Borderlands 4, Gearbox Software's latest looter-shooter, launched on September 12, 2025, to critical praise for its scope and new Vault Hunters, but players report widespread issues like crashes, black screens, and poor performance. Steam reviews are "Mostly Negative," with 70% citing optimization and stuttering. Gearbox's Day 1 patch helps but doesn't fix all problems. Here’s a guide to common errors and solutions.
1. Crashing on Startup or During Gameplay
One of the most reported issues is the game crashing to desktop (CTD) right after launch or mid-game, often with error messages like "LowLevelFatalError," "Fatal Error," "Unhandled Exception: EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION," or "GPU Crash Dump Triggered." This affects both Steam and Epic Games Store users, with some blaming Unreal Engine 5's demands or Denuvo DRM.
Possible Causes:
- Corrupted game files.
- Outdated or incompatible drivers.
- Intel 13th/14th Gen CPU instability (known hardware issue causing overheating or spikes in CPU usage).
- Overlays from apps like Steam, Discord, or Nvidia GeForce Experience interfering.
- Background processes or insufficient system resources.
Fixes:
- Verify Game Files: On Steam, right-click Borderlands 4 in your library, go to Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files. For Epic, use the Verify option in the launcher. This has fixed crashes for many by repairing corrupted data.
- Update Drivers: Download the latest GPU drivers from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel. Nvidia users should avoid beta drivers if issues persist; AMD's Adrenaline software is reportedly more stable. Also, update Windows to the latest version.
- Intel CPU Fix: If you have a 13th/14th Gen Intel CPU, update your BIOS and apply Intel's recommended voltage adjustments to address known instability.
- Disable Overlays: Turn off Steam Overlay (in Properties > General), Discord Overlay, and Nvidia's in-game overlay. Close apps like MSI Afterburner or Rivatuner.
- Run as Administrator: Right-click the game's executable and select "Run as administrator."
- Reinstall the Game: As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall via your launcher.
- Config Tweaks: Navigate to Documents\My Games\Borderlands 4\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor and edit Engine.ini or GameUserSettings.ini to lower settings or disable certain features (e.g., add lines for reduced threading).
If these don't work, check Gearbox's official PC Troubleshooting Guide for more advanced steps.
2. Game Won't Start or Black Screen
Players often see the game "running" briefly in Steam before closing, or it hangs on a black screen without loading. This is similar to issues in past Borderlands titles.
Possible Causes:
- Missing or corrupted files.
- Launcher conflicts.
- Internet connection issues during initial setup.
- Hardware not meeting requirements (e.g., low RAM or outdated OS).
Fixes:
- Launch in Offline Mode: Start Steam or Epic in offline mode, launch the game, then reconnect at the main menu.
- Verify Files and Reinstall: As above.
- Check System Specs: Ensure you meet the minimum requirements (e.g., Windows 10/11, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 or equivalent).
- Update Visual C++ Redistributables: Install the latest from Microsoft's site, as UE5 relies on them.
- Power Cycle Console (for Xbox/PS5): If on console, fully shut down and unplug for a few minutes.
3. Performance Problems: Low FPS, Stuttering, and Optimization Issues
Even on beasts like RTX 5090 and Ryzen 9 setups, users report sub-60 FPS at 4K, frame pacing issues, and stuttering. The game is "unoptimized and horrible" for many.
Possible Causes:
- UE5's high demands (e.g., shader compilation on first load).
- No pre-launch optimization for hardware.
- CPU/GPU bottlenecks.
Fixes:
Use this table for quick settings adjustments:
| Setting | Recommendation | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Preset | Medium or High (avoid Badass) | Reduces load on GPU/CPU. |
| Upscaling | DLSS (Nvidia) or FSR (AMD) on Balanced/Performance | Boosts FPS without much quality loss. |
| Frame Generation | Enable if available | Helps hit higher FPS on supported hardware. |
| V-Sync | Off | Reduces input lag but cap FPS via software if tearing occurs. |
| Shader Compilation | Let it complete on first launch | Prevents in-game stutters. |
- Update drivers and close background apps.
- Use an SSD if not already—HDDs exacerbate stuttering.
- Wait for patches: Gearbox promises improvements, but community skepticism is high.
4. "Failed to Save" Errors
This bug causes settings or progress not to save, leading to repeated losses.
Possible Causes:
- File permissions issues.
- Corrupted saves.
- Launcher glitches.
Fixes:
- Restart the game immediately after the error.
- Verify files or reinstall.
- Run the game as admin and ensure your Documents folder isn't read-only.
5. Application Hang Detected (Loading Screen Crash)
Hangs during loads, forcing a restart.
Fixes:
- Close and relaunch the game—it's often random but doesn't recur after.
- Lower settings or update drivers.
Other Issues: Pre-Order Bonuses Missing, Console-Specific Bugs
Super Deluxe Edition buyers on Xbox may not see DLC at launch—Gearbox is aware. On Steam Deck or ROG Ally, performance is rough; use low settings.
For all issues, visit Gearbox's Issue Tracker or support site. If problems persist, consider refunding via Steam (under 2 hours playtime) while awaiting patches.