Hades II, the much-awaited sequel from Supergiant Games, has quickly captured the attention of fans who loved the original roguelike masterpiece. With its fast-paced combat, engaging story, and beautiful visuals, the game is one of the biggest releases of 2025. However, many players are facing a frustrating issue: Hades II crashing on startup or during the loading screen.
This problem is especially irritating because it prevents players from even getting into the game. If you’re experiencing startup crashes, sudden freezes, or black screens while loading Hades II, don’t worry — you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll explore the possible causes of the crashes and provide detailed solutions to fix them.
Why Does Hades II Crash on Startup or Loading?
There are several reasons why Hades II might crash before or during loading. Some of the most common causes include:
- Outdated GPU drivers – New games require updated drivers for stable performance.
- Corrupted or missing game files – Incomplete downloads or broken files can cause startup crashes.
- DirectX or Visual C++ Redistributable issues – Missing runtime libraries can prevent the game from running.
- Incompatible background apps – Overlays (Discord, Steam, GeForce Experience) may interfere with the game.
- Overheating or hardware stress – High system load can cause instability.
- Antivirus or firewall blocking – Security programs sometimes block game executables.
- Low system resources – Insufficient RAM or free disk space can trigger crashes.
Now, let’s move step by step to fix Hades II crashing on PC.
Fix 1: Check PC System Requirements
First, make sure your PC can actually run the game.
Minimum System Requirements (Expected 2025):
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6500 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- RAM: 8 GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 570
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 20 GB free space
Recommended System Requirements:
- OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-8700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- RAM: 16 GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super / AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: SSD with 20+ GB free
👉 If your PC doesn’t meet these requirements, you may face crashes unless you lower in-game settings or upgrade hardware.
Fix 2: Update Graphics Drivers
Most startup crashes are linked to outdated GPU drivers. Make sure your drivers are up to date.
- NVIDIA users: Get latest drivers here.
- AMD users: Get latest drivers here.
- Intel users: Get drivers here.
After updating, restart your PC and try launching the game again.
Fix 3: Verify Integrity of Game Files
Corrupted or missing files are a very common reason for startup crashes.
On Steam:
- Open Steam Library.
- Right-click Hades II → Properties.
- Select Installed Files → click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
On Epic Games:
- Open Epic Games Launcher.
- Go to Library.
- Find Hades II, click three dots (…).
- Select Verify.
This process replaces broken or missing files and often fixes loading crashes.
Fix 4: Run as Administrator
Games sometimes need elevated permissions to run properly.
- Right-click Hades II.exe.
- Select Properties → Compatibility.
- Check Run this program as administrator.
- Click Apply → OK.
Then relaunch the game.
Fix 5: Disable Background Overlays
Overlays are known troublemakers when it comes to new games. Disable these before running Hades II:
- Steam Overlay → Steam Settings → In-Game → Uncheck Enable Steam Overlay.
- Discord Overlay → User Settings → Game Overlay → Turn off.
- GeForce Experience → Disable in settings.
- MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner → Exit before launching.
Also, close heavy apps like browsers, recording tools, or torrent clients.
Fix 6: Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing or outdated runtime libraries can crash the game at startup.
- Download DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft.
- Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (both x86 and x64).
- Restart your PC.
Fix 7: Clear Shader Cache & Temporary Files
Sometimes old shader cache or leftover files interfere with new games.
- Press Win + R, type
%localappdata%→ Delete the Hades II folder. - For NVIDIA: Go to NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Clear Shader Cache.
- For AMD: Use Radeon Software → Settings → Delete Shader Cache.
Fix 8: Lower In-Game Graphics Settings (If It Loads Briefly)
If Hades II loads but crashes during gameplay or while loading:
- Lower graphics to Medium or Low.
- Disable V-Sync and Motion Blur.
- Set FPS cap to match your monitor’s refresh rate.
Fix 9: Reinstall Hades II
If nothing else works, a clean reinstall may be necessary.
- Uninstall Hades II completely.
- Delete leftover files from the installation folder and Documents.
- Reinstall the game (preferably on an SSD).
Additional Tips
- Check for Windows Updates: Install the latest patches from Windows Update.
- Free Up Space: Keep at least 10–15 GB free on your system drive.
- Disable Overclocking: CPU/GPU overclocking can cause instability. Reset to default settings.
- Perform a Clean Boot: Launch Windows with only essential services to avoid conflicts.
- Check Event Viewer Logs: Look for crash reports under Windows Event Viewer to identify the cause.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why does Hades II keep crashing on startup?
Most often, it’s caused by outdated GPU drivers, corrupted files, or security programs blocking the game.
2. Can low RAM cause Hades II crashes?
Yes. If your system has less than 8 GB RAM, the game may crash on startup or during loading.
3. Will reinstalling fix Hades II crashing?
Yes, a clean reinstall often solves corrupted file issues, but try verifying game files first.
4. Does Hades II require DirectX 12?
It supports both DirectX 11 and 12, but DirectX 12 is recommended for best stability and performance.
5. Can antivirus cause startup crashes?
Yes. Antivirus or firewall programs sometimes mistakenly block the game. Add Hades II as an exception.
Conclusion
Crashes on startup or the loading screen can be frustrating, but they’re usually solvable with the right fixes. Start with simple steps like updating GPU drivers, verifying game files, and disabling overlays. If those don’t work, move on to reinstalling DirectX, clearing shader cache, or reinstalling the game.
With the above solutions, you should be able to resolve Hades II crashing issues on startup and loading so you can get back to battling gods, exploring the underworld, and enjoying everything this epic roguelike has to offer.
