How to Fix Monster Hunter Wilds Crashing on Startup

If Monster Hunter Wilds is crashing on startup or not launching, you’re not alone. Many players have reported this issue, but fortunately, there are several proven fixes to get you back into the hunt. From compatibility tweaks to driver updates and cache clearing, this guide covers everything you need to resolve the problem. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix Monster Hunter Wilds crashing on startup effectively.

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1. Run the Game and Steam in Compatibility Mode

Certain compatibility issues with newer Windows versions can cause Monster Hunter Wilds to crash on launch. Running the game executable and Steam in Windows 8 compatibility mode, along with administrator privileges, has resolved startup crashes for many players by ensuring proper system access and compatibility.

Steps to Fix:

1. Navigate to the default game installation folder:
   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\MonsterHunterWilds.
2. Locate MonsterHunterWilds.exe, right-click it, and select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Check the box for Run this program in compatibility mode for and select Windows 8 from the dropdown.
5. Below that, check Run this program as an administrator.
6. Click Apply, then OK.
7. Repeat the process for Steam:
   
   • Find Steam.exe (usually in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam).
   • Right-click, go to Properties > Compatibility.
   • Set it to Windows 8 mode and check Run as administrator.
   • Click Apply and OK.
8. Launch Steam and try starting Monster Hunter Wilds again.

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2. Update Your Graphics Drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are a common culprit behind game crashes, including Monster Hunter Wilds. Updating to the latest drivers can fix startup issues and even resolve texture flickering, especially for AMD users. For example, AMD’s latest optional driver (version 25.2.1) has been reported to eliminate crashes and compatibility mode needs.

Steps for NVIDIA Users:

1. Visit the NVIDIA Driver Downloads page.
2. Enter your GPU details (e.g., GeForce RTX 3060) and download the latest driver.
3. Install the driver by following the on-screen instructions.
4. Restart your PC and launch the game.

Steps for AMD Users:

1. Go to the AMD Drivers and Support page.
2. Download the latest optional driver (e.g., 25.2.1 as of February 2025).
3. Run the installer and follow the prompts to update.
4. Reboot your system and test Monster Hunter Wilds.

Steps for Intel Users:

1. Head to the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
2. Download and run the tool to automatically detect and install the latest graphics driver.
3. Restart your computer and try launching the game.

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3. Clear Steam’s Download Cache

A corrupted Steam download cache can interfere with game files, causing Monster Hunter Wilds to crash on startup. Clearing the cache refreshes Steam’s temporary data and has been a quick fix for many players, resulting in smoother launches across multiple systems.

Steps to Fix:

1. Open Steam.
2. Click Steam in the top-left corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Downloads tab.
4. Click Clear Download Cache.
5. Confirm by clicking OK in the pop-up window.
6. Restart Steam and launch Monster Hunter Wilds to check if the issue is resolved.

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4. Delete the version.dll File in Your Steam Folder

Some players have found that a leftover version.dll file in the Steam folder—often from DLC unlockers or mods—can conflict with Monster Hunter Wilds and cause crashes. Deleting this file has fixed startup issues for several users.

Steps to Fix:

1. Close Steam completely.
2. Navigate to your Steam installation folder (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam).
3. Look for a file named version.dll (not in the Monster Hunter Wilds folder).
4. Right-click it and select Delete.
5. Restart Steam and try launching the game again.

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5. Exclude Monster Hunter Wilds from Your Antivirus

Overzealous antivirus programs can mistakenly flag Monster Hunter Wilds as a threat, blocking its executable and causing startup crashes. Adding the game to your antivirus exclusion list ensures it runs without interference.

Steps to Fix:

1. Open your antivirus software (e.g., Windows Defender, Avast, etc.).
2. Navigate to the Exclusions or Exceptions section.
3. Add the Monster Hunter Wilds folder:
   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\MonsterHunterWilds
4. Also exclude MonsterHunterWilds.exe specifically.
5. Save the changes and restart your PC.
6. Launch the game to see if the issue persists.

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6. Optimize Power Settings for Maximum Performance

Suboptimal power settings can limit your GPU or CPU performance, leading to crashes in demanding games like Monster Hunter Wilds. Adjusting these settings to prioritize performance has helped many players stabilize their game.

Steps for NVIDIA Users:

1. Right-click your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Click Manage 3D Settings under 3D Settings.
3. Go to the Program Settings tab.
4. Select Monster Hunter Wilds from the list (or click Add to manually locate MonsterHunterWilds.exe).
5. Scroll to Power Management Mode.
6. Set it to Prefer Maximum Performance.
7. Click Apply, close the panel, and launch the game.

Steps for Laptops (General):

1. Plug in your charger to ensure full power.
2. Open Control Panel.
3. Go to Power Options.
4. Select the High Performance plan.
5. Save changes and start Monster Hunter Wilds.

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7. Reset or Clear Shader Cache Files

Corrupted shader cache files can trigger graphical glitches and startup crashes in Monster Hunter Wilds. Clearing or resetting these files forces the game to rebuild them, potentially resolving the issue.

Steps for NVIDIA GPUs:

1. Right-click your desktop and open NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Under Manage 3D Settings, go to Global Settings.
3. Set Shader Cache Size to Disabled.
4. Press the Windows key, type Disk Cleanup, and open it.
5. Select your C: drive and click OK.
6. Check DirectX Shader Cache and click OK to delete.
7. Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\MonsterHunterWilds.
8. Delete shader.cache and shader.cache2 if they exist (skip if not found).
9. Launch the game.

Steps for AMD GPUs:

1. Right-click your desktop and open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
2. Go to Gaming > Global Gaming Experience.
3. Click Reset Shader Cache.
4. Open Disk Cleanup (Windows key > type "Disk Cleanup").
5. Select your C: drive, check DirectX Shader Cache, and click OK.
6. Go to the Monster Hunter Wilds folder and delete shader.cache and shader.cache2 if present.
7. Start the game to test.

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By following these steps—ranging from compatibility tweaks to driver updates and cache clears—you should be able to fix Monster Hunter Wilds crashing on startup. If one method doesn’t work, move on to the next until the issue is resolved.