Star Wars Outlaws has finally arrived on PC Game Pass, letting subscribers explore the galaxy far, far away without buying the game outright. Unfortunately, many players are running into constant crashes that make the game nearly unplayable, especially during transitions or open-world exploration. While Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment are working on patches, one community-discovered fix has proven effective: resetting the DirectX shader cache. In this guide, we will explain why Star Wars Outlaws crashes on Game Pass PC and walk you through every step to get the game stable and playable.
Why Does Star Wars Outlaws Keep Crashing?
Crashes in Star Wars Outlaws on PC often stem from corrupt or outdated shader cache files. Shader caches store compiled shaders to make games load faster and run more efficiently, but when these files become corrupted, they can cause crashes, freezes, or graphical glitches. The Game Pass version integrates with Ubisoft Connect, which some players suspect exacerbates the issue due to conflicting overlays or background processes. Additionally, outdated GPU drivers, incorrect Windows settings, or missing game files can trigger crashes. The DirectX shader cache is a particular culprit because it is shared across many games, and a single corrupted entry can destabilize the whole pipeline.
The Proven Fix: Clear the DirectX Shader Cache
One widely shared fix from the Star Wars Outlaws community involves deleting the DirectX shader cache. This process resets the accumulated shader data, forcing the game to rebuild clean shaders on the next launch. Here is exactly how to do it, step by step.
Step 1: Open Disk Cleanup
Press the Windows key, type “Disk Cleanup,” and open the application. Select your system drive (usually C:) and click OK. The tool will take a moment to scan for files that can be safely removed.
Step 2: Select DirectX Shader Cache
In the list of files to delete, look for “DirectX Shader Cache.” Check the box next to it. You might also want to check “Temporary files” for a more thorough cleanup, but the shader cache is the essential component for this fix.
Step 3: Run the Cleanup
Click “OK” and then “Delete Files” to confirm. Windows will remove all cached shaders. This action is safe; games will rebuild them as needed, and no personal data is affected.
Step 4: Clear GPU-Specific Shader Caches (Optional but Recommended)
For NVIDIA users, open the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to “Manage 3D Settings,” turn off Shader Cache, apply the change, then turn it back on and apply again. This resets the NVIDIA shader cache. Alternatively, you can manually delete the NVIDIA shader cache folder. For AMD users, in Radeon Software, navigate to Settings > Graphics and click “Reset Shader Cache.” This ensures any leftover GPU-specific shader data is also cleared.
Step 5: Reboot and Test the Game
Restart your PC and launch Star Wars Outlaws. The game will recompile shaders, which might take a minute on the first launch. Many players report completely stable gameplay after this fix.
Important: Clearing the shader cache means other games will need to rebuild their shaders on the next launch, potentially causing temporary stuttering or longer load times. This is normal and resolves after a few minutes of play. It is a small price to pay for crash-free sessions in Star Wars Outlaws.
Additional Fixes for Star Wars Outlaws Crashes
If the shader cache reset does not fully solve the crashes, try these additional troubleshooting steps. They address other common causes of instability in the Game Pass version.
Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or unstable GPU drivers are a frequent culprit. Download the latest Game Ready driver (NVIDIA) or Adrenalin Edition (AMD) from your manufacturer’s website. For a truly clean installation, use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in safe mode to remove old drivers before installing the new ones.
Verify Game Files
Corrupted or missing game files can cause crashes. In the Xbox app, right-click Star Wars Outlaws, select “Manage,” go to “Files,” and click “Verify and Repair.” The system will scan and replace any problem files. A similar option exists in Ubisoft Connect if you own the game there.
Disable Ubisoft Connect Overlay
The Ubisoft Connect overlay can conflict with the Game Pass version. Open Ubisoft Connect, go to Settings > General, and uncheck “Enable in-game overlay for supported games.” Restart the client and the game.
Run the Game as Administrator
Right-click the Star Wars Outlaws shortcut or its .exe file, select Properties > Compatibility, and check “Run this program as administrator.” Also try enabling “Disable fullscreen optimizations.” This can resolve permission-related crashes.
Lower Graphics Settings
If crashes happen in specific areas or during intense scenes, lowering certain settings might help. Reduce Shadows, Volumetric Fog, or Reflection Quality. Switching from DX12 to DX11 (if available) can also stabilize performance on some systems. Experiment with the in-game presets, starting with Medium.
Check Windows Updates and Game Mode
Ensure Windows 10 or 11 is fully updated. Go to Settings > Update & Security and check for updates. Also, Game Mode should be enabled: Settings > Gaming > Game Mode > On. This prioritizes system resources for the game.
Disable Background Apps and Overlays
Third-party overlays, such as Discord, MSI Afterburner, or the Xbox Game Bar, can cause conflicts. Disable them one by one to see if stability improves. Also, close unnecessary background applications that consume system resources.
Reset Ubisoft Connect and Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributables
In Ubisoft Connect settings, under General, disable automatic updates and restart the client. Also, download and install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables from Microsoft’s official website. Missing or damaged redistributables are a common source of crashes in Ubisoft titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing the shader cache affect other games?
Yes, other games will need to rebuild their shader cache, which can cause stuttering or longer initial load times. This is temporary and normal. Once each game recompiles its shaders, performance returns to normal.
Is the crashing issue specific to the Game Pass version?
It is most commonly reported on Game Pass due to the Ubisoft Connect integration and potential overlay conflicts, but crashes can occur on Steam, Epic Games Store, or direct Ubisoft Connect versions as well. The shader cache fix works across all versions.
Can I prevent the cache from getting corrupted again?
Not entirely, but keeping GPU drivers updated and occasionally clearing the cache manually can help. Avoid force-closing the game during shader compilation or sudden shutdowns, as these can corrupt the cache file.
What if Star Wars Outlaws still crashes after these fixes?
Try a full reinstallation of the game, check your antivirus or firewall for false positives blocking the executable, or visit the game’s support forums for newer solutions. Sometimes a pending game patch from the developer addresses the issue.
Does lowering graphics settings reduce the chance of crashes?
Possibly. Crashes caused by VRAM or system memory pressure may be alleviated by lower settings, especially texture quality and shadow resolution. If you have 8GB VRAM or less, dropping texture quality to Medium can make a significant difference.
While Star Wars Outlaws on PC Game Pass has its share of technical hiccups, the fixes above have helped countless players get back to exploring the Outer Rim without constant crashes. Start with the shader cache reset, then work through the additional steps if needed. With a stable game, you can fully enjoy the scoundrel life in this ambitious open-world Star Wars adventure.
