The Outer Worlds 2 Fatal Error Fix on PC (2025)

Encountering a Fatal Error while launching or playing The Outer Worlds 2 can be extremely frustrating. Many players report seeing messages such as “Fatal Error: Unreal Engine has crashed” or “The OuterWorlds2.exe stopped working” right after startup or during gameplay.

These errors typically occur because of corrupted game files, outdated GPU drivers, DirectX issues, or software conflicts. However, the good news is that you can resolve them with a few proven fixes.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the working solutions to fix The Outer Worlds 2 Fatal Error on PC and get you back into the game quickly.

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⚙️ Common Causes of Fatal Error

Before jumping into the fixes, let’s look at the most frequent reasons behind this problem:

• Damaged or missing game files
• Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers
• Corrupted DirectX or Visual C++ redistributables
• Background overlays or monitoring tools interfering
• Overclocked GPU or CPU
• Missing administrator permissions
• Windows compatibility conflicts

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Fix 1: Verify Integrity of Game Files

Corrupted or missing files are one of the most common triggers of Fatal Errors. Verifying the integrity of game files can easily fix this issue.

Steps (Steam):

1. Open Steam → Library.
2. Right-click The Outer Worlds 2 → Properties → Installed Files.
3. Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Steps (Epic Games):

1. Open Library → The Outer Worlds 2.
2. Click the three dots (…) → Manage → Verify Files.

✅ Result: Steam or Epic will automatically repair any missing or corrupted files, ensuring your game runs smoothly.

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Fix 2: Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers are a major cause of Unreal Engine crashes and Fatal Errors.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Display Adapters.
2. Right-click your GPU → Update driver → Search automatically.
3. Alternatively, download the latest version from your manufacturer’s site:
   • NVIDIA Drivers
   • AMD Drivers
   • Intel Drivers

✅ Result: Updates ensure maximum compatibility with The Outer Worlds 2 engine and reduce crash frequency.

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Fix 3: Reinstall DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables

A broken DirectX or missing Visual C++ runtime can trigger Fatal Error messages when loading or rendering assets.

Steps:

1. Download the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft.
2. Download and install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (2015–2022) — both x86 and x64.
3. Restart your PC.

✅ Result: Restores all necessary runtime components required by the Unreal Engine.

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Fix 4: Run The Outer Worlds 2 as Administrator

Running the game with elevated privileges helps it access required system resources.

Steps:

1. Right-click TheOuterWorlds2.exe or its shortcut.
2. Choose Properties → Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program as an administrator.
4. Click Apply → OK, then relaunch the game.

✅ Result: Grants the game permission to modify files and access network components without being blocked.

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Fix 5: Disable Overlays and Monitoring Software

Third-party overlays can interfere with the game’s rendering or input system, leading to a Fatal Error.

Steps:

1. Disable in-game overlays like:
   • Steam Overlay (Steam → Settings → In-Game → Uncheck Enable Overlay).
   • Discord Overlay (Settings → Game Overlay → Turn off).
   • GeForce Experience Overlay (Settings → In-Game Overlay → Off).
2. Also close background apps such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, or OBS.

✅ Result: Prevents conflicts with Unreal Engine’s rendering process and stabilizes performance.

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Fix 6: Reset GPU Overclock or Use Default Settings

If your GPU or CPU is overclocked, Unreal Engine can become unstable and crash unexpectedly.

Steps:

1. Open your GPU tuning software (MSI Afterburner, ASUS GPU Tweak, etc.).
2. Restore default clock settings.
3. Save changes and restart your PC.

✅ Result: Ensures stability by running your hardware at safe manufacturer-recommended speeds.

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Fix 7: Update Windows to the Latest Version

An outdated version of Windows may not support the latest DirectX or GPU drivers properly.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I → Settings → Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Install all available updates and restart your PC.

✅ Result: Improves overall compatibility and performance across games and drivers.

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Fix 8: Adjust Compatibility Mode

Sometimes running the game in compatibility mode can bypass system conflicts.

Steps:

1. Right-click TheOuterWorlds2.exe → Properties → Compatibility tab.
2. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for:
   • Select Windows 10 or Windows 8.
3. Apply changes and restart the game.

✅ Result: Allows older libraries to run smoothly with updated Windows builds.

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Fix 9: Delete Temporary and Cache Files

Corrupted cache data can trigger Fatal Errors or memory access violations.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.
2. Locate and delete TheOuterWorlds2 or Obsidian folders.
3. Restart the game.

✅ Result: Forces the game to rebuild clean configuration files.

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Fix 10: Reinstall The Outer Worlds 2 (Last Resort)

If none of the above methods work, reinstalling the game is the best option.

Steps:

1. Uninstall The Outer Worlds 2 via Steam or Epic.
2. Delete leftover files from: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Outer Worlds 2
3. Restart your PC.
4. Reinstall the game to a different drive (preferably SSD).

✅ Result: Replaces any damaged files and ensures a clean, error-free installation.

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💡 Additional Tips

• Make sure your GPU temperature stays below 85°C.
• Disable fullscreen optimizations from the game’s Compatibility tab.
• Close all background applications before launching the game.
• Use High Performance mode in Windows Power Settings.

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❓ FAQs

Q1: Why does The Outer Worlds 2 show a Fatal Error at launch?
A: It’s usually caused by corrupted files, outdated GPU drivers, or missing DirectX components.

Q2: Can antivirus software trigger a Fatal Error?
A: Yes, it can block certain executables. Whitelist the game folder to fix this.

Q3: Does reinstalling fix Fatal Error permanently?
A: It usually does if the issue is caused by corrupted or missing assets.

Q4: What if the Fatal Error occurs mid-game?
A: That may be due to overheating or an unstable GPU overclock. Monitor your temperatures.

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🎯 Conclusion

The Fatal Error in The Outer Worlds 2 can stem from several causes — from driver conflicts to broken DirectX components. Fortunately, most players can fix it by verifying files, updating drivers, and disabling overlays.

After following these steps, your game should run smoothly without any random crashes or “Unreal Engine Fatal Error” messages.

Enjoy exploring the universe of The Outer Worlds 2 — free of errors and interruptions!