🎮 Game Error Codes What it means & how to fix it

Borderlands 4 Error Codes

Borderlands 4 runs on Unreal Engine 5, so its errors are crash messages rather than numeric server codes. LowLevelFatalError is often Windows running out of virtual memory, Unhandled Exception EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION points at corrupted files or missing Visual C++ runtimes, and GPU Crash Dump Triggered is a driver fault — new RTX 50-series drivers caused widespread crashes. Here's what each common error means and the fastest fix.

Error codes

LowLevelFatalError Unreal Engine 5 hit an unrecoverable fatal error

Cause: Frequently Windows running out of virtual memory (a paging file that's too small), even with 32 GB of RAM — also corrupted files or a driver mismatch.

Fix:
  1. Increase the Windows paging file: System -> Advanced system settings -> Performance Settings -> Advanced -> Virtual memory -> set a larger custom size (e.g. 16-32 GB).
  2. Verify the game files in Steam/Epic to replace corrupted data.
  3. Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables and DirectX runtime, then reboot.
Unhandled Exception: EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION The game tried to access invalid memory and crashed

Cause: Missing or corrupt Visual C++ components, corrupted game files, or an overlay conflict.

Fix:
  1. Install or repair the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (x86 and x64).
  2. Verify/repair the game files in your launcher.
  3. Disable all in-game overlays (Steam, Discord, GeForce Experience).
GPU Crash Dump Triggered / D3D device removed The GPU driver crashed or the DirectX device was removed

Cause: A faulty GPU driver — new drivers made for RTX 50-series cards were reported to cause widespread Borderlands 4 crashes.

Fix:
  1. For NVIDIA, roll back to driver 566.36 (December 2024) with a clean DDU install — a top reported fix.
  2. Remove any GPU overclock/undervolt and set a frame-rate cap.
  3. Lower texture quality and disable frame generation to reduce VRAM pressure.
Crash on startup / Intel 13th/14th-gen instability The game closes before or shortly after the main menu

Cause: Corrupted files, missing runtimes, or the known Intel 13th/14th-gen CPU instability that overheats or spikes CPU usage.

Fix:
  1. Update your motherboard BIOS to the latest Intel microcode and apply Intel's default power/voltage profile.
  2. Verify game files and install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables.
  3. Update Windows and your GPU driver, then disable overlays.

Fixes that work for most Borderlands 4 (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) errors

  1. Verify/repair the game files (Steam: Properties -> Installed Files -> Verify integrity; Epic/other launchers: repair) — this replaces corrupted files behind most crashes and fatal errors.
  2. Update your GPU driver with a clean install (use DDU), and install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (x86 and x64) plus the DirectX End-User Runtime — missing runtimes and stale drivers cause most launch crashes.
  3. Clear the DirectX Shader Cache (Windows Settings -> System -> Storage -> Temporary files, or Disk Cleanup) and delete the game's local shader/cache folder in AppData\Local, then relaunch.
  4. Disable overlays (Steam, Discord, GeForce Experience, Epic, Ubisoft Connect) and any third-party antivirus/VPN, and add the game to your firewall exceptions.
  5. Check the game's official server status before assuming a local problem — many named connection errors are a maintenance window or outage and clear on their own.

FAQ

How do I fix LowLevelFatalError in Borderlands 4?

LowLevelFatalError is often Windows running out of virtual memory, even with 32 GB of RAM, if your paging file is too small. Increase the Windows paging file (System -> Advanced -> Performance -> Virtual memory -> set a larger custom size like 16-32 GB), then verify the game files in Steam/Epic and install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables and DirectX runtime before rebooting.

Why does Borderlands 4 keep crashing on my new NVIDIA card?

New drivers made for RTX 50-series cards were reported to cause widespread Borderlands 4 crashes and GPU Crash Dump errors. Roll back to NVIDIA driver 566.36 (December 2024) with a clean DDU install, remove any GPU overclock and set a frame-rate cap, and disable frame generation to reduce VRAM pressure.

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