The Division 2 is a popular online action RPG, but encountering crashes on Windows 11 can ruin the gaming experience. If your game keeps crashing, don’t worry—this guide will walk you through simple steps to fix the issue.
Many crashes happen due to common software or hardware conflicts, which can be resolved by following basic troubleshooting. You don’t need to be a tech expert to try these solutions.
Each step is explained clearly to help you understand why it matters and how to perform it properly. By the end, you should be able to play The Division 2 smoothly on your Windows 11 PC.
Let’s get started with some quick notes before diving into detailed solutions.
Quick Note
Before troubleshooting, make sure you have the following:
- Stable internet connection: The Division 2 requires an online connection, and instability can cause crashes.
- Updated Windows 11: Outdated system files can cause compatibility issues.
- Sufficient hardware specs: Ensure your PC meets the minimum requirements for The Division 2.
- Up-to-date game and drivers: Both the game and your graphics drivers should be current for best performance.
- Close unnecessary background apps: Too many running programs can affect game stability.
Step 1: Restart Your PC
Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches causing the game to crash. Restarting clears the system memory and stops unnecessary background processes.
- Save any work you have open.
- Click the Start button, then select Power > Restart.
- After your computer restarts, try launching The Division 2 again.
If the game still crashes, move on to the next step.
Step 2: Run The Division 2 as Administrator
Running the game with administrator privileges allows it to access necessary system files and resources, which might be blocked otherwise.
- Find The Division 2 shortcut on your desktop or in the installation folder.
- Right-click the game icon and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply and then OK.
- Launch the game again.
Step 3: Update Graphics Drivers
Graphics drivers help your PC communicate with your video card. Outdated or corrupted drivers often cause crashes during gameplay.
To update your drivers:
- Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters section.
- Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install any updates.
- Restart your PC after updating.
Alternatively, visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download the latest drivers manually.
Step 4: Verify Game Files Integrity
Corrupt or missing game files can cause crashes. Verifying game files can fix these issues by replacing damaged files.
If you are using Ubisoft Connect:
- Open Ubisoft Connect.
- Go to the Library and find The Division 2.
- Click the game tile, then select Properties.
- Find and click Verify files or Verify integrity.
- Wait for the process to complete, then try launching the game.
If you use Steam:
- Open Steam and go to Library.
- Right-click The Division 2 and select Properties.
- Go to the Local Files tab.
- Click Verify integrity of game files.
- Wait until Steam finishes checking and repairing files.
Step 5: Disable Overlays and Background Applications
Overlays from apps like Discord, Steam, or Xbox Game Bar can sometimes conflict with The Division 2, causing crashes.
- Close all unnecessary background applications before launching the game.
- To disable Xbox Game Bar:
- Open Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar.
- Toggle off Enable Xbox Game Bar.
- For Discord, go to User Settings > Overlay and turn off the Enable in-game overlay option.
- Disable any other overlay features in similar apps.
- Restart your PC and launch the game.
Step 6: Adjust Graphics Settings in the Game
High graphics settings can overload your system, especially if your hardware is near minimum requirements.
Try lowering the in-game graphics settings:
- Open The Division 2 and go to Settings.
- Navigate to Graphics options.
- Set settings like texture quality, shadows, and effects to Low or Medium.
- Disable features like V-Sync and anti-aliasing if enabled.
- Apply changes and restart the game.
Step 7: Update Windows 11
Keeping Windows updated ensures your system has the latest bug fixes and compatibility improvements.
- Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
- Go to Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If updates are found, download and install them.
- Restart your PC after updates complete.
Step 8: Reinstall The Division 2
If none of the above steps work, reinstalling the game can fix persistent issues caused by corrupted files.
- Open Ubisoft Connect or your game client.
- Uninstall The Division 2.
- Restart your PC.
- Download and install The Division 2 fresh.
- Launch the game and check if crashes persist.
FAQs
Why does The Division 2 keep crashing on Windows 11?
Crashes often happen due to outdated drivers, corrupted game files, conflicting software, or insufficient hardware resources.
Can I play The Division 2 on Windows 11 with integrated graphics?
While possible, integrated graphics may not provide smooth gameplay. Meeting minimum or recommended GPU specs is advisable.
Is running the game as administrator safe?
Yes, it allows the game proper access to system files and is a common troubleshooting step without risks.
What should I do if the game crashes after a Windows update?
Try updating your graphics drivers and verifying game files. Sometimes, recent updates introduce compatibility issues fixed by patches.
Will disabling overlays affect my gameplay?
Disabling overlays prevents conflicts but removes features like chat or screen recording. You can re-enable them after confirming the game runs stable.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the above steps and The Division 2 still crashes on your Windows 11 PC, consider the following final options:
- Contact Ubisoft Support: Visit Ubisoft Help for personalized assistance.
- Check community forums: Sites like Reddit and Ubisoft forums often have up-to-date fixes from other players.
- Perform a clean boot: This starts Windows with minimal drivers and startup programs, helping identify software conflicts.
- Consider hardware diagnostics: Run tests on your RAM and hard drive to ensure your PC components are healthy.
Conclusion
Crashes in The Division 2 on Windows 11 are frustrating but usually fixable with straightforward steps. Always start with easy fixes like restarting your PC and running the game as administrator. Updating drivers and verifying game files address common software conflicts.
Adjusting graphics settings and disabling overlays can improve stability. Keeping Windows and your game updated ensures smoother gameplay. If problems persist, reinstalling the game or seeking official support are effective last resorts.
By following this guide, you can enjoy The Division 2 without interruptions and get back to the action quickly.