Basic Troubleshooting
If you've encountered any challenges while running the game, kindly consider the following steps:
- Check that your PC meets the minimum hardware requirements for playing the game as specified on our Steam page.
- Ensure that Windows and your graphics drivers (AMD, Nvidia, Intel) are up to date.
- Verify the files (right-click on the game in the Steam library --> right-click on Gray Zone Warfare --> Properties --> Installed files --> Verify the integrity of game files).
- Reinstall the game.
How To Solve Common Crashes
We’d like to provide troubleshooting tips for addressing the most common crashes.
CRASH TO DESKTOP (WITH NO ERROR MESSAGE OR CRASH LOG)
One of the most common issues is the game crashing to the desktop while no error message or Crash Log is returned. If you are experiencing this issue, follow the troubleshooting steps below:
1. Delete the WindowsClient folder:
Using the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + R, open the “Run” menu, enter “%localappdata%” and press “Enter.” Then, navigate to the directory /GZW/Saved/Config and delete the WindowsClient folder.
Once the folder is deleted, please clear the Steam Download cache by following the steps below:
- Click on "Steam" in the top-right corner of the Steam app window
- Navigate to "Settings"
- Go to "Downloads" in the menu on the left side of the "Steam Settings" window
- Next to "Clear Download Cache," click on the "Clear Cache" button
Please keep in mind this step resets your in-game settings . You will need to set your Graphics settings and your keybindings again in the Control tab of the in-game Settings menu. We recommend setting all your Graphics settings to the lowest available preset and then increasing them as your hardware permits.
2. Reinstall GPU Drivers:
Download the latest drivers from your GPU manufacturer’s website. Don’t install them yet:
Delete drivers and software for your GPU using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) following this guide: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000091878/graphics.html
Install the latest drivers you downloaded before.
3. Verify game files from Steam:
- Open your Steam Library
- Right-click on "Gray Zone Warfare"
- Select "Properties"
- Navigate to "Installed Files"
- Click "Verify integrity of game files"
GPU CRASH DUMP AND EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION and General Performance Issues
Another common issue reported by our players is the “GPU Crash Dump” and the “EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION” error code in the UE-GZW Crash Reporter. Following troubleshooting steps might help with eliminating these crashes or at least reduce the frequency of them:
1. Enable/disable Hardware-accelerated GPU Scheduling:
- Go to Windows Settings
- Navigate to "System"
- Open "Display"
- Select "Graphics"
- Click on "Change default graphics settings"
- Enable or disable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling based on the anti-aliasing method you are using
- - If using FSR/TSR/XeSS, try with Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling Off
- - If using DLSS, try with Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling On
2a. Reset NVIDIA App Settings:
- Open the NVIDIA App and select the Graphics tab in the left column
- Select the Global Settings tab on the top row
- In the “Driver Settings” header row click Restore on the right side, then Restore again in the popup
- Select the Program Settings tab on the top row
- Select Gray Zone Warfare in the Programs column
- In the “Driver Settings” header row click the three vertical dots on the right side
- Select Restore, then Restore again in the popup
2b. Reset AMD Adrenalin Settings
- Open the AMD Adrenalin software
- Select Settings in the top right
- In the left column find the Factory Reset option
- Click on Perform Reset in the Factory Reset row
- Click on Proceed in the pop-up
3a. Clear NVIDIA Shader Cache
- Using the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + R, open the “Run” menu, enter “%localappdata%” and press “Enter.”
- Navigate to the directory /GZW/Saved/
- Delete the ShaderLoader .txt file
- Open the Nvidia App and select the Graphics tab in the left column
- Select the Global Settings tab on the top row
- Scroll down to the Shader Cache setting and click the Edit icon on the right
- Click the 3 vertical dots in the upper right of the Shader Cache popup box
- Click on Clear Cache, then Continue on the next popup
- Ensure that the Cache Size is set to Driver Default (or 100GB if you have enough spare space on your C: drive) and Apply if you made a change
3b. Clear AMD Shader Cache
- Using the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + R, open the “Run” menu, enter “%localappdata%” and press “Enter.”
- Navigate to the directory /GZW/Saved/
- Delete the ShaderLoader .txt file
- Open the AMD Adrenalin software
- Select the Gaming tab on the top row
- Select the Graphics tab on the 2nd row
- Scroll down to Reset Shader Cache (you may need to expand an “Advanced” section)
- Click on Perform Reset in the Reset Shader Cache row, then Yes in the popup
4. Clear DirectX Shader Cache:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type cleanmgr and press Enter.
- Select your system drive (usually C:).
- In the list, check the box for DirectX Shader Cache.
- Click OK and then Delete Files.
5. Close Background Applications:
- Before launching the game, close all unnecessary applications.
- Exit programs like Razer Synapse,Logitech G Hub, Corsair iCUE, MSI Dragon Center, ASUS Armory Crate, or other similar programs to prevent memory conflicts.
- Also try to disable any streaming or clip/video recording software or features. This may include Discord screen sharing and built-in Instant Replay or game recording features in Steam, NVIDIA, or AMD driver software.
If the steps above did not resolve the issue and you are experiencing problems with the newest NVIDIA GPU drivers, try rolling back to version 610.62.
Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove current GPU drivers. Follow the instructions on this Intel support page.
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000091878/graphics.html
Install the GPU drivers via this link: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/details/272788/
BUG REPORTING
If you encounter any issues, bugs, or crashes while playing the game, we kindly request that you report them to our Customer Care service via this link: https://support.madfingergames.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
If possible, please attach a screenshot or a recording, and the dxdiag file, which will allow us to see details about your PC specifications. To generate a dxdiag report, open the Start menu, type "dxdiag" and press Enter. When the diagnostic is finished, click "Save All Information..." and attach the text file to the bug report.
If you experience a crash, a prompt will appear asking whether the crash information can be forwarded to us. Please do so. This information will be critical to addressing the issue.
We also added a GPU crash-debugging tool to the graphics settings. Use it for detailed crash data, but note that it may impact performance; enable it only if you experience regular GPU crashes.
We hope that this post has helped resolve your problems. If your issues persist, please don't hesitate to contact us and report them. Our team is ready to assist you. Otherwise, enjoy the game!
- MADFINGER Games Team