Critical Games ✓ Solution Verified by Community (30+ upvotes)

How to fix error kmode-exception-not-handled in DOOM Eternal

Kernel-mode program generated an exception the error handler didn't catch. Usually a driver issue.

60% success rate
👥 30+ users verified
📅 Updated: 2026-08-12
⏱️ 20 min read
Fix based on community reports and expert analysis. Last verified: 2026-08-12 · How we verify fixes
Error Codekmode-exception-not-handled
Affected SystemDOOM Eternal (id Software)
DifficultyCritical
Estimated Time20 min
Requires Admin Rights⚠️ Yes
Requires Reboot🔄 Yes

Solution Steps

  1. 1 Run DOOM Eternal as Administrator. Navigate to the game folder, right-click the .exe → Properties → Compatibility → check 'Run this program as an administrator' → Apply. This gives DOOM Eternal full system access and fixes permission-related crashes.
  2. 2 Update Windows to the latest version. Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates. Install ALL updates, especially 'Optional' driver updates. DOOM Eternal requires the latest Windows components for stability.
  3. 3 Disable fullscreen optimizations. Right-click DOOM Eternal.exe → Properties → Compatibility → check 'Disable fullscreen optimizations' → Apply. This prevents Windows from interfering with the game's rendering pipeline.
  4. 4 Install DOOM Eternal on an SSD if it's currently on an HDD. Slow disk reads during gameplay cause asset streaming stutters that can cascade into crashes. An SSD eliminates this bottleneck.
  5. 5 Check your RAM stability. Press Windows key + R, type 'mdsched.exe' and press Enter → Restart now. Faulty RAM causes random crashes in DOOM Eternal that are impossible to reproduce consistently.
  6. 6 Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection and test DOOM Eternal. Add the game folder to antivirus exclusions. Security software sometimes quarantines game files or blocks their execution.
  7. 7 Lower DOOM Eternal graphics settings temporarily. Set everything to Low/Off, disable Ray Tracing, disable DLSS/FSR. If crashes stop, increase settings one by one until you find the problematic setting — usually shadows, textures, or ray tracing.
  8. 8 If DOOM Eternal still crashes: uninstall the game, delete all remaining folders in SteamApps\common and %LOCALAPPDATA%, restart your PC, reinstall. This clean slate approach fixes stubborn corruption that verification misses.

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