Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallIf The First Descendant closes to desktop, freezes, or stops before the main menu on your Windows PC, there is no single cause to blame. Nexon’s official support articles list several possible causes, from missing system requirements to conflicting background software, corrupted game files, anti-cheat errors, and unstable network connections. The fastest route to a fix is to match your symptom first, then work through the eight steps below in order, from the least invasive to the most involved.
Match your symptom before you start
Each crash has a different signature, and the right fix depends on which one you are seeing. Write down exactly what happens and whether an error code appears, because Nexon’s error-specific guidance only applies to matching errors. The table below maps common symptoms to the fixes most likely to matter. Where Nexon does not connect a symptom to a specific cause, the table says so.
| What you see | What Nexon’s guidance links it to | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Game closes to desktop with no message | Background programs, outdated Windows or graphics components, or damaged game files (Nexon does not name one cause for every close) | Fixes 2, 3, and 6 |
| Freezing with no error text | Not stated as a specific cause in Nexon’s crash guidance; general troubleshooting applies | Fixes 1, 2, and 6 |
| Launch failure right after a game update | Post-update launch errors, which Nexon addresses with driver and local-settings procedures | Fixes 3, 4, and 5 |
| “Failed to reset Nexon Game Security” (NGS) | Corrupted NGS files, or conflicts with Windows or antivirus software | Fix 7 |
| Easy Anti-Cheat integrity error | Conflicting programs, damaged files, pending Windows updates, or a damaged EAC installation | Fixes 2, 6, and 7 |
| Lag, disconnects, or a return to the title screen after losing server connection | Unstable network connections, per Nexon’s crash and disconnect article | Fix 8 |
| “Out of video memory” with a forced close on a 13th- or 14th-generation Intel CPU system | A specific Nexon support note about BIOS power limits (see the Intel section below) | The Intel section |
The eight fixes, in order
Work top to bottom and test the game after each step. Fixes 4, 5, and the Intel BIOS adjustment are more involved or situation-specific, so reserve them for symptoms that match them.
1. Check your PC against the official requirements and note the error
Start by comparing your hardware with the minimum specifications on Nexon’s official support page. As of October 2026, the page lists the following for PC:
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| Component | Nexon’s listed PC requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 x64 20H2 |
| CPU | Intel i5-3570 / AMD FX-8350 |
| System memory | 8 GB |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 1050 Ti / Radeon RX 570 / Intel Arc A380 |
| DirectX | DirectX 12 |
| Storage | At least 100 GB free; Nexon recommends installing on an SSD |
Nexon states that integrated graphics are not suitable for the game, and that some mobile GPUs may also cause performance problems. Requirements can change with updates, so confirm the live page before relying on these values.
To check your own system, press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. The System tab shows your Windows version, processor, and memory, and the Display tab shows your graphics card and driver version. Note the exact error text or code too, since the later fixes depend on it.
2. Verify the game files through Steam
Nexon recommends Steam’s file-integrity check for several file-related problems and for some anti-cheat errors. To run it:
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- Open the Steam Library and right-click The First Descendant.
- Select Properties, then open Installed Files.
- Click Verify integrity of game files and wait until Steam finishes the scan.
- Restart Steam if prompted, then launch the game.
Nexon’s troubleshooting guide describes this step in its installation and launch troubleshooting article.
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3. Install pending Windows updates and check your graphics driver
Open Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates, then restart. Next, update your graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Nexon directs players to update Windows and graphics drivers when they encounter certain DirectX and driver errors. That does not mean every crash comes from an outdated driver, so use this step when the error or symptom points toward graphics or DirectX.
4. Consider a driver rollback only for post-update launch errors
If the game started failing to launch immediately after an update, Nexon’s guide describes a more involved procedure: use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to remove the current graphics driver, then install a driver from one to two months earlier. Treat this as an advanced option for that specific situation, not a first step. Before you begin, download the older driver from your graphics card maker so you are not left without a driver if something goes wrong.
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5. Delete the local settings folder only for post-update launch errors
For certain post-update launch errors, Nexon lists deleting the Local > M1 > Saved folder as a remedy. This may reset local game settings, so note any settings you want to keep before deleting it. Follow the procedure in Nexon’s official guide rather than locating the folder by guesswork.
6. Close conflicting background programs
Nexon says that closing all running programs except The First Descendant is a temporary troubleshooting measure for crashes. For Easy Anti-Cheat integrity failures, it specifically names programs such as MSI Afterburner and the Nvidia Panel as possible conflicts. Close them, launch the game, and watch whether the crash stops. If it does, reopen the programs one at a time to find the one that causes the problem. Not every player will have a conflict with these tools, so this is a test, not a permanent change.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems7. Match NGS and Easy Anti-Cheat errors to their specific fix
Security errors have their own remedies, and they are not solved by general crash steps alone.
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- NGS reset failure. Nexon’s article on the Failed to reset Nexon Game Security message attributes it to corrupted NGS files or conflicts with Windows or antivirus software. Its suggested steps can include verifying game files, reinstalling NGService, and allowing the BlackCipher folder through antivirus or firewall settings.
- Easy Anti-Cheat integrity errors. Nexon’s error code article advises closing conflicting programs, verifying files, checking for Windows updates, and repairing Easy Anti-Cheat.
- Antivirus. Add the specific exception Nexon describes rather than turning protection off. If you disable antivirus briefly to test a theory, turn it back on as soon as the test is over.
8. Separate network disconnects from local crashes, and capture the error
Nexon’s crash and disconnect article begins its list of causes with the sentence “Lag or crash issues may occur in the following cases:”, and an unstable network connection is among them. If you use a router, Nexon suggests connecting the PC directly by LAN cable for a short test. If the game runs without disconnects over LAN, the problem is likely your wireless connection or network path rather than the game files.
If the game displays an error code, note it and the time it happened. For unresolved security errors, Nexon’s support team asks for technical details and logs, so keep that information ready if you contact them. Nexon’s error code article is the place to check which codes it covers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The Intel 13th- and 14th-generation out-of-video-memory error
Nexon reports that some PCs with 13th- and 14th-generation Intel CPUs show an “Out of video memory” message and are forcibly closed. The company says adjusting BIOS power limits may partially resolve the problem, and that it has asked Intel to investigate. Nexon does not give a universal BIOS value, and it does not guarantee the fix works.
Do not copy a power-limit value from a forum post. Power limit settings differ by motherboard, and the wrong value can affect stability and cooling. Contact your PC or motherboard manufacturer for model-specific guidance, or contact Nexon support if you want to confirm the current status of the investigation. This message is specific to these CPU systems, so it does not mean that most PC crashes are caused by the processor.
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