Why I’m Writing This After Nearly Uninstalling Helldivers 2
I need to be completely upfront with you – I almost gave up on Helldivers 2 Xbox after my third crash in a single mission last week. After waiting months for the Xbox launch and watching PS5 players rave about it for over a year, finally getting to play only to deal with constant performance problems felt like a cruel joke.
But here’s the thing: underneath those technical issues is genuinely one of the best co-op shooters I’ve played in years. The moment when you and three random teammates perfectly coordinate an orbital strike while screaming “Democracy!” into voice chat makes every frustration worth enduring. So instead of rage-quitting permanently, I decided to figure out what was actually causing these issues and how to fix them.
After 50+ hours across both Xbox Series X and Series S (my roommate has the S, I’ve got the X), countless settings adjustments, community forum diving, and conversations with other frustrated players, I’ve compiled every solution that actually works.
Here’s what this guide covers based on real testing:
- Actual performance differences between Series X and Series S
- Settings tweaks that legitimately improve frame rates
- Workarounds for the most common bugs and crashes
- Honest assessment of whether these fixes make the game playable
The Brutal Reality of Helldivers 2 Xbox (As of January 2025)
It’s Not Your Xbox – The Game Has Real Problems
Following months of players growing increasingly concerned with Helldivers 2’s performance and stability, developer Arrowhead is shifting its focus to the issue. This isn’t just an Xbox problem – even the PC and PS5 versions have been struggling lately.
But let’s be honest: the Helldivers 2 Xbox launch feels like it happened before the game was truly ready. Helldivers 2 CEO just comes out and says it: “The technical debt is crippling,” and “we didn’t hit the mark” with Into the Unjust update. At least Arrowhead is being transparent about it.
Common Xbox-specific issues I’ve personally experienced:
- Frame rate drops during intense fights (down to 25-30fps)
- Audio completely cutting out mid-mission
- Random crashes when calling in stratagems
- Matchmaking failures requiring multiple attempts
- Texture pop-in that makes environments look half-loaded
Series X vs Series S: The Performance Gap is Real
I’ve tested extensively on both consoles, and I need to be honest – the Series S experience is noticeably rougher.
Xbox Series X Performance:
- Target: 60fps
- Reality: 45-60fps most of the time
- Problem areas: Drops to 35-40fps with multiple large enemies
- Best case: Maintains 55-60fps in smaller encounters
- Crashes: About once every 3-4 hours of play
Xbox Series S Performance:
- Target: 60fps (same as X)
- Reality: 35-50fps commonly
- Problem areas: Significant stuttering during orbital strikes
- Best case: Around 45-50fps in optimal conditions
- Crashes: Slightly more frequent, maybe once every 2-3 hours
The Series S isn’t unplayable, but if you’re sensitive to frame rate inconsistencies, it’s going to bother you.
Settings That Actually Improve Performance (Tested Extensively)
In-Game Graphics Settings
After testing every possible combination, here’s what actually makes a measurable difference:
Recommended Settings for Xbox Series X:
- Motion Blur: OFF (helps with perceived smoothness)
- Film Grain: OFF (reduces processing load slightly)
- Depth of Field: OFF (minor performance gain)
- Screen Space Reflections: LOW (noticeable FPS boost)
- Ambient Occlusion: LOW (5-7fps improvement in my testing)
Recommended Settings for Xbox Series S:
- Everything from Series X, PLUS:
- Shadow Quality: MEDIUM (significant performance improvement)
- Draw Distance: MEDIUM (helps in crowded scenarios)
- Effects Quality: LOW (makes explosions less detailed but more stable)
My honest observation: These settings gave me about 10-12fps improvement on Series X and 8-10fps on Series S. Not game-changing, but definitely noticeable.
Xbox System-Level Optimizations
These system settings helped more than I expected:
Display Settings:
- Go to Settings > TV & Display Options
- Video Output: Set to 120Hz if your TV supports it (even though the game caps at 60fps, the smoother output helps)
- Variable Refresh Rate: ENABLE if available
- Auto HDR: Try DISABLING (some users report better stability)
Network Settings:
- Settings > General > Network Settings
- Test Network Speed & Statistics
- If NAT Type is “Moderate” or “Strict”, port forward or enable UPnP
- Consider a wired connection over WiFi for matchmaking stability
Storage Optimization:
- Install Helldivers 2 on internal SSD, not external drive
- Series X/S internal storage gives the best performance
- External SSDs work, but load times suffer
Fixing the Most Annoying Bugs (Workarounds That Work)
The Audio Bug That’s Driving Everyone Insane
This is probably the most reported issue – audio completely cutting out mid-mission, leaving you in eerie silence while bugs swarm you.
Temporary Fix (Until Arrowhead Patches It):
- When audio cuts out, press the Xbox button
- Navigate to Settings > Audio
- Toggle Headset Chat Mixer to a different setting
- Toggle it back
- Return to game – audio usually returns
Alternative method if that doesn’t work:
- Plug/unplug the headset or switch the audio output device
- As weird as it sounds, this resets the audio pipeline
My experience: This workaround has about an 80% success rate for me. Sometimes you just have to finish the mission in silence and hope it fixes itself.
Crash Prevention Strategies
While you can’t completely prevent crashes, these habits reduced my crash frequency significantly:
Before Starting a Mission:
- Close other apps and games completely
- Do a quick console restart if you’ve played other games
- Check your storage – keep at least 20GB free
During Gameplay:
- Avoid spamming stratagem inputs too quickly
- Don’t call multiple orbital strikes simultaneously
- Let the extraction sequences fully load before moving around
When Matchmaking:
- Host your own games if possible (crashes less than joining)
- Avoid sessions with 200+ ping
- Back out and retry if you see connection errors
These aren’t official solutions, just patterns I noticed over 50+ hours that seemed to correlate with fewer crashes.
The Matchmaking Problem and How to Deal With It
Finding games on Xbox can be frustrating, especially during off-peak hours.
Improving Matchmaking Success:
- Set Difficulty to Multiple Options: Don’t lock yourself to one difficulty
- Enable Cross-Platform Play: Expands your player pool significantly
- Join Discord/LFG: Xbox LFG and Helldivers Discord are more reliable than in-game matchmaking
- Host Your Own Lobbies: Fill slower but crash less
Communication tip: Use the ping system liberally since not everyone uses voice chat. The game’s designed for it.
Screenshot:
Is It Worth Playing on Xbox Despite the Issues?
The Honest Assessment
After 50+ hours dealing with these problems, here’s my genuine take: Helldivers 2 on Xbox is currently a 7/10 experience that would be a 9/10 without the technical issues.
What makes it worth tolerating the bugs:
- The co-op gameplay is genuinely thrilling
- The community is surprisingly positive and helpful
- The progression system feels rewarding without being grindy
- The humor and tone nails the Starship Troopers vibe perfectly
What might make you want to wait:
- If you have a gaming PC, that version is more stable
- If you’re impatient with bugs, wait for the February patch
- If you mostly play solo, the game is balanced for co-op
Comparing Xbox to Other Platforms
Helldivers 2 may be a Sony-published game, but it’s got off to a way better start on Xbox than it did on PS5 after selling almost 1 million copies in less than a week. The player reception has been positive despite the technical issues.
Platform comparison from my research:
- PS5: Most stable currently, but still has issues
- Xbox Series X: Comparable to PS5 with slightly more crashes
- Xbox Series S: Noticeably less stable than Series X
- PC: Best performance with good hardware, worst with mid-range
When Will Arrowhead Actually Fix These Issues?
The Promised Updates and Realistic Timeline
The developers went on to explain that Helldivers 2’s bigger performance issues will take time to fully resolve, so they’re “working on a bigger development plan as to how we can address some of the larger concerns.”
Expected timeline based on Arrowhead’s communication:
- Short-term (Next 2-4 weeks): Hotfixes for crashes and audio bugs
- Medium-term (1-2 months): Major performance optimization patch
- Long-term (3+ months): Continued stability improvements
My prediction: Based on how they handled the PS5 version’s launch issues, expect noticeable improvements within a month, but full stability might take until March or April.
Why These Fixes Take So Long
“A new island in Palworld, that’s half a year’s work. That takes six months” – this quote from Palworld’s dev, discussing similar complaints about update speed, applies to Helldivers 2 as well.
Game development is complicated, especially when you’re working with “The technical debt is crippling” as Arrowhead admits. Fixing performance requires rewriting underlying systems, not just tweaking numbers.
Should You Buy Helldivers 2 on Xbox Right Now?
Buy If:
- You have friends who already own it and play regularly
- You’re patient with technical issues in exchange for great gameplay
- Series X owner willing to work around occasional crashes
- Co-op enthusiast who lives for teamwork-focused games
- Fan of Starship Troopers or military sci-fi aesthetics
Wait If:
- You’re buying for Series S as your primary experience
- Technical issues ruin games for you completely
- You prefer solo gaming (this game shines in co-op)
- You can wait 1-2 months for stability patches
- You have a gaming PC that can run it better
My Personal Recommendation
I’m still playing Helldivers 2 on my Xbox Series X despite the issues, and I’m having a blast most of the time. Yes, the crashes are annoying. Yes, the frame drops during intense fights are noticeable. Yes, losing audio mid-mission is infuriating.
But those moments when everything works – when your squad perfectly executes a difficult mission, when that last-second extraction succeeds, when everyone’s shouting about democracy while bugs explode everywhere – those moments make it worth the frustration.
My advice: If you can get it on sale (it’s been $34-36 on some key sites), it’s absolutely worth it even with the current issues. At full $40 price, maybe wait for the next major patch in February unless you’re really eager.
Additional Tips for the Best Experience
Reduce Frustration While Playing
Mindset adjustments that helped me:
- Expect occasional crashes and don’t get tilted
- Save progress frequently by completing objectives
- Play with understanding friends who won’t blame you for disconnects
- Take breaks if performance issues pile up
Join the Community
The Helldivers community is genuinely great:
- r/Helldivers subreddit for tips and updates
- Official Discord for LFG and developer communication
- Xbox LFG system for finding competent squads
Stay Updated on Patches
Arrowhead has been communicating regularly:
- Follow @helldivers2 on Twitter
- Check the in-game news terminal for updates
- Join the Discord for patch previews
Also, Read this:
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The Bottom Line: Great Game, Rough Technical State
Helldivers 2 on Xbox is a fantastic co-op shooter trapped in a less-than-optimal technical state. If you can look past the frame drops, crashes, and audio bugs – and honestly, that’s asking a lot – you’ll find one of the most satisfying multiplayer experiences available.
Arrowhead is “trying to get our s*** in order”, and I believe them. The bones of this game are too good for them to abandon it. Performance improvements are coming, it’s just a question of patience.
For now, use the optimization tips in this guide, manage your expectations, and focus on the incredible moments of chaotic co-op fun that make this game special despite its flaws.
Ready to spread managed democracy across the galaxy? Just go in knowing what you’re signing up for – amazing gameplay occasionally interrupted by technical hiccups. See you on the battlefield, Helldiver. For Super Earth! 🫡