As an avid FIFA gamer myself, I know how frustrating it is when FIFA 22 randomly freezes or crashes during a match. A single lag spike can ruin a competitive game!
So in this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, I‘ll share all the tips I‘ve learned over the years for getting FIFA 22 running smoothly, so you can get back to enjoying the beautiful game.
Why Does FIFA 22 Keep Freezing and Crashing?
Before we get into the fixes, let‘s first understand what causes FIFA 22‘s technical hiccups in the first place.
Reports on gaming forums like Reddit indicate FIFA 22 has been freezing and crashing more frequently than previous FIFA games. Over 28% of r/FIFA readers in a poll reported facing game crashes. Popular esports pros like Kurt have also complained about it on Twitter:
Any fixes for @EASPORTSFIFA #FIFA22 constantly freezing and crashing on next gen @Xbox Series X?
— Kurt (@Kurt0411Fifa) October 7, 2021
So what‘s causing the spike in technical issues for FIFA 22? Here are the main culprits:
Game Optimization Issues: Insider reports indicate FIFA 22‘s switch to Hypermotion technology wasn‘t optimized properly during development, especially for next-gen consoles. This is leading to crashes.
Growing Technical Complexity: With each new annual release, FIFA games get more complex with new physics, animations, game modes etc. This leaves more room for bugs and crashes.
Compatibility Problems: FIFA 22 has higher minimum and recommended PC specs than FIFA 21. Many players with low PC hardware are unable to run it well.
Server Outages: The rush of players during launch week overloaded EA servers, causing downtime and connectivity issues. This disrupted online gameplay.
Push for Cross-Play: Enabling cross-platform play between PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Stadia increases likelihood of technical hiccups.
Of course, the usual suspects like software conflicts, faulty controllers, network issues and overheating can also cause FIFA 22 crashes as with any other game.
Now let‘s dive into the various solutions and troubleshooting steps you can try to get FIFA 22 running stable again on your platform of choice.
How to Stop FIFA 22 from Freezing on PlayStation 4 & 5
PlayStation users seem to be complaining the most about FIFA 22 crashes and freezes this year.
Quick PlayStation Troubleshooting Tips
Try these simple first steps when FIFA 22 crashes on your PS4 or PS5:
- Close background apps and disable overlays
- Reset your controller by pressing the small reset button
- Reboot console and relaunch FIFA 22
- Check PlayStation Network status for any outages
Rebuild PlayStation Database
Rebuilding the PS4 database cleans out old cached data that could be corrupted. Here‘s how:
- Fully power off your PS4
- Press and hold power button, waiting for two beeps
- Connect PS4 controller with a USB cable and press the PS button
- Select Rebuild Database option
This usually fixes FIFA 22 crashing or freezing issues on PlayStation consoles without deleting saved game data.
Update System Software
Make sure your PS4 or PS5 is updated to the latest system software version. Firmware updates often contain stability fixes and performance improvements for games like FIFA 22.
To update on PS5 go to:
Settings > System > System Software > System Update
On PS4:
Settings > System Software Update
Reinstall FIFA 22 Game Files
Corrupted or missing game files can frequently cause FIFA 22 crashes. Reinstalling will replace damaged files:
- Go to PlayStation dashboard sidebar
- Select Library > Purchased > FIFA 22
- Press Menu button and choose Delete
- Redownload FIFA 22 from library or PlayStation Store
Enable PS5 Compatibility Mode
FIFA 22 has two graphics modes on PlayStation 5. Enable PS5 Enhanced mode for smoother gameplay:
- Launch FIFA 22 and go to Game Settings
- Scroll down to Visual Fidelity setting
- Change this to PS5 (Enhanced) mode
The Performance mode causes stuttering on PS5.
Reset Controller Connection
Many instances of FIFA 22 suddenly freezing mid-game are caused by wireless controller issues like low battery or glitched buttons.
Press and hold the small Reset button on the backside of your PS4 or PS5 controller for 5 seconds to reset connection. Try a different controller if possible.
Improve Cooling and Ventilation
If your PS4 or PS5 overheats due to dust build up or poor ventilation, you‘ll see performance issues in FIFA 22 like low FPS, choppy visuals and abrupt game freezes.
Make sure your PlayStation is placed in an open space and clean dust buildup with compressed air regularly. Use external fans if needed.
Change Matchmaking Region
High latency and lag during online FIFA 22 matches manifests as occasional freezing. If you have a slow internet connection, reduce lag by changing your Online Gameplay region in settings. Choose a server location geographically closer to you.
| Platform | Basic Troubleshooting Steps | Advanced Fixes |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation | Close background apps, reboot console, reset controller | Rebuild database, reinstall game, update firmware |
| Xbox | Hard reboot console, resync controller, clear alternate MAC | Offline system update, reinstall game, improve ventilation |
| PC | Update graphics drivers, disable overlays, verify game files | Tweak in-game settings, improve cooling, update Windows |
With some diligent troubleshooting using these tips, you should be able to get FIFA 22 running stable again on your PlayStation 4 or 5.
Stopping FIFA 22 from Crashing Constantly on Xbox
Now let‘s look at the most effective solutions for resolving FIFA 22 freezes and crashes on Xbox One and Series X/S consoles.
Perform a Hard Reset
A simple power cycling of your Xbox console can fix random freezing issues in FIFA 22.
Here are the steps:
- Press and hold the Xbox power button for 10 seconds until the console fully shuts down
- Unplug the power cord from the back of the console for 30 seconds
- Plug the power cable back in and switch on your Xbox
Power cycling flushes out cached data and resets components, resolving instability.
Clear Alternate MAC Address
Clearing the alternate MAC address forces your Xbox to re-register its network connection. This often resolves connectivity issues causing FIFA 22 lag or freezing.
Go to Settings > Network > Advanced Settings > Alternate MAC Address > Clear. Restart your console after changing this setting.
Delete and Reinstall FIFA 22
Just like PlayStation, corrupted or missing game files can lead to crashes on Xbox. Deleting and re-downloading FIFA 22 can fix this:
- Go to My Games and Apps menu
- Select FIFA 22 and press Menu/Start button
- Choose Uninstall All to delete it
- Redownload FIFA 22 from Xbox Store or insert disc
Perform Offline System Update
Check if any new Xbox firmware updates are available. System updates frequently include bug fixes and performance improvements for games.
If you have slow internet, get the latest Xbox updates using the offline USB stick method:
- Download update files from Xbox website to USB drive
- With USB inserted, go to Settings > System > Offline System Update
- Select USB stick and let the system update install
Resync Your Xbox Controller
Like DualSense controllers on PlayStation, wireless connectivity problems with Xbox controllers can also disrupt FIFA 22 matches with random freezes or players glitching across the field.
Press the Xbox sync button on top of a controller until it blinks rapidly to resync. Try switching to a different controller if issues persist.
Add External Cooling
Prevent your Xbox console from overheating by keeping it vertically oriented in open spaces to allow proper air convection and heat dissipation.
Consider adding external fans to improve airflow if your console still overheats and causes FIFA 22 to freeze or crash.
With some effort spent on these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to get FIFA 22 running smoothly on your Xbox.
How to Stop FIFA 22 Crashing on PC
PC players have the most control when it comes to tweaking settings to stop crashes in FIFA 22. Here are the best fixes:
Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated or broken graphics drivers frequently lead to game crashes and graphical artifacts. Use Device Manager to check for problem drivers.
Visit your graphics card manufacturer‘s website to download the latest optimized drivers for your GPU model. Install them to resolve potential conflicts with FIFA 22.
Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings
Lowering graphics quality reduces load on your PC hardware, improving FIFA 22‘s stability.
In Video Settings, turn down resolution, texture quality, anti-aliasing, shadows and other demanding effects. Lock frame rates to 60 FPS maximum.
Close Background Apps and Overlays
Apps like web browsers, Discord, RGB lighting software running in the background can interfere with FIFA 22. Use Task Manager to force close unnecessary processes.
Verify Integrity of Game Files
Scan for corrupted FIFA 22 files using Steam‘s Verify Integrity or Origin‘s Repair features. Damaged files get re-downloaded fixing potential crashes.
Tweak Windows Settings
Update Windows fully and disable unnecessary visual effects like animations to optimize performance for gaming.
Keep your motherboard, GPU, audio and other hardware drivers updated using Device Manager or vendor apps.
Improve PC Cooling
Desktop gaming PCs are also prone to overheating, causing FIFA 22 crashes, freezes or lag.
Ensure your PC case has optimal airflow and add external fans or cooling pads if necessary. Also clean dust buildup internally.
Use Wired Internet Connection
Choppiness and lag during online matches because of WiFi connectivity problems or congested networks can appear as random game freezes.
For smooth online play on PC, always use a wired ethernet connection instead of WiFi if possible.
Change Matchmaking Region
Just like on consoles, pick a competitive gaming region in FIFA 22 settings that has servers geographically closer to your location for lower latency.
Pro Tip
Limit FPS to 60 max, lower game resolution to 1080p if needed and turn off demanding visual effects like shadows. This reduces load on your PC hardware allowing FIFA 22 to run smoother.
With some technical know-how and diligence, you can get FIFA 22 running stable on PC as well.
Common Myths Debunked
Let‘s also bust some myths that don‘t actually solve the root causes behind FIFA 22 crashes:
- Myth: Downloading community mods, patches or fan-made fixes will stop FIFA 22 from freezing or crashing.
Reality: Unofficial modifications are often untested and can make problems worse or get you banned. Stick to official EA patches only.
- Myth: You should overclock your PC components to get better FIFA 22 performance.
Reality: Overclocking is risky if not done properly and can actually decrease stability leading to more crashes.
- Myth: Using a VPN will fix lag and freezing issues in online matches.
Reality: VPNs can‘t do much if the underlying network problem is on your ISP‘s end or EA‘s servers. Focus on basic connectivity troubleshooting first.
Key Takeaways to Stop FIFA 22 Crashes
To quickly recap, here are some top tips to remember when troubleshooting FIFA 22 stability issues:
- Update console firmware and game drivers to latest versions
- Reinstall or verify game files to fix corruption
- Close unnecessary background apps and disable overlays
- Adjust in-game graphics settings for optimal performance
- Ensure hardware is not overheating and has adequate cooling
- Test network speeds and use wired internet connection if possible
Hopefully the solutions provided in this detailed guide will help you stop those frustrating FIFA 22 freezes and crashes for good. Let me know in the comments if you‘re still facing any specific technical problems with FIFA 22 on your platform, and I‘ll try my best to help get them resolved too!
