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Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy Crashing or Not Launching on PC: Official Troubleshooting

WB Games (Portkey Games) support steps for when the Steam version closes at launch, crashes to the desktop or freezes while loading.

Edited by Gemnao Editorial Team (Japanese)Last checked 2026-10-01
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The short answer

Official support covers, in order: update GPU and sound drivers, run Windows Update (which updates DirectX), return overclocked parts to stock, verify the game files, lower graphics settings, and review relevant security alerts and conflicts with unneeded apps. If you edited Engine.ini or installed mods, undo that first.

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Key facts

Save location
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Hogwarts Legacy\Saved\SaveGames
Config location
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Hogwarts Legacy\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor
Updating DirectX
Through Windows Update (official)
Still crashing
Search, vote on or add to reports on the official bug-report site

Find your symptom

Start with your symptom. Skip steps that do not apply to your setup.

What you seeWhat to checkGo to
Crashes started after editing Engine.ini or adding modsConfig changes or modsStep 1
Drivers or Windows have not been updated for a whileOutdated driver or DirectXStep 2
The game starts but crashes in certain placesDamaged files or graphics settingsStep 3
Your security software showed a warningCheck whether the alert refers to official game filesStep 4

Fixes, in order

Continue this issue

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Step 1｜Undo Engine.ini edits and remove mods

Official troubleshooting assumes an unmodified game, so restore it first.

Time: About 5 min

  1. Open “%LOCALAPPDATA%\Hogwarts Legacy\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor”. If you edited Engine.ini, restore the original or move the edited file elsewhere.
  2. If you installed mods, move the mod files out of the game folder.
  3. Start the game and check whether it still crashes.

Step 2｜Update GPU and sound drivers, and Windows

DirectX is updated through Windows Update; get drivers from the manufacturer.

Time: 10–20 min

  1. Install the latest GPU driver from NVIDIA, AMD, Intel or your PC manufacturer.
  2. Check your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s site for a newer sound driver.
  3. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
  4. If your CPU or GPU is overclocked (including “turbo boost” tools), return it to the manufacturer’s settings (official).

Step 3｜Verify the game files and lower graphics settings

Rule out damaged files first, then the load from graphics settings.

Time: 10–20 min

  1. In your Steam Library, right-click “Hogwarts Legacy” → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
  2. Choose a lower graphics preset in the game and check whether it still crashes in the same place.
  3. If it still crashes, uninstall and reinstall the game. Saves are stored elsewhere, but copy them first anyway.

Step 4｜Review security alerts and close unneeded apps

Check for quarantined files and conflicts with other apps. A clean boot is only a temporary test.

Time: About 10 min

  1. Review protection history for a detection matching the official game file and failure time. Keep protection enabled and ask the security provider or game support before restoring a quarantined file or adding an exclusion. Do not exclude the entire game folder automatically.
  2. Close nonessential, non-security apps before starting the game and compare one change at a time.
  3. If it still crashes, do a clean boot using Microsoft’s instructions to compare, then return Windows to a normal startup when you are done.

WB Games warns that a clean boot done incorrectly can affect how your PC starts, so follow Microsoft’s steps exactly.

Avoid

  • Do not delete the save folder; copy it before reinstalling.
  • Do not keep using Windows in clean-boot mode.

Important cautions

  • If nothing works, WB Games suggests finding a matching report on the Hogwarts Legacy bug-report site and voting or adding screenshots.

FAQ

My PC meets the minimum requirements but the game still crashes.

Official support explains that higher quality settings can affect performance and stability even on PCs that meet the requirements. Try lower graphics settings.

How do I update DirectX?

DirectX is updated through Windows Update: Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.

Sources

We checked these official pages and wrote the steps in our own words. Follow the publisher’s page if it has changed.

Microsoft: Virus and threat protection (exclusion risks)Portkey Games Support: PC Troubleshooting (Steam)Portkey Games Support: Hogwarts LegacyHogwarts LegacyJapanese version of this page