How to Fix Common Crackdown 3 Issues

Crackdown 3 became one of the most anticipated games in history, following Microsoft’s seemingly unending procrastination on the game’s release. But it finally came in February 2019, nine long years after its predecessor’s release. Users were able to keep their patience with the expectation that Microsoft was working to make things right and that they’d hardly face any issue once the game arrived.

That didn’t turn out to be the case, though, as the game came with numerous glitches and bugs. While there have been hotfixes geared towards resolving most of the game’s issues, the game’s developers, Sumo Digital, are still promising future patches aimed at resolving some of the annoying in-game malfunctions.

For some errors, however, you don’t have to wait on the developers to release a fix, as these problems might be connected to some PC errors that you can fix easily. In this article, we’ll be treating some of the common issues plaguing Crackdown 3 and explaining how to fix them.

Make Sure Your System Can Run Crackdown 3

Before you begin to apply fixes, you must first ensure that your computer has all it takes to play the game. Having a high-end CPU alone is not a guarantee that your PC will play the game without issues. There are many boxes that it needs to check, from the operating system to video memory. Below, you’ll find the accepted minimum and recommended system specifications for the game:

Minimum requirements

Operating System: Windows 10 – 64-bit version 1703 or higher
Processor: Intel i5 3470; AMD FX-6300
System Memory (RAM): 8 GB
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7850; NVIDIA Geforce 750 Ti
Video RAM: 2 GB
DIRECTX: DIRECTX 12

Recommended requirements

Operating System: Windows 10 – 64-bit version 1703 or higher
Processor: AMD FX-8350; Intel i5 4690 or better
System Memory (RAM): 8 GB
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 480; NVIDIA Geforce 970 or better
Video RAM: 4 GB or higher
DIRECTX: DIRECTX 12

You must upgrade your computer’s specifications to meet, at least, the minimum requirements of the game if your current specs aren’t up to par. To make sure things run smoothly, don’t leave any specification below what is indicated above. The steps below will show you how to check your device specifications if you don’t know how to:

1. Open the Start menu and click on the gear icon or press the Windows and I keys together to summon Settings.
2. Click on the System icon once the home screen of Settings shows up.
3. On the System screen, click on About in the left pane.
4. You’ll find your RAM, processor, and system type details under Device Specifications. Scroll down to find information about your operating system under Windows Specifications.
5. To check the specifications of your GPU, follow these steps:
   • On the same screen, go to the left pane, scroll up, and then click on Display.
   • Scroll down in the right pane and click on “Advanced display settings.”
   • Click on Display Adapter Properties for your card at the bottom of the “Advanced display settings” page.
   • You’ll find the specifications of your graphics card, including its name, model, and RAM.

Fixing Common Crackdown 3 Issues

Now that you’ve confirmed that your computer has the specifications to run the game, it’s time to resolve the problems you’re facing.

You should note that some Crackdown 3 issues are related to the game’s development and its interaction with some hardware and CPU setups. These problems have nothing to do with your computer. In this vein, you should make sure you always download the latest patches released by the game’s development team. Doing this will ensure that you’re only left with issues that you can resolve on your end.

How to Fix the Crackdown 3 Not Downloading or Installing Issue

If you can’t download or install the game or the installation process crashes back to the Microsoft Store, you can apply the following fixes to resolve the issue:

Fix 1: Restart the Microsoft Store

The issue is often related to a non-responsive Microsoft Store. Restarting the app can help you resolve the problem as it did for other users that experienced the same issue. Even if the download gets stuck, this fix should also work.

Fix 2: Sign Out of Every Other Microsoft Account Except Your Gamer Account

You might be facing the issue because you’re signed in to multiple Microsoft accounts. Try signing out of every other account from the store, leaving only the account with which you bought the game. To do this:

1. Open the search bar beside the Start menu, using the Windows + S combo.
2. Type “store” (without the quotes) into the text field and click on Microsoft Store in the results.
3. Once the Store opens, click on the profile picture in the top-right corner of the window.
4. Now, click on the Sign Out option under each account in the Store, except your Xbox gamer account.

Now, try installing the game. If the problem persists, apply the next fix.

Fix 3: Install a Free App from the Store

If the download or installation process returns the 0x803F8001 error code, installing a different app from the store will likely get rid of the issue. Download and install a new app from the Store that is available for free and the error will go away.

How to Fix the Crackdown 3 Launch Error

The fixes in this segment will teach you how to resolve issues related to launching the game. If the game crashes a few seconds or minutes after you launch it or it refuses to launch at all, then you may have a number of issues on your hands.

It could be that your graphics card driver is out-of-date, corrupt, or missing. Fixing this issue involves updating the card’s driver.
Antivirus programs are known to block some game files because they mistake them for threats. Some of Crackdown 3’s game files might be quarantined by your AV suite, causing the game to crash on startup or not launch at all.

Issues with the game’s files such as corruption could also be causing the annoying error.

The following fixes will show you how to resolve these issues and get the game launching again:

First Fix: Update Your Graphics Card Driver

Your graphics card is one of the most important components when it comes to running the game, and its driver is the means of communication between it and your system. If the driver of your display card is faulty or missing or out-of-date, then it explains why you can’t get the game to run. To fix your video card driver, you have to install its latest version. There are different ways to perform the update, and we’ll explain every procedure.

Update your graphics card, using dedicated software

If you want to update your graphics card without stress, use Auslogics Driver Updater. The program is designed to automate the update process. It works by scanning your computer to fish out device drivers that are missing, outdated, or corrupt. Once these drivers are identified, the tool will go on to download and install their latest versions.

To use the tool:

1. Download and install Auslogics Driver Updater.
2. Launch the program and click on the Start Search button once it comes up.
3. The program will now scan your computer for problem drivers, and if your graphics card driver is outdated or faulty, it’ll show up on the list that the tool provides.
4. Now, prompt the program to download and install the latest version of the problem drivers.
5. Reboot your system once the process is complete and try launching the game.

Update your graphics card driver via Device Manager

Using Device Manager is the most common method of updating any device driver, and you can try it out for your graphics card, even though it isn’t very reliable. Here are the steps involved:

1. Press and hold the Windows logo, then tap the R key to launch the Run dialog box.
2. Type “devmgmt.msc” into the text field and hit the Enter key.
3. Once Device Manager opens, click on the arrow beside Display Adapter to open the drop-down.
4. Locate your graphics card, right-click it, and then click on Update Driver in the context menu.
5. On the Update Driver screen, click on the option that says, “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
6. Windows will now search for the latest version of the driver on the internet and then download and install it once it finds it.

Update your driver manually

If the Device Manager can’t update the driver, then you have to tread the manual route. To do this, go to the website of the card’s manufacturer and search for the latest driver for your card’s model. Doing this can be quite stressful, as you’ll have to make sure you match the driver with the card on your computer.

Once you download the driver, run it, and follow the instructions on the installation wizard to complete the process. Reboot your system after installing the driver.

Second Fix: Check Your Antivirus Program

Your antivirus program might block Crackdown 3. Some system protection applications confuse certain game files for malicious programs and quarantine them. To make sure this isn’t the case, go to your antivirus and add the game to its exceptions or whitelist. Doing this shouldn’t be difficult. You can find out how to perform this operation in your AV suite by going online and searching for a guide.

You can also add the game’s folder as an exception in the Virus & Threat Protection tool in Windows Defender. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the far right area of your taskbar and click on the “Show hidden icons” arrow.
2. Click on the white shield icon in the icon tray that slides up to launch the Windows Security app.
3. Once Windows Security opens, click on the Virus & Threat Protection label.
4. On the Virus & Threat Protection screen, click on Manage Settings under Virus &Threat Protection settings.
5. Now, scroll down and click on “Add or remove exclusions.”
6. On the Exclusions screen, click on the Add an Exclusion button and select Folder from the drop-down menu.
7. On the Select Folder dialog, browse to the Crackdown 3 folder, click on it and then click on the Select Folder button.

Third Fix: Run the Troubleshooter for Windows Store Apps

The launch issue you’re facing might be related to system glitches and conflicts that can be resolved by the built-in troubleshooter. Follow the steps below to run the troubleshooter:

1. Open the Start menu and click on the gear icon or press the Windows and I keys together to summon Settings.
2. Click on the Update & Security icon once the home screen of Settings shows up.
3. Go the Troubleshoot tab once the Update & Security screen appears.
4. Go to the right pane and click on Windows Store Apps under “Find and fix other problems.”
5. Now, click on the Run the Troubleshooter button that appears under Windows Store Apps.
6. Allow the tool to perform the scan, and it will attempt to resolve any issue it finds.

Fourth Fix: Switch to a Microsoft Account

You might resolve the issue by logging into your Microsoft Account on your device instead of using a local profile. To switch to your Microsoft Account, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings from the menu.
2. Click on Accounts once the home screen of Settings appears.
3. Under “Your Info,” click “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.”
4. Enter your credentials and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

You can also add your Microsoft account to your user profiles. To do this:

1. Go to the left pane of the Accounts settings screen and click on Family and Other People.
2. Click on “Add someone else to this PC.”
3. Under “How will this person sign in,” enter your Microsoft account email address or phone number and click on Next.
4. Provide other relevant info on the subsequent pages to complete the process.

Fifth Fix: Reset the Game

If the issue persists, try resetting the game. Performing the reset will essentially fix errors related to broken or missing files. Some users reported that resetting the game through Settings helped them resolve the launch issues they were facing. Follow the steps below to reset the app:

1. Launch the Settings app using the Windows + I shortcut combo or via the Start menu.
2. Click on the Apps label once the Settings home screen appears.
3. Locate Crackdown 3 under Apps & Features or use the search utility to call the game up.
4. Click on the game and then click on Advanced Options under it.
5. Scroll down to the Reset button and click on it.
6. Once the process completes, try launching the game again.

How to Resolve Crackdown 3 Graphics Issues and Performance Problems

Players have complained about facing graphics issues and performance problems, such as lagging, freezing, FPS drops, and crashing, in the middle of gameplay. There are different causes for these problems, including graphics card driver issues, in-game glitches, and software conflicts, among others.

Ensure you install every update for the program, as the game’s developers have recognized some performance issues for certain CPU and other hardware configurations and provided patches to this effect, especially for the Crackdown 3 Wrecking Zone experience. That said, you can make sure the problem isn’t coming from your end. Update your graphics card driver and ensure that Windows is up-to-date. Use a Microsoft Account and sign out of other accounts in the Windows store except your gamer account. Now, apply these fixes if the issue you’re experiencing persists.

First Solution: Run the Game as an Administrator

Giving the game certain administrator privileges can make it perform better. Many users found this to be the case. You have to be on a user account with administrative rights to run the game as an administrator. Follow these steps:

1. Open a File Explorer window, using the Windows + E combination and navigate to the EXE file of the game. You can locate the game’s executable file by using the search utility.
2. Right-click the game’s EXE file and click on Properties.
3. Once the Properties dialog opens, switch to the Compatibility tab.
4. Now, tick the Checkbox beside “Run this program as an administrator” and then click on the OK button.
5. Relaunch the game and check for the error.

Second Solution: Stop Overclocking Your GPU and CPU

If you’re overclocking your CPU or GPU or both, this could be the reason you’re facing the performance issue on Crackdown 3, especially sudden freezing and crashing issues. While overclocking your components helps boost your PC’s efficiency and speed, it could backfire if you do it for a long time.

Firstly, try reducing the frequency at which you’re stretching your GPU’s or CPU’s limit and check if that solves the problem. If you don’t see results, then revert the settings to default or remove the application you’re using to apply the overclocking settings.

Third Solution: Disable Conflicting Applications

Certain apps are known to cause conflicts with games such as Crackdown 3. If these games are running in the background, you’ll likely face performance issues and unexpected crashes. Some of these applications include OBS, Xsplit, EVGA Precision, Riva Tuner Statistics Server, and MSI Afterburner, among others.

If you have any of these programs, head over to Task Manager and close them. You can also prevent these apps from running in the background via Settings. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start button and click on Settings or launch the Settings app, using the Windows + I combination.
2. Click on the Privacy label once the home screen of the Settings app shows up.
3. On the left pane of the Privacy screen, scroll down and click on Background Apps under App Permissions.
4. Go to the right pane and turn off the switch for the program under “Choose which apps can run in the background.”

How to Fix Crackdown 3 Connectivity Problems

If you can’t access the game’s online features, such as multiplayer mode, then the fixes in this segment will help you resolve the issue. Normally, connectivity issues are tied to your computer’s network problems, but on certain occasions, it could be that your firewall application is blocking the game.

You might also be facing the problem because development mode is enabled on your PC, and wrong Time and Date settings might be causing the problem as well. Apply the fixes below, and then check whether your connectivity problems will go away:

First Fix: Set Date and Time to Automatic

You might be facing the connectivity issue because the date and time on your system do not tally with those of the Microsoft Store. This might sound very basic, but it’s a common issue that many users tend to overlook. Here’s a quick guide on what you should do about your Time and Date settings:

1. Go to the rightmost part of your taskbar, right-click your Date and Time display, and then click on “Adjust date/time.”
2. Under Date & time, turn on the switches for “Set time automatically” and “Set time zone automatically.”
3. Launch the game and try to connect again.

Second Fix: Turn off Background Apps Entirely

Some apps that are running in the background might be dragging your computer’s bandwidth, leaving nothing for Crackdown 3. This could result in errors while trying to connect, and even if you do manage to connect, you might experience serious lags and FPS drops. To fix the problem, in this case, try stopping every app from running in the background. Here’s what you should do:

1. Press the Windows logo key and the I key simultaneously to summon the Settings application.
2. Click on Privacy once the home page of the Settings app opens.
3. On the left pane of the Privacy screen, scroll down and click on Background Apps under App Permissions.
4. Go to the right pane and turn off the switch for “Let apps run in the background.”
5. Now, try running the game’s online feature to check if the problem persists.

Third Fix: Allow the App through Firewall

Your firewall program might be blocking Crackdown 3 from accessing your computer’s internet connection. To make sure you’re not facing the connectivity issue because of your firewall program, allow the game through the app or disable your firewall temporarily and then run the game.

If you’re using a third-party firewall program, you can find the procedure for allowing apps on the user manual of the app or the website of the program’s developer. To allow Crackdown 3 through Windows Defender Firewall, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start menu and select Settings or use the Windows + I hotkey to summon the Settings app.
2. Click on the Update & Security label on the Settings home screen.
3. Go to the left pane of the Update & Security settings screen and switch to the Windows Security tab.
4. Click on the Firewall & Network Protection option under Protection Areas in the right pane.
5. Click on the “Allow an app through firewall” option under Firewall & Network Protection.
6. Once the Allowed Apps dialog window opens, click on the Change Settings button.
7. Go to the Allowed Apps and Features list, locate Crackdown 3 and tick the boxes to its right under Public and Private.
8. Click on the OK button and relaunch the game to check for the connectivity issue.

Your current firewall profile might also be responsible for the issue. If your Outbound Connections setting is blocked, your game and other programs might find it difficult to connect. To check if this is the issue and fix it, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start menu and select Settings or use the Windows + I hotkey to summon the Settings app.
2. Click on the Update & Security label on the Settings home screen.
3. Go to the left pane of the Update & Security settings screen and switch to the Windows Security tab.
4. Click on the Firewall & Network Protection option under Protection Areas in the right pane.
5. Once the Firewall & Network Protection page opens, scroll down and click on Advanced Settings.
6. When the Windows Defender Firewall with the Advanced Security window appears, go to the middle page and click on Windows Defender Firewall Properties. Click on Yes once the User Account Control asks for permission.
7. The Properties dialog will now come up.
8. Under the Domain Profile tab, select “Allow (default)” from the Outbound connections drop-down and ensure that “Block (default)” is selected in the Inbound connection drop-down. Repeat this step for the Public Profile and Private Profile tabs.
9. Once you finish these steps, click the OK button to save your changes and close the dialog.

You can launch the game to check if the error has been resolved.

Alternatively, you can set the outbound and inbound connections using Command Prompt. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Run from the context menu that pops up.
2. In the Run dialog box, type “CMD” (no quotes) and hit the Ctrl, Shift, and Enter keys together.
3. Click on the Yes button once the User Account Control dialog requests for permission.
4. Run the following command in the elevated Command Prompt window:
   netsh advfirewall show currentprofile
5. If “Allowinbound” shows up in the results of your current firewall profile, type this line and hit Enter:
   netsh advfirewall set currentprofile firewallpolicy blockinbound,allowoutbound
6. Close Command Prompt and check if the connectivity issue has disappeared.

Conclusion

That’s how you fix common Crackdown 3 issues. If you have further problems plaguing your game, reach out to us, using the comments section below. You can also use the comments section to tell us how you fixed the problems you faced while playing the game.