Games Crashing Repeatedly. Tried Everything!

Hi C. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

1) Troubleshoot games crashing in Windows 10:
https://windowsreport.com/games-crash-windows-10/

2) Check for overheating by installing CoreTemp to monitor temps from the System Tray, set Overheat Protection:
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/core-temp-monito...

3) Test the RAM overnight to stress it with the best bootable test memtest86, following this guide to test both sticks and slots:
https://www.wikihow.com/Test-PC-RAM-with-MemTest86

Run Crucial System Scanner to check the RAM is properly spec'd and configured, what upgrade options exist for first quality RAM: https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner?cm...

4) Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

5) Update the Display driver from the PC or Display adapter maker's Support Downloads web page for your exact model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag - from the sticker on the PC.

While there check also for newer chipset, BIOS/UEFI firmware (very important), network, sound, USB3 and other drivers, comparing to the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu.

If this doesn't give you the latest or ideal driver for what you need, compare it to the driver offered by the Intel driver update Utility here: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/...
or the Nvidia Update utility here: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Scan.aspx?lang=e...
or the AMD autodect utility here: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/P...

For Display issues one fix that is working is to Roll back or Uninstall the Driver on the Display Device > Driver tab, restart PC to reinstall driver.

You can also try older drivers in Device Manager > Display device > Driver tab > Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick.

Then you will know you've tried everything in addition to Windows Update drivers.

Adjust the screen resolution until it fits and looks best at Settings > System > Display.

5) Test the hard drive or SSD with diagnostics:
https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...
https://mashtips.com/ssd-health-test-and-perfor...

Best is to use the HDD/SSD manufacturer's own if there is one, otherwise use Seatools bootable long test: http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat...

Follow this up with a full Disk Check from the Command Prompt in Repair Mode or from bootable media: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri... if necessary from the Command Prompt at boot: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

6) Unplug the hard drive, boot and run a Linux diagnostic live disk/flash stick to stress test the hardware: https://www.pcsuggest.com/best-linux-live-distro/. If the problem happens again then it eliminates Windows and the HDD/ SSD as suspects.

7) Stress test the hardware:
https://www.wepc.com/how-to/stress-test-cpu-ram/
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16474-prime...

8) Use this power supply calculator to see if you have enough power:
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculato...

9) Compare the install you did with this gold standard Clean Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

The reason I ask you to do this is because no one of millions who have followed the install in that link has ever come back to report problems that I have seen. It is also a great learning experience that will make you permanently the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and have applied it with your own hands.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I resolved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hi Greg,

Thank you for your response. I will give these a crack and update you.

Thanks ever so much for your help,

Chcklr

You're most welcome.

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

If you get this, I just thought I would update you.

I have been working through the start of your recommendations and have started analysing the temperatures of my PC while playing games. So far, (and I am still testing to be sure), games are crashing when the GPU is particularly hot, when it tips over 80 degrees C. The CPU doesn't go higher than around 65C. From what I am reading, 80C is pretty hot, especially when it gets there very quickly.

I tried opening all the sides of the case, cooling the room, moving the case away from the wall and positioning a large desk fan to blow straight onto my GPU. While a bit OTT, temperatures stayed just below 80, and there were no crashes over around 2 hours. 

It could also be a red herring. Perhaps the PSU is not powerful enough and at those high temperatures the power usage is too much for it to handle. However, I have a 550W PSU, and putting my build into the wattage calculator, suggests I need 430W only...

Anyway, I am still working on it :) I'll keep you posted. I very much appreciate your help.

Chcklr

I'd install Coretemp and set Overheat Protection to sleep or hibernate when it reaches the max temp it will calculate:
http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

Then clean out the dust from fans and intakes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QZ8j46GB2w&...
http://lifehacker.com/#%21153409/spring-cleanin...

Examine the heat sink to blow out any dust. If this doesn't cool it down, add an extra case fan.

If that isn't enough then I'd look into changing the thermal heat paste. This is a big project so I'd only do it as a last resort before junking the PC, because it's easy to mess up, even following closely a video (usually available for your model PC/Mobo or CPU) and taking all precautions to guard against static shock.

Keep me posted.

Hi again, 

So I have thoroughly tested and have fixed the problem. It is directly associated with temperature. Buried in my AMD Radeon GPU settings, there are controls for the GPU fans. One parameter is 'min acoustic limit'. This is set by default to 1000 Mhz. If the GPU clock speed is below this, the GPU fans will not spin. Furthermore, the default fan speeds, that increase as the GPU temp increases, were pretty low by default. I lowered the acoustic limit and upped the fan speeds. 

This solved the problem! I didn't need to de-dust the PC, given the GPU, Mobo and CPU were all new a couple of weeks ago and I cleaned it then.

To further confirm it, one game crashed yesterday. After a lot of cursing, I found that the fan settings had been reset for some reason, I changed them back and there was no more crashing.

I am not sure why temperatures of 77-80 degrees would crash games, but the fan settings are a workaround. You can add that solution to your memory bank, as I get the impression you help quite a lot of people on these forums.

Thank you again for your help.

Signing off for now,

Chcklr