Destiny 2 Crashing? Fixes for PC and Console

If Destiny 2 keeps crashing to desktop, freezing, or closing unexpectedly, the cause is usually a corrupted game file, an outdated GPU driver, or a Windows setting that conflicts with the game’s anti-cheat. Below are the most effective fixes to try, in order, for both PC and console players.

Why Destiny 2 Crashes

Destiny 2 is a demanding live-service game, and crashes can stem from a variety of sources. On PC, the most common culprits are:

• Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers – especially after a major Windows update.
• Corrupted game files – often from an interrupted download or update.
• Overheating – the CPU or GPU hitting thermal limits can cause instant shutdowns.
• Overclocking instability – even a stable overclock in other games can fail in Destiny 2.
• Third-party overlay software – Discord, GeForce Experience, and MSI Afterburner can interfere.
• Windows Game Mode or fullscreen optimizations – these sometimes cause frame pacing issues or crashes.

On consoles, crashes are rarer but can happen due to corrupted save data, an outdated system firmware, or a failing hard drive.

Before You Start: Quick Checks

1. Restart your PC or console – this clears temporary memory leaks.
2. Check your internet connection – a drop in connection can cause a crash, not just a disconnect.
3. Make sure you have enough free storage space – Destiny 2 requires about 105 GB on PC, and updates need extra room.
4. Update your system: Windows, PlayStation, or Xbox firmware.

Fix 1: Verify Game Files (PC)

Corrupted or missing files are the #1 cause of crashes after an update. Here’s how to verify them on each launcher:

• Steam: Right-click Destiny 2 in your library → Properties → Installed Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• Epic Games Launcher: Click the three dots next to Destiny 2 → Manage → Verify.
• Microsoft Store / Xbox App: Go to Settings → Apps → Destiny 2 → Advanced Options → Repair or Reset.

This process can take 10-30 minutes. After it finishes, launch the game. If it still crashes, move to the next fix.

Fix 2: Update GPU Drivers (PC)

Outdated drivers are a frequent cause of crashes, especially after a game update. Here’s what to do:

1. Identify your GPU: Press Win + R, type dxdiag, and check the Display tab.
2. Go to the official website for your GPU brand (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver for your exact model.
3. Use the “Clean Installation” option if available – this removes old driver remnants.
4. Restart your PC after installing.

If you recently updated drivers and crashes started after that, try rolling back to the previous driver version. Sometimes new drivers have bugs.

Fix 3: Disable Overlays and Overclocks

Overlay software and overclocking are two of the most common crash triggers that are easy to overlook.

• Disable Discord overlay: Settings → Overlay → Turn off “Enable in-game overlay”.
• Disable GeForce Experience overlay: Open GeForce Experience → Settings → General → Turn off “In-Game Overlay”.
• Disable MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner: Close them completely, or uninstall if crashes persist.
• Remove overclocks: Set your GPU and CPU back to stock speeds in BIOS or your overclocking software. Test the game without any overclock.

If the game becomes stable after disabling these, you can re-enable them one by one to find the culprit.

Fix 4: Adjust Windows Settings (PC)

Windows has a few features that can cause Destiny 2 to crash, particularly on Windows 10 and 11.

• Disable Game Mode: Settings → Gaming → Game Mode → Turn off.
• Disable Fullscreen Optimizations: Right-click the Destiny 2 executable (in your Steam or Epic folder) → Properties → Compatibility → Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations”.
• Run as Administrator: In the same Compatibility tab, check “Run this program as an administrator”.
• Update DirectX: Download the latest DirectX end-user runtime from Microsoft.

If you’re on Windows 11, also try disabling “Memory Integrity” under Core Isolation – it can conflict with anti-cheat software, though this is less common.

Fix 5: Console-Specific Troubleshooting

If you’re on PlayStation or Xbox, crashes are often due to corrupted save data or a full cache.

• Clear the cache: For PS5, turn off the console completely, unplug it for 30 seconds, then restart. For Xbox, hold the power button for 10 seconds to do a full shutdown.
• Reinstall the game: If crashes persist, uninstall and reinstall. This fixes corrupted files but takes time due to the game’s size.
• Check for system updates: Make sure your console firmware is up to date.
• Test other games: If other games crash too, it might be a hardware issue (overheating, failing hard drive).

When to Contact Support

If you’ve tried all the above and still get crashes, it’s time to gather information for Bungie Support. They can help with specific error codes (like Broccoli, Weasel, or Guitar), but note that these codes often indicate network issues rather than crashes. For a hard crash to desktop with no error, check the Windows Event Viewer (Applications log) for the faulting module – this can point to a specific file, like a DLL, that’s causing the problem.

Also, check the Bungie Help Twitter/X account and the official forums – they often post known issues and workarounds after major updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Destiny 2 crash without an error message?

A silent crash usually means the game process is being killed by the system – often due to a GPU driver timeout, an antivirus flagging the anti-cheat, or a memory issue. Check Windows Event Viewer for a “Faulting application name: Destiny2.exe” entry, and look at the faulting module – that will tell you which DLL or driver is failing.

Does Destiny 2 crash more on PC or console?

PC has more potential crash sources because of the variety of hardware and software combinations. Consoles have a fixed environment, so crashes are rarer and usually tied to corrupted files or hardware failure.

Can an overclocked GPU cause Destiny 2 crashes?

Yes. Destiny 2 is sensitive to GPU instability, especially when the card is under heavy load. Even a small overclock that’s stable in benchmarks can cause crashes in this game. Set your GPU to stock clocks and test.

Will reinstalling Destiny 2 fix crashes?

Often yes, if the cause is corrupted game files. On PC, verifying files is faster and usually sufficient. On console, a full reinstall is sometimes the only way to clear corrupted data.

Is there a known fix for the “Broccoli” error?

The Broccoli error is a GPU crash. Common fixes include updating drivers, lowering graphics settings, disabling overclocks, and ensuring your GPU isn’t overheating. If it persists, it may indicate a hardware issue with your graphics card.

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