Low Level Fatal Error Playing Games? Here's How to Fix It

Download Article

Fix this game-crashing Windows error and get back to gaming

Explore this Article

IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Check your computer’s specs.

2 Restart your game launcher.

3 Restart your computer.

4 Repair or verify the integrity of the game files.

5 Close all background programs.

6 Turn off any overclock settings.

7 Check for Windows updates.

8 Run the game as an administrator.

9 Launch the game with a different version of DirectX.

10 Run a virus scan.

11 Reinstall your graphics drivers.

12 Reinstall the game.

13 Install Visual C++.

14 Run the game in dedicated graphics mode.

15 Run the game in compatibility mode.

16 Disable fullscreen optimization.

17 Check your antivirus settings.

18 Allow the game through your firewall.

19 Reinstall Windows.

+ Show 16 more...

- Show less...

Other Sections

Video

Related Articles

References

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: May 25, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

A “LowLevelFatalError” is a serious error that causes games (including Steam games) to crash on Windows. It can be caused by issues with game files, graphics drivers, system settings, hardware, or software issues. Luckily, you can do a few things to fix this fatal error and get back to gaming in no time. Read on to learn how to troubleshoot and fix a Low Level Fatal Error crash.

Quick Fixes for a Low Level Fatal Error

• Make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements for the game.
• Repair or verify the game installation in your launcher.
• Install Windows and driver updates.
• Try running in windowed mode or running as an administrator.
• Disable overclocking.
• Start the game with a different DirectX version.
• Uninstall and reinstall the game.

Steps

1

Check your computer’s specs.

Download Article

1. 
   Your computer may not be compatible with the game. When you buy a game, check the required specs and make sure your computer can meet the minimum requirements (preferably the recommended requirements). If your computer doesn’t meet the recommended requirements, the game may not run properly, and you might see "Low Level Fatal Error" and other errors. Use the following steps to check your computer specs:

   • Click the Windows Start menu.
   • Click the Settings/Gear icon.
   • Click System.
   • Click About.
   • Check your computer’s main specs.
   • Press Win + R to open Run.
   • Enter “DxDiag” into Run and press Enter.
   • Click the Display tab.
   • Check what graphics card you have.
Advertisement

2

Restart your game launcher.

Download Article

1. 
   There may be a problem with your game distribution platform. Whether you are using Steam, the EA app, Xbox, or Epic Games Launcher, restart the app and then relaunch the game from within your app.

3

Restart your computer.

Download Article

1. 
   There may be a minor glitch in your operating system. If restarting the game doesn’t work, try restarting your computer. You can often fix minor glitches in your Windows operating system with a simple restart.
Advertisement

4

Repair or verify the integrity of the game files.

Download Article

1. 
   The game may not be installed correctly. Most game launcher applications have an option that allows you to check the game’s installation and repair the game if it is not installed correctly. Use one of the following steps to check the integrity of the game files and repair a game installation:

   • Steam
     • Open the Steam app.
     • Right-click the game you have issues with in the menu to the left.
     • Click Properties.
     • Click Installed files.
     • Click Verify integrity of game files.
   • Epic Games Launcher
     • Open the Epic Games Launcher.
     • Right-click the game you are having problems with.
     • Click Manage.
     • Click Verify next to “Verify Files.”
   • Xbox App
     • Open the Xbox app.
     • Click the game you have a problem with in the menu to the left.
     • Click the icon with three dots (⋯) below the game title.
     • Click Manage.
     • Click Files.
     • Click Verify and repair.
   • EA App
     • Open the EA app.
     • Click the game you are having issues with to the left.
     • Click Manage on the game page.
     • Click Repair.

5

Close all background programs.

Download Article

1. 
   You may have too many programs running. Other programs may be eating up too much of your memory or interfering with your game. Close any background programs except the game you want to run.

   • If you are using any overlays, such as Steam, Discord, NVIDIA, or overlays from other programs, turn the overlays off before launching the game.
Advertisement

6

Turn off any overclock settings.

Download Article

1. 
   Overclocking can put a strain on your computer. If you use any overclock settings, they may be putting too much of a strain on your CPU or GPU, causing your hardware to overheat. Revert any overclock settings to your computer’s default settings.

   • Many overclock applications run in the background. Click the icon that resembles a bracket pointing up in the taskbar to view all applications running. If MSI Afterburner or any other overclock applications are running, be sure to close them.

7

Check for Windows updates.

Download Article

1. 
   You may have an outdated version of Windows. Windows updates help patch out bugs and security issues. If Windows is too out-of-date, you may experience problems. Use the following steps to update Windows:

   • Click the Windows Start menu.
   • Click the Settings/Gear icon.
   • Click Windows Update (Windows 11) or Update & security (Windows 10).
   • Click Check for updates.
   • Click Download and Install if an update is available.
   • Restart your computer.
Advertisement

8

Run the game as an administrator.

Download Article

1. 
   Your permission settings may be blocking the game. If you are signed into an administrative account or an account that has administrative privileges, you can run the game as an administrator, which will give the game more access to your system. To run a game as an administrator, click the Windows Start button and type the name of the game. Right-click the game and click Run as Administrator.

   • You can also try running Steam, Epic Games Launcher, the Xbox app, or the EA app as an administrator.

9

Launch the game with a different version of DirectX.

Download Article

1. 
   You may be using an incompatible version of DirectX. You can use the launch option command to launch your game with different versions of DirectX to see which works best. Type “-dx11” for DirectX 11. Type “-dx12” for DirectX 12. Type “-d3d11” for Direct3D 11. If none work, clear the launch options and try something else. Use one of the following steps to change your launch options:

   • Steam
     • Open the Steam app.
     • Right-click the game you have issues with in the menu to the left.
     • Click Properties.
     • Enter a launch command in the space below “Launch Options.”
   • Epic Games Launcher
     • Open the Epic Games Launcher.
     • Right-click the game you are having problems with.
     • Click Manage.
     • Click the toggle switch next to “Launch options.”
     • Enter a launch command in the space below “Launch Option.”
   • Xbox App
     • Open the Xbox app.
     • Click the game you have a problem with in the menu to the left.
     • Click the icon with three dots (⋯) below the game title.
     • Click Manage.
     • Click Files.
     • Click Browse.
     • Open the game installation folder.
     • Right-click the MicrosoftGame.config file and open it with Notepad.
     • Add the launch command at the end of the executable file name next to “Executable Name=”
     • Save the file.
   • EA App
     • Open the EA app.
     • Click the game you are having issues with to the left.
     • Click View properties.
     • Enter the launch command in the box below “Advanced Launch options.”
     • Click Save.
Advertisement

10

Run a virus scan.

Download Article

1. 
   Your computer may have a virus or malware. Use the following steps to run a virus scan using Windows Security:

   • Click the Windows Start menu.
   • Type “Virus” and click Virus & threat protection.
   • Click Scan options.
   • Select Full scan.
   • Click Scan now.

11

Reinstall your graphics drivers.

Download Article

1. 
   There may be a problem with your graphics drivers. You should download the graphics drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website and use the option to do a clean installation. Check your computer’s specs to find out what graphics card model you have. Use the following steps to reinstall your graphics drivers for your graphics card:

   • Go to the manufacturer’s website for your graphics card. They are as follows:
     • NVIDIA
     • AMD
     • Intel
   • Search for the drivers for your graphics card model.
   • Click the option to download the drivers.
   • Run the installation file in your Downloads folder.
   • Select the option to do a custom installation.
   • Select the option to do a clean install.
   • Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
   • Restart your computer.
Advertisement

12

Reinstall the game.

Download Article

1. 
   The game may not be installed correctly. You may be able to fix the Low Level Fatal Error by completely uninstalling and reinstalling it. This will also clear the game cache and settings. To do reinstall the game, follow the instructions for your game distribution platform (i.e., Steam, Epic Games, etc.):

   • Steam
     • Open the Steam app.
     • Right-click the game you are having issues with in the menu to the left.
     • Click Manage.
     • Click Uninstall.
   • Epic Games Launcher
     • Open the Epic Games Launcher.
     • Right-click the game you are having problems with.
     • Click Manage.
     • Click Uninstall
   • Xbox App
     • Open the Xbox app.
     • Click the game you are having a problem with in the menu to the left.
     • Click the icon with three dots (⋯) below the game title.
     • Click Uninstall.
   • EA App
     • Open the EA app.
     • Click the game you are having issues with to the left.
     • Click Manage.
     • Click Uninstall.

13

Install Visual C++.

Download Article

1. 
   The game may not have the libraries needed to run. Some programs that are built using C++ may require certain libraries to run properly. If your computer doesn’t have those libraries, you may experience problems. Use the following steps to install Visual C++:

   • Go to the Microsoft Visual C++ download site.
   • Scroll down and click the link to download both the X86 and X64 versions.
     • If you have an ARM processor, you will also need to download the ARM64 version.
   • Run both installation files in your Downloads folder.
   • Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
   • Restart your computer.
Advertisement

14

Run the game in dedicated graphics mode.

Download Article

1. 
   Your game may not be running on the correct graphics drivers. You can force the game to run on your graphics drivers using the following steps:

   • Click the Windows Start menu.
   • Click the Settings/Gear icon.
   • Click System.
   • Click Display.
   • Click Graphics.
   • Click Add desktop app below “Custom settings for applications.”
   • Navigate to the game installation folder. It’ll probably be in one of the following locations:
     • Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common
     • Epic Games: C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher
     • Xbox App: C:\XboxGames
     • EA Games: C:\Program Files\EA Games
   • Select the game executable file and click Add.
   • Select your game in the list of apps with custom settings.
   • Select High Performance (your graphics card) below “GPU Settings.”

15

Run the game in compatibility mode.

Download Article

1. 
   The game may be clashing with your Windows file system. Running the game in compatibility mode allows the game to run in a way that is compatible with earlier versions of Windows. You can try running the game in compatibility mode with Windows 8 or Windows 7. If none of these options work, clear these settings and move on to the next step. Use the following steps to run the game in compatibility mode:

   • Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
   • Navigate to the game’s installation folder. It’s probably in one of the following locations:
     • Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common
     • Epic Games: C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher
     • Xbox App: C:\XboxGames
     • EA Games: C:\Program Files\EA Games
   • Right-click the game’s executable file.
   • Click Properties.
   • Click the Compatibility tab.
   • Click the checkbox next to “Run program in compatibility mode for”
   • Select an earlier version of Windows.
   • Click Apply.
   • Try the game again.
Advertisement

16

Disable fullscreen optimization.

Download Article

1. 
   Full-screen optimization may be messing with the game settings. Sometimes games work better when you disable full-screen optimization. Use the following steps to do so:

   • Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
   • Navigate to the game’s installation folder. It’s probably in one of the following locations:
     • Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common
     • Epic Games: C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher
     • Xbox App: C:\XboxGames
     • EA Games: C:\Program Files\EA Games
   • Right-click the game’s executable file.
   • Click Properties.
   • Click the Compatibility tab.
   • Click the checkbox next to “Disable fullscreen optimization.”
   • Click Apply.
   • Try launching the game.

17

Check your antivirus settings.

Download Article

1. 
   Your antivirus software may be interfering with the game. Most antivirus programs have an option to allow an application through the antivirus software. How you do this will be different depending on your antivirus program. Use the following steps to allow the game through Windows Defender:

   • Click the Windows Start menu.
   • Type “Windows Security.”
   • Click Windows Security.
   • Click Virus & threat protection.
   • Click Manage settings.
   • Scroll down and click Add or remove exclusions.
   • Click Yes.
   • Click + Add an exclusion.
   • Select File.
   • Select the game’s executable file and click Open.
Advertisement

18

Allow the game through your firewall.

Download Article

1. 
   Your firewall may be blocking the game. Today, more and more games require an internet connection in order to run. If your firewall is blocking your game, it may not function properly. Use the following steps to allow a game to run through the Windows Defender firewall:

   • Click the Windows Start menu.
   • Type “Control Panel” and click Control Panel.
   • Click System and Security.
   • Click Windows Defender Firewall.
   • Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender firewall.
   • Click Change settings at the top.
   • Click Allow another app at the bottom.
   • Click Browse.
   • Select the game executable file and click Open.
   • Click Add.

19

Reinstall Windows.

Download Article

1. 
   Your Windows installation may be corrupt. If you’ve tried everything and you are still getting the Low Level Fatal Error, there may be a problem with Windows that you can fix by reinstalling the operating system. It is recommended that you back up your computer before you reinstall Windows, as you may lose all your data. When you reinstall Windows, you have the option to keep all your files or erase everything. It is recommended that you keep all your files first, and if that doesn’t work, you may need to erase all your data and do a clean installation. Use the following steps to reinstall Windows:

   • Click the Windows Start menu.
   • Type “Reset this PC” and click Reset this PC.
   • Click Reset PC or Get Started next to “Reset this PC.”
   • Click Keep my files (or Remove everything if you’ve already tried to keep your files).
   • Click Next.
   • Click Reset.
   • Wait while your computer uninstalls and reinstalls Windows
   • Follow the prompts to set up Windows again.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!