Below is a list of potential culprits that could be responsible for this problem: Now that you are aware of the most common scenarios that might lead to freezing issues in Destiny 2 on your PC, let’s explore a list of verified methods that have helped users in similar situations resolve the issue.
1. Disable Overlay Software
Overlay software, especially ones offered by Steam, Discord, or third-party developers, can introduce conflicts with Destiny 2, leading to performance issues. The current temporary resolution requires either disabling or removing the overlay software entirely. Discord’s overlay feature, while useful, is also known to cause freezing issues with Destiny 2, similar to other overlays. For users with an Nvidia GPU, utilizing the built-in overlay feature of Nvidia Experience may also lead to freezing and stuttering in Destiny 2. This can be avoided by disabling the overlay feature within Nvidia Experience.
1.4 Uninstall Overlay Software via Appwiz.cpl
If you’re utilizing a standalone overlay software that cannot simply be disabled, removing it completely is the only viable solution to address freezing issues with Destiny 2.
2. Update Your Dedicated GPU Card Drivers
Stuttering and freezing issues in Destiny 2 could also be caused by an inconsistent graphics card driver for dedicated GPUs. A specific driver version from Nvidia, affecting mid-range and high-end GPUs, was known to cause this issue. For AMD GPU users, begin by using the AMD Cleanup Utility to clean any remnants of the previous driver version before downloading and installing the latest compatible GPU driver version through AMD’s software. Instructions for installing the latest compatible AMD GPU driver: For Nvidia GPU users, it’s essential to remove all remnants of the current GPU driver and physics module before installing the newest driver using the Nvidia GeForce Experience tool.
3. Stop Antivirus Interference
Some antivirus programs have the potential to interfere with and destabilize Destiny 2 on PC. BitDefender, in particular, is often cited as a culprit for such issues. Antivirus programs may mistakenly interfere with Destiny 2’s main executable, impairing the game’s ability to manage its resources. Important: This issue appears to be unique to third-party antivirus applications; Windows Defender has not been reported to cause these problems. If you suspect antivirus interference, you have three main avenues to address the problem: Below are step-by-step guides for each method to help you resolve Destiny 2 freezing issues:
3.1 Disable Real-Time Antivirus Protection
The fastest way to check if your antivirus is causing the problem is to disable its real-time protection momentarily. If the issue is not related to the firewall, this should resolve interference with Destiny 2. The process for deactivating real-time protection varies by antivirus, but most allow you to turn it off by right-clicking the antivirus tray icon and selecting the disable or turn-off option. Note: For antivirus programs like BitDefender, additional steps to navigate to Advanced Settings may be necessary to disable the antivirus shield. After you’ve disabled the real-time protection of your antivirus, run Destiny 2 to see if the freezing issues have been resolved.
3.2 Whitelist Destiny 2’s Executable in Your Antivirus
If deactivating real-time protection solves the issue, consider it a temporary fix, as it may leave your system vulnerable. A more sustainable solution is to add a whitelisting rule in your antivirus for Destiny 2’s executable to avoid future scans and interference. The process for creating an exception rule depends on your antivirus software, but generally, you would navigate to its settings to configure it. If you’re using BitDefender or another antivirus reported to conflict with Destiny 2, here’s how to create a whitelist exemption:
3.3 Uninstall the Third-Party Antivirus Suite
If neither disabling real-time protection nor creating a whitelist rule is a preferable option, the remaining solution is to remove the conflicting antivirus program through the Programs and Features menu.
