NBA 2K23 Keeps Crashing On PC [FIXED]

Basketball fans around the world have long anticipated the release of NBA 2K23. The title has finally been released, but some fans were met with nothing but disappointment as they have reported that NBA 2K23 keeps crashing on their powerful PC rigs. We have prepared this guide to inform you of all the fixes and workarounds for this issue so you can experience the game to its fullest without any more crashes.

Before we begin: Lost Ark An Error Has Occured

Cross-checking System Requirments

Always start your troubleshooting with the simplest fix first. There may be a chance that your PC simply just isn’t strong enough to run NBA 2K23; therefore, we recommend checking the official system and cross-checking whether your PC is capable enough to run it.

Minimum System Requirments:

• OS: Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, or Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: Intel® Core™ i3-2100 @ 3.10 GHz/ AMD FX-4100 @ 3.60 GHz or better
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 450 1GB/ ATI® Radeon™ HD 7770 1 GB or better
• DirectX: Version 11
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 110 GB of available space
• Sound Card: Directx 9.0x
• Additional Notes: Dual-analog Gamepad recommended.

Recommended System Requirments:

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, or Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-4430 @ 3 GHz/ AMD FX-8370 @ 3.4 GHz or better
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 770 2GB/ ATI® Radeon™ R9 270 2GB or better
• DirectX: Version 11
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 110 GB of available space
• Sound Card: Directx 9.0c
• Additional Notes: Dual-analog Gamepad recommended.  

Verify File Integrity

If your PC fits the requirements, then there is a good chance that the only reason why NBA 2K23 keeps crashing on your PC is that the game has some corrupted or missing files. Thankfully, Valve has optimized the Steam Client to the point that it is incredibly easy to verify your game’s file and download replacement files if needed.

You just need to follow these steps to verify your game’s file integrity.

• Launch the Steam Client.
• Open Your Library, right-click on the NBA 2K23 icon, and open “Properties.”
• Go into “Local Files.”
• Click on “Verify Integrity of game files.”

Steam will automatically start checking and verifying the files of NBA 2K23; if it finds corrupted or missing files, then Steam will automatically download replacement files to fix the issue.

Run The Game As Administrator

While this being the root of the issue is quite unlikely, it is still worth mentioning. Some files require administrative privileges to run properly as they need access to the UAC (User Account Control).

Running a file or game as an administrator is also a straightforward method; readers just need to right-click on the game shortcut and select “Run as administrator.” If you want the file to run as administrator automatically whenever you launch it, then you just need to follow these steps.

• Right-click on the icon and click on properties.
• Open the “Compatibility” tab.
• Tick the “Run this program as an administrator” box
• Click on “Apply” and then click on “Ok.”

Now your game will get the administrator privileges automatically whenever it is launched.

Update GPU Drivers

Game developers sometimes tend to work closely with GPU manufacturers like Nvidia to develop and release “Game Ready” drivers for their games. Sometimes, certain tweaks and modifications are required in the GPU drivers to make sure that the game functions properly.

Therefore, there is a good chance that constant crashes in the game are happening due to outdated GPU drivers. Here we will explain how to update drivers for both Nvidia and AMD GPUs.

Update Drivers on Nvidia GPUs:

• Launch Gefore Experience; if you do not have it, then you can download it from Nvidia’s official website.
• Go into the “Drivers” tab.
• There will be an option to download updates for your driver at the top right of the screen (If any updates are available).
• After downloading the updated drivers, start either the Express Installation or Custom Installation.

Update Drivers on AMD GPUs:

• Download and install the AMD Radeon software from the official AMD website
• Click on the “Graphics” tab.
• You will have the option to download the updates at the top right corner of the screen.

Update Windows

Aside from GPU manufacturers constantly updating GPU drivers to make them compatible with every game. Windows is also getting updated with new optimization and improvements tweaks so it can run all the latest software.

If you are running one of the older builds of Windows, then there is a chance that your Windows is missing a certain element that NBA 2K23 depends upon to run properly. Always be sure to have your Windows updated, as they also contain the latest security features, thus keeping your data safe. Follow these steps to update your windows.

• Either press Windows + I or right-click on the desktop and click on “Display Settings” to open the settings.
• Write “Check for Updates” in the search bar.
• If there are any updates available, click on “Download and Install.”
• Wait for the updates to be downloaded.
• Once the process is done, restart your computer.

Disable Fullscreen Optimization

Sometimes it’s small features like these that end up messing with the game file and causing compatibility issues. While this issue is extremely rare, there is always the possibility it is the cause of the constant crashes you are experiencing.

Normally, the Fullscreen Optimization is turned off by default. It would be best if you still cross-checked to make sure that it isn’t enabled on your PC. Just follow these steps to reach the Fullscreen Optimization settings.

• Open the Steam Client and enter your Library.
• Right-click on NBA 2K23 and click on Manage.
• Open the NBA 2K23 installed folder by clicking on “Browse Local Files.”
• Right-click on the executable file named “NBA2K23.exe” and click on properties.
• Click on the Compatibility tab and click on the box labeled “Disable Fullscreen Optimization.
• Click on Apply and then click on Ok.

More from eXputer: NBA 2K23 Error Code c3854bcc

Close Unnecessary Background App

Excessive applications in the background can sometimes occupy an unnecessary amount of CPU, GPU, or RAM usage, which results in the game not getting enough resources to function properly, which can result in a crash.

Aside from the game crashing, it can also lead to you getting fps drops and stutters; therefore, it is recommended to turn off any unnecessary applications running in the background before turning on any game. The method is straightforward.

• Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open the Task Manager.
• Click on Process, and it will automatically put the programs consuming the most resources on the top.
• Click on the programs you wish to turn off and click on End Task.
• You can also disable the automatic startup of unnecessary applications by disabling them in the startup tab of Task Manager.

Disable Overlay

Sometimes 3rd party overlays like Steam overlay can also be the reason why NBA 2K23 keeps crashing on your PC. While it is a rare case for the game to crash because of overlays, it is still worth mentioning.

As we mentioned previously that the game could also crash when it is not getting enough resources to function properly, the same principle can be applied here that the 3rd party overlays are not leaving enough resources for your game to run properly.

Here we will cover how to turn off Steam, Geforce Experience, Discord, and Xbox Game Bar overlay. 

How To Turn Off Steam Overlay:

• Open Steam Client and open your Library.
• Right Click on NBA 2K23 and click on Properties.
• You will find the option to turn off “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game” in General.
• Reboot the PC for the changes to take effect.

How To Turn Off Geforce Experience Overlay

• Launch Geforce Experience, then head into Settings.
• You will find the option to disable “In-Game Overlay” in General.
• Restart the PC to apply the changes.

How To Turn Off Discord Overlay

• Open Discord and click on the Settings (gear icon) at the bottom of the screen.
• Search for the App Setting and select Overlay.
• Click on Games and Select NBA 2K23.
• Turn off the “Enable In-Game Overlay” option.
• Restart the PC.

How To Turn Off Xbox Game Bar Overlay

• Press Windows + I to open Settings and go into “Gaming.”
• Go into Game Bar and then turn off the “Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using the Game Bar” option.
• Save changes and restart the PC.

Turn Off Firewall And Antivirus Software

As we stated previously that PC gaming does have its downsides, and there are a lot of variables to look out for. Firewalls and Antivirus software can sometimes end up messing with the game files and even straight up deleting them, thus causing the game to crash continuously.

Here we will cover how to disable the Windows Defender and Firewall temporarily. Needless to say that please refrain from visiting any sketchy websites while the Windows Defender and Firewall are turned off. 

How To Turn Off Windows Defender:

• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Click on “Updates & Security,” then go into “Windows Security.”
• Open Windows Security, then go into “Virus & Threat Protection.”
• Click on Manage Setting and turn off Real-Time Protection.

How To Turn Off The Firewall:

• Type “Windows Defender Firewall” in the Search Bar.
• Click on “Turn Windows Defender On or Off.”
• From here, you can turn off the Windows Defender Firewall.
• Click on “Ok” to save changes, and then reboot your computer.

Restore CPU/GPU Setting To Default

While CPU and GPU overclock don’t normally cause any crashes, they can sometimes cause bottlenecks, and bottlenecks can lead to crashes. We would recommend turning off any overclocking software like MSI afterburner and restoring your CPU and GPU to default settings.

Bottlenecks are when either the CPU reaches its maximum limits while the GPU can still do more work or when the GPU reaches its maximum limits while the CPU is still ready for more. This can lead to a certain component being overworked, and it sometimes ends up crashing the game.

Therefore, if you have done any form of overclocking on your PC and are facing crashes on NBA 2K23, then we would recommend restoring the default settings as it might fix the issue you are facing.

Consider reading: How To Fix Error Code 4b538e50 in NBA 2K23

Reinstall The Game

If none of the fixes written above seems to be working for you, then the only thing left to do is to uninstall the game and then reinstall it. A clean installation will most probably fix the issue for you, as corrupted installation files will also be replaced, and then you can start enjoying the game with zero crashes.

That wraps up our guide on why NBA 2K23 keeps crashing on your PC and how you can tackle the issue. In this guide, we have explained in detail all the different workarounds you can use to fix the crashing issue and enjoy your game in peace. 

Do let us know what you think about the game in the comment section below, and if you are one of the players who were facing constant crashes in the game but found a way to fix it with a method not listed here, then let us know about it as well.

Next: NBA 2K23 Companion App Not Working