Game and system updates promise new features, bug fixes, and better performance. But anyone who has been gaming for a while knows the reality: sometimes an update does the opposite. Text chat stops working, framerates tank, controllers disconnect, and launchers refuse to open. If you’re stuck with a fresh update that broke your game or device, this troubleshooting guide will walk you through the most common fixes and workarounds.
From unexpected crashes to huge download sizes, we’ve sorted the problems by category so you can quickly find what you need. Whether you’re on PC, console, or Steam Deck, these solutions will help you get back into the action.
Performance Drops and How to Recover Your FPS
A sudden dip in frame rate or the appearance of stuttering after an update is one of the most common complaints. This can stem from new graphics features, driver conflicts, or background processes that didn’t cause trouble before. Here’s what to try first:
Drivers and Overlays
Graphics drivers are often the culprit. After a game patch, the newest driver may not play nicely. Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to completely remove your current GPU drivers and then install a version known to be stable. For NVIDIA users, turning off the Steam overlay, Discord overlay, or any other in‑game overlays can eliminate stutter. In some cases, simply appearing offline in your Steam friends list has resolved microstutters in titles like Battlefield 6.
Mods and Add‑ons
Many players run texture mods, quality‑of‑life add‑ons, or plugins. Updates often break these. If you use Bakkesmod for Rocket League, wait for a new version after each patch. For ESO, Minion add‑ons may need manual cleanup; delete the contents of your Elder Scrolls Online/live/AddOns folder to start fresh. On Steam Deck, Decky Loader plugins like Tab Master frequently need to be reinstalled after a system update.
In‑Game Settings
Updates can reset or alter video settings. Check that your resolution, refresh rate, and V‑Sync options are correct. If a game suddenly enables an FPS cap you didn’t set, disable it. For Roblox, toggling “Reduce Motion” has fixed UI glitches and performance issues for some players. In Minecraft 1.21.5, performance mods like Sodium may need an update; temporarily disable shaders if you see a sharp FPS drop.
Proton and Linux Gamers
On Linux, performance after a major Plasma or Proton update can suffer. If you see high FPS but low smoothness, switch to an older Proton version in Steam. For HDR issues after Plasma 6.5, use launch commands like DXVK_HDR=1 ENABLE_HDR_WSI=1 %command% with Valve Proton, or PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_ENABLE_HDR=1 ENABLE_HDR_WSI=1 %command% with Proton-GE. Native Wayland execution often outperforms XWayland.
Crashes, Freezes, and Stability Fixes
Crashing to the desktop without an error message is one of the most frustrating post‑update experiences. The root cause can range from corrupt files to incompatible mods or even failing hardware.
General Crash Troubleshooting
- Verify game files. Through Steam, Epic, or the game launcher, validate your installation. This fixes missing or corrupt data.
- Check crash logs. In Rocket League, look in
DocumentsMy GamesRocket LeagueTAGameLogs. Other titles often store logs in%appdata%or the game’s install folder. - Disable mods. Even if a mod was fine before, an update can make it incompatible. Remove all mods temporarily, then re‑introduce them one at a time.
- Run as administrator. Right‑click the game’s executable and select “Run as administrator.” Some anti‑cheat systems need elevated privileges.
- Switch rendering API. If a game now defaults to DX12 and you experience frequent crashes, try forcing DX11 with a launch parameter like
-dx11.
Specific Game‑Related Crashes
In Battlefield 6, many players experienced crashes when loading specific maps after an update. A memory leak was sometimes the cause; restarting the game after every couple of matches and avoiding alt‑tabbing helped. For KCD2, a console command e_DissolveUsePermanentRenderObjects=1 reduced flickering and crashes. Warframe players resolved severe lag and crashes by verifying files through the launcher.
Console Crashes
On Xbox One, an update that fails at 75% often points to a dying hard drive. Replacing the drive with a new HDD or SSD is the definitive fix. On PlayStation 5, the CE‑108255‑1 error after a system update can sometimes be resolved by reinstalling the update via Safe Mode or rebuilding the database. If the issue persists, an SSD may have failed and needs replacement.
Gameplay Changes You Should Know About
Not everything that feels broken is a bug. Developers occasionally tweak mechanics that fundamentally alter how a weapon or system works. Understanding these changes prevents hours of frustration.
V.A.T.S. and Weapon Accuracy
After recent Fallout 76 updates, V.A.T.S. accuracy took a hit. The Twisted Muscles mutation now penalizes accuracy more heavily. Weapons also display uncharged damage in the Pip‑Boy instead of the previous fully charged value, making many guns appear weaker than they are. Re‑equipping perk cards can restore lost functionality. Scopes now feature variable zoom tied to a button press rather than a fixed magnification.
Encumbrance and Perk Card Shifts
If your character suddenly becomes over‑encumbered, check your perk cards. Some, like Bear Arms, had their effects changed entirely. Unequipping and re‑equipping every card can correct hidden weight calculation errors. Grenades and certain weapons also received weight adjustments, so a stash or carry weight that was fine before may now be overloaded.
Movement and Ragdoll Mechanics
In Helldivers 2, the Voteless enemies received a speed boost after one patch, making them much harder to outrun. Ragdoll recovery also became slower, leaving players vulnerable longer. These undocumented tweaks can feel like a bug until you realize they are intentional design shifts.
Launcher and Platform Update Issues
Sometimes the trouble isn’t with the game itself but with the launcher or platform delivering the update. These problems can prevent you from even starting the game.
Missing or Stuck Updates
A huge “update” size of 100 GB or more often indicates the amount of free space needed to apply a patch, not the actual download. For ESO, the real download was only about 4 GB. In Fortnite, an update that forces a full 99 GB redownload usually occurs when a new season or chapter begins and the file structure changes drastically. A clean reinstall can sometimes be smaller.
Launcher Crashes and Workarounds
HoyoPlay stopped launching on Linux after an update. The workaround was to uninstall the launcher from the Wine prefix, download the latest version, and run it through Lutris again. For Rust, a common issue after an update was EAC failing to launch; running RustClient.exe directly bypassed the broken launcher. On the Rockstar Launcher, clearing temp files and not using a VPN resolved many update failures.
Steam Deck and SteamOS Updates
System updates like SteamOS 3.7.13 can break WiFi, trackpads, or Decky plugins. If WiFi drops, forget the network, reboot the router, and consider enabling “Force WPA Supplicant WiFi backend” in developer settings. Roll back to a previous stable version if necessary. Plugins like Tab Master must be updated from the testing store after a system update, otherwise they will cause crashes.
Hardware and Firmware Update Troubles
Firmware updates for controllers and peripherals carry their own risks. A botched installation can render a device unresponsive.
Xbox Controller Firmware
Firmware version 5.23.5.0 introduced problems for many Xbox wireless controllers. To revert, you can use the offline update method: put your PC in airplane mode, uninstall the Xbox Accessories app, install an older version from a trusted mirror, and run a legacy downgrade via the xboxaccessories://firmwareupdate?legacyDowngrade=true URI. Detailed steps are available on the Xbox support site.
PlayStation Controllers and Audio
Updating a DualSense controller on Linux is possible using a virtual machine with USB passthrough, or by adding the official firmware updater as a non‑Steam game. For the Pulse Explore earbuds, firmware 0143 seems to improve stability and may enable better PC support through a new driver, though official patch notes are thin. If audio quality degrades, try a factory reset.
PS5 SSD Failures
A system update can coincide with an SSD failure rather than causing it. High‑performance NVMe drives like the XPG S70 Blade have a reputation for failing due to inadequate cooling. If your PS5 stops recognizing the SSD after an update, test the drive in a PC. If it still doesn’t appear, contact the manufacturer for warranty replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my game update size so large?
Large update sizes are often misleading. Many launchers show the space required to extract and install files, not the download size. If you are seeing 100 GB or more, it might be because the update is restructuring files, or it may include optional content like HD texture packs. To reduce size, uncheck any extra components and only install the base multiplayer mode.
My game crashes after the latest update. What can I do?
Start by verifying game files through your launcher. Update your graphics drivers with a clean installation. Disable all mods and overlays. If the crash persists, check the game’s crash logs for error codes. On consoles, try reinstalling the update from Safe Mode or rebuilding the database. As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the game.
How do I fix washed out HDR in games after a Proton or Plasma update?
Ensure the vk-hdr-layer package is installed. Use these launch commands in Steam: for Valve Proton, DISPLAY="" DXVK_HDR=1 ENABLE_HDR_WSI=1 %command%; for Proton-CachyOS or Proton-GE, PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_ENABLE_HDR=1 ENABLE_HDR_WSI=1 %command%. Avoid using Gamescope for HDR at this time unless you add --expose-wayland.
My Xbox controller stopped working after firmware update. How can I roll it back?
You can downgrade the firmware by putting your PC in airplane mode, installing an older version of the Xbox Accessories app, and running the legacy downgrade command xboxaccessories://firmwareupdate?legacyDowngrade=true. Detailed offline update guides are available on the official Xbox support page.
Why are my game textures showing up black after the update?
Black or missing textures are usually due to corrupted files or incompatible mods. Verify the integrity of the game cache. Update your graphics drivers. If you use texture mods, disable them and see if the issue resolves. Resetting the game’s video settings to default can also clear up display problems.
Why is my character over encumbered after the update?
Perk cards and item weights can change during an update. Unequip all your perk cards and then re‑equip them to force the game to recalculate your carrying capacity. Check your stash and inventory for items that may have gained weight, such as grenades or certain weapons. If weight reduction perks were nerfed, you may need to adjust your build or carry fewer items.
Game updates will always bring a mix of improvements and new issues. By systematically working through these fixes, you can resolve most problems without waiting for an official patch. Keep your drivers up‑to‑date, limit background software, and don’t be afraid to roll back a driver or use an older Proton version if a new one isn’t stable. With a little patience, you’ll be back to smooth gameplay in no time.
