Issue Description (Required):
Prior to doing this my GPU drivers would time out while loading in or out of missions every 2 missions or so. I’m putting this here to hopefully help others avoid the same problems.
I previously helped a friend through doing most of this but with the AMD cleanup utility and that didn’t stop it until going through again with DDU. If you’re nervous about using DDU you’re still welcome to try that instead but I can’t guarantee it will be fixed.
Per FatsharkJulia’s comment in another thread, their AMD contact suspects Windows is replacing the AMD driver with the version from Windows update which causes even more crashing. Her fix given didn’t seem to help others so I suspect it’s preventative but I’ll list it below either way. Personally, I like when the computer I use does what I tell it to rather than what it thinks is best so there will be a few settings I recommend changing listed below.
Attempted Solutions (Optional):
Preparation steps (can be done in any order):
Make sure your chipset drivers are up to date. If on an AMD system the autodetect utility is fine.
We will be disabling the steam cloud for darktide and deleting the local saves. Your characters progression, weapons, cosmetics and everything will be fine (stored on Fatshark’s servers) but your keybindings, hud settings, favorited markers on weapons and extra loadout slots will be deleted. Take note of anything you want to save.
The recommendation from FatsharkJulia/AMD: Start menu search → view advanced system settings → hardware → device installation settings → set to “no”.
Disable windows fast startup. Control panel → system and security → change what the power buttons do → change settings that are currently unavailable → disable fast startup. This stops windows from caching any old drivers/system files on shutdown to make the next startup faster but it can also save corrupt or old data we don’t want. This is on by default so if this is your first time changing this power down to wipe anything old that windows may have held on to.
Download DDU: Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) download version 18.0.8.4
Extract the ZIP file to a folder on your desktop. Run the DDU v18.0.8.4.exe (may be a later version if you’re following this guide in the future). This creates a folder with the same name with the uninstaller inside it. Leave it for now.
Download the FULL AMD driver installer. Not the autodetect which requires internet so we can be sure windows won’t try to shove in it’s own driver when you’re installing. Current driver can be downloaded from the release page : https://www.amd.com/en/resources/support-articles/release-notes/RN-RAD-WIN-24-10-1.html
Now follow these steps in order:
1: Right click Darktide in your steam library and hit properties. Disable Steam cloud. I’ve left mine off now just in case. If you need/want it, you can try turning it back on at the end after getting your settings redone.
2: Take your PC offline. Either turn off your PC’s wifi or unplug your ethernet depending on your setup. DON’T just disconnect from a saved network because it will reconnect on next startup.
3: Go to C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Roaming and delete the Fatshark folder. Appdata is hidden by default. If you don’t see it, in file explorer click view → show → hidden items.
4: Delete Steam’s local cloud save data for Darktide so Steam doesn’t try to bring it back when verifying the game. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\yoursteamaccountnumber, find the 1361210 folder and delete it.
1361210 is Darktide’s Steam app id, you can check this by looking at the URL for Darktide’s steam store page.
Your steam account number is likely the only folder in userdata. It’s the same as your friend code from steam’s add friend page so don’t share it with strangers. If more than one person has logged into steam on your PC there will be other account folders. Make sure you choose the right one.
5: Delete your Windows DirectX cache. Start menu → search disk cleanup → select your windows drive (usually C:) → cleanup system files → select the same drive again → check DirectX Shader Cache → OK → delete files. Defaults are fine but you can select more or less things to clean depending on your preference. You should leave device driver packages checked to get rid of older drivers.
6: Get Windows into safe mode. My preferred way to do this is through the windows advanced startup menu. You can get to that either by going to settings → system → recovery → advanced startup → restart now or by going to the start menu → power and hold SHIFT while you click restart.
When you’re in the blue Windows recovery screen, do not click on anything else in this menu or you risk resetting your Windows install. Go troubleshoot → advanced options → startup settings → restart → click the number for safe mode (usually 4). Do not choose the one with networking or command prompt.
7: Now in safe mode (indicated by having no desktop background), you will run DDU. Go to the folder that was created earlier, DDU v18.0.8.4, and run Display Driver Uninstaller.exe. It should run as administrator by default but if you don’t see the blue/yellow shield icon on it right click and run as administrator. Windows Smartscreen may pop up saying it can’t connect to the internet to verify the app is fine to run. Run it anyway.
DDU will have a first time use popup with disclaimers and warnings. Click OK. The settings will pop up. LEAVE THE SETTINGS DEFAULT. Messing with anything here can cause problems with your system. I will post a screenshot at the bottom with what mine are for you to verify then you can close the settings. Note the setting at the very bottom that prevents windows updates from grabbing drivers for you. We want this but if you want it undone in the future you can open DDU (not in safe mode) and uncheck it. Personally I leave it on.
There will be two dropdowns on the right side of the DDU app. For device type select GPU. For device select AMD. You may now select Clean and restart and your PC will restart into normal windows when DDU is done. Rarely, Windows will fail to disable safe mode. To undo it, search for and open system configuration, go to the boot tab, and deselect safe boot then hit apply and restart.
8: Now that you’re back in normal Windows (still offline!) you can run the AMD driver installer. When you’re on the window that shows your GPU and driver version to install, click additional options and check Factory Reset. Your old drivers are gone but it’s best to be sure. Finish going through the install process and restart when prompted.
You should also do the factory reset every time you update your GPU driver to make sure the old one is gone. Yes your old settings will be gone but you can import/export your settings in the AMD app beforehand.
9: Reconnect to the internet and right click Darktide in steam → properties → verify integrity of game files to rebuild the AppData folder and you’re done! Remember to redo your settings/keybindings and favorite your weapons again so you don’t sell them by accident.
Some extra advice afterwards: Your performance is going to be a bit slower for a game or two while your GPU’s shader cache is rebuilt. Pick a character and do a loop around the Mourningstar then go to the meat grinder and gib some enemies to help a bit. I also recommend restarting the game after changing in game graphics settings that aren’t in the launcher. Also for any other AMD user that’s had the rainbow psyker shield bug: this is going to sound silly but turn off anti-lag for Darktide in your AMD app. It’s on as part of the Quality and HYPR-RX gaming profiles if you’re using one of those. It fixed it for me and I’m wondering if it will fix it for anyone else.
Happy heretic slaying and may your machine spirit no longer be plagued with crashes!
Platform (Required):
PC - Steam
[PC] PC Specifications (Optional):
AMD GPUs
