Ethan Brooks
How To Fix Broken Arrow Crashing, Startup Crashes, and Freezing Issues on PC
If Broken Arrow keeps crashing or freezing mid-game, it can be seriously annoying. Sometimes, it’s just a rogue driver, a corrupted file, or some background software acting up. This guide tries to cover the most common fixes — hopefully one of these steps gets you back into gameplay without too much fuss. Keep in mind, some fixes might feel like overkill, but they’ve worked on someone’s setup before, so worth a shot.
How to Fix Broken Arrow Crashing and Freezing on PC
Allow the Game Executable Through Antivirus or Firewall
Antivirus software often gets a bit overzealous, and that’s why your game might be crashing. Adding Broken Arrow to the allowed list can help. On Windows, head over to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection. Scroll down and click on Manage ransomware protection. Then, choose Allow an app through control folder access and add the game’s executable (usually located in `C:\Program Files\BrokenArrow\game.exe`).
If you’re using third-party antivirus like Avast, Norton, or Bitdefender, you’ll need to do the same in their respective settings — look for the allowed apps list.
Also, don’t forget to check if the firewall isn’t blocking it — sometimes that’s the culprit too. In Windows, open Windows Defender Firewall and ensure there’s an exception for the game.
This fix generally helps if the game crashes immediately after launch or when trying to load certain levels. On some setups, it might take a reboot or a re-test after adding exceptions, so don’t be too discouraged if it’s not instant.
Verify Game Files to Make Sure Nothing’s Corrupted
Corrupted or missing game files are a big reason for crashes. If you’re on Steam, right-click on Broken Arrow in your library, pick Properties, go to Local Files tab, then click Verify Integrity of Game Files. This process checks all game files against the official versions and replaces any that aren’t right.
Sometimes, it’s just random corruption from a bad update or interrupted download. Verifying is quick and helps avoid weird glitches and crashes.
On some machines, the verification process might temporarily cause the game to crash or stutter, but usually, it sorts itself out after a restart.
Disable VPN or Proxy If You’re Using One
VPNs can mess with game servers or cause connectivity hiccups that lead to crashes or freezes — unsurprising, because of course Windows has to make it harder than it needs to be. If you got a VPN running, try turning it off and launching the game again. If it works fine without VPN, leave it off during gaming sessions. If you need it, try reconnecting after the game’s stable.
This applies especially if you notice your connection drops or the game hangs just after a long load screen. VPN interference is sneaky sometimes, and toggling it’s a quick way to test.
Make Sure .NET Framework Is Enabled
Most modern Windows installs come with .NET Framework, but some updates or clean installs might disable certain versions needed by the game. Check via Turn Windows features on or off (search that in Start menu). Make sure .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) and .NET Framework 4.8 are both checked.
If they aren’t, tick them, click OK, and restart. That often solves compatibility hiccups that cause crashes after launch or during gameplay.
Reset Game Settings by Deleting or Renaming the Config Folder
Sometimes, corrupt config files cause game crashes. To rule this out, go to `C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\LocalLow\SteelBalalaikaStudio\BrokenArrow`. The folder might have a different name, but if you see something related to Broken Arrow, that’s the one.
Create a backup first — just copy it somewhere safe — then delete or rename the folder. When you relaunch the game, it should generate fresh config files. Expect a reset of graphics and keybindings, but hopefully fewer crashes.
On some systems, this fix is hit-or-miss, but it’s cheap and easy to try.
Disable Virtual Controller Software & Disconnect Unnecessary Devices
Anything like vJoy, Logitech G-Hub, or other virtual controller emulators can interfere with game input recognition. Disable or uninstall them if possible. Also, unplug extra peripherals like extra USB controllers, flight sticks, or even custom gamepads. They’re a focus point for crashes sometimes and cause weird conflicts especially in newer patches or if drivers clash.
On some setups, this seems overkill, but hey, if your game crashes when plugging in a certain device, it’s worth testing this.
Avoid Overclocking & Close Resource-Heavy Apps
Overclocking your CPU, GPU, or RAM tends to push hardware beyond stability, especially if the cooling isn’t perfect. Reset all overclock settings back to default — use your motherboard’s BIOS or utilities like MSI Afterburner.
Close background apps like Discord overlays, screen recorders, or GPU monitoring tools, as they can sometimes cause instability.
On one setup it helped, but others still need more fixes. It’s about reducing variables, especially if crashes happen during intense scenes or high graphics load.
Set Power Mode to Power Saver
Power saver mode reduces overall system load and prevents CPU/GPU from overtaxing, which can cause freezes or crashes during heavy gameplay. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options and select Power Saver. This isn’t ideal for performance, but sometimes it stabilizes things enough to get in a few hours of play. Afterwards, you can switch back if needed.
Adjust Performance Settings with Intel Extreme Tuning Utility or Similar
If using an Intel CPU, the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility allows customizing core ratios. Lowering the Performance Core Ratio a notch might improve stability without sacrificing much speed.
This is a bit advanced, but on some setups, undervolting or tweaking performance limits fixes crashing under load.
Not sure why it works, but it’s a last resort if instability persists after other fixes.
Reinstall Graphics Drivers, and Use Clean Install Option
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers cause a lot of crashing headaches. Download the latest drivers from NVIDIA or AMD.
When installing, pick Custom Install and check Perform a Clean Installation. This erases leftovers from previous driver versions that sometimes cause conflicts.
This fix is very common and usually does the trick if your GPU drivers are the culprit.
Make Sure the Game Uses Your Dedicated GPU
If you’re on a laptop or a system with integrated graphics, check your graphics settings. Go to Windows Graphics Settings and add the game executable. Set it to High Performance to force it onto your dedicated GPU. Otherwise, the game might be running on the wrong graphics chip, causing performance issues or crashes.
Launch the Game Directly From Its Folder
If starting via Steam or a shortcut fails, try launching the game directly. Go to the game’s installation folder, right-click the main executable, and run as administrator. Sometimes, this bypasses weird launcher issues that cause freezing or crashes.
Use -dx11 or -dx12 in Launch Options
Graphics API mismatches can cause stability problems. In Steam, right-click the game, choose Properties, and in Launch Options, add -dx11 or -dx12.
Test both to see which works better — some systems prefer one API over the other and crashes are common if the wrong one is forced.
Keep Windows Up to Date
Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve compatibility. Open Settings > Update & Security and click Check for updates. Keeping Windows fresh sometimes prevents crashing issues even if the game itself is fine.
Install Recent Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing C++ runtime components are a classic cause of crashes. Download the latest package from Microsoft’s official page. Install both x86 and x64 versions to cover all bases. This often fixes runtime errors that crash the game during startup.
Increase Virtual Memory (Page File)
If your PC’s virtual memory is too low, it can cause crashes, especially during demanding scenes. Search for View advanced system settings, go to the Advanced tab, then click Change under Virtual Memory.
Set the initial size to roughly 1.5 times your total RAM and maximum to 3 times. For example, if you have 8GB RAM, start with 12GB (initial) and 24GB (max). This gives your system a bit more room to breathe during heavy loads.
Update Your BIOS
If all else fails, a BIOS update might help sort out hardware compatibility issues. Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s site, find the latest BIOS for your model, and follow their instructions carefully. Make sure your device is plugged in and don’t interrupt the process, because bricking the system is the last thing needed here.
Reinstall the Game Entirely
If crashes persist, consider a fresh install. Uninstall via Steam, delete leftover folders (maybe in `C:\Program Files\BrokenArrow`), then reinstall on a solid drive like C:. Sometimes, old files or bad updates just won’t let the game run smoothly, and reinstalling resets everything back to default.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
- Backup important save files first — no need to lose progress.
- If issues keep happening, don’t be shy about visiting the game’s official forums or Reddit for specific insights.
Wrap-up
Crashes and freezes in Broken Arrow can be a pain, but most issues boil down to driver problems, corrupted files, or background conflicts. Applying one or two of these tips usually sorts it out. Just remember, every setup is a little different, so some trial and error might be needed. Fingers crossed, this helps someone get back into the game without too much hassle.
Summary
- Allow game through antivirus/firewall
- Verify game files
- Check for corrupted config files
- Disable problematic software (virtual controllers, overlays)
- Update drivers, Windows, and BIOS
- Adjust graphics and system settings
- Reinstall if all else fails