Mass Effect 3 Crash - nvcuda.dll is the cause

Question

I've been browsing the forums looking for a fix but ME2 and ME3 are no longer launching from Origin. I'll get a spinning wheel for a moment and then nothing.

Not much on the forums about this but the cause of this crash seems to be a problem with new Nvidia drivers, PhysX, and Unreal Engine 3 games. The Nvidia forums are pretty much in denial about this, but I was hopeful that the EA forums have found a solution.

I've performed a clean reinstall of Origin, ME3, and Nvidia drivers. I've run a SFC check and some other diagnostics. Nothing out of the ordinary. Currently running 430.86 on a 1080Ti.

Here's a screenshot of the reliability monitor.

Anyone have experience or a fix for this problem?

holger1405 · Answer

@Flyprdu&nbsp;

Did you used a driver removal tool like DDU to clean install the driver?

If not do it this way:

Downloade DDU from here.
Download the NVIDIA Driver from here.
Disable your internet connection.
Double click the "DDU v18.0.0.6.exe"
This dialog will appear: Make sure to remember were the files get extracted. (Copying and pasting the path makes it easier.)(The path line in the window will most probably be different on your system)
Click on "Extract"
Open the Windows explorer, paste the path line into the address bar and press ENTER:
Open the "DDU v18.0.0.6" folder.
Double click the "Display Driver Uninstaller.exe"
This Windows should appear: 
Click "OK" &gt; Then click on "Options" in the Main menu:
Check "Enable Safe Mode dialog" &gt; Close.
Close DDU. (Red "X" top right corner.)
Double click the "Display Driver Uninstaller.exe" again. This Window will appear: 
Choose "Safe Mode (Recommended)"&nbsp; from the Drop down menu &gt; Then choose "Reboot to Safe Mode"(As you can see, you will need your Windows User account password, the Pin will not be sufficient)
Windows will now boot into save mode &gt; Log in to Windows.
This Windows should appear:
Step 1: Choose "GPU" in the first drop down menu.
Step 2: Choose NVIDIA in the second drop down menu (If it is not already set)
Step 3: Choose "Clean and Restart"
Windows will reboot into "Normal" Mode.
Install the NVIDIA driver you downloaded before. Do it this way:Run the installation EXE &gt; CUSTOM mode &gt;&nbsp;preform a clean installation &gt; install only the GPU Driver and the PHYSX software.
Reboot &gt; test.