Far Cry 5 is a stunning open-world shooter filled with intense action, beautiful landscapes, and a gripping story. However, some players have encountered frustrating issues with the game suddenly crashing—whether it’s during gameplay, startup, or after accessing specific areas. These crashes can directly impact the gaming experience, but fortunately, several fixes are available to get the game back on track.
Common Reasons Why Far Cry 5 Crashes
Before diving into the solutions, it’s helpful to understand a few common causes of crashes in Far Cry 5:
- Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers
- Insufficient hardware specifications
- In-game settings set too high
- Incompatible third-party software
- Corrupt game files
How to Fix Far Cry 5 Crashing
Here are several troubleshooting steps that can help players resolve crashing issues in Far Cry 5.
1. Update Graphics Drivers
Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date. This alone can fix a wide range of game crashes.
- For NVIDIA users: Visit the official NVIDIA website.
- For AMD users: Use the AMD support page.
After installation, restart your PC and try launching the game again.
2. Verify Game Files
If the game files are corrupted or some files are missing, crashes are almost inevitable. Use Steam or Ubisoft Connect to verify the game files.
Steam:
- Go to your Library
- Right-click on Far Cry 5 and choose Properties
- Select Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files
Ubisoft Connect:
- Find Far Cry 5 in your game library
- Click on the arrow dropdown and select Verify files
3. Run the Game as Administrator
Sometimes, a lack of administrative privileges can prevent the game from accessing necessary resources. To run the game as an administrator:
- Right-click the game’s executable (.exe) file
- Choose Properties
- Go to the Compatibility tab
- Check Run this program as an administrator
- Click Apply and then OK
4. Lower In-Game Graphics Settings
If your PC is struggling to handle high visual settings, it might be best to tone them down. Navigate to the graphics settings in the game and reduce parameters like:
- Texture Quality
- Shadows
- Anti-Aliasing
- Post Processing
Disabling V-Sync and turning off motion blur can also help improve stability.
5. Disable Background Applications
Some background processes—especially apps like Discord overlays, MSI Afterburner, or RGB control software—can interfere with Far Cry 5.
- Close all unnecessary programs before launching the game
- Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to shut down high-memory tasks
6. Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
Ensure that you have the latest versions of DirectX and Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables installed:
7. Reinstall the Game
If all else fails, a clean reinstall might be your last resort. Be sure to back up any saved data before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why does Far Cry 5 crash on startup?
- This often occurs due to outdated drivers, missing files, or incompatible software running in the background.
- Can antivirus software cause Far Cry 5 to crash?
- Yes, some antivirus programs can mistakenly flag game files. Try adding the game folder to your antivirus exceptions list.
- Is Far Cry 5 poorly optimized?
- Far Cry 5 is generally well-optimized, but some configurations and older hardware may need manual tweaks for smooth performance.
- Do mods or trainers cause crashes in Far Cry 5?
- They can. Third-party modifications often interfere with normal game operations and may result in instability or game crashes.
- Can overheating cause Far Cry 5 to crash?
- Yes, if your GPU or CPU overheats, it can lead to automatic shutdowns or game crashes to protect your hardware.
By following the above steps systematically, players can eliminate the most common causes of crashing in Far Cry 5 and ensure a much smoother gaming experience.
