Why Does My PC Keep Crashing When I Play Games? And Why Do Cats Always Sit on Keyboards?

Why Does My PC Keep Crashing When I Play Games? And Why Do Cats Always Sit on Keyboards?

Gaming on a PC can be an exhilarating experience, but it can quickly turn frustrating when your system crashes mid-game. There are numerous reasons why your PC might be crashing during gaming sessions, ranging from hardware issues to software conflicts. Let’s dive into the most common causes and explore some potential solutions.

1. Overheating

One of the most common reasons for a PC crashing during gaming is overheating. Modern games are resource-intensive and can push your CPU and GPU to their limits, causing them to generate a lot of heat. If your cooling system isn’t up to the task, your components may overheat, leading to a crash.

  • Solution: Ensure that your PC’s cooling system is functioning properly. Clean out any dust from your fans and heatsinks, and consider upgrading your cooling system if necessary. Monitoring software can help you keep an eye on your temperatures.

2. Insufficient Power Supply

Gaming PCs, especially those with high-end graphics cards, require a significant amount of power. If your power supply unit (PSU) isn’t providing enough wattage, your system may crash under the load.

  • Solution: Check the wattage requirements of your components and ensure that your PSU can handle the load. Upgrading to a higher-wattage PSU may be necessary.

3. Outdated or Faulty Drivers

Drivers are essential for your hardware to communicate with your operating system. Outdated or faulty drivers can cause instability, leading to crashes.

  • Solution: Regularly update your drivers, especially your GPU drivers. Most manufacturers provide software that can automatically check for and install updates.

4. Insufficient RAM

Running modern games with insufficient RAM can cause your system to crash. Games often require a significant amount of memory, and if your system runs out, it may become unstable.

  • Solution: Consider upgrading your RAM. Most modern games recommend at least 8GB of RAM, but 16GB or more is ideal for a smoother experience.

5. Software Conflicts

Sometimes, other software running in the background can conflict with your game, causing crashes. This could be anything from antivirus programs to other applications.

  • Solution: Close unnecessary background applications before gaming. You can also try running your game in compatibility mode or as an administrator to see if that resolves the issue.

6. Corrupted Game Files

If your game files are corrupted, it can lead to crashes. This can happen due to improper installation, updates, or even malware.

  • Solution: Verify the integrity of your game files through the game’s launcher or platform (like Steam). Reinstalling the game may also help.

7. Overclocking

Overclocking your CPU or GPU can provide a performance boost, but it can also lead to instability if not done correctly. Overclocked components are more prone to overheating and crashing.

  • Solution: If you’ve overclocked your components, try reverting them to their default settings. If you still want to overclock, ensure that you do so gradually and test for stability.

8. Hardware Failures

Sometimes, the issue is simply due to failing hardware. This could be a failing hard drive, a faulty GPU, or even a problematic motherboard.

  • Solution: Run diagnostic tests on your hardware to identify any failing components. Replacing the faulty hardware should resolve the issue.

9. Operating System Issues

Your operating system itself could be the culprit. Corrupted system files, outdated OS versions, or even malware can cause your PC to crash.

  • Solution: Ensure your operating system is up to date. Running a system file checker (like sfc /scannow on Windows) can help identify and repair corrupted files.

10. Incompatible Hardware

Sometimes, certain hardware components may not be fully compatible with each other, leading to instability.

  • Solution: Check the compatibility of your components, especially if you’ve recently upgraded any part of your system. Consulting your motherboard’s QVL (Qualified Vendor List) can help ensure compatibility.

11. Background Processes

Background processes can consume system resources, leaving less available for your game. This can lead to crashes, especially if your system is already under heavy load.

  • Solution: Use Task Manager to identify and close unnecessary background processes. You can also set your game to high priority to ensure it gets the resources it needs.

12. Game-Specific Issues

Sometimes, the issue is specific to the game itself. Bugs, poor optimization, or even server issues can cause crashes.

  • Solution: Check the game’s official forums or support pages for any known issues. Developers often release patches to fix bugs and improve stability.

13. BIOS/UEFI Settings

Incorrect BIOS/UEFI settings can cause instability, especially if you’ve made changes to settings like voltage or clock speeds.

  • Solution: Reset your BIOS/UEFI settings to default and see if that resolves the issue. If you’ve made specific changes, ensure they are stable and supported by your hardware.

14. Malware

Malware can cause a wide range of issues, including system crashes. Some malware is designed to consume system resources, leading to instability.

  • Solution: Run a full system scan using a reputable antivirus program. Ensure your antivirus software is up to date and consider using additional malware removal tools.

15. Insufficient Storage

Running out of storage space on your hard drive or SSD can cause performance issues and crashes, especially if your system is trying to write temporary files.

  • Solution: Ensure you have enough free space on your storage drive. Consider upgrading to a larger drive if necessary.

16. Network Issues

For online games, network issues can sometimes cause crashes. This could be due to a poor connection, high latency, or even server-side problems.

  • Solution: Check your internet connection and ensure it’s stable. If the issue persists, contact your ISP or the game’s support team.

17. Graphics Settings

Setting your graphics too high for your hardware to handle can cause crashes. This is especially true for older or less powerful systems.

  • Solution: Lower your in-game graphics settings. Start with the most demanding settings like resolution, texture quality, and shadows, and adjust them until you find a stable configuration.

18. Virtual Memory

If your system runs out of physical RAM, it uses virtual memory (paging file) on your hard drive. If this is misconfigured or insufficient, it can cause crashes.

  • Solution: Ensure your virtual memory settings are configured correctly. You can adjust the size of the paging file in your system settings.

19. Power Settings

Your PC’s power settings can affect performance. If your system is set to a power-saving mode, it may not provide enough power to your components during gaming.

  • Solution: Set your power plan to “High Performance” in your system settings. This ensures your components receive adequate power during gaming.

20. Firmware Updates

Sometimes, firmware updates for your hardware (like SSDs or GPUs) can resolve stability issues.

  • Solution: Check for firmware updates for your hardware components. Manufacturers often release updates to improve performance and stability.

Q: Why does my PC crash only during specific games? A: This could be due to game-specific bugs, poor optimization, or hardware that struggles with the game’s requirements. Check for patches or updates for the game, and ensure your hardware meets the recommended specifications.

Q: Can a bad monitor cause my PC to crash? A: While a bad monitor itself won’t cause your PC to crash, issues like incorrect refresh rates or resolutions can cause instability. Ensure your monitor settings are compatible with your GPU.

Q: How do I know if my GPU is failing? A: Signs of a failing GPU include graphical glitches, artifacts on the screen, and frequent crashes, especially during graphically intensive tasks like gaming. Running diagnostic software can help confirm the issue.

Q: Should I reinstall Windows if my PC keeps crashing? A: Reinstalling Windows can resolve many software-related issues, but it should be a last resort. Try other troubleshooting steps first, such as updating drivers and checking for malware.

Q: Can a virus cause my PC to crash during games? A: Yes, malware can consume system resources, interfere with game files, or cause instability. Running a full system scan with updated antivirus software is recommended.

By addressing these potential issues, you can hopefully resolve the crashes and get back to enjoying your gaming sessions without interruption.