Having Borderlands 4 PC Issues or Crashes? Gearbox Offers Solutions

Borderlands 4 has recently launched on PC, already setting Steam records, but it has also encountered a number of technical issues. On its official support website, Gearbox has published a list of known problems and provided temporary workarounds for some of them.

Shader Compilation Problems

First and foremost, Gearbox strongly recommends updating your graphics drivers, as this often resolves many issues. Regarding shader compilation, the developers note that the process typically takes about 10 minutes. If it`s taking longer, try restarting both the game and your system.

If that doesn`t fix the problem, you can clear the shader cache:

• For Nvidia Graphics Cards:
  1. Open the “Run” dialog (press WinKey+R).
  2. Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\NVIDIA\DXCache and click “OK”.
  3. In the File Explorer window that opens, select all files and delete them.
  4. If a warning appears about undeletable files, check “Do this for all current items” and select “Skip.”
• For AMD Graphics Cards:
  1. Open the AMD Adrenalin application.
  2. Navigate to “Gaming” > “Graphics”.
  3. Scroll down and select the “Reset Shader Cache” option.
  4. Note: This action will clear the shader cache for all programs.

Furthermore, if you are using 13th or 14th generation Intel processors, they might be contributing to Borderlands 4`s stability issues. Intel has acknowledged problems with instability that can cause performance drops, crashes, overheating, or significant CPU usage spikes. Follow Intel`s guidelines to address these issues if you are experiencing them.

General Troubleshooting Advice

Gearbox also provided general troubleshooting recommendations:

Verify Game Files — Corrupted or Missing Files Can Prevent Launch

• Steam:
  1. Right-click Borderlands 4 in your Library.
  2. Go to “Properties” > “Installed Files”.
  3. Click “Verify integrity of game files”.
• Epic Games Store:
  1. Locate Borderlands 4 in your Library.
  2. Click the three dots next to the game title.
  3. Select “Manage” and then “Verify”.

Disable Overlays — Game Overlays Can Cause Performance Issues or Crashes

• Disable Steam Overlay: Steam > Settings > In-Game > Uncheck `Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game`.
• Turn off other overlays (e.g., Discord, GeForce Experience, MSI Afterburner).

Run as Administrator

1. Right-click the game`s shortcut or executable (.exe) file.
2. Select “Run as administrator”.

Additionally, try running the game in Windows 10 compatibility mode if you are using a different Windows version.

Check Antivirus/Firewall — Some Security Software May Block Game Files

• Add the game folder as an exception to your antivirus.
• Temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall to test if it`s the source of the problem (proceed with caution).

A comprehensive list of known Borderlands 4 PC issues is available on the official support website. If you have exhausted all of Gearbox`s suggested methods, you can submit a support ticket.

Super Deluxe Edition DLC Issues

The console version of Borderlands 4, set to unlock on September 11, is also encountering some early difficulties. Gearbox has announced that Xbox Series X|S users who purchased a physical copy of the Super Deluxe Edition will not receive their promised DLC at launch. The developer stated it is aware of the issue and “is working to provide players with their bonus content.”

GameSpot rated Borderlands 4 a 7/10. Reviewer Jordan Ramee commented: “It`s the most mechanically refined Borderlands game to date, and each Vault Hunter offers an engaging opportunity to experience the game in a distinct way.”