ARK Survival Ascended early access is now available on PC via Steam. However, many players have reported ARK Survival Ascended crashing frequently or freezing randomly during gameplay. Let’s discuss the major error types and solutions to get the expansion running smoothly.
How to Fix ARK Survival Ascended Crashes
Try these general troubleshooting steps first to stop any ARK Survival Ascended crashes, freezes or performance issues:
1. Update Graphics Drivers
- Go to Nvidia, Intel or AMD website and download latest GPU drivers.
- Use GeForce Experience or Radeon Software to optimize for ARK Survival Ascended.
- Install new graphics drivers and restart your PC.
2. Verify Integrity of Game Files
- Open Steam and right click on ARK Survival Ascended.
- Go to Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.
- Steam will scan and replace any corrupted game files.
3. Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings
- Launch ARK Survival Ascended and open the video settings.
- Lower resolution if FPS is low. Reduce View Distance, shadows etc.
- Disable intensive settings like motion blur and ambient occlusion.
4. Close Background Apps and Processes
- Use Task Manager to view and suspend unnecessary background apps and processes.
- Free up CPU, RAM and VRAM being used by other software.
5. Disable Mods Temporarily
- Mods can sometimes conflict with the base ARK Survival Ascended.
- Disable all mods and restart the game to isolate potential culprits.
6. Update Windows and Firmware
- Install latest Windows updates and patches.
- Update motherboard BIOS, chipset and SSD firmware.
7. Reseat RAM and Hardware Connections
- Power down PC, reseat RAM sticks and reconnect loose cables.
- This clears any faulty connections causing crashes.
Why ARK Survival Ascended is Crashing?
If crashes continue after trying the above solutions, here are some potential causes:
- Insufficient hardware – CPU, GPU, RAM below minimum requirements. Upgrade PC.
- Too many mods – Excessive mods put strain on the engine. Disable and optimize mods.
- Game bugs – Early access games have bugs. Wait for patches and hotfixes.
- Background software conflicts – Apps like RGB software etc may conflict. Close before playing.
- Corrupted files – Damaged game files, Windows registry issues or bad sectors. Reinstall or replace HDD/SSD.
- Hardware instability – Faulty components like GPUs crash even on stock settings. Test hardware thoroughly.
- Network issues – Bad internet connection causes disconnections. Check your network.
Conclusion – October 27, 2023
ARK Survival Ascended pushing the aging ARK engine to its limits. But constant crashes can ruin the prehistoric survival experience.
Follow the comprehensive troubleshooting guide outlined above to pinpoint the exact cause and fix crashing issues on your specific setup.
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