The Stalker series has a legacy of great gripping post-apocalyptic gameplay. If you have played the previous entries, you might know how big of a cult following this game has. Now, the latest installment, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, is out for all those hardcore fans and newcomers to the series. However, like many modern releases, it’s not without its issues. One of the most common problems right now is the Out of Memory error that have reported to be facing. So, if you too have encountered the same, you must be wondering whether there is a fix for it, right? Well, in this guide, we have shared all the details regarding the same.
Talking about the issue, the Compiling Shaders or the out-of-memory error is not entirely new to Stalker 2. Well, in the case of Heart of Chornobyl, the error occurs as the game crashes shortly after starting the shader compilation process. And don’t get it wrong, even high-end systems with a GPU like an RTX 4090 are facing this issue. So, what’s up? Keep reading till the end for all that you need to know about this error in Stalker 2.
Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl Out of Memory Error: How to fix
So far, the majority of Compiling Shaders Out of Memory errors appear to be prevalent on Intel 13th and 14th generation processors. But don’t be misled; there are also reports indicating that some AMD Threadrippers are also affected. In the case of Intel, similar issues with memory allocation have surfaced in other recent games. While Intel has acknowledged and addressed similar problems in the past, the developers of Stalker 2 have yet to comment on this specific error. Anyway, taking matters into our own hands, here are some potential workarounds that may help resolve the issue. Some advanced workarounds are likely to work, but before we dive into them, let’s start with the basics.
Don’t Select Accept when the error occurs
One simple workaround is to allow the shader compilation process to continue running in the background without immediately acknowledging the error message. By doing this, some players have reported that the shaders were successfully compiled without running out of memory error. So, if you face this error, the best thing to do might be to ignore the error message and let the compiling continue in the background.
Back to basics
If waiting it out does not help, this means that you are back to square one, and you should start with these basic troubleshooting steps: restart the game and your device, then try running the game as an administrator. While rebooting, make sure to unplug all the cables and let your PC catch a breath for a minute or two before you reboot. Again, before you launch the game, right-click on its icon, select Properties, and then the Compatibility tab. Now, checkmark the Run As Administrator option and select OK. After this, launch the game.
GPU checks
How often do you update your GPU drivers? Well, if you can’t answer this right away, chances are that you are missing out on some crucial GPU driver updates. Check your GPU manufacturer’s website or use their dedicated software (like NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Adrenalin) to download and install the latest drivers for your GPU. After updating, type “Graphics” in the Windows search box to open the Graphics Settings menu, and from the list of installed programs that appear, select Stalker 2 and set it to “High Performance”. After all this, relaunch the game, and hopefully, you will no longer face this error.
Verify Game files
Perhaps there are some missing or corrupted game files causing this issue. So, before we get to the advanced fixes, try verifying your game files. To do so via Steam, head to your Steam Library and right-click on Stalker 2. Select Properties, and then head to the Installed Files tab. Here, select the Verify Integrity of Game Files option. After the scan is completed, launch the game and check if the issue persists
Lower P cores
Moving to a more advanced fix, try lowering your CPU’s performance cores (P-cores) by 2-3 positions using Intel’s Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU). However, this is a more advanced workaround and requires familiarity with Intel XTU and CPU performance tuning. Also, we recommend that you carefully lower the P-core multiplier in small increments and test the game after each adjustment. You can try reducing the ratio from 57x to 54x. For more details, follow the steps given below:
- To download Intel XTU, simply head over to this link.
- After downloading, install the program.
- Now, launch Intel XTU and go to “Advanced Tuning.”
- Locate the “Per Core Tuning” options and lower the Core Ratio Multiplier.
- For instance, if set to 54X, reduce it to 53X or 52X. Click “Apply” to save your changes.
This is what has helped some players encountering the out of memory error in Stalker 2. If you are doing this on your own, proceed cautiously and test the game after making the change to ensure stability.
Mods
The community has come up with a mod that could potentially fix the issue. The mod is called “03 Optimized Tweaks BASE 1.01 (VRAM Issue)” and is available on Nexus Mod. To download it, visit Nexus Mods, download the specific file, and follow the installation instructions provided on the mod page. Be sure to back up your game files before applying any modifications.
Don’t Overclock
Do you have an overclocked CPU? If so, try restoring the clock speed to its base value or slightly reducing the frequency by 100-200 MHz. This is what has been helpful for some players with overclocked systems, so do give it a try. Make sure your system is stable after making these changes, and use reliable tools to adjust clock speeds to avoid potential damage.
Throttlestop
Another fix is to try using the ThrottleStop app. Download and install it, and you can use it to disable the Turbo Boost function of your CPU. This can prevent crashes-to-desktop (CTD) caused by your CPU throttling during the shader compilation process. While disabling Turbo Boost may slightly impact performance, it can make the game playable. After booting successfully, you can tweak in-game settings to optimize performance further.
-dx12
Adding -dx12 to the game’s launch options has proven effective in fixing this issue. This forces the game to run in DirectX 12 mode, which can resolve compatibility issues and stabilize performance. To try this, go to the game’s properties menu via Steam, and in the General tab, find the Launch Options textbox, and add -dx12. Restart the game to see if the issue is resolved. You can also the following launch options to check whether they are effective:
- -xgeshadercompile
- -nothreadtimeout
- -NoVerifyGC
After launching the game, press Alt + Enter to switch to windowed mode, as this has helped some players improve performance and avoid crashes.
Power saver options
Adjusting your power management settings is yet another potential fix. It has worked for some players, and to do this, all you have to do is access the Windows Control Panel, and then the Power Options menu. Here, you will see the options to choose a power plan. Select the “Power Saver” option and save the changes. Restart your system and then launch the game. Another approach to the same workaround is to temporarily set your power settings to “Power Saver” mode and cap your FPS at 120. Once you’ve done this, revert your power settings back to “High Performance”.
BIOS workaround
A potential workaround for the Compiling Shaders Out of Memory error is updating your motherboard’s BIOS. This has resolved the issue for some players, as it can improve system stability and compatibility with demanding games like Stalker 2. However, updating your BIOS is an advanced procedure and requires a good understanding of your system’s technical details. Incorrectly performing a BIOS update can lead to system malfunctions. To proceed, identify your motherboard model and refer to the manufacturer’s official resources or tutorials online for a step-by-step guide. A quick search for “[Your Motherboard Model] BIOS update tutorial” should provide the necessary instructions.
UEFI workaround
Another advanced workaround will have you updating your system’s UEFI firmware. If your motherboard is running outdated microcode—especially if you’re using Intel’s 13th or 14th-generation processors—this can cause compatibility issues with Stalker 2. Updating the UEFI firmware can address these problems. But again, you might have to check with your motherboard manufacturer’s website for specific instructions on updating UEFI firmware. Once updated, the game should run more reliably. It may also be worthwhile visiting this site for additional information.
Update/Reinstall
Finally, if nothing works out, it is time to check for game updates. If no update is available or the issue persists despite updating, the last resort is to consider reinstalling the game on a faster drive, such as an SSD. A faster storage medium can improve data access speeds and help resolve performance-related errors during processes like shader compilation. One point to note here is that in the case of a similar issue with the previous title, reinstalling the game on the system drive was recommended.
One of these workarounds should fix the issue for you. Anyway, that is all we have to share, and we hope that you are able to continue your in-game journey and immerse yourself well in this post-apocalyptic sim. Anyway, for more gaming-related content, make sure to check with DigiStatement first. Also, click here to read about similar fatal errors in Microsoft Flight Simulator 24, another newly released game.
