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How to Verify Game Files and Update Graphics Drivers When a Game Crashes

Verify a game’s installation in Steam or Epic Games Launcher, then check the GPU maker’s official site for a compatible graphics driver. These steps may help, but they cannot identify or fix every crash.

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If a PC game crashes, verify its installed files through the launcher, then check the graphics-card maker’s official support page for a compatible driver. These steps can address damaged or outdated components, but they are troubleshooting—not a diagnosis or guaranteed fix.

Verify the game files in its launcher

File verification checks the game’s installation for missing or altered files and may repair them. The steps depend on the launcher; the following paths apply to Steam and Epic Games Launcher.

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Steam

  1. Open Library in Steam.
  2. Right-click the game and select Properties.
  3. Open Installed Files, then select Verify integrity of game files.
  4. Let the check finish. Steam says verification checks whether files are installed correctly and may help when content is missing or the game crashes. Avoid running it while other intensive system work is underway. See Steam’s verification instructions.

Epic Games Launcher

  1. Open Library.
  2. Click the three-dot menu next to the game and choose Manage.
  3. Select Verify and wait for the process to finish; Epic notes that it can take a while.

Epic says verification repairs files that differ from the expected installation and that saved data is not affected. This assurance applies to Epic’s verification process. See Epic’s file-verification instructions.

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Check for a graphics driver from the GPU maker

Find out whether your graphics hardware is from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, then use that company’s official support or download page to select a driver compatible with your product and operating system. Steam’s driver guidance points to these vendors. Driver versions change, so select the version offered for your hardware rather than relying on a version number in an old guide.

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Follow the installation instructions on the relevant vendor page and any game-specific support guidance. There is no single install procedure established for every GPU, operating system, or laptop configuration; do not substitute an unofficial driver utility for the hardware maker’s instructions.

If the game still crashes

A successful file check and an available driver update do not establish the cause of a crash. Follow the game’s own support guidance for the next checks rather than assuming one troubleshooting sequence fits every title. For example, Epic’s Fortnite PC troubleshooting guide includes checking system requirements, verifying files, clearing the launcher cache, and updating drivers before further troubleshooting or contacting hardware support. That advice is specific to Fortnite on PC.

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