Forum Discussion

Seasoned Newcomer

29 days ago

Solved

Random full system crashes

Hello, I have been playing Apex full swing for a few months now and have recently come across repeated crashes. When the crashing is happening, my computer completely freezes and makes this awful stuttering sound. This only happens with Apex, even though I play multiple other higher requirement games. I ran a test for my CPU and GPU, where I ran them at full usage for about an hour with 0 crashing or heating issues. I ran a Windows-based and memtest64 test to see if it was a hardware problem, with no issues. I have updated all of my bios and drivers. I have no idea what the problem is, and it's really disheartening as I have many online-only friends with whom I can't enjoy my favorite game.

crashing

EA_Mako
27 days ago
Hey there,

Sorry to hear this has been happening so frequently here, that's definitely a pretty significant disruption. Updating drivers is definitely a good start, but there are a few other troubleshooting steps that may be worth a try as well in this type of situation.

I'd actually start with a full clean install of your GPU drivers using DDU specifically, to help clean up any cached or partial driver updates that could be contributing to a larger issue. Reinstall the latest stable drivers after that point, but also try disabling any programs that use overlays before testing again, such as Discord, Game Bar, Overwolf, hardware monitors, etc.

If you're using any launch options in Steam or EA app, remove all of them for testing purposes. Older or outdated launch options can cause similar issues.

Clearing shader caches could also be a useful set of steps here as corrupted shader caches can cause DX12 instability, stuttering, freezes, or GPU hangs. Clearing them in Windows, your GPU, Steam/EA app, and Apex specifically should help rebuild shader data cleanly.

Be sure Apex and Steam/EA app are closed, then in Windows, open Settings > System > Storage > Temporary Files. Check DirectX Shader Cache > Remove Files.

If you have an NVIDIA GPU, next try:
Open NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings. Set Shader Cache Size to Disabled > Apply > reboot PC. Re-enable afterward by setting it back to Driver Default.

For AMD GPUs, instead try:
Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition > Gaming > Graphics. Click Reset Shader Cache.

In Steam:

Open Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache.
Go to Settings > Shader Pre-Caching. Disable Enable Shader Pre-Caching > restart Steam > optionally re-enable afterward.

For Apex specifically, delete or rename this folder:
%USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\Respawn\Apex

After that point, repair the game in EA app or Verify the integrity of game files in Steam. Keep in mind the first time you launch Apex afterwards may take a bit longer while the shaders rebuild, and I'd hop into a bot royale match for the first match or two after this point to test.

If you're still running into problems beyond that, please grab a Dxdiag and we'll be able to get a bit more information to see what may be causing this, thanks!

5 Replies

OldTreeCreeper
Hero+
29 days ago
Thats awful ThatKidOverTher3

Im no expert and a bit difficult to help with so little detail. But i have had numerous issues sorting out both my own laptop and my sons aging pc, to get Apex to run nicely.

The stuttering sound sounds like a hard drive having a fit. Do you have a hd or an ssd? How old is it?

If its a hd, then a culprit might be it needs a full defrag, or is just too full. I find when a hd goes over 50% there can be issues. I'd also run scandisk looking for and fixing errors on the drive.

Defraggler is free and a imo very good defragger. Do not use it on an ssd.

I do a full defrag about every 4 months, otherwise a file defrag monthly.

Defraggler

I use Speccy to keep an eye on the gpu heat during the game. Also free.

I put an extra silent exhaust fan on my sons pc, as well as redoing the cpu paste. That got 10 degrees off the heat.

Speccy

A windows update set the hd to sleep after 20 min. Might be worth checking that is set to never.

I clean his pc internally, gently with a hoover and small brush, putting in a bit of plastic to stop the fans spinning while cleaning.

I put all the graphics load onto the nvidia.

Is there plenty of air around the pc?

I use taskmanager to stop unnecessary running background services. I also deleted unnecessary ones.
ThatKidOverTher3
Seasoned Newcomer
29 days ago
My laptop uses an SSD so I won’t run the thing you said to not run on an ssd.
There is plenty of air space as the entire laptop sits at about a 30 degree angle with a wire frame holding it up.
I also use Razer’s software to keep my cou and you usage and temp on my screen at all times while I’m playing.
OldTreeCreeper
Hero+
29 days ago
The stuttering noise has me worried. That really sounds like a hardware problem like overheating. The only thing on my laptop that makes noise is the fans.

Is the noise from internal audio speaker or external, like from the fans?
OldTreeCreeper
Hero+
27 days ago
Just had this happen to me in a ranked match.
EA_Mako
Community Manager
27 days ago
Hey there,

Sorry to hear this has been happening so frequently here, that's definitely a pretty significant disruption. Updating drivers is definitely a good start, but there are a few other troubleshooting steps that may be worth a try as well in this type of situation.

I'd actually start with a full clean install of your GPU drivers using DDU specifically, to help clean up any cached or partial driver updates that could be contributing to a larger issue. Reinstall the latest stable drivers after that point, but also try disabling any programs that use overlays before testing again, such as Discord, Game Bar, Overwolf, hardware monitors, etc.

If you're using any launch options in Steam or EA app, remove all of them for testing purposes. Older or outdated launch options can cause similar issues.

Clearing shader caches could also be a useful set of steps here as corrupted shader caches can cause DX12 instability, stuttering, freezes, or GPU hangs. Clearing them in Windows, your GPU, Steam/EA app, and Apex specifically should help rebuild shader data cleanly.

Be sure Apex and Steam/EA app are closed, then in Windows, open Settings > System > Storage > Temporary Files. Check DirectX Shader Cache > Remove Files.

If you have an NVIDIA GPU, next try:
Open NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings. Set Shader Cache Size to Disabled > Apply > reboot PC. Re-enable afterward by setting it back to Driver Default.

For AMD GPUs, instead try:
Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition > Gaming > Graphics. Click Reset Shader Cache.

In Steam:

Open Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache.
Go to Settings > Shader Pre-Caching. Disable Enable Shader Pre-Caching > restart Steam > optionally re-enable afterward.

For Apex specifically, delete or rename this folder:
%USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\Respawn\Apex

After that point, repair the game in EA app or Verify the integrity of game files in Steam. Keep in mind the first time you launch Apex afterwards may take a bit longer while the shaders rebuild, and I'd hop into a bot royale match for the first match or two after this point to test.

If you're still running into problems beyond that, please grab a Dxdiag and we'll be able to get a bit more information to see what may be causing this, thanks!