How to Fix War Thunder Crashing on PC and Console

Whether you're playing on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, experiencing a sudden freeze, black screen, or a sudden drop to the desktop in War Thunder can ruin your entire gaming experience. Sometimes, this happens during loading, and sometimes even in combat. Either way, it's frustrating.

The good news? These crashes usually have a clear cause. Once you understand the cause, fixing them is easier than you think. Let's take a look at all the common causes, platform-specific issues, and the best ways to get War Thunder running smoothly again.

Common Ways War Thunder Crashes

There are multiple reasons that your War Thunder can’t run, depending on your setup. Here are the most common symptoms reported by players across all platforms:

• Crash to desktop without any error message (PC).
• Freeze or black screen during loading or matchmaking.
• Crash to dashboard on PlayStation or Xbox.
• Controller disconnects or input lag right before a crash.
• Sudden stutter or FPS drop followed by a forced shutdown.

If you have encountered the above situation, don't worry, many players have encountered it. We will explain the reasons behind it and possible solutions.

Why Does War Thunder Keep Crashing?

Crashes rarely happen “for no reason.” Most of the time, it’s your system, drivers, or network failing to keep up with the game’s intense load. Let’s break it down by platform:

On PC

• Outdated GPU drivers - The number one cause. War Thunder relies heavily on updated graphics APIs.
• Corrupted game files - Even one missing file can cause random CTDs.
• Overlay conflicts - Steam, Discord, or GeForce overlays sometimes interfere with DirectX.
• Overheating or memory overload - The game is resource-intensive, especially during air battles.

On Console (PS/Xbox)

• Cached data overload - Too many saved clips, screenshots, or logs can slow your console down.
• Firmware conflicts - After a system update, the console might not sync well with the game version.
• Background downloads or streaming - These can choke system memory and cause a forced crash.
• Storage errors - Low free space or a failing HDD/SSD can lead to instability.

Network Issues

While many players primarily focus on graphical issues, network issues are also a common cause of game crashes and disconnections. When latency spikes or network packet loss is severe, War Thunder servers may forcibly disconnect, causing a "false crash"—a freezing, black screen, or an automatic return to the desktop.

Pre-Fix Tips to Improve Stability

Before you jump into deep fixes, try a few quick stability tweaks:

• Restart your PC or console after every major update.
• Clear cache or saved data (especially on PS/Xbox).
• Avoid multitasking: Don’t run YouTube or downloads while gaming.
• Disable overlays or recording software.
• Clean your console or PC vents — overheating can cause crashes.
• Test your controller on another device to rule out firmware issues.

These are simple steps, but they help eliminate the smaller problems before you go into heavy troubleshooting.

Advanced Solutions to War Thunder Crashing Issues

If you have tried the simple fixes and War Thunder still reports errors, you can try the following advanced solutions:

Disable Overclocking and Third-Party Mods

Some players enjoy tweaking GPU frequencies or installing visual mods. While certain mods can add unique effects to the game, unofficial mods—which haven’t undergone official testing—often lead to crashes. It’s important to note that every official feature or code undergoes rigorous testing before release, a process absent in unofficial mods. To test game stability, please reset to default settings and remove all unofficial mods.

Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings

If your hardware is running hot or you’re experiencing sudden frame drops, lower your texture quality and shadow resolution. Turning off VSync or Anti-Aliasing can also reduce system strain and prevent GPU-related crashes. At the same time, please also check War Thunder's system requirements to ensure your setup meets them.

Use GearUP and HYPEREV

Finally, there’s network troubleshooting—a task most players can’t fix manually. This is where GearUP comes in: it automatically diagnoses network issues, switches optimal nodes, and ensures the best connection path to War Thunder servers, resolving crashes caused by network congestion and failed loading. Most importantly, GearUP slashes your in-game ping, dramatically boosting smoothness.

Step 1: Click the button below to download GearUP.

Step 2: Search for War Thunder and select the game.

Step 3: Choose your preferred server—GearUP lets you connect to any available server.

Step 4: Click "Boost", launch the game, and experience real-time optimization.

Console player? No worries—GearUP also offers the HYPEREV gaming router, designed specifically for consoles. Just plug-and-play, control it via a mobile app, and enjoy:

• Same core tech as GearUP’s PC version.
• Full compatibility with nearly all mainstream consoles.
• Doubles as a WiFi extender & network manager.

Common FAQs

Q1: Why does my controller disconnect during battle?
This often happens due to Bluetooth interference or outdated firmware. Try a wired connection to test stability.

Q2: Can a slow internet connection make the game crash?
Yes. War Thunder requires stable real-time syncing. Unstable connections can lead to desyncs and crashes, especially on console.

Q3: Why does War Thunder crash after updates?
Major patches often conflict with old settings or cached files. Clearing your cache and updating your drivers usually fixes this.

Conclusion

Whether you're a PC or controller player playing War Thunder, if you encounter a game crash, first check to see if it's a network issue, hardware issue, or software issue. You can try the solutions mentioned in this article one by one. The quickest solution for network issues is to download a game network accelerator like GearUP. In less than a minute, you'll be enjoying a significantly optimized gaming experience.