No Man’s Sky Foundation Update Bugs on Windows 11: How to Fix Errors and Get the Game Working Again

No Man’s Sky is a popular space exploration game loved by many players. However, after the Foundation Update, some users on Windows 11 have experienced bugs and errors. These issues can stop the game from working correctly or cause crashes.

If you are facing problems with No Man’s Sky on Windows 11, don’t worry. There are several simple steps you can take to fix the errors and get back to exploring the universe.

This article will guide you through easy and detailed instructions to troubleshoot the Foundation Update bugs. Every step is explained clearly so anyone can follow along.

Let’s begin with some quick checks before moving on to the solutions.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks

Before trying any fixes, make sure of the following:

Your Windows 11 is fully updated. Microsoft often releases patches that improve compatibility with games.
Your graphics drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can cause crashes or poor game performance.
No other heavy programs are running in the background. Running many apps can interfere with the game’s performance.
Your game files are intact. Corrupted or missing files can cause errors. We will cover how to verify these later.

Once these checks are complete, you can start troubleshooting.

Step 1: Run the Game as Administrator

Running No Man’s Sky with administrator permissions can fix many permission-related errors. This allows the game to access all necessary system resources.

Close the game if it’s running.
Find the No Man’s Sky shortcut or executable file on your desktop or in the game folder.
Right-click on the file and select Run as administrator.
If Windows asks for permission, click Yes.

Try launching the game this way and check if the bugs still occur.

Step 2: Verify Game Files Integrity

Sometimes, files can get corrupted or go missing during an update. Verifying the game files through your game client can fix this.

If you use Steam, follow these instructions:

Open the Steam client and go to Library.
Right-click on No Man’s Sky and select Properties.
Go to the Local Files tab.
Click on Verify integrity of game files...
Wait for Steam to check and repair any corrupted files.

Once done, launch the game again and see if the issue is fixed.

Step 3: Update Graphics Drivers

Graphics drivers are crucial for running games smoothly. An outdated or incompatible driver can cause crashes or visual bugs.

To update your drivers on Windows 11, do the following:

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.
Follow the prompts to install any available updates.

Alternatively, you can visit the official website of your GPU manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver manually.

Step 4: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Windows 11 has a feature called Fullscreen Optimizations that sometimes causes problems with certain games.

Locate the No Man’s Sky executable file (NoMansSky.exe) in the installation folder.
Right-click the file and select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check the box Disable fullscreen optimizations.
Click Apply and then OK.

Try starting the game again to see if this helps.

Step 5: Adjust Compatibility Settings

If the game still crashes or won’t launch, try running it in compatibility mode for Windows 10:

Right-click the No Man’s Sky executable file and select Properties.
Open the Compatibility tab.
Check the box Run this program in compatibility mode for:
From the dropdown menu, select Windows 10.
Click Apply and then OK.

Launch the game again to test.

Step 6: Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Firewall

Sometimes antivirus software or Windows Firewall can block parts of the game, causing errors.

To check if this is the problem:

Temporarily disable your antivirus software. Instructions vary by program, but usually you can right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray and select Disable or Pause protection.
Open Windows Security by searching in the Start menu.
Go to Firewall & network protection.
Click on your active network and toggle off the firewall temporarily.
Try running No Man’s Sky again.

If the game works, add No Man’s Sky as an exception in your antivirus and firewall settings before re-enabling protection.

Step 7: Reinstall the Game

If none of the above steps fix the bugs, reinstalling the game can help by refreshing all files and settings.

Open your game client (e.g., Steam).
Uninstall No Man’s Sky.
Restart your computer.
Download and install the game again.

This process ensures a clean installation without leftover corrupted files.

FAQs

Why does No Man’s Sky crash after the Foundation Update on Windows 11?

Crashes may be caused by compatibility issues, outdated drivers, corrupted game files, or interference from other software.

How can I check if my graphics drivers are up to date?

You can update drivers through Windows Device Manager or by visiting your GPU manufacturer’s website.

Is it safe to disable antivirus or firewall temporarily?

Yes, but only for a short time while testing. Always re-enable protection afterward and add exceptions for the game.

Will running the game as administrator cause any problems?

No, running as administrator simply gives the game permission to access system resources it may need.

What if the game still doesn’t work after reinstalling?

There may be deeper system conflicts or bugs. Check official forums or contact support for help.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and No Man’s Sky still doesn’t work on Windows 11, consider the following final options:

Visit the official Hello Games support page: They often post updates and specific fixes for known bugs.
Check community forums: Other players may have found solutions for similar issues.
Contact technical support: Submit a ticket with detailed information about your problem.
Consider rolling back to Windows 10: Although not ideal, some users find better compatibility with older Windows versions until updates improve Windows 11 support.

Conclusion

Dealing with bugs after the Foundation Update in No Man’s Sky on Windows 11 can be frustrating. However, most issues can be fixed by following basic troubleshooting steps like running the game as administrator, verifying game files, updating drivers, and adjusting compatibility settings.

Always start with simple solutions and gradually move to advanced ones. Keeping your system and game updated is essential for smooth gameplay. If problems persist, official support and community forums are valuable resources.

By carefully working through these instructions, you should be able to fix errors and enjoy No Man’s Sky exploring the endless universe once again.