Have you ever been immersed in a thrilling game, only to have it abruptly crash with an error message that reads something like “The game crashed with not being able to render selected”? This frustrating experience can derail your gaming session and leave you scratching your head. Game crashes are never fun, but deciphering vague error messages can feel downright infuriating. In this article, we’ll delve into the potential causes behind this common problem and provide you with actionable solutions to get you back in the game as quickly as possible.
This guide is tailored for gamers who are encountering this specific type of crash. We’ll break down the technical jargon and offer easy-to-understand steps you can take to diagnose and resolve the issue. No matter your experience level with computer hardware or software, this article aims to be a helpful resource for overcoming this game-crashing hurdle.
Understanding the Error: Not Being Able to Render Selected
To tackle the problem effectively, it’s important to first understand what “not being able to render selected” means. In the context of video games, “rendering” refers to the process of drawing the game world on your screen. This involves calculating and displaying everything from character models and textures to lighting effects and environmental details. When your game crashes with this error, it essentially means that the game engine encountered a problem while trying to draw something specific.
The term “selected” can be a bit ambiguous, but it typically indicates that the game was trying to render a specific element when the crash occurred. This could manifest in several ways. Perhaps the game was trying to load a particular texture for a character’s clothing, or maybe it was struggling to render a complex 3D model of a weapon. It could even be related to a specific special effect, such as an explosion or a water simulation.
Ultimately, this kind of error suggests that there is some problem with the game’s ability to process and display a particular asset or effect. A wide variety of factors can contribute to this problem. Perhaps the game is running out of available system resources. Maybe there is an incompatibility between the game and your graphics drivers. It could also be that one or more game files are corrupted, or that your hardware is simply not capable of handling the game’s graphical demands. And, of course, there is always the possibility of a bug or glitch within the game itself.
Common Causes and Solutions
Several underlying factors can contribute to a game crashing due to rendering errors. Let’s examine some of the most common culprits and explore effective solutions.
Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers
Graphics drivers are the software that allows your operating system and games to communicate with your graphics card. They are crucial for rendering graphics correctly and ensuring stable performance. Outdated or corrupted drivers are a frequent cause of game crashes, especially those related to rendering issues.
To remedy this, the first step is to update your graphics drivers. NVIDIA users can typically update through the GeForce Experience application, while AMD users can use the AMD Adrenalin software. Intel users can make use of the Intel Driver & Support Assistant. Alternatively, you can download the latest drivers directly from the NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel websites.
For a more thorough approach, consider performing a clean driver installation. This involves completely removing the old drivers before installing the new ones. You can use a tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to ensure that all traces of the previous drivers are removed. This helps to prevent conflicts and ensure a fresh start for your new drivers.
Insufficient System Resources
Video games are demanding applications that require ample system resources to run smoothly. If your computer doesn’t have enough RAM (Random Access Memory) or VRAM (Video RAM, the memory on your graphics card), the game may struggle to load assets and perform calculations, leading to crashes.
To check your RAM and VRAM usage during gameplay, you can open the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) or the Resource Monitor. These tools will show you how much of your system’s resources are being used by the game and other applications.
If you find that your RAM or VRAM is consistently maxed out, there are a few things you can try. Close any unnecessary background applications, such as web browsers or media players, to free up resources. If feasible, consider upgrading your RAM or graphics card to increase your system’s capacity. As a temporary solution, you can also lower the in-game graphics settings to reduce the demands on your hardware.
Corrupted Game Files
Corrupted game files can wreak havoc on a game’s stability and performance. Missing or damaged files can prevent the game from loading assets correctly, leading to rendering errors and crashes.
Most game platforms, such as Steam and the Epic Games Launcher, offer a built-in tool for verifying the integrity of game files. This tool will scan your game installation for any corrupted or missing files and automatically download replacements. To use this feature, right-click on the game in your library, select “Properties,” and then navigate to the “Local Files” tab (on Steam) or a similar option on other platforms.
If verifying the game files doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to reinstall the game entirely. This can be a time-consuming process, but it’s often the most effective way to ensure that all game files are intact and error-free.
Overclocking Issues
Overclocking is the practice of running your hardware at speeds higher than their default settings. While overclocking can boost performance, it can also introduce instability and lead to crashes.
If you have overclocked your CPU or GPU, try reverting to the stock clock speeds to see if that resolves the issue. You can typically do this through your BIOS settings or through overclocking software. Test the game without overclocking to determine if that was the source of the problem.
In-Game Graphics Settings Too High
Pushing your graphics settings beyond what your hardware can handle can easily lead to rendering errors and crashes. High resolution textures, advanced lighting effects, and complex shadows can all strain your system’s resources.
Experiment with adjusting the in-game graphics settings to find a stable configuration. Start by lowering the resolution, then reduce the quality of textures, shadows, and effects. Gradually increase the settings until you find a balance between visual quality and performance.
Game-Specific Bugs or Glitches
Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your hardware or software, but with the game itself. Many games, especially those recently released, may contain bugs or glitches that can cause crashes.
Check the game’s official website or forums for patch notes or known issues. Developers often release updates to fix bugs and improve performance. If other players are experiencing the same problem, there may be community solutions or workarounds available online. It is also vital to report the issue to the game developers themselves, so they are aware of the error and can make necessary adjustments.
Hardware Issues
Although less likely, a faulty piece of hardware could be to blame for the “the game crashed with not being able to render selected” error. For example, RAM could be failing, the graphics card may have an issue, or the CPU or GPU could be overheating. These issues are more complicated to diagnose and may require specific software or hardware checks to confirm.
Advanced Troubleshooting
If the above steps don’t solve the issue, there are a few more advanced troubleshooting techniques you can try.
DirectX/OpenGL Issues
DirectX and OpenGL are graphics APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that games use to communicate with your graphics card. Problems with these APIs can sometimes cause rendering errors. Ensure you have the latest version of DirectX installed.
System File Checker Scan
The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that can scan for and repair corrupted system files. To run SFC, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type “sfc /scannow” (without the quotes) and press Enter.
Monitoring Hardware Temperatures
Overheating can cause instability and crashes. Use a hardware monitoring tool, such as HWMonitor, to check your CPU and GPU temperatures.
Event Viewer Analysis
The Event Viewer is a Windows tool that logs system events, including errors. Examine the Event Viewer logs for more detailed error messages that may provide clues about the cause of the crash.
Conclusion
Experiencing “the game crashed with not being able to render selected” error can be deeply frustrating. However, by systematically troubleshooting the potential causes, you can often identify the problem and find a solution. From outdated drivers and insufficient resources to corrupted game files and hardware issues, there are many possible factors to consider.
Remember to be patient and methodical in your approach. Start with the simplest solutions first and gradually move on to more advanced techniques. If you’re still stuck, don’t hesitate to seek further assistance from game forums, support teams, or online communities. With a little perseverance, you’ll be back in the game in no time. Hopefully, this article has provided a roadmap for finding the core problem that caused your error and can guide you to a future of smooth gameplay.
Additional Tips
Consider performing a clean boot of Windows to eliminate software conflicts. Also, reinstalling Visual C++ Redistributables, often required for games, can sometimes resolve issues.
We encourage you to share your troubleshooting experiences in the comments below. By working together, we can help each other overcome these frustrating game crashes and get back to enjoying our favorite games.
