If you are a Natural Selection 2 fan, chances are you are still playing the game after years and chances are you might still run into issues with the game. Thankfully, our Natural Selection 2 Crashes, Errors and Fixes guide is here to help.
Natural Selection 2 Crashes, Errors and Fixes
Refer to our list of workarounds to resolve these issues with Natural Selection 2:
#1 Natural Selection 2 Crash Fixes/Black Screen
The game crashes every time you launch or you end up seeing the black screen like forever? Here are some workarounds you can try:
- Run dxsetup in drive\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Natural Selection 2\redist\directx\
- Delete the folder drive\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Natural Selection 2\ns2\shaders
- Press the Windows key and R (Win+R) and type %APPDATA%\Natural Selection 2 then press enter.
- Delete all the files in this folder
- Verify the Integrity of the NS2 Game Cache
- You can also try deleting the local Steam files for NS2 and reinstall NS2.
- Disable any overlay applications that might interfere such as mumble and fraps etc.
These are the recommended fixes to solve the crash/black screen/connectivity problems.
#2 Natural Selection Crashes While Choosing Sides
Try out the fixes mentioned in #1.
#3 Natural Selection 2 – Can’t See Any Servers
Here is a workaround you can try to make it work:
- Copy the IP of the server you want to join from the nanogrid. Launch the game and then open its console. Write connect in it and then paste the IP address (connect) of the server. This can get you in the game successfully.
You can alternatively try the following workaround:
- Go to the settings menu (in steam) of the game and untick “Enable Steam Community In-game” option.
#4 Natural Selection – Some components of the map are missing
If you are using an AMD card, try setting the anti-aliasing to application controlled in the catalyst control center.
#5 Natural Selection 2 – Poor FPS Performance
If you are meeting the recommended system requirements or even running a low end PC, try disabling the Ambient Occlusion as its eats up a lot of resources. Turning off other options like Vsync and Anti-aliasing can also give a boost in performance.
#6 Natural Selection 2 – Can’t Join the Game
Refer to the fixes mentioned in #1 and #3.
#7 Natural Selection 2 – Connection Issues/Lag
Make sure that NS2 is not being block by your firewall or antivirus tool. Also see that you open the following ports (if you are behind a router that is) for better experience:
- TCP Ports = 27000 and 27100
- UDP Ports = 1200 and 27000-27100
#8 Natural Selection 2 Crashes After Preaching (During Loading)
You should do the following:
- Launch the game
- Now, go into the Training menu and select the Explore option
- Start up a game on one of the maps
- Now, exit the game you made and try joining any other live server.
#9 Natural Selection 2 – Flickering/Graphics Problem
If you are facing this issue, chances are that are that you are using an ATI card. Disabling Catalyst AI can fix the problem for you. Also try deleting the shaders folder in \steamapps\common\natural selection 2\ns2\ directory.
#10 Favorite servers not getting saved
Go to the configuration file(s) location.
Create an empty file called FavoriteServers.json.
#11 Pitch black/Transparent textures on AMD cards
In the Catalyst Control Center, go to the AA Tab under 3D settings.
If Use Application settings is unchecked, it causes the textures in the game to appear pitch black/transparent. Checking this field again and it will resolve the issue.
#12 Game crashes immediately on Gigabyte graphics card
Click right on the Gigabyte OC Guru on the taskbar and click Close.
Click show hidden icons to see the icon.
Try disabling other overlays as well like mumble or Fraps that may cause the same issue.
#13 Cannot get past the Main Menu
You can find two ways to fix this issue
1) On Steam, Right click Natural Selection 2 and select Delete Local Game Content
This deletes the game and later you can redownload and install the game.
2) Uninstall Natural Selection 2 from Steam.
Delete the configuration folder.
Delete the installation folder.
Reinstall Natural Selection 2.
