Overwatch 2 "crashing on startup" error: Possible fixes, reasons, and more

A brand-new Overwatch 2 "crashing on startup" error has been plaguing the game, and fans are extremely frustrated with this outcome. With the advent of a new season, players expected a bug-free environment in which they would be able to initiate their competitive grind, but all they've been greeted with in Overwatch 2 Season 10 is a plethora of issues and above all, an error that leads the game to crash upon startup.

This article will explore all the potential avenues that will allow you to bypass the Overwatch 2 "crashing on startup" error.

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Possible fixes for Overwatch 2 "crashing on startup" error

There has been no official notification from developers regarding the occurrence of the "crashing on startup" error in Overwatch 2 Season 10. However, here are some temporary fixes you can try out to hopefully bypass this error:

1) Close all background applications

Close all background applications (Image via Windows)

If you have numerous applications running in the background, especially, something like a browser (Opera GX, Chrome), you should close all these applications and try launching your game.

You can shut down all these applications by opening the Task Manager from the Windows Task Bar and closing them all from the program menu. After doing so, this issue should no longer persist.

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2) Disconnect from VPN

If you are in the habit of using VPNs while you browse the internet, we recommend that you disconnect from them before launching Overwatch 2. While not confirmed as a 100% working solution, staying disconnected from your VPN will ensure you have a seamless experience while playing the game.

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3) Verify the integrity of your game files

Verifying files on Steam (Image via Valve)

If your game constantly crashes upon launching, its root cause might be faulty game files. If that's the case, head to your respective client and issue a file verification process for Overwatch 2. Here's a step-by-step guide for doing this across different clients:

Steam

1. Launch Steam from your computer.
2. Log in with your credentials.
3. Go to your Game Library and locate 'Overwatch 2'
4. Right-click on the file and click 'Properties'.
5. Navigate to 'Installed Files'' and verify the integrity of your files from the given prompt.

Battle.net

1. Launch Battle.net and log in.
2. Locate your Overwatch 2 game file within the launcher.
3. Go to settings, and initiate the verification process

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Reasons for Overwatch 2 "crashing on startup" error

There is no official statement from Blizzard Entertainment ascertaining the causes for Overwatch 2 "crashing on startup" error. Alongside netizens, we speculate that this could potentially be an outcome of the servers being overloaded with the debut of Season 10.

Another potential cause could be some bug that seems to have infected players' Overwatch games with the Season 10 download files. Until an official hotfix is instituted to correct this problem, you can try out our temporary solutions.

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For more Overwatch 2 news and guides, check these links below:

• Overwatch 2 Season 10 roadmap
• Mythic Mercy skin variant
• Pre-download Overwatch 2
• All Hero changes in Overwatch 2 Season 10