Emily Bennett
How To Fix Unity Crash Error Caused by Broken Arrow on PC
If Broken Arrow keeps crashing because of Unity errors, it can be seriously frustrating. Sometimes it seems like the game just refuses to run smoothly, and no matter what you do, it crashes out. This guide points out some legit troubleshooting steps — stuff that’s worked for real folks — to figure out what’s going wrong and how to fix it, so you can get back to gaming instead of troubleshooting all night.
Prerequisites and Preparations
Before diving in, make sure you’ve got a few things ready: administrative rights on your Windows PC (because Windows loves making things harder), the latest Windows updates installed (because outdated Windows can do weird things with new games), access to your game folder (usually in Program Files or Steam library), and maybe back up your save files if possible. Because of course, Windows has to make this more complicated than it needs to be.
How to Fix Broken Arrow Crash Errors — Step-by-Step
Allow the Game Executable in Antivirus and Firewall
This one’s often the sneaky culprit. Antivirus programs sometimes see game files as threats and block them silently, which causes crashes. To fix it:
- Open your antivirus software (think Avast, Norton, or whatever you use). Usually, there’s a settings menu for exceptions.
- Add the game executable (.exe file in your install folder) to the exceptions list. Usually, right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray, then find options like Add Exclusion or Exceptions.
- If you’re on Windows Security (Windows Defender), go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. Click on Manage ransomware protection and turn on Controlled folder access. Then, add the game folder or executable there.
Basically, telling your security tools to leave game files alone can prevent those crashes.
Verify Your Game Files – Especially if Using Steam
Corrupted or missing files are a common reason for crashes. Verifying integrity checks can fix this:
- Open your launcher — say, Steam.
- Right-click on Broken Arrow in your library, then select Properties.
- Go to the Local Files tab, then click Verify Integrity of Game Files. Steam will run a scan and replace any damaged files.
- On some setups, this process takes a few minutes. Once done, relaunch the game.
This process is a simple way to make sure your game isn’t crashing due to altered or missing files. Sometimes, it’s just a broken file hidden in the maze of game folders.
Temporarily Disable VPN or Proxy
If you’re using a VPN, it might interfere with game servers or file communication, leading to crashes. This is a weird one because sometimes, disabling it fixes the crash instantly. Conversely, on some setups, enabling a VPN might help if your ISP blocks certain game servers. Experiment here: Disconnect your VPN and see if the game runs better. If not, try re-enabling it, but test with and without VPN to pinpoint the cause.
Enable .NET Framework (Especially if the Game Complains)
Broken Arrow might require specific .NET Framework versions. If they’re disabled or outdated, crashes happen. To check:
- Search in Windows for Turn Windows features on or off.
- Scroll down and make sure both .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) and .NET Framework 4.8 Advanced Services are checked. Sometimes, just checking these and hitting OK fixes a lot.
- Restart your PC after enabling.
On some machines, the game throws errors if this isn’t enabled, so it’s worth checking.
Reset Broken Arrow Configuration Files
Cfg files or saved configs can get corrupted. To reset:
- Navigate to
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\LocalLow\SteelBalalaikaStudio\BrokenArrow. - Copy this folder somewhere safe as backup — just in case.
- Then, delete or rename the folder. When you restart the game, it’ll generate fresh config files.
Sometimes, config issues cause crashes — especially if settings got improperly saved or updated.
Disable Virtual Controller Software & Unplug Peripherals
If you’ve got software like vJoy, Joystick emulators, or HOTAS setups, they can mess with game input and crash it. Try disabling or uninstalling that software temporarily. Also, disconnect extra peripherals—like third-party controllers, extra monitors, or non-standard peripherals—before launching the game.
Background apps like Razer Synapse or MSI Dragon Center sometimes hook into the game and cause weird crashes, so closing those helps too—at least for troubleshooting.
Stop Overclocking & Disable Overclocking Software
Overclocked CPU or GPU clocks are sometimes the culprit. If your system is overclocked, try reverting to default speeds. Also disable any overclocking apps like MSI Afterburner. Windows overlays like Discord, Nvidia ShadowPlay, or Steam overlay can also conflict — turn those off as well.
Switch Power Mode to Power Saver
High-performance power plans might push your hardware into instability, especially if cooling or power delivery is marginal. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Set to Power Saver temporarily to test if the crash stops happening.
Adjust CPU Performance Ratio with Intel Extreme Tuning Utility
Not everyone has this, but if your CPU throttles itself or you’re into tweaking, dicking around with the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility can help. Try lowering the core ratio slightly, save, and relaunch the game. Not sure why it works, but… sometimes it does.
Update Graphics Drivers (Seriously, Do This)
Old drivers are a frequent source of crashes. For Nvidia, head over to their driver download page. AMD users should visit AMD’s support page. Download the latest WHQL drivers, and do a clean install (select the custom install option and check “Perform a clean installation”).
Force Game to Use Your Dedicated GPU
If you’re on a laptop or have switchable graphics, confirm that the game is using your dedicated GPU. Search for Graphics Settings in Windows, add Broken Arrow as an app, and pick High Performance.
Run the Game Directly from the Installation Folder
Sometimes, launching from a shortcut or via launcher causes issues. Navigate to the game’s folder, right-click the executable, and choose Run as Administrator. If needed, set compatibility mode for Windows 8 or 7.
Use Launch Options to Switch DirectX Version
If messing with DirectX helps, you can add -dx11 or -dx12 to the game’s launch options (think Steam properties > Set Launch Options). Sometimes, switching from DX12 to DX11 makes all the difference if the game isn’t very compatible with one.
Update Windows & Install Visual C++ Redistributables
Keep Windows up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security. Also, missing Visual C++ libraries are notorious for crashes. Grab the redistributables from Microsoft and install both x86 and x64 versions. Restart after each install.
Increase Virtual Memory
If your system is short on RAM, Windows might crash when the game tries to load data. Search for Advanced System Settings, go to the Advanced tab, click Settings under Performance, then switch to Advanced again and click Change under Virtual Memory. Set custom sizes: initial size around 1.5x your RAM, max around 3x. Click OK and restart.
Update Your BIOS
This is more advanced, but sometimes needed. Check your motherboard manufacturer’s site for latest BIOS firmware. Follow their instructions carefully — BIOS updates can be risky if you do it wrong.
Reinstall the Game
If nothing works, a clean reinstall might help. Uninstall, delete leftover folders, and then reinstall fresh. Installing on an SSD is preferable if possible—it can cut down on load-related crashes.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Always back up your save files before messing around. Check forums or Reddit / Discord communities — someone else might’ve faced the same issue with a simple fix. And if an error pops up, search it online; chances are, someone else already fixed that specific problem.
Wrap-up / Final Thoughts
These steps are based on real-world fixes, and while not everything’s guaranteed to work on every machine, most players found at least one of these did the trick. Keep your drivers and OS updated, and remember that even small details like disabled overlays or undervolted hardware can cause crashes. Fingers crossed this helps someone dodge that endless crash loop.
Summary
- Allow game in antivirus & firewall
- Verify game files, especially on Steam
- Disable VPN temporarily
- Enable required Windows features like .NET Framework
- Reset or delete config files if corrupted
- Disable conflicting software & peripherals
- Stop overclocking & disable overlays
- Adjust power settings, update drivers & Windows
- Force game to use dedicated GPU & run directly
- Update BIOS if needed & reinstall the game
Final Wrap-up
Fixing Unity errors in Broken Arrow can be a pain, but these steps are known to sort out most of the common causes. Not all at once—try them one at a time, and see what makes a real difference. Most importantly, keep your system and drivers current, and keep an eye on community forums for game-specific tweaks. Good luck, and hopefully this shaves off a few hours lost troubleshooting.