First, update your graphics driver, then check for game updates. Verify game files integrity on the launcher. Lower in-game graphics settings. Disable any background applications. Run the game in compatibility mode. Consider reinstalling the game or contacting technical support for further assistance.
Check System Requirements and Update Drivers
It's crucial to ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements to run Control. Check the game's specifications and compare them with your computer's hardware. Outdated graphics drivers are a common cause of game crashes on startup. Update your graphics card drivers to the latest version provided by the manufacturer. Similarly, ensure other drivers such as audio and chipset are up to date to prevent compatibility issues that could lead to crashes.
Verify Game Files and Disable Overlays
Corrupted or missing game files can result in crashes. Verify the integrity of the game files through the game launcher or platform library to check for any errors and redownload the necessary files. Additionally, disable any overlays such as Steam overlay, Discord overlay, or GeForce Experience overlay as they might conflict with the game's processes and lead to crashes on startup.
Adjust Graphics Settings and Disable Background Applications
If your system is struggling to run the game due to high graphics settings, it may lead to crashes. Lower the graphics settings within the game to reduce the strain on your system. Furthermore, close any unnecessary background applications that could be consuming resources and causing conflicts with the game. Running the game with a clean system environment can help stabilize its performance.
Run as Administrator and Compatibility Mode
Try running Control as an administrator to ensure it has the necessary permissions to access system resources without restrictions. Right-click on the game executable or shortcut, go to 'Properties,' and navigate to the 'Compatibility' tab to run the game in compatibility mode for an older version of Windows. This can sometimes resolve startup crashes caused by compatibility issues with the current operating system.
Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
The game may require specific versions of DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables to run smoothly. Make sure that your system has the latest DirectX version installed and update or repair any Visual C++ Redistributable packages related to Control. These components are essential for the game to function properly and may be a reason behind crashes on startup.
Monitor Temperature and Hardware Health
Overheating components can cause instability and lead to crashes, especially during resource-intensive tasks like gaming. Use monitoring software to check the temperatures of your CPU and GPU while running Control. Ensure that they are within safe operating ranges and consider improving cooling solutions if temperatures are too high. Additionally, check the health of your hardware components such as the hard drive or RAM for any potential issues that could be triggering crashes.
Contact Support and Community Forums
If you have tried all the aforementioned solutions and are still experiencing crashes on startup in Control, consider reaching out to the game's official support channels. Provide them with detailed information about your system specifications, the crash behavior, and any error messages received. You can also visit community forums or social media groups dedicated to Control to see if other players have encountered similar issues and found solutions that could help you resolve the problem.