Borderlands 2 Fatal Error? Try these Solutions

Borderlands 2 might crash right after you start it, often showing a “Fatal Error” message before the main menu appears. This usually happens because some game files are missing or damaged, DirectX isn’t working right, or your display settings aren’t supported.

The most common cause is a problem with the PhysX program, especially if you have a new graphics card or have updated your drivers. Other causes can be broken settings files, using the wrong screen size, or problems with the Steam overlay.

With that understanding, let’s move on to possible solutions.

1. Run the Game as an Administrator

Sometimes the error appears because the game doesn’t have the permissions it needs. Running it as an administrator gives it full access, which often fixes privilege-related problems.

1. Open Steam and go to the Library tab.
2. Find Borderlands 2, right-click on it, and select Properties.
3. Go to the Local Files tab and click Browse Local Files to open the game’s installation folder.

   

4. Find the game’s executable file (the file you use to start Borderlands 2), right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
5. If this solves the problem, you can set the game to always run as administrator by right-clicking the executable file, selecting Properties, then going to the Compatibility tab and checking Run this program as an administrator.

2. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

If the game is missing important files, or some files are corrupted, Borderlands 2 may crash or show errors. Luckily, Steam can automatically check your files and fix any problems:

• In Steam, right-click Borderlands 2 and select Properties.
• Go to the Local Files tab and click Verify integrity of game files…
• Wait while Steam checks and replaces any missing or bad files. Once done, try launching the game again.

For more details, see our full guide on how to verify the integrity of Steam game files.

3. Renew the Config Files

Borderlands 2 stores its configuration and save files in your My Documents folder. If these files get corrupted, the game may crash.

1. Go to your My Documents directory, then open the Borderlands 2 folder.
2. Back up your save files (copy them somewhere safe).
3. Delete the other files in the folder.
4. Start Borderlands 2 again. The game will automatically create fresh config files.
5. If this solves the problem, copy your save files back into the folder and continue your adventure.

4. Check Other Installed Applications

Other programs on your PC can sometimes conflict with Borderlands 2. For example, Teamviewer and the Discord in-game overlay are known to cause problems.

• If you use Teamviewer, try uninstalling it and see if the error goes away.
• For Discord users, disable the in-game overlay feature in Discord’s settings.
• If you have a third-party antivirus, it could also interfere. Try turning off your antivirus temporarily and check if the game works. If it does, you should add Borderlands 2 to your antivirus exclusions or whitelist. You can also consider changing your antivirus software if needed.

5. Disable the Dolby DAX API Service

The Dolby DAX API service controls certain Dolby Atmos sound features, but sometimes it causes gaming issues, including crashes in Borderlands 2.

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Find the Dolby DAX API service in the list.

   

4. Double-click the service to open its Properties window.
5. In the Startup type dropdown menu, select Disabled.
6. Click Apply and OK.
7. Launch Borderlands 2 to see if the problem is fixed.

6. Change the Installation Directory

Installing Steam or Borderlands 2 in the default Program Files folder can sometimes cause permission issues. Moving your Steam folder can help.

• Create a new folder outside of Program Files (for example, “C:\Games\Steam”).
• Move your entire Steam folder to this new location.
• Remember, after moving, you may need to create a new shortcut to launch Steam from the new location, as your old shortcuts might not work.

This easy change can resolve issues caused by Windows permission restrictions and allow your games to run smoothly.