Fix Returnal Not Launching,Fatal Error Crash,Exception Access Violation Error,Crashing & Freezing PC
8Fix Returnal Crash to desktop (CTD), Fatal Error, Unhandled EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION 0x00000000 Error,Out of video memory crash,Black screen crash,Potential fix for fatal error crashes,Fix Returnal freezing
Step 1) Verify the game files, restart your PC after verifying the game files, for me there were over 800 files were corrupted, once files were reinstalled the game runs fine
Step 2) Install VP9 Video Extensions from Microsoft store
Step 3) Try -dx11 or -d3d11 in launch options
Step 4) If able to launch the game turn off online features and then restart the game
Step 5) Try running the game in compatibility mode
Step 6) If able to launch the game, then try Windowed mode, turn off Ray Tracing, disable DLSS, Turn Off HDR, lock the FPS at 60 & lower down graphics settings
Step 7) Install Epic Games Launcher and keep it open while playing the game, if does not work close Epic Games Launcher
Step 8) Increase the Virtual Memory:
View Advanced system settings
Initial Size: 1.5 x Total Ram
Maximum Size: 3 X Total Ram
Step 9) Run the game on dedicated graphics card
Step 10) Delete the save game files (This will result in loss of game progress)
Step 11) Run the game as an administrator from the game installation folder
Step 12) Allow the game exe file to your antivirus program/Windows Security and Firewall
Step 13) Do a clean installation of graphics driver
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/drivers/
https://www.amd.com/en/support
Step 14) Roll back graphics driver
Step 15) Disable Steam Overlay, close all the overlay apps (Discord, GeForce Experience, Nvidia shadow play overlay, AMD overlay), close all the overclocking application, perform clean boot
Step 16) Install Visual C++ Files https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-160
Step 17) Install Media Feature Pack: If you are using N versions of Windows: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/media-feature-pack-list-for-windows-n-editions-c1c6fffa-d052-8338-7a79-a4bb980a700a or switch normal Windows 10/11 editions
Step 18) Update your Windows
Step 19) Disconnect multiple monitors, unplug all the USB devices, Logitech wheel, joystick, Razer Tartarus gamepad, vjoy, turn off Razer Synapse (razor lighting effects) and MSI Dragon Center, corsair software, end nahimic services & lightingservice.exe in task manager, remove the undervolt
Step 20) Update System BIOS
Step 21) Uninstall and reinstall the game to the different drive (Try SSD first)