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Try these checks in order
After each step, launch Alan Wake II and see whether the original problem remains. If it crashes only during play, note when it happens; PlayStation’s launch-error advice is general console guidance, not a diagnosis of every in-game crash.
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Check for an Alan Wake II update
On the PS5 home screen, highlight the game, press the Options button, and choose Check for Update. Remedy’s update notes list PS5 version 1.200.009 with the August 18, 2026 update. That update includes a fix for a potential crash when using Quick Slots under specific circumstances; it does not establish that this is the cause of other crashes or that all crash patterns are fixed. See Remedy’s Alan Wake 2 update notes.
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Restart the PS5
Use the console’s power menu to restart, then try the game again. PlayStation recommends restarting first in its guidance for certain game-start errors. A full restart is a sensible first check for a launch or play problem, but it is not a guaranteed repair. PlayStation’s game-start troubleshooting.
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Check for PS5 system software updates
Open Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings, then check for an update. Follow the on-screen instructions and PlayStation’s official update guidance rather than using files or procedures from unofficial sources. PlayStation system software instructions.
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Make room for updates
If a game or system update cannot download because storage is full, delete unnecessary data and try again. Remedy lists Alan Wake II’s PS5 download size as 85 GB; that is the download size, not a requirement to keep 85 GB free after installation and not evidence that low storage itself causes crashes. Remedy’s Alan Wake 2 FAQ and PlayStation’s update guidance.
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Playstation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller - White (Renewed)- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
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Close the game and launch it again
If Alan Wake II is still open or suspended, highlight it on the home screen, press the Options button, select Close Game, and start it again. This is a checkpoint after restarting, not a separate proven technical fix.
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Look for an update or installation error at launch
If the game fails to start, check whether the PS5 displayed an error message or indicated that an update did not apply properly. PlayStation says an update file may not have been applied correctly in one failed-launch scenario; its guidance is to restart and, if needed, delete and reinstall the game data. Record any displayed error code before trying later steps. PlayStation’s game-start troubleshooting.
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PlayStation DualSense® Wireless Controller - Midnight Black- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
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Rebuild the database in Safe Mode
If restarting does not resolve a persistent game-start problem, PlayStation lists rebuilding the database as a further troubleshooting step. Turn off the PS5, then press and hold the power button until you hear the second beep to start Safe Mode. Connect the controller by USB, choose Clear Cache and Rebuild Database > Rebuild Database, and follow the prompts. Use PlayStation’s current Safe Mode instructions if the menu labels or procedure differ. This is general PlayStation guidance, not a guaranteed fix for every Alan Wake II crash. PlayStation’s game-start troubleshooting.
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Reinstall the game if its content may be damaged
PlayStation supports deleting and reinstalling game data for certain launch problems. Highlight Alan Wake II on the home screen, press the Options button, choose Delete, then reinstall it from your game library. Delete the game content only; do not select or delete saved data as a troubleshooting shortcut. Before removing anything, make sure you understand how your save is synchronized or backed up—the cited guidance does not document Alan Wake II-specific save recovery. PlayStation’s game-start troubleshooting.
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Test the game after reinstalling
Once installation and any available update finish, launch Alan Wake II and check whether the same failure occurs. PlayStation recommends reinstalling game data in certain failed-launch cases, but a successful launch does not guarantee that a later crash will not recur. This is a diagnostic checkpoint, not an additional repair.
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Use official instructions if a system update fails
If the PS5 system update itself will not install, follow PlayStation’s official update troubleshooting and use only Sony’s official files and methods. Do not use third-party firmware downloads or instructions. PlayStation system software instructions.
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PlayStation DualSense® Wireless Controller – Midnight Black + USB Cable for PC- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
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Report crashes that continue
Remedy directs players with Alan Wake 2 issues to Epic Games Player Support to submit a report. Include the PS5 model, game version, when the crash occurs, and any error code as useful details; these are practical context to provide, not a Remedy-mandated form. Remedy’s Alan Wake 2 FAQ.
What the official fixes do—and do not—tell you
Remedy’s August 18, 2026 update notes describe a potential Quick Slots crash fix under specific circumstances. Remedy’s earlier update history also lists a fix for rare Share Play crashes. Neither note establishes that Quick Slots or Share Play is behind a different player’s crash, so do not treat either feature as a universal workaround.
The official support material cited here does not establish a single cause, a crash-rate figure, or a fix that works for every PS5 crash. Avoid assuming the console is overheating, a save is corrupted, or a particular hardware fault is responsible without evidence tied to your symptoms. Keep track of whether the game fails at launch or during play and capture any error code for support.
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