How to Fix Destiny 2 Game Freezes After Playing for a Long Time

Destiny 2, the popular online multiplayer shooter developed by Bungie, offers gamers an expansive universe filled with action-packed gameplay. However, many players encounter frustrating problems, especially when playing for extended sessions. If you’re experiencing game freezes after long hours of play, don’t worry. This guide will walk you through various steps to help alleviate the issue and enhance your gaming experience.

1. Check for Overheating

One of the most common causes of game freezes during prolonged play is overheating. Both your CPU and GPU can become extremely hot, leading to performance throttling or crashes. To prevent overheating:

Ensure Proper Ventilation: Make sure your gaming environment is well-ventilated. Position your PC or console in an area where airflow is not obstructed.
Monitor Temperatures: Use software tools to monitor your system’s temperatures (like MSI Afterburner). If temperatures exceed safe limits, consider upgrading your cooling system or cleaning out dust accumulation inside your case.
Take Breaks: Remember to take breaks during long play sessions. This will allow your hardware to cool down, potentially preventing future freezes.

2. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can lead to compatibility issues with games, resulting in freezes or crashes. Keeping your drivers up-to-date can significantly enhance game performance. Follow these steps:

Visit the GPU Manufacturer’s Website: For Nvidia, AMD, or Intel, go to their respective websites and download the latest drivers for your graphics card.
Use Driver Update Tools: If you’re unsure, consider using driver update software that helps automate the process.

3. Adjust Game Settings

Sometimes, the settings you use in Destiny 2 can be too demanding for your hardware, especially during long sessions of gameplay. Adjusting game settings can help:

Lower Graphics Settings: Navigate to the graphics settings in Destiny 2 and lower them. Options like texture quality, shadow quality, and resolution can affect performance.
Disable Hardware Acceleration: If you have hardware acceleration enabled in other applications, disable it. This can often free up system resources.

4. Run Destiny 2 as Administrator

Running the game with elevated permissions can help resolve freezing issues. Follow these steps:

Locate the Game Executable: Find the folder where Destiny 2 is installed.
Right-click on the executable file: Select “Run as administrator” from the context menu. This can help mitigate issues by providing the game with necessary permissions.

5. Verify Integrity of Game Files

Corrupted game files can also lead to performance problems. If you are playing on PC via Steam or Battle.net, you can verify the integrity of game files:

Open Steam/Battle.net: Go to your game library.
Right-click on Destiny 2: Select “Properties” and then navigate to the “Local Files” section.
Click on “Verify integrity of game files”: This process will check for missing or corrupted files and replace them accordingly.

6. Lower Video Resolution and Refresh Rate

Adjusting video output settings can relieve stress on your hardware:

Change Resolution: Access the game’s video settings and opt for a lower resolution. This can drastically improve performance.
Adjust Refresh Rate: If you’re running at a high refresh rate, consider lowering it to improve stability during long play sessions.

7. Close Background Applications

Having too many background applications running can consume valuable system resources:

Check Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and identify any resource-heavy applications running while you play.
Close Unnecessary Apps: End tasks for programs that you don’t need while gaming, thereby increasing the resources available for Destiny 2.

8. Consider Hardware Upgrades

If you continue to experience issues despite trying the above solutions, it may be time to consider upgrading your hardware:

RAM Upgrade: Increasing your system’s RAM can provide better multitasking capabilities.
GPU Update: If your graphics card is older, upgrading it can significantly enhance gaming performance.

Conclusion

Experiencing freezes in Destiny 2 during long gaming sessions can be incredibly frustrating. However, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can significantly improve your chances of enjoying a smooth gameplay experience. Remember to always monitor your system’s performance and make necessary adjustments for the best results. Happy gaming!