Many players report that High on Life 2 is crashing at startup on PC. In some cases, the game closes immediately after clicking Play. In other cases, it shows a black screen, freezes on the loading screen, or displays a fatal error message.
Fortunately, this issue is usually caused by corrupted game files, outdated drivers, missing runtime components, or background software conflicts. Therefore, by following the solutions below, you can fix the startup crash quickly.
Why High on Life 2 Crashes at Startup
Before applying fixes, it helps to understand the common causes.
Most startup crashes happen because of:
- Corrupted or missing game files
- Outdated graphics drivers
- DirectX or Visual C++ errors
- Steam or overlay conflicts
- Antivirus blocking the executable
- Overclocking instability
- Insufficient system requirements
As a result, the game fails to load properly and crashes before reaching the main menu.
Fix 1: Verify Game Files (Most Important)
First, verify the integrity of the game files. Corrupted files are the most common reason for launch crashes.
Steps (Steam):
- Open Steam → Library
- Right-click High on Life 2
- Click Properties
- Go to Installed Files
- Select Verify integrity of game files
After the process finishes, restart your PC and try launching the game again.
Fix 2: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated GPU drivers frequently cause startup crashes or black screens.
What to Do:
- Update via NVIDIA GeForce Experience
- Update via AMD Adrenalin Software
- Or update through Device Manager
Once updated, reboot your system before testing the game.
Fix 3: Run the Game as Administrator
Sometimes Windows blocks certain permissions. Therefore, running the game with elevated privileges can solve the issue.
Steps:
- Go to the game installation folder
- Right-click the game executable (.exe)
- Click Properties → Compatibility
- Enable Run this program as administrator
- Click Apply → OK
Launch the game again.
Fix 4: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Windows fullscreen optimizations may cause instability in some games.
Steps:
- Right-click the game executable
- Open Properties → Compatibility
- Check Disable fullscreen optimizations
- Apply changes
Then test the game.
Fix 5: Install or Repair Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing runtime files often trigger fatal errors.
Steps:
- Download the latest Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable
- Install both x64 and x86 versions
- Restart your PC
This fix resolves many launch crashes instantly.
Fix 6: Disable Overlays
Overlay software can interfere with startup.
Disable:
- Steam Overlay
- Discord Overlay
- NVIDIA Overlay
- Xbox Game Bar
After disabling them, restart Steam and launch the game again.
Fix 7: Add Game to Antivirus Exclusions
Sometimes antivirus software falsely blocks the game.
Steps:
- Open Windows Security
- Go to Virus & Threat Protection
- Click Manage Settings → Exclusions
- Add the High on Life 2 installation folder
Then try launching again.
Fix 8: Disable Overclocking
If you overclock your CPU or GPU, instability may trigger startup crashes.
- Reset BIOS to default settings
- Disable MSI Afterburner overclock
- Test the game on stock speeds
Even stable overclocks can crash certain Unreal Engine titles.
Fix 9: Force DirectX 11 Launch (If Supported)
Some games run more stable on DX11.
Steam Launch Option:
- Right-click the game in Steam
- Click Properties
- Add this under Launch Options:
-dx11
Then start the game.
Fix 10: Reinstall the Game (Last Option)
If none of the above solutions work:
- Uninstall High on Life 2
- Restart your PC
- Reinstall the game (preferably on an SSD)
A clean installation removes deeply corrupted files.
Additional Tips
- Keep Windows fully updated
- Close unnecessary background applications
- Avoid Alt+Tab during startup
- Ensure your PC meets minimum system requirements
- Update DirectX and Windows components
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does High on Life 2 crash immediately after launch?
Usually due to corrupted files, outdated GPU drivers, or missing Visual C++ components.
Does disabling overlays help?
Yes. Overlay conflicts are a common cause of startup crashes.
Can antivirus cause startup crashes?
Yes. Adding the game to exclusions often fixes the problem.
Should I reinstall the game?
Only if other fixes fail.
Conclusion
The High on Life 2 crashing at startup issue is typically caused by corrupted files, outdated drivers, runtime errors, or background software conflicts. However, by verifying files, updating drivers, repairing Visual C++ components, and disabling overlays, most players can fix the crash quickly.
🎮 After applying these solutions, High on Life 2 should launch smoothly without crashing at startup.
