Duel Links crashing on PC: how to fix it

Duel Links is a light game, so crashes on PC almost always have a simple cause. Go through the list in order: the first steps fix most cases.

Quick summary

Restart your PC and verify the game files on Steam.
Update your graphics driver and Windows.
The game is always online: an unstable connection looks like a freeze.

1. Restart your PC

It sounds silly, but it fixes a lot: pending Windows updates and programs stuck in the background go away with a restart.

2. Verify the game files on Steam

In your Steam Library, right-click Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links, go to Properties, then Installed Files and click Verify integrity of game files. Steam re-downloads only what is corrupted.

3. Update your graphics driver and Windows

Download the latest driver from your graphics card maker's site (NVIDIA, AMD or Intel) and run Windows Update. Old drivers are one of the most common causes of black screens and the game closing by itself.

4. Check your internet

Duel Links talks to the server all the time. Weak or unstable Wi-Fi makes the game freeze on the loading screen or at the end of a duel. If you can, test with a cable or closer to the router. VPNs also tend to slow everything down.

5. Close whatever is heavy

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and see what is using a lot of CPU, memory or disk.
Recording programs, overlays and a browser with many tabs can compete with the game.
On a laptop, keep it plugged in and on the best performance power mode.

6. Try windowed mode

On weaker PCs, playing in a window is often more stable than fullscreen. Press Alt + Enter to switch. More in fullscreen or windowed mode.

7. Last resort: reinstall

Before uninstalling, make sure your account is linked to a KONAMI ID so you lose nothing. See how to link and transfer your account. Then uninstall, restart your PC and install again through Steam.

Game stable? Let it farm

DuelFarm uses Duel Links on Steam in windowed mode and farms for you: map duels, rewards, the Gate and events. If something gets stuck, support is on our Discord.

Try it free Windows PC and the Steam version of Duel Links only. No sign-up, no card.