Path of Exile 2 Crashing Fix, How to Stop PC Freezes, Startup and Loading Screen Crashes
Path of Exile 2 crashing has become one of the most searched problems right now. Startup crashes, loading screen freezes, and full PC lockups are hitting players on modern rigs hard.
How to Stop Path of Exile 2 Crashing
There is no single fix, but there are proven steps that reduce or completely stop most crashes.
These fixes focus on startup crashes, loading screen crashes, constant crashing, and full PC freezes.
Switch to Vulkan Renderer First
Vulkan is currently more stable than DX12.
Open graphics settings and switch the renderer to Vulkan. Fully restart the game after changing it.
This alone reduces crashes during zone loads and town portals for many players.
Disable Performance Booster Software
Third party booster apps are a major cause of crashes.
Completely disable or uninstall apps like:
Razer Cortex
MSI Afterburner
ASUS GPU Tweak
Any auto optimize or boost software
Several players reported hard PC crashes stopped immediately after removing these.
Fix CPU Related Crashes on X3D Systems
Ryzen X3D CPUs appear more sensitive to current Path of Exile 2 builds.
If you have a 7800X3D, 9800X3D, or similar, try limiting CPU core usage.
Common fixes that helped:
Set CPU affinity to fewer cores
Disable CPU core 0 and 1 for the game
Use Vulkan with default core usage
This reduces sudden CPU spikes that cause freezes.
Cap Your FPS to Prevent Freezes
Uncapped FPS causes instability during loading screens.
Set a frame cap like 60 or 90 in game. This lowers crash frequency when entering towns or new zones.
High end GPUs push unnecessary frames that spike CPU usage.
Reduce Crashes on Startup and Launch
If the game crashes on startup or launch, try this order:
Launch the game with Vulkan already selected
Close all overlays and background apps
Avoid alt tabbing during initial load
Wait on the login screen for a few seconds before entering a zone
This helps prevent early engine crashes.
Fix Loading Screen and Town Portal Crashes
Loading screens and town portals are the most common crash points.
To reduce this:
Avoid rapid porting between zones
Do not spam town portal
Wait a few seconds after loading before moving
Server load makes this worse during free weekends or peak hours.
NVIDIA GPU Specific Stability Tips
NVIDIA cards from 30, 40, and 50 series are all affected.
Use stable drivers only. Avoid beta drivers.
If needed, do a clean driver install. Do not force custom power profiles or aggressive GPU tuning.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Some fixes make crashes worse.
Avoid:
Overclocking CPU or GPU
Forcing single core mode long term
Running heavy background apps
Assuming your hardware is faulty
Many crashes are engine and server related.
When Crashes Are Not Fixable Yet
Some crashes are not on your system.
During large patches, free weekends, or heavy server load, crashing increases for everyone.
If crashes only happen during peak times, waiting may be the only option.
Final Blurb
Path of Exile 2 crashing is real, frustrating, and common right now. Vulkan, removing performance boosters, controlling CPU behavior, and capping FPS are the biggest wins. You do not need a new PC. You need stability focused settings until early access patches catch up.
FAQ
Why does Path of Exile 2 crash but Path of Exile 1 does not
They use different engines and loading systems.
Can Path of Exile 2 crash my entire PC
Yes. Full system freezes and forced reboots are widely reported.
Are NVIDIA GPUs the cause
No. The issue affects multiple GPU generations.
Do X3D CPUs make crashes worse
They appear more sensitive, but they are not broken.
Will Path of Exile 2 crashing be fixed
Most likely. Early access builds are still being stabilized.
