Dealing with a persistently freezing Elden Ring game on your PC can be frustrating. This could occur due to reasons ranging from software bugs, outdated drivers, hardware incompatibilities, to corrupted game files. A comprehensive troubleshooting process can usually solve this issue. Elden Ring, a highly anticipated action role-playing game by FromSoftware, invites players to create unique characters and immerse themselves in the expansive realm of the Lands Between. However, the game may occasionally freeze or crash, either during launch or gameplay, sometimes resulting in a black screen. This article provides a guide to rectify the “elden ring freezing pc” problem.
Starting the Troubleshooting | Elden Ring freezing Pc Error
Initially, verify if your PC meets the game’s system requirements as provided by FromSoftware. Insufficient hardware capabilities can lead to game performance issues, including freezing. The minimum and recommended system requirements are:
Minimum Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 3 3300X
- Memory: 12 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 4 GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 60 GB of available space
- Sound Card: Windows Compatible Audio Device
Recommended Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 10/11
- Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB or AMD Radeon RX VEGA 56 8 GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 60 GB of available space
- Sound Card: Windows Compatible Audio Device
Update Graphics Card Drivers
Being a graphics-intensive game, Elden Ring demands an up-to-date and capable graphics card. Ensure your Nvidia or AMD Radeon graphics card has the latest drivers installed, as they often come with performance improvements and bug fixes. If your system doesn’t already have the latest drivers, follow the steps below:
- Right-click on the Start button to display several options.
- Click on Device Manager to open its window.
- Click the arrow before Display Adapters to expand the list.
- Right-click on the selected graphics card, and choose Update Driver.
- Select “Search automatically for drivers”. This action will find and install any new drivers available online.
Alternatively, Nvidia users can download the latest graphics driver using the Nvidia GeForce Experience app, and Radeon card users can do the same with the Radeon Software. After installing the latest graphics driver, restart your PC and check if the Elden Ring freezing issue persists.

How to Fix Elden Ring freezing Pc Error?
Occasionally, your PC may not allocate sufficient system resources to Elden Ring, causing it to freeze during gameplay. Maximizing the resources devoted to the game can help it run more smoothly. Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide to achieving this:
Time needed: 2 minutes
- Opening the Task Manager
Initiating the troubleshooting process requires opening the Task Manager on your PC. To do this, right-click on the Start button and opt for Task Manager.
- Setting View to More Details
To ensure a comprehensive view of all running processes, make sure you’re viewing all the details. You can do this by clicking on “More details.”
- Navigating to the Processes Tab
Your next stop is the Processes tab. Here, you’ll find a list of all the applications that are currently active on your system.
- Ending Unnecessary Tasks
Now, examine the list of running applications. For every application that is neither Steam nor Elden Ring, right-click and select “End task.” This action will help allocate more system resources to your game, potentially fixing the freezing issue.
Disabling Antivirus to Fix Elden Ring freezing Pc Error
In some instances, your antivirus software could be overly protective, causing it to interfere with Elden Ring’s smooth operation. Disabling the antivirus software temporarily can help determine if this is causing the freezing issue. Here’s how you can safely do it:
- First, open your system’s settings by clicking on the Start button and then “Settings.”
- Navigate to “Update & Security,” and then click on “Windows Security.”
- Choose “Virus & threat protection,” then click on “Manage settings.”
- Here, you’ll find the option to switch off “Real-time protection.” Do so, and then run Elden Ring to see if the problem persists.
Running the Program as an Administrator
Sometimes, Elden Ring might freeze if it doesn’t have the required permissions to access certain system services. Running the game as an administrator can potentially solve this issue. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Navigate to the Elden Ring installation folder and find the Eldenring.exe application file.
- Right-click the application, select “Properties,” then navigate to the “Compatibility” tab.
- Here, you’ll find an option labeled “Run this program as an administrator.” Ensure this box is checked.
- Click on “Apply” then “OK,” and try running the game to see if the issue is resolved.
Disabling In-game Overlay Option
Overlay apps, although useful, can consume system resources, leading to game performance issues. Disabling these apps can free up resources, potentially fixing the freezing issue. Here’s how you can disable the Steam overlay and Windows game bar:
- Open your Steam client, navigate to “Settings,” then “In-Game.”
- Uncheck the box next to “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game” and confirm by clicking “OK.”
- For the Windows game bar, click on the Start button, then “Settings,” and select “Gaming.”
- Switch off the option for the Xbox Game Bar and check if the issue persists when playing Elden Ring.
Assessing and Managing RAM Allocation
Proper memory management plays a significant role in optimal gaming experience, specifically when dealing with heavy games like Elden Ring. Typically, insufficient or inefficiently allocated RAM could be a hidden culprit behind the persistent freezing issues. To verify this, you can check your current memory usage through the ‘Performance’ tab in the Task Manager. High RAM usage by other applications may indicate that Elden Ring is not getting enough memory to run smoothly. Consequently, closing these resource-hungry applications can provide more memory for the game.
Verifying the Integrity of Game Files
Corrupt or missing game files can also lead to the Elden Ring freezing issue. The Steam client allows you to check the integrity of your game files and replaces any faulty ones. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open the Steam client and go to your Library.
- Find Elden Ring, right-click on it, and select “Properties.”
- In the window that pops up, navigate to “Local Files.”
- Click on “Verify integrity of game files…”
- If any corrupt or missing files are found, they will be automatically replaced. Once done, check if Elden Ring still freezes.

More from us:
- Resolving the HBO Max Loading Screen Dilemma
- Solving “App Not Installed as Package Appears To Be Invalid Error”
Conclusion
Navigating game glitches like the Elden Ring freezing issue may seem daunting at first. However, by utilizing these handy strategies, you’ll likely see an improvement in your gaming experience. From checking your system resources to adjusting antivirus software settings, to ensuring you run the program as an administrator, each step plays a crucial role in enhancing the game’s performance. And remember, sometimes, the simplest solutions, like disabling in-game overlays or verifying game file integrity, can solve seemingly complex issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
The issue could arise from various reasons, such as outdated drivers, hardware incompatibilities, software bugs, or corrupted game files.
You can update your graphics drivers through Device Manager or using Nvidia GeForce Experience or Radeon Software for Nvidia and AMD cards, respectively.
Close unnecessary applications running in the background via Task Manager to free up system resources for Elden Ring.
Yes, the antivirus software could interfere with the game, causing it to freeze. Try disabling the antivirus temporarily to see if this resolves the issue.
If the game continues to freeze, it might be due to a corrupted game installation. Consider uninstalling and reinstalling Elden Ring.