Elden Ring Fatal Error: How to Fix It

Medium 30-90 minutes High Severity Verified June 2026
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Error Code
fatal-error
Brand
Elden Ring
Product Type
game
Severity
High
DIY Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Fix Time
30-90 minutes
The Elden Ring fatal error causes the game to abruptly crash to your desktop, often with little or no warning. This error is typically triggered by corrupted game files, outdated or incompatible graphics drivers, hardware overheating, or software conflicts on your PC. While frustrating, the vast majority of players can resolve this issue without professional help by following the steps below.
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Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code fatal-error

  1. Verify and Repair Game Files via Steam

  2. Update Your Graphics Card Drivers

    Before installing new drivers, create a Windows restore point so you can roll back if the new driver causes additional issues. Go to Start > Create a restore point > Create.

  3. Run Elden Ring as Administrator

  4. Disable Overlays and Background Applications

  5. Check and Manage CPU/GPU Temperatures

    Before opening your PC case to clean it, power down completely and unplug the power cable from the wall. Ground yourself by touching a metal surface to discharge static electricity before touching any components.

  6. Lower In-Game Graphics Settings

  7. Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat

  8. Update Windows and DirectX / Visual C++ Redistributables

  9. Test Your RAM for Errors

    Power off and unplug your PC before reseating RAM modules. Handle RAM sticks by the edges only to avoid static damage.

  10. Perform a Clean Reinstall of Elden Ring

    Your save data is stored in the cloud via Steam Cloud Sync by default. Verify that Steam Cloud is enabled for Elden Ring (right-click > Properties > General > Keep game saves in the Steam Cloud) before uninstalling to protect your progress.
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When to Call a Professional

If Elden Ring continues to crash after completing all steps above, and other games or applications are also crashing or behaving unstably, your hardware may be failing. A PC repair technician can run advanced diagnostics to check for a failing GPU, defective RAM, or a faulty power supply unit that cannot deliver stable power under gaming load. Additionally, if your Windows installation is deeply corrupted and system file repairs (sfc /scannow via Command Prompt as administrator) fail to resolve issues, a technician can perform a clean Windows reinstall while preserving your data. Contact FromSoftware support at support.bandainamcoent.com if you suspect the issue is specific to your game account or a known game bug.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Elden Ring keep crashing with a fatal error on PC?
The most common reasons Elden Ring crashes with a fatal error are corrupted game files, outdated graphics drivers, conflicts with third-party overlays (like Discord or GeForce Experience), overheating hardware, or a corrupted Easy Anti-Cheat installation. Start by verifying your game files in Steam and updating your GPU drivers — these two steps resolve the issue for most players.
Does the Elden Ring fatal error delete my save file?
No, a fatal error crash does not delete your save data. Your Elden Ring save file is stored locally and backed up to Steam Cloud. However, if the game crashes mid-save, the most recent progress (typically the last site of grace you touched) may not be recorded. Your character and overall progress remain safe.
Can mods cause the Elden Ring fatal error?
Yes, mods are a very common cause of the Elden Ring fatal error. Mods that modify game files can become incompatible after official patches, and some mods conflict with Easy Anti-Cheat. To test if a mod is responsible, remove all mod files and verify your game files through Steam. If the crash stops, reintroduce mods one at a time to find the conflicting one.
How do I fix Elden Ring fatal error without reinstalling the game?
Many players fix the fatal error without a full reinstall by: (1) verifying game file integrity in Steam, (2) updating GPU drivers, (3) disabling all overlays, and (4) repairing Easy Anti-Cheat from the game's installation folder. Try these steps in order before resorting to a full reinstall.
Is the Elden Ring fatal error a known bug that FromSoftware will patch?
FromSoftware has released multiple patches addressing crash issues in Elden Ring since launch. However, the fatal error is most often caused by PC-specific factors like driver versions, hardware configuration, or software conflicts rather than a universal game bug. Check the official Elden Ring patch notes at bandainamcoent.com and the Elden Ring subreddit (r/Eldenring) to see if your specific crash scenario matches a known issue being addressed.

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