How to fix the Overwatch 2 crash at launch issue on PC

After multiple delays, Overwatch 2 is finally here and is now free-to-play. The long-awaited sequel to one of the most successful and beloved multiplayer titles is live, and it’s an exciting time to see how Blizzard approaches the free-to-play model. Overwatch 2’s betas showed that there weren’t a lot of technical issues, and the game ran pretty well and a lot like the first Overwatch. Despite that, if you’re running into the Overwatch 2 crash at launch issue, here are a few things we recommend.

Fixing the Overwatch 2 crash at launch issue

While Overwatch 2 runs well for most users, a few have reported a crash at launch. As we have covered earlier, there are times that either your game files aren’t in order or other utilities are conflicting with the game itself. Here are our recommendations on how you can address this and get in the game.

Scan and Repair files

First thing first, to ensure that none of your game files are missing or corrupted, we recommend performing a scan of the files. This can be easily done through the Battle.net client by following the steps below.

• Open the Battle.net desktop app
• Click on the Overwatch icon in your Games tab
• Click the cogwheel next to the Play button and select Scan and Repair

This will initiate a scan, download any missing files, and install those.

Check for Updates

Another thing you can do is force the client to check for any updates that weren’t automatically downloaded.

• Open the Battle.net desktop app
• Click on the Overwatch icon in your Games tab
• Click the cogwheel next to the Play button and select Check for Updates

Install the latest version of Synapse 3 (Razer Users)

The Razer Synapse software and Chroma SDK have had various issues with the first Overwatch, which isn’t too different in the sequel. Ideally, you want to install the latest version of the Synapse software to ensure that things work fine because most issues have been resolved in the latest builds. Chances are, you’re getting a lower framerate due to the Chroma SDK as well.

If you have an older version, we recommend uninstalling that and redownloading the latest version manually. Additionally, after you’ve uninstalled it, make sure to remove certain DLL files from the following locations as well.

C:\Windows\System32\RzChromaSDK64.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\RzChromaSDK.dll
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\RzAPIChromaSDK.dll

You can download the latest version of Synapse at the following link.

If you’re still getting issues with Razer-related software, we recommend uninstalling Chroma (and the DLL files listed above)

Update your GPU Drivers

Make sure that you have the latest drivers for your GPU installed. You can get the latest ones from the links below.

• AMD
• NVIDIA
• Intel

Uninstall Asus Sonic Sound/Nahimic software

If you have Asus Sonic Sound, sometimes labeled as Nahimic Software, installed, we recommend removing that. It’s known to cause issues with Overwatch, and it’s likely the same with Overwatch 2.

Disable Overlays while running Overwatch 2

It is possible that a specific Overlay might be conflicting with Overwatch 2 and is causing stability issues. We recommend turning those off either one by one to see which is causing the problem or disabling those all. These could be Discord, Geforce Experience, XFire, etc.

Set Desktop Display Scaling to 100%

Some users have confirmed that setting their Windows’ scale and layout to 100% fixed the problem. To do this, follow the steps below.

• Right-click on the Desktop and select Display Settings

• Now, under Scale and Layout, select 100% from the dropdown

Enable Full-Screen Optimizations and run as admin

Head over to where the game is installed. You can do this by clicking the cogwheel next to the Play button and selecting Show in Explorer.

• Right-click on Overwatch 2 executable and select Properties
• Click the Compatibility tab
• Check “Run this program as an administrator. “ (Just in case)

• Now, to check “Disable fullscreen optimizations”

Now, launch the game and see if that made a difference.

Add an exception to your anti-virus (Especially Sophos)

It is possible that your anti-virus software is conflicting with the title. Ensure that Overwatch 2 is either added to the exclusions or exceptions list.

Multiple users have reported that they are running into issues with Sophos Anti-virus specifically. Here is how you can add Overwatch 2 to its exclusions list.

• Double click on the Sophos icon in the taskbar
• Now, click on the help
• Expand the ‘Troubleshooting’ dropdown
• Select ‘Add Local Exclusions’
• Navigate to your program(x86) folder \Overwatch
• Select ‘Overwatch Launcher.exe‘
• Add a second exclusion by going to the same Overwatch folder and navigating further to the folder retail
• Add the file ‘Overwatch.exe.’

We have listed some popular ones and their respective FAQ pages.

• Windows Defender
• Microsoft Security Essentials
• Malwarebytes
• Avast Antivirus
• AVG Antivirus
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus
• Webroot SecureAnywhere
• McAfee Antivirus (Steam Support guide)
• Bitdefender

Update your Windows

Make sure that you are on the latest version of Windows. The developers have recommended this as well.

• In Windows Search, type “Update” and click on Check for Updates
• This will take you to the Windows Update section, and you can make sure you are on the latest version

Reset In-Game Settings

You can also reset your in-game settings to make sure nothing went haywire while you were adjusting your graphics options. To do this, follow the steps below.

• Open the Battle.net desktop app
• Click on the Overwatch icon in your Games tab
• Click the cogwheel next to the Play button and select Game Settings

• Here, click on the Reset In-Game Options button

This will reset all your in-game custom settings, and put everything back to default.

Switch to dedicated GPU (Laptop Users)

Ensure that your dedicated GPU is being utilized instead of the integrated one.

Switching to the dedicated Nvidia GPU

• First, open the Nvidia Control Panel
• Then navigate to 3D Settings and then Manage 3D Settings
• Open the tab Program Settings and choose Overwatch 2 from the dropdown menu
• Next, select the preferred graphics processor for this program from the second dropdown.
• Your Nvidia GPU should show as High-performance Nvidia processor
• Save the changes

Switching to the dedicated AMD GPU

• First, open Radeon Settings
• Then navigate to Preferences, followed by Additional Settings
• Here, select Power and then Switchable Graphics Application Settings
• Select Overwatch 2 from the list of applications
• If Overwatch 2 isn’t on the list, click the Add Application button and select the executable from the installation directory. This adds the game to the list, and you’ll be able to select it afterward.
• In Graphics Settings, assign the High-Performance profile to the game.

If you found another solution, please let us know in the comments below. We will add that to the list and credit you appropriately.

We hope this guide helped fix the Overwatch 2 crash at launch issue. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.