Should I factory reset my PC? Game crashing that ran fine two days ago. PLEASE HELP

Understanding and Troubleshooting Sudden Game Crashes on Your PC: A Guide for Gamers

Experiencing unexpected game crashes can be frustrating, especially when a title that ran smoothly just days prior suddenly refuses to launch. If you find yourself in this situation, you’re not alone. Many gamers encounter similar issues where recent changes or updates cause stability problems. In this article, we’ll explore common troubleshooting steps, interpret crash logs, and discuss whether a factory reset might be a viable solution.

Scenario Overview

Imagine you have a gaming setup with a high-end PC—a Predator PH18-72 running Windows, equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 and an Intel Core i9-14900HX. Recently, you played a game called Dredge via Steam, which ran perfectly two days ago. Now, upon attempting to start it, the game crashes immediately. Other games are also crashing sporadically, raising concerns about the system’s stability.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

When faced with such issues, a systematic approach is essential. Here are common steps gamers often take:

1. Driver Management: Using tools like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to thoroughly remove previous Nvidia drivers, followed by clean reinstallation, can resolve driver conflicts.

2. Component Updates: Reinstalling essential components such as Visual C++ redistributables ensures compatibility with modern games.

3. Game File Integrity: Verifying game files through Steam or the respective platform can fix corrupted installations.

4. Reinstallation: Uninstalling and reinstalling the game can address corrupted or incomplete files.

5. System Checks: Running tools like sfc /scannow scans for Windows system file corruption, which could cause crashes.

6. Malware Scans: Using antivirus solutions (e.g., Bitdefender) helps rule out malicious interference.

7. Overlay and Background Services: Disabling overlays (such as Discord or GeForce Experience) and unnecessary background services may improve stability.

8. Permissions: Running the game as an administrator ensures it has the necessary privileges.

9. Service Configuration: Disabling non-essential Microsoft services can isolate potential software conflicts.

Interpreting Crash Logs

Analyzing crash reports can provide crucial insights. For instance, logs indicating faults related to unityplayer.dll or KERNELBASE.dll suggest issues with the game engine or core system components. While these logs can point troubleshooting in specific directions