Returnal Fatal Error Solution [How To Fix]

A new Fatal error has been reported by several players that crash Returnal while playing. The error usually occurs during the start or mid-game that, displays a command prompt and crashes the game.

The reason for the error may vary for each case, as it could happen due to missing files, compatibility issues, outdated drivers, or settings optimization. To overcome the issue, you can try some of these methods that are most likely to solve your problem. 

Add Engine.ini Commands

Before you try any of the methods, you should start by checking your Engine.ini file and giving it the right commands, as the error mostly occurs due to incomplete .ini files. The lack of files can cause the game to malfunction and not start properly on its own. 

Here’s what you have to do:

1. So start with opening the Run command by pressing Windows and typing %AppData%.
2. Now, in the AppData, go to tab> Local.
3.  Open the following directory:\Returnal\Steam\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor.
4.  From there, open the Engine.ini file and copy and paste the following command.

[SystemSettings]
 r.Streaming.Boost=1
 r.FastVRam.EyeAdaptation=1
 r.bForceCPUAccessToGPUSkinVerts=1
 r.Streaming.HLODStrategy=0
 r.Streaming.LimitPoolSizeToVRAM=1
 r.Streaming.MaxEffectiveScreenSize=0
 r.Streaming.UseFixedPoolSize=1
 r.Streaming.PoolSize=6144
 r.Streaming.MipBias=0
 r.Streaming.DefragDynamicBounds=1
 r.HLOD.DistanceScale=1.5
 r.HLOD.MaximumLevel=1
 r.MaxAnisotropy=16
 r.ViewDistance=2
 r.ViewDistanceScale=2.0
 r.LandscapeLODDistributionScale=2
r.LandscapeLOD0DistributionScale=2
foliage.MaxOcclusionQueriesPerComponent=128
foliage.MinInstancesPerOcclusionQuery=65536
 grass.DensityScale=0.75
 foliage.DensityScale=1.0
 r.Shadow.MinResolution=2048
 r.Shadow.MaxResolution=2048
 r.Shadow.FadeResolution=2048

This is most likely to solve your game crashing. If not, you can try the other methods.

Verify The game files

To counter the problem, you can verify your files for Returnal.

Disable Steam’s Overlay

Troubleshoot Compatibility

To run the Compatibility troubleshooter, here’s what you got to do:

1. Select return from Steam Library. 
2. Go to the “Manage” option from settings and select “Browse local files.”
3. A new pop-up menu will appear with game files. Select Returnal.exe from the displayed option. 
4. After that, right-click on the icon, go to the properties, and select the “Compatibility” tab, which is the last option in properties. 
5. From there, select “Run compatibility troubleshooter” to let the window scan for every file and preset compatible settings. 

Limit Your Game’s FPS

If your game is often crashing mid-game, then it might be due to unstable FPS. An outdated setup may cause stuttering and cause a lagging effect if the FPS limit is set too high. So, I recommend you put a limit to your FPS meter according to your system specifications. 

This is how you limit Returnal FPS:

1. Open your graphics card settings
2. Select Returnal to customize its settings specifically.
3. When you select the game, your Graphics Card settings will show you several options to alter.
4. Look out for the “Max Frame Rate” settings and set a limit in the given bar.
5. You can set the FPS limit somewhere between 40-60 if you have a low-end PC.

Reinstall The Game

If no solution works out for you, then the last hope is to re-install the game and try it out with default settings. Sometimes deleting and installing the game again wipes away small bugs and glitches that cause the game to crash.

So, once you clear all the game files and download them again, you get fresh files that are not corrupted due to unknown reasons.

Final Thoughts

Returnal Fatal Errors are quite widespread as I’ve come across numerous reports from players on forums; especially Steam and Reddit. 

As of right now, I haven’t spotted any error acknowledgment tweet from Climax Studio’s Twitter account. However, I did stumble upon a Steam post of a user who contacted the Returnal Devs and got a confirmation that a patch is in the works for these fatal errors. 

This is the mail he received:

I got the following response from Climax Customer support:

“Hi,

Thanks for buying Returnal and sorry to hear that your gameplay experience is being spoiled by the current issues.
We are currently working on a patch to resolve issues with the game and will continue to release later ones as well.
I hope this hasn’t spoiled your playing of the game too much and you will enjoy it in the future.

Many thanks,
Doug”

Nevertheless, I’m fairly confident my fixes will help you resolve this issue on your PC. However, if you’re still struggling, you can also reach out to the support team and inform them about your particular situation with Returnal.