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Marvel Rivals can crash during startup, freeze while loading, close during a match, or stop at 99%. The cause is usually one of four things: an unsupported Windows or GPU configuration, damaged game files, a graphics-driver or shader-cache problem, or software blocking the game process.

Work through the fixes below in order. Start with the requirements and file verification steps before changing BIOS settings or antivirus rules.

1. Check that your PC meets the Marvel Rivals requirements

Marvel Rivals requires a 64-bit version of Windows 10 version 1909 or newer. Your PC also needs DirectX 12, 16 GB of RAM, 70 GB of free storage, and a supported graphics card.

Component Minimum Recommended
Operating system Windows 10 64-bit, version 1909 or newer Windows 10 64-bit, version 1909 or newer
Processor Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Memory 16 GB RAM 16 GB RAM
Graphics NVIDIA GTX 1060, AMD RX 580, or Intel Arc A380 NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super, AMD RX 5700-XT, or Intel Arc A750
Graphics API DirectX 12 DirectX 12
Storage 70 GB available; SSD recommended 70 GB available; SSD recommended

Integrated graphics such as Intel Iris Xe and Intel UHD Graphics may not run the game correctly, even if Windows itself works normally. An unsupported GPU cannot be made compatible by adding a launch option.

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Check your Windows version

  1. Press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter.
  2. Confirm that Windows 10 is version 1909 or later, or that you are running a supported newer Windows version.
  3. Install pending Windows updates and restart the PC.

Check the GPU and video memory

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open Performance, and select GPU. Check the GPU model and dedicated video memory. Marvel Rivals recommends at least 6 GB of video memory for GPU-memory-leak or GPU-out-of-memory errors.

2. Repair Marvel Rivals game files

A failed update, interrupted download, or damaged file can cause startup crashes, freezes, and crashes when entering a match. Use the repair option for the store where you installed the game.

Steam

  1. Open Steam and select Library.
  2. Right-click Marvel Rivals and select Properties.
  3. Open Installed Files.
  4. Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
  5. Wait for the scan to finish and allow Steam to download replacement files.

Epic Games Store

  1. Open your Epic Games library.
  2. Right-click MarvelRivals.
  3. Select Manage.
  4. Click Verify and wait for the process to complete.

Loading Bay

  1. Open the launcher.
  2. Click the game’s option button.
  3. Select Verify File Intergrity.

The launcher currently spells the option “Intergrity.” Select that option if it appears with this spelling.

3. Update the graphics driver with a clean installation

Marvel Rivals specifically recommends reinstalling the latest graphics driver if the game crashes repeatedly or reports a DirectX problem. A clean installation is preferable to simply installing over the existing driver.

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NVIDIA

  1. Download the latest driver for your NVIDIA GPU from NVIDIA’s official website.
  2. Start the installer.
  3. Choose Custom installation.
  4. Select Clean installation.
  5. Complete the installation and restart Windows.

AMD

  1. Download the current driver for your AMD GPU from AMD’s official website.
  2. Run the installer.
  3. Select the Factory reset option when offered.
  4. Finish the installation and restart the PC.

Do not troubleshoot the game with an outdated driver if the crash began after a Windows, game, or driver update. Install the current driver first.

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4. Fix the “DirectX 12 is not supported on your system” error

This message does not mean that adding -dx12 will repair the problem. Marvel Rivals’ official support instructions do not document -dx12, -d3d12, -dx11, or another command-line fix.

Instead:

  1. Update Windows to version 1909 or newer.
  2. Install the latest driver for your NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel GPU.
  3. Confirm that the GPU meets at least the GTX 1060, RX 580, or Arc A380 minimum specification.
  4. Restart Windows and launch the game again.

If the PC uses Intel Iris Xe, Intel UHD Graphics, or another integrated GPU, the hardware may simply be incompatible with the game.

5. Verify the GPU assignment in Windows

On a system with integrated and dedicated graphics, Windows may assign Marvel Rivals to the lower-performance GPU. Force the game to use the dedicated card:

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  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to System → Display → Graphics.
  3. Under the custom application options, click Add Application → Browse.
  4. Browse to the Marvel Rivals installation folder and select Marvel.exe.
  5. Add the application, open its options, and select High performance.
  6. Save the setting and restart the game.

6. Run the game with GPU Debug Mode

Marvel Rivals’ official crash sequence is to verify the files first, then enable GPU Debug Mode if crashes continue. This is a troubleshooting setting, not a permanent performance improvement.

  1. Open the launcher used to start Marvel Rivals.
  2. Open the game’s options.
  3. Select Start With GPU Debug Mode.
  4. Launch the game and test whether the crashes stop.

GPU Debug Mode can reduce performance. Disable it again after testing if it does not solve the crash or once the problem has been resolved.

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7. Rebuild the NVIDIA shader cache

A damaged NVIDIA shader cache can cause repeated crashes or freezing during startup and loading. Use this procedure exactly:

  1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2. Select Manage 3D settings.
  3. Set Shader Cache Size to Disabled.
  4. Save the change and restart Windows.
  5. Open File Explorer and enter %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLowNVIDIAPerDriverVersion in the address bar.
  6. Delete the DXCache folder.
  7. Return to NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D settings.
  8. Set Shader Cache Size back to Enabled.
  9. Save the setting and restart Windows again.
  10. Start Marvel Rivals.

8. Stop antivirus and Windows security features from blocking the game

Marvel Rivals says antivirus software can falsely identify the game process and cause repeated crashes. Add the game’s storage path and ~MarvelBinariesMarvel-Win64-Shipping.exe to your antivirus whitelist. You can also temporarily disable antivirus protection, restart the game, and re-enable protection after testing.

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Allow the executable through Controlled Folder Access

  1. Open Windows Security.
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection → Manage settings.
  3. Find Controlled folder access.
  4. Add Marvel-Win64-Shipping.exe as an allowed application.

Allow the executable through Windows Firewall

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall.
  2. Select Allow an app through the firewall.
  3. Find or add Marvel-Win64-Shipping.exe.
  4. Allow it on both Private and Public networks.

Only whitelist the genuine executable in the Marvel Rivals installation directory. Do not approve an unrelated file with a similar name.

9. Check Intel 13th- and 14th-generation CPU instability

If Marvel Rivals crashes with an “Out of video memory” message or reports a GPU-memory leak on an unlocked 13th- or 14th-generation Intel processor, update the motherboard BIOS.

  1. Identify the motherboard model.
  2. Open the motherboard manufacturer’s support page.
  3. Follow its BIOS update instructions exactly, or use Intel’s guidance where applicable.
  4. After the update, load the game and test again.

If the system remains unstable, contact the system manufacturer, Intel, or the retailer. Do not interrupt a BIOS update or install firmware intended for a different motherboard model.

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10. Close GPU-heavy background applications

Browsers with video tabs, recording software, overlays, other games, and GPU-accelerated utilities can consume video memory. Close these applications before launching Marvel Rivals, particularly when the error mentions GPU memory or video memory.

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Use Task Manager → Processes and check the GPU and GPU engine columns. Close unnecessary GPU-heavy programs, then test the game again.

11. Disconnect unusual controllers and USB devices

Pedals, gearbox controls, and flight joysticks can create compatibility problems. Shut down Marvel Rivals, disconnect these devices, and launch the game with only the normal keyboard, mouse, or gamepad connected. If the crashes stop, reconnect devices one at a time to identify the cause.

12. Install the game on an SSD if loading stops at 99%

For a 99% loading error or loading that takes a minute or longer, Marvel Rivals’ official recommendation is to install the game on an SSD. The game lists 70 GB of required storage, so make sure the target drive also has sufficient free space beyond the installation requirement.

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13. Generate a diagnostic file for support

If the previous fixes do not stop the crashes, create the diagnostic archive requested by Marvel Rivals Support:

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  1. In Steam, right-click Marvel Rivals.
  2. Select Manage → Browse Local Files.
  3. Close the game client completely.
  4. In the installation directory, run client_diagnose.exe.
  5. Click Analyze and wait for the analysis to finish.
  6. Locate the generated file named like diagnose_yyyy_mm_dd_xx_xx_xx.zip.
  7. Submit the ZIP file to Marvel Rivals Support through the Customer Service section of the official Discord’s Feedback area.

Include when the crash happens—startup, loading, character selection, or during a match—and mention any error text shown on screen.

FAQ

Why does Marvel Rivals keep crashing on startup?

Common causes include an unsupported GPU or Windows version, an outdated graphics driver, damaged game files, antivirus interference, or Intel 13th/14th-generation CPU instability. Verify the game files, update Windows and the GPU driver, then check the hardware requirements.

Can I fix the DirectX 12 error with -dx12 or -dx11?

Marvel Rivals’ official support material does not document those launch commands. The supported troubleshooting steps are updating Windows, updating the graphics driver, and confirming that the GPU meets the minimum requirement.

What should I do if Marvel Rivals freezes at 99%?

Install the game on an SSD. Also verify the game files and make sure the drive has at least 70 GB available, preferably with additional free space.

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Why does Marvel Rivals say I am out of video memory?

Close applications using GPU memory, confirm that the GPU has at least 6 GB of video memory, and update the graphics driver. If you use an unlocked 13th- or 14th-generation Intel CPU, update the motherboard BIOS as well.

Does GPU Debug Mode improve Marvel Rivals performance?

No. Start With GPU Debug Mode is a troubleshooting option for recurring crashes and may reduce performance while enabled. Turn it off after testing if it does not help.

Where do I send Marvel Rivals crash diagnostics?

Run client_diagnose.exe from the game’s local files, create the ZIP diagnostic archive, and submit it through the Customer Service section in the Feedback area of the official Marvel Rivals Discord.

The Bottom Line

Start by confirming Windows 10 version 1909 or newer and a supported GPU, then verify the game files and perform a clean graphics-driver installation. If crashes continue, test GPU Debug Mode, rebuild the NVIDIA shader cache where applicable, check antivirus and firewall permissions, and investigate BIOS updates for affected Intel CPUs. Persistent crashes should be reported with the generated diagnostic ZIP through the official Discord support channel.

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