Running into the frustrating “Application Hang Detected” error or experiencing constant crashes on the loading screen in Borderlands 4? You’re not alone. This is a common issue plaguing PC players, often preventing them from even getting into the game. While we await an official patch, this guide provides a series of proven troubleshooting steps to get you back to vault hunting.
Adjust Your In-Game Graphics Settings
If you can manage to load into the main menu without the game crashing, the first and most effective solution is to lower the stress on your system. These settings are known to cause the hang error.
- Cap Your FPS: Set your in-game FPS (Frames Per Second) limit to 30. This might feel low, but it’s crucial for preventing the game from overtaxing your system’s resources, which is a leading cause of the hang error.
- Lower All Graphics: Put every advanced graphics setting on its lowest possible value. Make sure to disable any unnecessary features like Motion Blur and Depth of Field.
- Enable Upscaling: Turn on an upscaling method like FSR or DLSS and set it to “Ultra Performance.” This renders the game at a lower resolution and scales it up, significantly boosting performance.
- Switch to Windowed Fullscreen: Changing the display mode to Windowed Fullscreen can help stabilize the game and reduce crashes, especially on multi-monitor setups.
Update Drivers & System Settings
If you can’t even get past the initial loading screen, the problem might be with your PC’s configuration. These steps will help you ensure your system is properly optimized for Borderlands 4.
- Set High-Performance Graphics: Ensure your computer is using your dedicated graphics card for the game. In your Windows Graphics Settings, add the Borderlands 4 executable and set its preference to “High Performance.”
- Disable Windows Game Mode: Windows’ built-in Game Mode can sometimes conflict with certain games. Navigate to Windows Settings, search for “Game Mode,” and toggle the feature off.
- Update Drivers and Windows: Outdated software is a common culprit for game instability. Make sure your Windows OS and your GPU drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) are updated to the most recent version available from the manufacturer’s website.
Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Issues
If the crashes persist after trying the steps above, these more technical solutions can resolve underlying file conflicts and compatibility problems.
- Adjust Steam Launch Options: You can force the game to run on a more stable graphics API. In your Steam Library, right-click on Borderlands 4, select Properties, and under the “General” tab, type -DX12 into the “Launch Options” field. This forces the game to use DirectX 12, which can resolve many compatibility issues.
- Verify Game Files: Right-click on Borderlands 4 in your Steam Library, go to Properties, select “Installed Files,” and click “Verify integrity of game files.” This will check for and replace any missing or corrupted files.
- Install a Crash Fix Pack: Sometimes, missing or corrupted system files like DirectX or Visual C++ Runtimes can cause these issues. A reliable crash fix pack can install these essential components, resolving many common problems. Search online for a trusted pack specific to the game.
By following these comprehensive steps, you should be able to resolve most Application Hang Detected and loading screen crash issues in Borderlands 4. Get ready to jump back into the action!