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If Middle-earth: Shadow of War keeps crashing, will not launch, stutters, or runs at low FPS, first check which optional content is installed and whether your PC meets its requirements. Then work through current Windows and driver updates, stock hardware settings, Steam file verification, and lower graphics load. These checks can narrow down common causes, but no single fix is established for every PC.
Check your edition, optional content, and PC requirements
Compare your PC with the Steam requirements before changing settings or considering a hardware upgrade. These are listed thresholds, not guarantees of a particular frame rate. WB Games lists the following requirements for the base game:
| Configuration | Processor | Memory | Graphics | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | AMD FX-4350 or Intel Core i5-2300 | 6 GB RAM | AMD HD 7870 2 GB or NVIDIA GTX 660 2 GB | 70 GB |
| Recommended | AMD FX-8350 or Intel Core i7-3770 | 12 GB RAM | AMD RX 480/RX 580 4 GB or NVIDIA GTX 970 4 GB/GTX 1060 6 GB | 70 GB |
Both configurations list 64-bit Windows and DirectX 11. The Steam listing retains Windows 7 SP1 in the game’s minimum requirements, but Steam says its client has supported Windows 10 and later since January 1, 2024. The game’s legacy minimum OS entry is not a guarantee of current Steam client support. Steam store listing
Optional packs have different resource requirements. If you installed one, compare against its requirements too:
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| Optional content | Memory | Graphics memory | Total storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Resolution Texture Pack | 16 GB RAM | 8 GB GPU | 85 GB |
| 4K Cinematic Pack | 12 GB RAM | 4 GB GPU | 95 GB |
WB Games does not state a publication date for these figures. Having the recommended hardware does not guarantee a specific FPS or rule out crashes. WB Games support
Identify when the problem happens
Before changing several things at once, note whether the problem occurs at startup, while loading, during ordinary gameplay, or at the same scene each time. Record the exact error message and any recent driver, Windows, game, or hardware changes. This makes it easier to connect a new symptom to a recent change and gives support useful details if the checks below fail.
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- Windows version, CPU, GPU and VRAM, installed memory, and available drive space.
- Graphics and sound driver versions, if known.
- Whether the High Resolution Texture Pack or 4K Cinematic Pack is installed.
- The steps that reproduce the crash or stutter, and any error text.
Work through launch failures and crashes
Install current Windows and device updates
WB recommends current video and sound drivers from your PC maker or component manufacturer, and checking Windows for updates. DirectX is updated through Windows Update according to WB’s troubleshooting guidance. The right driver depends on your hardware and Windows installation, so use the appropriate manufacturer’s current supported release rather than a version intended for different hardware. WB Games PC troubleshooting
Return overclocked hardware to stock settings
If the CPU, GPU, or another component is overclocked or turbo-boosted beyond its manufacturer settings, temporarily restore the stock settings and see whether the problem changes. WB recommends this as a crash-prevention check; it does not establish that an overclock is the cause of every crash.
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Verify the game files in Steam
- Open Steam Library.
- Right-click Middle-earth: Shadow of War and choose Properties.
- Open Local Files and select Verify Integrity of Game Files.
- Let Steam finish, then launch the game and check whether the same problem remains.
If verification does not help, WB lists uninstalling and reinstalling as a further option. Before uninstalling, check that your save is synchronized or otherwise backed up; WB’s troubleshooting page does not explain save backup or synchronization steps. WB Games PC troubleshooting
Check security software only when there is evidence of a block
WB notes that antivirus software can quarantine or block game files. Check your security product’s quarantine or alert history to confirm that it affected a game file before adding an exception, and follow the product’s instructions. Do not broadly disable protection as a routine fix. If you test a temporary change, restore your usual protection afterward.
Rank #4
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- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
Isolate other software conflicts cautiously
Close unnecessary applications before launching the game. If the crash continues and you suspect a startup program is interfering, WB suggests using a temporary Windows clean boot as a diagnostic test. A clean boot changes which non-Windows services and startup items load; record what you change, follow Microsoft’s instructions for your Windows version, and restore normal startup settings when the test is finished. It is a way to isolate a conflict, not a permanent gaming configuration. WB Games PC troubleshooting
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Improve low FPS and stuttering
Reduce the settings that increase hardware load
Lower demanding graphics options in the game’s Options menu and test again. WB cautions that higher settings can burden hardware even on PCs that exceed the minimum requirements. Closing unnecessary applications can also leave more resources available to the game. Change a small number of settings at a time so you can tell which adjustment affects performance. WB Games PC troubleshooting
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Use Dynamic Resolution if you accept softer image quality
The game’s PC FAQ says Dynamic Resolution is set to 30 fps by default. It scales resolution dynamically between 100% and 10% of Scaled Resolution according to GPU performance, aiming to maintain the selected target. That can reduce image sharpness when the game lowers resolution; it may help with performance, but it is not a guaranteed crash fix. Shadow of War PC FAQ
Do not follow the historical Ryzen workaround as current Windows advice
WB’s FAQ records that some AMD Ryzen users reported poor performance and that WB reproduced the issue at the time. Its then-listed remedy was to update the AMD chipset driver and motherboard firmware and use Windows 10 version 1703 (OS Build 15063.674). That Windows build is historical, not a current recommendation. Do not downgrade Windows to it; use currently supported Windows, chipset, and firmware updates appropriate to your specific hardware. Shadow of War PC FAQ
Contact WB Games if the checks do not resolve it
If the game still crashes or performs poorly, send WB Games Support the exact error, when it occurs, your Windows version and system specifications, the optional packs installed, and the steps you have already tried. Steam identifies WB Games as the official support provider and lists [email protected] and [email protected] as support email addresses. Steam store listing
Quick Recap
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
