Helldivers 2 Faces Unexpected Lockout for Some PC Players – Devs Working on a Fix

If you've been enjoying Helldivers 2 on your PC, you might have suddenly found yourself unable to play, despite previously having no issues. A recent update introduced a hard requirement for AVX2 support, effectively locking out players with older CPUs.

For those unfamiliar, AVX2 (Advanced Vector Extensions 2) is a CPU feature introduced in 2013 that allows for better performance and efficiency. The problem? Helldivers 2 didn’t previously require it, and many players had been running the game just fine without AVX2 support. Now, with the recent update, the game refuses to launch on systems that lack AVX2, leaving many players stuck with a game they paid for but can no longer play.

The Community's Response

Unsurprisingly, frustration has exploded across the game's Discord server. Many players are upset that a game they purchased, and in some cases, invested hundreds of hours into, is now unplayable. One player summed it up, saying:

“600+ hours in a game I love just to be locked out? I’d rather get a refund than deal with this.”

Community volunteers have been trying to help, but it hasn’t been easy. The discussions have become heated, with some players demanding fixes while others are just looking for answers. One volunteer, Birby, who’s been tirelessly responding to complaints, expressed their frustration:

“I don’t like telling people their 13-year-old processor is out of date, but I’ve answered this question hundreds of times now.”

To make matters worse, the AVX2 check in the game’s code appears to be unreliable, with some players possibly being locked out even if they do have compatible CPUs. Volunteers have suggested checking processor documentation and even rolling back GPU drivers, but none of these are guaranteed fixes.

Arrowhead Steps In

After a wave of complaints, Arrowhead finally addressed the situation. Community manager Baskinator posted in Discord, saying,

“Regarding the AVX2 issue, we are currently working on a fix. Thank you for being patient, and I apologize for the struggles you’ve had in the meantime.”

That’s good news, but it’s still unclear when the fix will arrive or if it will allow older CPUs to run the game again.

For now, affected players have two choices: wait and hope for a fix or start considering a CPU upgrade. Since AVX2 has been standard since 2013, upgrading may be inevitable for those with older hardware.

Meanwhile, Arrowhead has also been busy with other updates. The game recently received a PS5 Pro patch, boosting performance for console players. Additionally, creative director Johan Pilestedt spoke at GDC about the state of the gaming industry, criticizing the industry's reliance on battle royale games and the “brutal” cycles of layoffs.

Previously, we reported on Helldivers 2 Faces Tough Choice in New Major Order, which also raised some questions within the community.

For Helldivers 2 players on older PCs, though, those discussions are little comfort. Right now, all they want is to get back into the fight—and they’re stuck waiting for Arrowhead to deliver a fix.