Lorene Melone
Fix Assassin’s Creed Shadows Crashing in Photo Mode on PC
Are you experiencing crashes while using Photo Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows on your PC? This comprehensive guide will walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps designed to resolve these issues effectively. By following this guide, you will learn how to adjust your game settings, update drivers, and tweak system configurations to ensure a smoother gaming experience.
Before you start, ensure you have administrative access to your PC and are familiar with basic navigation in Windows. You may also want to back up your game settings, as some steps may reset configurations or require reinstallation of the game.
Step 1: Run Ubisoft Connect and Steam as Administrator
To ensure that both Ubisoft Connect and Steam have the necessary permissions to run the game without issues, you need to launch them as an administrator. Search for “Ubisoft Connect” in the Windows search bar, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator. Do the same for Steam.
Step 2: Disable G-Sync in Nvidia Control Panel
Sometimes, G-Sync can interfere with game performance. Right-click on your desktop and select Nvidia Control Panel. Under the Display section, click on Set up G-Sync and uncheck the option to enable G-Sync. Apply the changes and exit the control panel.
Step 3: Modify Configuration for Windowed Mode
To attempt to run the game in windowed mode, navigate to your Documents folder and locate the Assassin’s Creed Shadows folder. Open the configuration file and look for the Window mode option. Change its value to 1 to enable windowed mode, save the file, and then launch the game.
Step 4: Uncheck Read-Only from Game Executable and Directory
Navigate to the game installation folder (usually found under Steam > steamapps > common > Assassin’s Creed Shadows). Right-click on the game executable and select Properties. In the General tab, make sure the Read-only attribute is unchecked. Click Apply and OK. Do the same for the game folder.
Step 5: Clean Installation of Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause crashes. For Nvidia users, visit the Nvidia driver download page. For AMD users, go to the AMD support page. Download the appropriate driver for your graphics card and select the option for a clean installation during setup.
Step 6: Run the Game on a Dedicated Graphics Card
If you have integrated graphics, ensure the game runs on your dedicated graphics card. Go to Graphics settings in Windows, add the game, and set it to use the high-performance GPU.
Step 7: Roll Back Graphics Driver Version
If the issue started after a driver update, rolling back to an earlier version might help. Go to the Device Manager, find your graphics driver, right-click it, and select Properties. Under the Driver tab, choose Roll Back Driver and select version 572.70 if available.
Step 8: Update Steam
Make sure your Steam client is up-to-date. Open Steam, click on Steam in the top left corner, and select Check for Steam Client Updates. Follow the prompts to update if necessary.
Step 9: Adjust Launch Options
Right-click on the game in your Steam Library, select Properties, and in the General tab, find Launch Options. Enter -windowed or -dx11 or -dx12 to test different graphical settings. Launch the game to see if it resolves the issue.
Step 10: Run the Game in Compatibility Mode
Navigate to the game executable, right-click and go to Properties. Under the Compatibility tab, check Run this program in compatibility mode for: and select an earlier version of Windows. Apply the changes.
Step 11: Allow Game Executable in Antivirus and Firewall
Add the game executable to your antivirus and Windows Firewall exceptions. Open Windows Security, go to Virus & threat protection, and add the game executable under Manage ransomware protection. Then, go to Windows Defender Firewall settings to allow the app through the firewall.
Step 12: Install AMD Optional Updates for AMD Users
If you are using an AMD graphics card, consider installing optional updates like 25.2.1 or 25.1.1. Search for these updates on the AMD website and follow installation instructions.
Step 13: Disconnect External Devices
Unplug any unnecessary peripherals such as HOTAS, wheels, pedals, and additional controllers. This can often resolve conflicts that may lead to crashes. Also, disable applications like Razer Synapse, MSI Dragon Center, and others that might interfere with game performance.
Step 14: Disable Steam Overlay and Other Overlays
In Steam, go to the game properties and turn off Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game. Close other overlay applications such as Discord, GeForce Experience, and any overclocking software.
Step 15: Update Windows
Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your PC.
Step 16: Increase Virtual Memory
To optimize performance, increase your virtual memory settings. Go to Advanced system settings in Windows. Under the Advanced tab, click on Change. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives, select the drive where the game is installed, and set:
- Initial Size:
1.5 x Total RAM - Maximum Size:
3 x Total RAM
Step 17: Update System BIOS
Check for BIOS updates from your system manufacturer’s website. Updating BIOS can improve system stability and performance. Ensure your laptop’s battery is charged and the AC adapter is connected before proceeding with the update.
Step 18: Adjust Game Settings if Launch is Successful
If you manage to launch the game, switch to windowed mode, disable frame generation, and lower your graphics settings to improve stability. Navigate to the game’s video settings and adjust as needed.
Step 19: Reinstall the Game if Necessary
If none of the above steps work, uninstall the game completely. Go to the game installation folder, delete it, restart your PC, and then reinstall the game directly onto your C Drive or try another SSD. This can often resolve persistent issues.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Ensure that your system meets the game’s minimum requirements. Monitor your system’s performance during gameplay using task manager to identify any unusual resource usage. If you encounter persistent issues, consider reaching out to Ubisoft support for further assistance.
Conclusion
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the crashing issues in Assassin’s Creed Shadows when using Photo Mode. Always ensure your system and drivers are up-to-date for optimal gaming performance. For further assistance, consider checking online forums or contacting support for more specific guidance based on your setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my game keep crashing in Photo Mode?
Crashes can be caused by various factors including outdated drivers, conflicts with software, or insufficient system resources. Following the steps in this guide can help identify and resolve these issues.
How can I check if my drivers are up to date?
You can check for updates through the Nvidia or AMD official websites, or use Windows Device Manager to see if any drivers need updates.
What should I do if the game still crashes after following all these steps?
If you continue to experience issues, try reaching out to the game’s support or community forums for more specific advice related to your hardware and software configuration.