October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

Life Is Strange Keeps Crashing on PC? Try These 8 Troubleshooting Steps

Start with Square Enix’s recommended updates and restart, then check the original Steam edition’s requirements, verify Steam files, reinstall, or send diagnostic reports to support.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If Life Is Strange keeps crashing on PC, start with the steps Square Enix recommends: update the game, update your graphics-card driver, and restart your computer. If that does not help, check that your PC meets the published requirements, verify the Steam files if you own the Steam version, and reinstall before contacting support. These are troubleshooting steps, not guaranteed fixes; the official requirements cited below are for the original Life is Strange – Episode 1 Steam listing, not Remastered or every installment.

Before you start: identify your version

“Life is Strange” can mean the original game, Life is Strange Remastered, or another entry in the series. The Windows requirements below apply specifically to the original Life is Strange – Episode 1 Steam listing. Check the game name and storefront in your library before applying edition-specific assumptions.

Square Enix’s support article gives general PC crash guidance rather than diagnoses for particular Life is Strange editions, error messages, or scenes. Its first-line recommendations are to ensure the game is current, update the graphics driver, and restart the PC. Square Enix Support: “The game crashes on my PC”.

Try these eight steps, from simplest to more involved

1. Make sure the game is up to date

Square Enix recommends confirming that the latest version is installed. Use the update process for the storefront where you own the game; Steam users can check the game’s update status from their library. A current game version is a first check, not a promise that the crash will be resolved.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller for Windows PC and Android, with 1000 Hz Polling Rate, Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers, and Remappable L4/R4 Bumpers (Green)
  • Compatible with Windows and Android.
  • 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
  • Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
  • Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
  • Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.

2. Update your graphics-card driver

Square Enix recommends updating the graphics-card driver. Get the appropriate driver through the support channel for your specific GPU maker and model. Avoid choosing a driver version based on generic advice: the right release depends on the hardware, and no particular version is established as a Life is Strange crash fix.

3. Restart the PC

Restart Windows after checking for game and driver updates. This is another of Square Enix’s recommended initial steps.

Rank #2
Sale
ManbaOne Interactive Screen Wireless Gaming Controller (Black)
  • Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying)
  • Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
  • 【Innovative Intelligent Interactive Screen】Manba One V2 wireless game controllers create a new era of controller screens; Equipped with a 2-inch display, no App & software needed, you can set the pc controller directly through the screen visualization, More convenient operation
  • 【Micro Switch Button】Manba One wireless controller has Micro Switch Button and ALPS Bumper; The 6-axis gyroscope function makes switch games more immersive
  • 【Customize Your Own Controller】The intelligent interactive screen allows you to easily set vibrations, buttons, joysticks,lights, etc., without the need for complex key combinations; 4 configurations can be saved to unlock your own gameplay for different games; The 4 back keys support macro definition settings, and you can activate the set character's ultimate move with one click

4. Compare your PC with the original Steam listing

For the original Life is Strange – Episode 1, Steam lists these Windows requirements. They are the store listing’s figures, published for a 2015 release; meeting them does not guarantee compatibility with every current Windows or hardware configuration.

Requirement Minimum Recommended
Operating system Windows Vista Windows 7
Processor Dual-core 2.0 GHz Dual-core 3.0 GHz
Memory 2 GB RAM 2 GB RAM
Graphics ATI or Nvidia card with 512 MB RAM ATI or Nvidia graphics with 1,024 MB RAM; examples listed are GeForce GTX 260 or ATI HD 4890
DirectX Version 9 Version 9
Storage 5 GB available 14 GB available

Steam says the PC must meet or exceed every minimum element. Compare your available storage as well as CPU, memory, graphics, and DirectX; matching one requirement does not compensate for falling short on another. Steam’s technical-issue page for the original Episode 1 listing contains the published specifications.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
GameSir G7 Pro Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Wireless Gamepad for PC&Android with TMR Sticks, Hall Effect Analog Triggers, 1000Hz Polling Rate, 3.5mm Audio Jack - Black
  • Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
  • TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
  • Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
  • 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
  • GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.

5. Verify the Steam installation files

If you have the Steam version, use Steam’s built-in file verification as a general, low-risk storefront check. In Steam, open Library, right-click Life is Strange, choose Properties, open Installed Files, then select Verify integrity of game files. Let Steam finish and follow any prompt to reacquire files, then try launching the game again.

This is general Steam troubleshooting guidance, not a Life is Strange-specific instruction confirmed by the cited Square Enix article. A separate Square Enix page describes Steam verification in the context of LOST SPHEAR, so it should not be treated as evidence that Square Enix documented this fix for Life is Strange. Square Enix Support Center: “[PC] My PC version has crashed or is missing key files”.

Rank #4
GameSir Nova Lite 2 Wireless PC Controller Hall Effect Sticks
  • Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
  • Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
  • 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
  • 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
  • Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.

6. Reinstall the game if the crash continues

Square Enix recommends reinstalling if the problem remains after the initial checks. Use the storefront’s uninstall and install controls, and make sure there is enough free space for the edition you are reinstalling. The cited support page does not promise that reinstalling will fix every crash.

7. Record when it crashes and any error message

If the problem persists, note the exact game edition, storefront, any displayed error text, and what you were doing when the crash occurred—for example, launching the game or loading a save. These details are practical context for support, not a publisher-stated diagnostic requirement.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
EasySMX X15 Wireless PC & Steam Gaming Controller, Hall Effect, Black
  • Platform Compatibility: This PC controller is designed for Windows PC, Steam, Switch, Android, and iOS. Xbox-style asymmetric stick layout for PC gamers. Three modes cover all your devices. Please check your device compatibility before purchase
  • Three Connection Modes: 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth, wired USB-C. PC gets native XInput/DirectInput. Switch pairs via Bluetooth, no adapter. This gaming PC controller switches devices seamlessly. Stable wireless minimizes random disconnects during gaming
  • Hall Effect Precision: Hall effect joysticks and triggers eliminate stick drift. This gaming controller for PC delivers smooth, responsive input with no dead zones. Built for FPS, racing, and action games. Long-term precision for competitive PC gaming
  • Back Buttons & Battery: Two programmable back buttons map combos and shortcuts. Textured grips with dual vibration. 1000mAh battery delivers up to 20H playtime. RGB can be turned off. A solid PC controller for gaming with custom back buttons
  • ABXY Layout Switch: Press B + Minus + Plus to swap between PC and Switch modes. Features: 1000Hz polling rate, RGB lighting, turbo. Note: designed without mic jack or gyro sensor

8. Contact Square Enix Support with diagnostic reports

Square Enix says to contact support if the issue continues and asks users to attach MSInfo and DxDiag reports. To create them in Windows:

  1. Open the Start menu, type msinfo32, and open System Information. Wait for it to load, choose File > Save, and save the report as an .nfo file. Square Enix advises waiting at least one minute before closing the tool.
  2. Run dxdiag from the Start menu or Run dialog. Choose Save All Information to create the DxDiag report.
  3. Submit both reports to Square Enix Support with your crash description and any error text.

The requested reports help support review the PC configuration; they do not establish a cause or guarantee a particular remedy.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What not to assume

The cited support guidance does not establish an official eight-fix list, a universal cause, or a fix for a particular crash scene or message. It also does not support registry edits, downloading replacement DLL files, launch flags, disabling security software, third-party driver utilities, or buying new hardware as general solutions. Start with the applicable checks above and use support diagnostics if the crashes continue.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How to Turn On Vibrant Visuals in MinecraftMinecraftBlog3min
  2. Best Multiplayer Games for Low-End PCsBlog4min
  3. Minecraft: How To Use And Install OptiFineBlog5min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.