The Tool Desk
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First, identify when the problem happens
Separate a crash before the main menu from one during gameplay, and note whether stuttering or low FPS happens in a particular area or loading transition. Record whether the problem began after a game update, driver change, or mod change. Those details help narrow the next test; they do not establish the cause.
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Larian has distinct guidance for crashes during gameplay, crashes upon startup, and graphical issues. The steps below apply to PC troubleshooting; they are not console instructions or a patch-specific list of known bugs.
Try the low-risk checks first
Close overlays and nonessential programs
Close nonessential programs before launching the game, including overlays, chat applications, and monitoring or tweaking tools. Retest the same place or action that usually triggers the issue. If the symptom changes, reintroduce programs one at a time to find whether one is involved.
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Switch between DirectX 11 and Vulkan
Use the game launcher to select the other rendering API, then repeat the same scene or workload. Compare whether the crash reproduces, how often it occurs, and whether stuttering or smoothness changes. Treat this as a test on your PC: Larian’s guidance does not establish a universal winner.
If you use—or used—mods, check for leftovers
Removing or disabling a mod in a manager may not remove every file. Larian’s gameplay-crash guidance points players to the game’s Data folders and the local AppData Mods folder; it also mentions removing modsettings.lsx where applicable. Check the locations in Larian’s gameplay-crash instructions if mods have been installed, including in the past.
Do not delete unrelated user data or saves as a general troubleshooting step. If you are unsure what a file belongs to, preserve it and consult the relevant instructions before removing it.
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Test lower graphics settings for stuttering or low FPS
Larian recommends trying a lower resolution or graphics settings and changing the display mode to Windowed or Fake Fullscreen. Make one change at a time, then retest the same scene. This helps show whether a particular change affects the symptom, though it does not identify the underlying cause.
If your monitor’s refresh rate is above 60 Hz, Larian also suggests trying a 60 FPS cap in the game options. This is a diagnostic test, not a recommendation that 60 FPS is optimal for every setup.
Verify the installation files
File verification can check whether installed game files need repair. The client labels may change, so use the equivalent current option if the wording differs.
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- Steam: Open the game’s Properties and use the local-file verification option, following Larian’s gameplay-crash guidance.
- GOG Galaxy: Open Manage Installation > Verify/Repair, as described in Larian’s startup-crash guidance.
Larian also refers to Steam verification and GOG Galaxy Verify/Repair in its bug-report guidance.
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Gather evidence if the issue continues
If the checks do not help, collect details before contacting support or submitting a bug report. Larian’s crash and bug-report instructions identify diagnostic material such as Event Viewer fault details, game logs, and crash dumps. A log can provide useful evidence, but it may not reveal the cause on its own.
- Note whether the game fails at startup, during play, or around a loading transition.
- Record the Event Viewer error or faulting module, if one is shown.
- Gather the logs or crash dumps requested in Larian’s gameplay-crash, startup-crash, or bug-report instructions.
Compare results without changing everything at once
When the game launches, compare DirectX 11 with Vulkan, then compare the original graphics settings with reduced settings or a different display mode. Keep the scene or workload as consistent as possible and track whether the symptom reproduces, crash frequency changes, or the game becomes stable enough to play. Larian’s published guidance gives no benchmark figures or universal API recommendation, so judge the result on your own system.
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