If DOOM: The Dark Ages crashes at launch on a PC with an NVIDIA graphics card and an AMD Ryzen processor with integrated Radeon graphics, the documented launch-period problem may involve NVIDIA driver 576.40. id Software’s recommended sequence was to reboot, reinstall the NVIDIA driver, and—if the crash continued—temporarily disable the Ryzen system’s integrated GPU in Windows Device Manager.
This was a configuration-specific issue reported around the game’s May 15, 2025 launch, not evidence that all NVIDIA GPUs or every current driver are affected. Bethesda’s support page still documents the workaround, but driver 576.40 should be treated as the historically implicated version rather than the current NVIDIA driver in 2026.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages – PlayStation 5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages – Xbox Series X | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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PlayStation 5 – DOOM: The Dark Ages – Standard Edition | $89.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages - Premium Edition - PlayStation 5 | $94.88 | Buy on Amazon |
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The Art of DOOM: The Dark Ages | $45.41 | Buy on Amazon |
Who this workaround applies to
Start with the configuration before changing anything. The documented case involves:
- DOOM: The Dark Ages on PC
- An NVIDIA GeForce graphics card
- An AMD Ryzen CPU that also exposes an integrated GPU
- NVIDIA driver 576.40
- A crash at launch or shortly after selecting Play or Continue
Bethesda’s PC crash guidance narrows the most relevant case to an NVIDIA GPU on driver 576.40 paired with an AMD Ryzen system and persistent launch crashes. If your GPU, driver, CPU, or failure pattern is different, the same workaround may not apply.
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- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story.
Try the official workaround first
- Restart the PC.
- Reinstall the NVIDIA graphics driver using NVIDIA’s official driver-download page or the NVIDIA App.
- Launch DOOM: The Dark Ages again.
- If it still crashes, temporarily disable the Ryzen CPU’s integrated GPU in Device Manager.
- Launch the game using the discrete NVIDIA GPU.
The reboot-and-reinstall sequence was attributed to an id Software Steam post in the original launch reporting. Disabling the integrated adapter is a reversible troubleshooting step, not a driver uninstall or permanent hardware change.
How to disable the integrated GPU in Windows
- Press Windows key + X.
- Select Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters.
- Identify the integrated adapter, usually an AMD Radeon adapter associated with the Ryzen processor.
- Right-click the AMD integrated adapter and select Disable device.
- Leave the NVIDIA GeForce adapter enabled.
- Start the game and test it.
To undo the change, return to Device Manager > Display adapters, right-click the disabled AMD adapter, and choose Enable device.
Desktop and laptop warnings
Desktop users should connect the monitor directly to the NVIDIA graphics card before disabling the integrated adapter. If the display cable is connected to the motherboard, disabling the integrated GPU may remove the video output from that port.
Rank #2
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story.
Laptop users should be more cautious. Many laptops use the integrated GPU for the internal display, hybrid-graphics switching, battery efficiency, or external-display routing. The screen could flicker or go black, and a restart may be required. Prefer updating drivers or selecting the NVIDIA GPU for the game through Windows graphics settings before disabling laptop hardware. Do not disable the NVIDIA adapter by mistake.
Alternative: install AMD driver 25.4.1
Bethesda also lists AMD driver 25.4.1 as an alternative for the affected Ryzen/NVIDIA configuration. Download drivers only from AMD’s official support site, and understand the trade-off: installing an older driver may avoid disabling the integrated GPU but can affect other games or applications.
This is a specific support-page option, not a recommendation to downgrade every AMD chipset or graphics driver. Begin with the manufacturer-recommended drivers for your hardware unless you are reproducing the documented 576.40/Ryzen launch-crash scenario.
Rank #3
- Brand Name:Xbox
- Video game region: region free
- Display Platform: PS5
RTX 50-series crashes with frame generation
A separate Bethesda support article covers some RTX 50-series crashes involving graphics settings. If the crash happens with frame generation enabled, check whether G-Sync or V-Sync is enabled in NVIDIA Control Panel at the same time as Multi Frame Generation.
Bethesda’s workaround is to disable one of the conflicting NVIDIA Control Panel options, or configure both synchronization and frame-generation settings from the game’s own settings instead. Do not confuse this issue with the Ryzen integrated-GPU workaround: they involve different configurations and settings.
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If the crash continues
For a different NVIDIA GPU, a driver other than 576.40, or a crash that occurs during gameplay rather than at startup, use the broader troubleshooting path:
Rank #4
- Get a head start on slaying demons with the Premium Edition, including up to 2-Days Early Access and the campaign DLC. You’ll also receive the Digital Artbook and Soundtrack, and the Divinity Skin Pack, which includes matching skins for the DOOM Slayer, dragon, and Atlan.
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond.
- Confirm that the PC meets the game’s minimum requirements.
- Install the game on an SSD rather than an HDD.
- Update the video driver. Bethesda’s page lists NVIDIA 576.40 and AMD 25.5.1 as driver references, but those figures are not proof that they are the newest drivers in 2026.
- Verify or repair the game files in your storefront.
- Lower the graphics preset temporarily.
- Close other applications.
- Disable Steam Overlay and Xbox Game Bar for testing.
- Check that Windows and the game are using the intended discrete GPU.
- Remove mods, then repair or verify the installation again.
- Test without overclocks or undervolts.
- Run the game as administrator where appropriate.
- Check whether antivirus protection is blocking the game; add an exclusion only if you trust the installation.
- Reinstall required DirectX components if the support guidance indicates they are missing or damaged.
Community reports mention manual GPU selection, disabling overlays, enabling Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling, and rolling back to drivers such as 576.28. These reports are individual experiences with mixed results, not universal fixes. A random NVIDIA rollback should not replace the official reinstall-and-iGPU test.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not confuse these problems
Bethesda separately says a June 2025 update addressed a freeze during cutscenes involving FSR Frame Generation on certain NVIDIA GPUs. That is not the same as a launch crash involving driver 576.40 and an AMD Ryzen integrated GPU.
Likewise, an Alt+Tab restoration problem, a mid-game freeze, low performance, and a crash after several minutes each point toward different troubleshooting paths. The iGPU workaround is most relevant when the game fails at launch or immediately after entering the game on the specific Ryzen/NVIDIA configuration.
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What not to change first
- Do not disable the NVIDIA GPU instead of the AMD integrated adapter.
- Do not change BIOS settings as a first-line fix.
- Do not uninstall the integrated-GPU driver when a reversible Device Manager disable is sufficient for testing.
- Do not assume every NVIDIA driver newer than 576.40 is defective.
- Do not replace the graphics card, CPU, or motherboard based solely on this issue.
Current status
The incident dates to the game’s 2025 launch period. Bethesda’s support page continues to preserve configuration-specific guidance for the 576.40/Ryzen case, but the available information does not establish that every later game patch or NVIDIA driver eliminated the problem in every system. Treat the workaround as a targeted diagnostic and recovery option, not as a claim that all current NVIDIA users remain affected.
For the original configuration, the safest practical order is: reinstall the NVIDIA driver, test again, then temporarily disable only the AMD integrated adapter if the crash persists. Re-enable it after playing if another application or display path requires it.
Quick Recap
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