Playing Plants vs. Zombies 2 can be a blast, but constant crashing issues can sap the fun out of this addictive tower defense game. Nothing’s more annoying than having your gameplay or progress disrupted just as you’re about to beat a challenging level or earn some sweet rewards!
If PvZ2 keeps crashing on your device, don’t pull your peashooters out yet! This guide will walk you through some troubleshooting tips to get your game running smoothly again.
Software-Related Causes and Fixes
Many PvZ2 crashes can be traced back to software conflicts or glitches. Try these simple fixes first:
Update the Game and Your Operating System
Outdated apps and OS versions are a common source of stability issues. Hit up the Play Store or App Store to download the latest PvZ2 update. And don’t forget to update your Android or iOS software too! Running the latest software optimizes performance and squashes pesky bugs.
Delete and Reinstall the App
Corrupted game files or leftover junk data can muck up PvZ2’s operation. Uninstalling and then fresh installing the app wipes the slate clean, deleting any problematic files. Your progress is safe via your EA account or device log-in.
Disable Background Apps and Power Saving Modes
Too many apps running simultaneously puts a strain on your device’s RAM and processing power. This can cause instability and app crashes. Close out any apps you’re not using and turn off battery saver or power saving modes which aggressively limit resources.
Disconnect from the Internet
Can’t load data from PvZ2’s servers? Connection issues like a spotty Wi-Fi signal or poor mobile data coverage often trigger crashes when the game tries unsuccessfully to retrieve online info. Airplane mode can help identify and isolate this issue.
Clear the App Cache and Data
Over time, corrupted caches and data can accumulate and gunk up apps. Deleting this temporary content is an easy way to clean up performance problems. In your device settings, find PvZ2 and clear cached data as well as app data.
Lower the In-Game Graphics Settings
If you’re playing PvZ2 on an older device, the high graphics and visual effects could be overtaxing your hardware, resulting in crashes. Lowering the game’s graphics settings frees up resources and prevents system overload.
Hardware and Device-Related Fixes
If you’ve tried the above tips to no avail, the problem may be device-specific. Try these hardware-focused troubleshooting steps:
Restart Your Device
A simple device reset clears out system memory leaks and other gremlins that can destabilize apps. Power down your device completely and restart to refresh the operating environment. This can flush out nasty crashes.
Check for Storage Space Issues
Today’s apps gobble up storage space. Low device storage can cause slowdowns, lag, freezing, and crashes. Make sure you have plenty of free space for PvZ2 game data and other temporary usage files. Delete unneeded files or uninstall large apps you no longer use.
Update Graphics Drivers on PC
For PvZ2 players on PC, outdated graphics card drivers often undermine stability. Download the latest drivers directly from your GPU manufacturer’s website to rectify this common crash culprit.
Avoid Playing While Charging
Weirdly enough, some users report reduced crashing when playing PvZ2 on battery power alone, not while plugged into a charger. Electrical interference from charging has been known to disrupt apps. Try unplugging to see if it helps.
Reset Your Device to Factory Settings
If all else fails, perform a factory reset to wipe your device back to a clean, default state. This removes any apps or settings that may be contributing to PvZ2 crashes. Resetting is a last resort, but can isolate hardware and deeper issues.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
Crashing got you stumped? Try these additional tips:
- Contact EA support with your player ID to restore progress if crashes resulted in data loss.
- Check PvZ2 forums and social channels to see if any major bugs or crashes have been reported following recent game updates. Developers will often post workarounds while patching the issues.
- Take notes about when crashing occurs. Tracking specifics like game mode, level, or actions taken can help identify triggers and narrow down probable causes.
Don’t Let Crashing Spoil Your Fun
With a bit of troubleshooting and process of elimination, you should be able to get Plants vs. Zombies 2 running smoothly again. Crashes happen, but they don’t have to halt your zombie-bashing fun. Follow the tips in this guide, and you’ll be back to planting powerful petunias and pummeling waves of the undead in no time.
