Guide: Overwatch Crashing on Startup [FIXED]

Ever since Overwatch was released, a lot of players have reported that they experienced crashing issues on startup. This frustrating error could be the result of outdated drivers, improper file settings, outdated windows, and a bunch of other reasons.

How to Stop Overwatch from Crashing on Startup?

Are you also experiencing Overwatch crashing on startup? Don’t worry, In this guide, we will look at 12 of the best proven and effective methods that could help you solve the Overwatch crashing on startup problem.

Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated drivers are a common cause of a lot of different performance and crashing problems in PC gaming. We recommend that you check for new graphic card drivers at least once every week as there are always new versions of these drivers being released. If left unchecked, outdated graphics card drivers could cause the Overwatch startup crash issue and other performance-related issues as well.

To update the video card drivers, visit the GPU manufacturer’s website and head over to the graphics drivers section to find the latest version of the graphics card drivers and install them. Below are the links for NVIDIA and AMD graphics card driver’s website pages.

• NVIDIA 
• AMD

If updating the graphics card drivers did not solve the issue, try the other solutions mentioned below.

Repair the Game Files

Repairing the game could replace any of the corrupt game files that could be causing the game to crash. We recommend trying this method before you jump to other solutions.

1. First, launch the Blizzard Battle.net launcher.
2. Head to the games tab and select Overwatch.
3. Click on Options, on the left side of Redeem a Code.
4. Now select Scan and Repair.
5. Wait for verification to complete.

After the scan completes, try running the game to see if the problem is solved.

Disable Fullscreen Optimizations on Windows 10

Disabling fullscreen optimizations on Windows 10 could help solve the Overwatch crashing on startup issue.

1. Right-click on Overwatch on your desktop and click on Properties.
2. Open the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the Disable fullscreen optimizations box and press Apply.

Relaunch Overwatch and see if the crashing issue has been resolved. If it persists, try other solutions below.

Reset Game Settings

Unoptimized in-game settings could also lead to Overwatch crashing on startup. Reset the in-game settings to see if it fixes the problem.

1. Launch Battle.net.
2. Click on Blizzard Logo and select Settings in the drop-down menu.

   

3. Find Overwatch in the list and click on Reset In-Game Options.

   

4. Click Reset.
5. Click Done, then relaunch the game.

Check for Windows Updates

Windows Updates can sometimes fix any bugs that could be causing performance problems and other hardware-related issues. Updating your Windows to the latest version could potentially fix the Overwatch crashing on startup problem.

1. Open the Windows Search Menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type Windows Update in the search box, select the Check for updates option.

   

3. Click on Check for updates, Windows will search and download the latest update.

   

4. After the download is complete, restart your computer to install the update.

Run Overwatch to see if the problem is fixed.

Update Overwatch to Latest Version

Updating your Overwatch to the latest version could easily solve the crashing on startup issue. Follow the steps below to update your game through battle.net.

1. Open the Blizzard Battle.net Application.
2. Click on Overwatch.
3. Click on Options, click on Patch Notes in the drop-down menu.

   

4. Install any updated patch if available.

If no patch is available, try other solutions mentioned below.

Close Background Applications

It is also possible that some of the applications running in the background on your PC might be conflicting with Overwatch and causing it to crash constantly. Close any background application from the system tray or the task manager that you might not be using at that moment. After doing so launch the Overwatch application to see if the game launches without any problems.

Turn off Overlay Apps

Sometimes the Overlay feature of other applications could cause performance problems and crashing issues. We recommend turning off any in-game overlay feature in apps like Origin, Discord, or any other application that might have this feature enabled.

Run Program as an Administrator

In order to fix the Overwatch crashing on startup issue, try running the Overwatch application as an administrator. Doing this will give the Overwatch executable file full access to any of the game files on your PC. To run the program as an administrator follow the steps below.

1. Right-click the Overwatch Application on your desktop and select Properties.
2. Head to the Compatibility tab
3. Tick-mark the Run this program as an administrator box.

   

4. Click OK
5. Run Overwatch to see if the problem is resolved.

Run the Memory Diagnostic Tool

The Memory Diagnostic Tool in windows can scan your computer’s memory and identify any possible errors. Your PC will need to reboot to use this tool. To run the MDT, do the following steps.

Note: You will not be able to use the mouse in the Memory Diagnostic Tool. Use the arrow keys to navigate.

1. Press the Windows Key and R at the same time on your keyboard.
2. Type mdsched.exe in the Run box and tap Enter.

   

3. Press Restart now and check for problems.
4. Your PC will reboot and open the Memory Diagnostic Tool to run a memory test.
5. Press F1 to stop this test and head to the Options Screen.
6. Select Extended
7. Press F10
8. When the memory test is finished, see if any errors are reported
9. Press ESC to exit the tool.

Defragment your Hard Drive

If you’re not using an SSD, your computer will suffer from a performance loss over time because the data on your hard drive gets fragmented. This could also lead to other errors such as Overwatch crashing on startup. You should defragment your hard drive at least once a month for the best results. To defragment your hard drive, follow the steps below.

1. 1. Open the Start Menu by pressing the Windows key.
   2. Select Control Panel, then System and Security.
   3. Under Administrative Tools, select Defragment your hard drive.

      

   4. Select Analyze disk. The report will indicate if you need to defrag your disk.

      

       

   5. If you need to manually defrag your disk, press Defragment disk.

Disk Defragmenter might take some time to complete, depending on the size and degree of fragmentation of your hard disk. You can still use your computer during the defragmentation process.

Contact Official Support

If all of the methods above did not solve your Overwatch startup crashing issue, then you should try contacting Battle.net Support and they will help you in identifying the exact cause of the problem after you provide them with all of the necessary information. Lastly, you could also try reinstalling the game as it could get rid of any corrupted files that were not detected in the file verification process.

That was all for our guide to stop Overwatch from crashing on startup. Hopefully, these methods will help you solve the crashing problem and get you right back in the game.