Many players are experiencing crashes, freezes, or stuttering issues while playing Hollow Knight: Silksong on PC. The game might crash at startup, freeze during loading screens, or stutter during gameplay.
These problems are often linked to outdated GPU drivers, missing DirectX/VCRedist components, system resource overload, or corrupted game files.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through proven solutions to fix all performance-related issues so you can enjoy a smooth and stable Silksong experience.
⚙️ Common Causes
Before diving into the fixes, here are the most likely reasons for Silksong crashing or stuttering:
- Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers
- Corrupted or missing game files
- Background software consuming high CPU/GPU usage
- Overclocked GPU or CPU causing instability
- Outdated DirectX or Microsoft Visual C++ components
- In-game settings exceeding hardware limits
🛠️ Fix 1: Verify Integrity of Game Files
Corrupted or missing files are one of the main reasons for crashes.
Steam:
- Open Steam Library.
- Right-click Hollow Knight: Silksong → Properties → Installed Files.
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Epic Games:
- Open Library → Hollow Knight: Silksong.
- Click the three dots (…) → Manage → Verify Files.
✅ Result: Automatically restores missing or damaged game files.
🛠️ Fix 2: Update Graphics Drivers
An outdated or unstable GPU driver can cause crashes, freezes, and FPS drops.
Steps:
- Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
- Expand Display Adapters.
- Right-click your GPU → Update Driver → Search automatically for drivers.
Or manually download from official sources:
✅ Result: Improves game performance and prevents GPU-related crashes.
🛠️ Fix 3: Lower In-Game Graphics Settings
Running the game on ultra settings can cause stuttering or overheating.
Steps:
- Launch the game and go to Settings → Graphics.
- Lower options like:
- Texture Quality
- Shadow Detail
- Anti-Aliasing
- Ambient Occlusion
- Disable V-Sync or Motion Blur if enabled.
✅ Result: Reduces system load and stabilizes frame rates.
🛠️ Fix 4: Disable Overlays and Background Apps
Programs like Discord Overlay, NVIDIA ShadowPlay, or Razer Synapse can conflict with the game engine.
Steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- End tasks for Discord, OBS, MSI Afterburner, or GeForce Experience.
- Relaunch Silksong.
✅ Result: Frees up system resources and prevents random freezes.
🛠️ Fix 5: Reinstall or Repair DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing system libraries can lead to instant crashes or black screens.
Steps:
- Download and install the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
- Download the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (2015–2022) for both x64 and x86.
- Reboot your PC after installation.
✅ Result: Restores essential system files required by Silksong.
🛠️ Fix 6: Disable Overclocking
GPU or CPU overclocking can cause instability and random freezing.
Steps:
- Open your GPU tuning software (MSI Afterburner, EVGA Precision, etc.).
- Reset your GPU and CPU to default clock speeds.
- Save the settings and restart your computer.
✅ Result: Ensures stable performance and eliminates hardware-induced crashes.
🛠️ Fix 7: Adjust Power and Performance Settings
Running Windows in power-saving mode can throttle performance.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I → System → Power & Battery.
- Set Power Mode to Best Performance.
- In NVIDIA Control Panel, set Power Management Mode → Prefer Maximum Performance.
✅ Result: Gives the game full access to system power for consistent performance.
🛠️ Fix 8: Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)
If all else fails, reinstalling ensures a clean setup without broken configurations.
Steps:
- Uninstall Hollow Knight: Silksong from Steam or Epic Games.
- Restart your PC.
- Reinstall the game on an SSD for faster loading and stability.
✅ Result: Removes all corrupted files and refreshes the installation.
💡 Additional Tips
- Ensure your PC meets the minimum requirements for Silksong.
- Keep Windows fully updated.
- Avoid multitasking while playing.
- Turn off unnecessary startup programs.
- Use a wired controller instead of Bluetooth if lag occurs.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Why does Hollow Knight: Silksong crash on startup?
A: It’s usually caused by missing game files, outdated GPU drivers, or corrupt DirectX components.
Q2: How can I fix stuttering during gameplay?
A: Lower your graphics settings, disable background apps, and set your power mode to “Best Performance.”
Q3: Does updating drivers really help?
A: Yes — new GPU drivers often include optimization fixes for newly released games.
Q4: My game keeps freezing randomly. What should I do?
A: Check your system temperatures, reset overclocking, and close overlay tools.
🎯 Conclusion
If Hollow Knight: Silksong is crashing, freezing, or stuttering on your PC, the issue is likely tied to drivers, system performance, or corrupted files.
Start with easy fixes — verify game files, update drivers, and disable overlays. If that doesn’t work, repair DirectX and Visual C++ components or reinstall the game entirely.
By following these steps, you’ll restore smooth performance and enjoy exploring Silksong’s world without any interruptions. 🕹️
