Path of Exile 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular action RPG, has unfortunately encountered some performance hiccups for certain players. Some users are experiencing complete PC freezes requiring a hard reset, particularly during loading screens or gameplay. While a developer fix is anticipated, here are some troubleshooting steps to try in the meantime:

Addressing Path of Exile 2 PC Freezes

Several players have reported their PCs freezing completely while playing Path of Exile 2, necessitating a hard restart. Here are several solutions to attempt:

• Graphics Settings Adjustments: Experiment with these in-game settings:

  • Switch between Vulkan and DirectX 11 APIs at startup.
  • Disable V-Sync.
  • Disable Multithreading.

• CPU Affinity Workaround (More Involved): If the above steps fail, Steam user svzanghi offers a more complex, but potentially effective solution. This method requires repeating the process each time you launch the game:

  1. Start Path of Exile 2.
  2. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), then click "Details."
  3. Right-click on POE2.exe and select "Set Affinity."
  4. Uncheck the boxes for CPU 0 and CPU 1.

This workaround doesn't eliminate freezes entirely, but it enables you to force-close the game via Task Manager, avoiding a full system reboot.

The downside is the need to repeat steps 2-4 each time you launch the game, or risk requiring another PC restart if freezing persists.

For further Path of Exile 2 tips, strategies, and build guides (including optimal Sorceress builds), be sure to consult The Escapist.