How To Fix Crashing Or Freezing On Startup

Game crashing or freezing on startup in NASCAR 25? Use this quick guide to update, verify files, fix drivers, clear cache, and get racing again on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation.

Quick answer

If NASCAR 25 crashes or freezes on startup, start with updates and a clean launch. Update your game and system, verify game files, disable overlays (Discord, GeForce, Xbox Game Bar), and power-cycle your device. On PC, clean-install your GPU driver and launch in windowed/borderless. On console, free up space, move the game to internal storage, and rebuild the database/cache if needed.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Fully close the game and reboot your PC/console (complete power off, wait 30 seconds, power on).
• Check for game updates and system/driver updates.
• Disable overlays (Discord, Steam/Epic overlay, Xbox Game Bar, GeForce Experience).
• Ensure 20+ GB free space on the drive where the game is installed.
• Unplug extra USB devices (leave controller/wheel only) and try launching again.

What this means in NASCAR 25

“Crashing or freezing on startup” means the game fails before you can reach the main menu. It’s usually caused by bad or missing files, outdated drivers/firmware, incompatible overlays, corrupted cache/config, not enough storage, or a device overclock.

Why it matters: stability is your first win. A clean, predictable launch keeps your seasons, setups, and progression safe so you can focus on racing instead of rebooting.

Terms:

• Overlay: software drawing on top of the game (Discord, Steam, Xbox Game Bar) that can conflict with some titles.
• Shader/cache/config: small files the game creates to speed up graphics and loads; if corrupted, they can prevent startup.
• Clean install (driver): reinstalling your GPU driver with “perform a clean installation” or equivalent to remove leftover files.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• Symptom: Game closes instantly with no error

  • Likely cause: Corrupted/missing game files or blocked by antivirus
  • Fix: Verify/repair game files in your launcher; add the game folder as an exception to antivirus; run once as Admin (PC)

• Symptom: Frozen splash screen or endless spinning icon

  • Likely cause: Overlay conflict or corrupted cache/config
  • Fix: Disable all overlays; reset/rename the game’s config folder (Documents/AppData-style folder), letting the game regenerate it

• Symptom: Black screen with audio, then crash

  • Likely cause: GPU driver issues or fullscreen mode problem
  • Fix: Clean-install GPU driver; launch in windowed/borderless and lower resolution on first run

• Symptom: Stuck right after controller prompt

  • Likely cause: USB device/wheel firmware conflict
  • Fix: Unplug extra USB devices; update wheel drivers/firmware via Logitech G HUB, Thrustmaster, or Fanatec software

• Symptom: Console returns to home after a few seconds

  • Likely cause: Corrupted install or database/cache issue
  • Fix: Power cycle; move/install to internal storage; rebuild database/cache; reinstall the game

• Symptom: Error about insufficient space or data corrupted

  • Likely cause: Low storage or damaged save
  • Fix: Free up storage; back up cloud saves; test launching after removing local save data (console/PC)

Step-by-step: How To Fix Crashing Or Freezing On Startup

1. All platforms (quick wins)

1. Fully power cycle
   • Turn off your PC/console, unplug (or wait 30 seconds), then power on.
   • Gotcha: Rest mode/instant-on can preserve a bad state; do a true shutdown.
2. Update everything
   • Install game update.
   • Install system update (Windows/console firmware).
3. Free storage
   • Aim for 20–30 GB free on the install drive.
   • Gotcha: External or slow drives can cause problems; use internal SSD if possible.
4. Kill overlays and extras
   • Disable Discord overlay; turn off GeForce overlay; close RGB/recording apps; disable Xbox Game Bar.
   • Try launching with only your controller or wheel connected.

2. PC (Steam/Epic or similar)

1. Verify/repair game files
   • In your launcher, open the game’s Properties/Manage page and look for Verify/Repair.
   • Expect: A short scan that re-downloads missing or corrupted files.
2. Clean-install your GPU driver
   • Download latest NVIDIA/AMD driver; choose “clean install” or “factory reset” option if offered.
   • Reboot afterward.
3. Launch in a safe mode
   • In-game launcher: select Windowed or Borderless and a lower resolution if options appear.
   • Or add a temporary launch option in your platform like “start windowed/borderless” if available; otherwise change in-game after it starts.
   • Expect: You should reach the main menu without a black screen hang.
4. Reset the game’s config/cache
   • Close the game. In most PC titles, you’ll find a NASCAR 25 folder under Documents or your user AppData/Saved Games. Back up, then rename/delete the config/shader/cache folders so the game can rebuild them.
   • Gotcha: Don’t delete your saves unless you’ve backed them up or synced to the cloud.
5. Run once as Administrator and whitelist
   • Right-click the game executable (or launcher) > Run as administrator.
   • Add the install folder to your antivirus exclusions.
6. Remove overclocks and background tools
   • Return CPU/GPU/RAM to stock; close undervolt/OC tools.
   • Disable third-party overlays (RivaTuner/Afterburner) and capture tools temporarily.
7. Optional PC fixes (only if still crashing)
   • Install/repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (x86 and x64).
   • Check Windows Update for optional driver updates.
   • Try moving the game to a different drive (preferably internal SSD) and reinstall.

3. PlayStation (PS5/PS4)

1. Power cycle and update
   • Fully shut down, wait 30 seconds, reboot; install system and game updates.
2. Clear cache and rebuild database (if crashes persist)
   • Start the console in Safe Mode (hold power until second beep). Choose the option that rebuilds the database.
   • Expect: A short maintenance process that can fix indexing issues.
3. Storage and location
   • Ensure ample free space; if installed on external storage, move the game to internal.
4. Check saved data (last resort)
   • Back up to cloud/USB. Temporarily remove local save data and launch to test.
   • Gotcha: Removing saves is irreversible locally; only do this after a backup.
5. Reinstall the game
   • Delete the game, power cycle, then download/install fresh to internal storage.

4. Xbox (Series X|S/One)

1. Power cycle and update
   • Hold the console power button for ~10 seconds to fully shut down. Unplug/wait 30 seconds, then power on; install system/game updates.
2. Storage and location
   • Ensure ample free space; if installed on an external drive or expansion card, move or reinstall to internal storage for testing.
3. Clear cache/state
   • Fully quitting the game and a hard power cycle typically clears cache. If you use networking tweaks (alternate MAC), clear and reboot if needed.
4. Check saved data (last resort)
   • Back up/sync your saves. Temporarily remove local save and test a clean start (it will re-sync from cloud if intact).
5. Reinstall the game
   • Uninstall, power cycle, reinstall to internal storage.

What you should see when it’s working: the splash screen progresses to profile/sign-in, then the main menu without stutter or long hangs. Launch-to-menu should take roughly the same time on every start.

Common gotcha: Plug-in wheels/pedals/h-pattern shifters can block startup if their driver is outdated. Update firmware in the manufacturer’s app and try launching with only the wheel base connected first.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

If you only crash on first launch after graphics changes, use these stability-first settings for the next run:

• Beginner: Windowed or Borderless, V-Sync On, 60 FPS cap, default graphics preset, no third-party overlays. Purpose: safest path to the main menu.
• Intermediate: Fullscreen, medium preset, 60–90 FPS cap. Purpose: reduce GPU spikes.
• Advanced: Tune settings up gradually; raise FPS cap last. Purpose: isolate the exact setting that breaks startup.

Tip: Change one thing at a time and relaunch to spot the culprit.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

Goal: Confirm stability and build confidence after fixing crashes.

• Track/session: Load a single-car practice or time trial at a short oval (any small track you see listed).
• Focus: Watch for stutters, audio pops, or hitching in the first 2–3 laps as shaders finish compiling.
• Steps: Run 10 clean laps, return to the garage, relaunch the game, and repeat.
• Success looks like: Consistent launch times, no black screens, stable frame pacing.
• Avoid: Alt-tabbing or opening overlays during the first run after a fresh install or driver update.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Leaving overlays on

  • Looks like: Freeze on splash or immediate desktop.
  • Why: Overlay hooks conflict with the renderer.
  • Fix: Disable Discord/GeForce/Steam/Xbox overlays before launching.

• Installing to a nearly full drive

  • Looks like: Freeze during initial load or update errors.
  • Why: No room for cache/shaders/patching.
  • Fix: Free 20–30 GB; move to internal SSD.

• Keeping GPU/CPU overclocks active

  • Looks like: Random crash at startup with no error.
  • Why: Marginal stability during shader compile.
  • Fix: Return to stock clocks and test.

• Skipping driver updates

  • Looks like: Black screen with audio for a few seconds then crash.
  • Why: Old drivers lack required fixes.
  • Fix: Clean-install the latest GPU driver.

• Not verifying game files

  • Looks like: Repeatable crash at the same point every time.
  • Why: Corrupted or missing asset.
  • Fix: Verify/repair in your launcher.

• USB zoo at launch

  • Looks like: Hang after controller prompt.
  • Why: Device/firmware conflict.
  • Fix: Unplug extras; update wheel firmware.

• Deleting saves without backup

  • Looks like: Lost career progress.
  • Why: No cloud or manual backup.
  • Fix: Back up first; only test with local saves removed if necessary.

FAQs

• Why does NASCAR 25 crash on startup on PC?

  • Most startup crashes trace to outdated GPU drivers, overlay conflicts, or corrupted config/cache. Clean-install your driver, disable overlays, verify game files, and reset the game’s config folder to regenerate fresh settings.

• How do I verify NASCAR 25 files?

  • In Steam/Epic or your launcher, open the game’s properties/manage page and select Verify/Repair. It scans and re-downloads any missing or corrupted files. Relaunch after it completes.

• Can my wheel cause NASCAR 25 to freeze at launch?

  • Yes. Old wheel drivers/firmware or conflicted USB hubs can hang input initialization. Update via Logitech G HUB/Thrustmaster/Fanatec tools, plug directly into the console/PC, and test with only the wheel connected.

• How do I clear cache on PS5/PS4 for this game?

  • Power off completely, wait 30 seconds, and reboot. If issues persist, boot into Safe Mode and choose the option that rebuilds the database. That refresh often resolves startup hangs.

• How do I fix Xbox crashes right after the splash screen?

  • Do a full power cycle, ensure the game is on internal storage, and check for updates. If needed, clear temporary state by power cycling again, then reinstall the game.

• I get a black screen but hear sound. What now?

  • That often points to fullscreen or driver problems. Launch in windowed/borderless, lower resolution on first run, clean-install GPU drivers, and disable overlays.

• Does antivirus cause NASCAR 25 to crash?

  • It can block file access. Add the game’s install folder to your antivirus exclusions and try launching once as Administrator.

• Should I reinstall Windows/format my console?

  • That’s rarely needed. Exhaust updates, file verification, cache/database rebuilds, storage moves, and clean driver installs first. Only consider a full reset if every other step fails.

Next steps

If you made it to the main menu, you’ve cleared the biggest hurdle. Keep settings conservative for a few sessions, then dial up graphics and peripherals one change at a time to isolate any remaining issues.

Do this next:

• Run the 10‑minute stability drill.
• Re-enable tools (overlays, capture apps) one by one to find any conflicts.
• Create a restore point or backup now that it’s stable.

Related articles:

• Best PC Settings for Smooth NASCAR 25 (Stutter-Free)
• How to Stop Stutter and FPS Drops in NASCAR 25
• Wheel Not Detected or Miscalibrated in NASCAR 25
• Save Data: Backup, Cloud Sync, and Recovery
• Online Races: Fix Lag, NAT, and Voice Chat Issues