What to Do When Your Game Freezes?

-

My game keeps freezing after the intro screen—specifically in TF2 where I just get a black screen and can’t do anything. Are there any button shortcuts or other methods to close a frozen game?

What to Do When Your Game Freezes
Team Fortress 2

Game guides, questions & answers and other Team Fortress 2 posts. If the answer below was not helpful, and still need Help? Submit a comment below or ask a new question.

3 Answers

ProGamer_X -

What have you already attempted? Worst comes to worst, you can hit CTRL+ALT+F1 to log in, look for the process using ‘ps -A’, and kill it from there. Alternatively, try ALT-TAB to switch to another window like Steam and use the stop button.

LinuxNerd_88 -

CTRL+ALT+F1 is the debug console, right? I usually use F3! Also, SysRq can come in handy for urgent stuff.

TechWhiz_7 -

If your system is unresponsive, you can use the Alt+SysRq key combination (it’s the Print Screen button) followed by ‘e’ to safely terminate processes. This way, you won’t have to force shutdown your computer. Check out the Magic SysRq key for more details!

QuickShot_23 -

If your game freezes, a quick solution is to press the Super key to access the KDE panel, then quit the game through the Steam window. If that’s not working, try using Shift-Esc to open the System Monitor and kill the process from there. If things are really stuck, you can also switch to a TTY session with Ctrl-Alt-F3 and kill the game from there.

TF2Fan_99 -

I’ll definitely give that a try next time!

Leave A Reply

TEAM FORTRESS 2 QUESTIONS

TF2 Cosmetic Glitches on Linux Mint: Missing Textures and Tiny Fonts?
[Team Fortress 2] - TF2 on Linux Mint shows missing textures, fonts, and small UI text issues on a fresh install with Vulkan enabled. View Answer
How Can I Launch Team Fortress 2 in 32-Bit Mode?
[Team Fortress 2] - Wondering how to launch TF2 in 32-bit mode for better performance on older PCs? Here's how to do it. View Answer
Troubleshooting TF2 Lag on Linux: Gradual Slowdown During Play
[Team Fortress 2] - TF2 lags on my Linux build after prolonged play; reported FPS is high but performance drops. Fullscreen briefly fixes it. View Answer
Is 15GB of Data Enough to Play TF2 on My Steam Deck?
[Team Fortress 2] - Is 15GB of data enough for gaming on the Steam Deck? Here's what you need to know about data usage. View Answer
Can I Boost My Laptop's Performance with External Hardware?
[Team Fortress 2] - Can a cabinet enhance laptop performance for gaming? Discover insights on boosting processing power. View Answer
What Are Some Games with Fun Addictive Gameplay?
[Team Fortress 2] - What are some games with addictive playstyles or enjoyable gaming loops? Here are my favorites plus some suggestions. View Answer

RELATED QUESTIONS

Looking for New Game Recommendations to Boost My Gaming Enjoyment
Looking for gaming recommendations when you feel bored with your current options? Here are some suggestions! View Answer
Need Help with PS5 Sign-In Issues for My Girlfriend
Why can't my girlfriend sign in to her PSN account on her PS5 despite using the correct email and password? View Answer
Which game should I dive into first from my epic gift haul?
[Mass Effect Trilogy] - Gifted a ton of new video games; which one should I start with? Looking for recommendations! View Answer
Looking for Game Recommendations to Replace League
What games can I play instead of League to destress while still enjoying competitive gameplay? View Answer
Having Trouble Connecting to the Login Server on My M-Series Mac
[Path of Exile] - Experiencing issues connecting to the login server on M series Mac? Here's what others have tried. View Answer
Looking for an MMO or Fantasy Game Where I Can Be an Elf or Druid
Searching for an immersive MMO that lets me play as an elf and explore a vibrant world without WoW. View Answer
Why Are My Fusion Cores Disappearing?
[Fallout 76] - Why are my fusion cores disappearing from inventory despite not using power armor or weapons that require them? View Answer
Is it normal for my new PC's motherboard to blink when powering on?
Is it normal for my new PC to show brief power fluctuations when turning on the PSU after it’s off? View Answer
Best Monitors Under $170 for PS5?
What are the best monitor options for PS5 under $170, focusing on 120hz+ and 1440p? View Answer
Looking for a Fun FPS Game to Raid In
[Destiny 2] - I'm seeking an FPS game to raid in, as I love multiplayer but struggle with combat in FF14. View Answer
Is a Clean Install Necessary After Switching Desktop Environments?
Is a clean install necessary after switching from KDE Plasma to GNOME on CachyOS, despite remaining libraries? View Answer
Why am I getting a Bethesda.net login when starting my game on Steam?
[Fallout 76] - Why am I seeing a Bethesda.net login screen when I launch my Steam game? I can’t seem to fix this transfer issue. View Answer