How to troubleshoot Performance issues & Game Crashing?

Encountering performance issues like lag, freeze, or even a full game crash can be frustrating. These problems can be caused by a variety of factors, from temporary file errors to corrupted game data. Here is a series of troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve these issues with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.

Step 1: Restart Your Console

Sometimes, a simple power cycle is all it takes to fix a temporary performance issue.

1. Press and hold the PS button on your controller.
2. Navigate to the Power menu and select Turn Off PS5.
3. Wait until the console is completely shut down and the power indicator light is off.
4. Unplug the power cord from the back of the console.
5. Wait for about 60 seconds.
6. Plug the power cord back in and restart your PS5.

Step 2: Check for Game and System Updates

Outdated software is a common cause of performance problems. Ensure both the game and your PlayStation 5 system software are up to date.

For S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl:

1. On the PS5 home screen, highlight the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl icon.
2. Press the Options button on your controller.
3. Select Check for Updates.

For PS5 System Software:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
3. Choose Update System Software. You'll then be presented with two options: "Update Using Internet" and "Update from USB Drive." Select the appropriate option.

Step 3: Clear Your System Cache 

This is a powerful troubleshooting step that can resolve a variety of issues by cleaning up temporary files and optimizing the console's internal file system. Here’s our article on how to do that. 

Step 4: Reinstall the Game

If none of the above steps work, the game files themselves may be corrupted. Reinstalling the game is the most effective way to ensure a fresh, clean installation.

1. Back up your save data. Before deleting the game, it is highly recommended to back up your save data to cloud storage or a USB drive to prevent losing your progress. See our guide here on how to do this.
2. On the home screen, highlight S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and press the Options button to Delete the game.
3. Once the game is deleted, re-download and install it from your Game Library.

After reinstalling, launch the game and check if performance improves.

If problems continue, please contact our support team and send details of the problem so we can investigate further.