. Your error might vary. Here are the most common ones:
- General Fatal Error — pops up randomly, usually at launch or load screens.
- PhysX Crash — when your graphics card just can’t handle Borderlands’ physics party.
- DLL Missing Error — something important isn’t where it should be.
- DirectX Error — jaggy graphics and instant shutdowns.
Recognizing the kind of crash means you can fix it fast. So let’s roll out these fixes like a Vault Hunter ready for loot!
Step 2: Update Your Game and System
This is the classic fix that works more often than you’d think. Make sure everything is up to date:
- Steam Update: Right-click Borderlands 2 in your library → click Properties → go to Updates → ensure it’s on auto-update.
- Windows Update: Press Win + I → open Update & Security → click Check for updates.
- Graphics Drivers: Use GeForce Experience (NVIDIA) or Adrenalin (AMD).
Once updated, restart your PC. Simple, right? Sometimes that’s all you need.
Step 3: Verify Game Files in Steam
This checks for missing or corrupt files. Super helpful if crashing happens after installation or a mod.
- Open Steam library.
- Right-click on Borderlands 2.
- Select Properties.
- Go to the Installed Files tab.
- Click Verify integrity of game files.
This will scan and replace any bad files. Restart after it completes. Then try launching the game again.
Step 4: Switch Off PhysX (If Needed)
PhysX crashes are a pain. Basically, Borderlands 2 sometimes tries to overload your GPU with unnecessary physics details — especially if you’re not using an NVIDIA card.
Here’s what to do:
- Go to your Documents folder.
- Open the My Games → Borderlands 2 → WillowGame → Config folder.
- Find WillowEngine.ini. Right-click → open with Notepad.
- Search for this line:
PhysXLevel=X - Change it to:
PhysXLevel=0
This disables the over-the-top physics that might be causing crashes. Don’t worry, the game still looks great!
Step 5: Run as Administrator
Sometimes, it’s all about permissions. Running the game as an admin can give it the boost it needs.
- Go to the location where Borderlands 2 is installed.
- Right-click Borderlands2.exe.
- Select Properties, then the Compatibility tab.
- Check “Run this program as an administrator”.
- Click Apply, then OK.
Done! Launch the game again and see if it solves the issue.
Step 6: Set Compatibility Mode
If you’re using a newer version of Windows, Borderlands 2 might get confused. It came out in 2012, after all!
Try this:
- Right-click the game’s .exe file.
- Choose Properties → Compatibility.
- Check “Run this program in compatibility mode”.
- Select Windows 7 or Windows XP (SP3).
- Click Apply.
It’s like sending your game back in time — in a good way!
Step 7: Delete Config Files
If nothing’s working, it might be time for a reset. Don’t worry, you won’t lose your save files.
- Navigate to Documents \ My Games \ Borderlands 2.
- Back up the folder just in case!
- Then delete the WillowGame folder entirely.
When you restart the game, it will generate fresh config files. This often clears up weird issues or corrupted settings.
Step 8: Reinstall Microsoft Packages
Borderlands 2 uses a few system tools to run smoothly. If any of these are broken, it could crash. Here’s what to reinstall:
- DirectX: Reinstall via official Microsoft site.
- Visual C++ Redistributables: Visit the Microsoft Visual C++ page and grab the latest x86 and x64 versions.
- .NET Framework: Update through Windows settings or Microsoft’s site.
These files are like the secret mechanics of your tech universe — keep them updated!
Step 9: Disable Overlay Programs (Like Discord or GeForce Experience)
Sometimes overlays cause crashes. Try disabling them when playing:
- Steam: Right-click Borderlands 2 → Properties → Uncheck “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game”.
- Discord: Go to User Settings → Game Overlay → Toggle it off.
- NVIDIA: Open GeForce Experience → Settings → Turn off in-game overlay.
Test the game again afterward. These sneaky overlays can sometimes trip things up.
Step 10: Last Resort – Reinstall the Game
If all else fails, going nuclear might help.
- Uninstall Borderlands 2 via Steam.
- Delete leftover folders in Documents and SteamApps.
- Restart your PC.
- Download and install the game fresh.
This step can erase corrupted bits that nothing else could fix. Wish it didn’t have to come to this, but hey — sometimes you just gotta reboot the vault.
Bonus Tip: Mods and Community Fixes
If you’re using mods, try running the game without them. One broken mod can crash the whole game!
Check out forums like:
Other players might’ve had the same issue you’re having — and already solved it!
Now Go Blow Stuff Up
Hopefully one