Forza Horizon 5 crashing on PC: Fixes to try first

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Now that Forza Horizon 5 is finally here, the last thing you're going to want to deal with is the game crashing on startup. While it's hard to say how widespread the issue is, it appears to affect the PC version rather than console—which perhaps isn't surprising when you consider the variation in components and builds across the platform.

If you haven't already, it's worth double-checking the Forza Horizon 5 system requirements to make sure your machine can run it. Assuming that's all good, there are some fixes you can try to get it up and running on your PC. Here's what you can try to stop Forza Horizon 5 crashing on launch.

Forza Horizon crashing on startup: Fixes to try

The good news is that Playground Games is aware of the issue and has several fixes to try. I've summarised these below, along with a list of software that can cause problems with the latest Forza instalment, further down.

Log into Windows and launch the game as an Administrator
Check for Windows 10 updates
Check what software you have running (see below)
Deactivate Windows Defender (but don't forget to turn it back on)
Turn off Windows Game Mode

Software to check before launching Forza Horizon 5

Specific software is known to conflict with Forza Horizon 5, so check the list below and disable any installed. In the case of antivirus or anti-malware software, make sure you re-enable it as soon as you've finished playing.

Forza Horizon 5 won't run with the following software:

Trend Micro Maximum Security
Comodo Antivirus
Sophos
Emisoft Anti-Malware
Avira
Avast
Bitdefender Firewall
AVG

These applications can cause instability and crashing in Forza Horizon 5:

Logitech G Hub
MSI Afterburner / Riva Tuner Statistics Server
EVGA Precision
OBS
Xsplit
Discord
MacType
Warsaw Banking App
Wallpaper Engine
A-Volute Sound studio
Nahimic Audio
Sonic Audio

Some power monitoring software may also cause problems so if none of the above fixes resolve the crashing issue, it's worth turning those off too.

I'll be sure to update this guide if we get more information.

Sarah started as a freelance writer in 2018, writing for PCGamesN, TechRadar, GamingBible, Red Bull Gaming and more. In 2021, she was offered a full-time position on the PC Gamer team where she takes every possible opportunity to talk about World of Warcraft and Elden Ring. When not writing guides, most of her spare time is spent in Azeroth—though she's quite partial to JRPGs too. One of her fondest hopes is to one day play through the ending of Final Fantasy X without breaking down into a sobbing heap. She probably has more wolves in Valheim than you.