HITMAN Crashing in Chongqing or Mendoza? Ray Tracing Is the Suspect
If HITMAN World of Assassination crashes while loading Chongqing or Mendoza, disable ray tracing in the game's graphics settings before trying again. IO Interactive has confirmed that NVIDIA driver 621.01 WHQL can cause crashes in those locations when ray tracing is enabled. Turning it off allows both missions to load normally, according to the developer.
That's the official workaround. No reinstalling the game, deleting saves or spending your evening conducting an exorcism on Windows.
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Which HITMAN Crashes Does This Fix?
IO Interactive identified the issue in its October 29 Update 3.290 patch notes. The affected combination is specific: PC players using NVIDIA driver 621.01 WHQL, with ray tracing enabled, attempting to load Chongqing or Mendoza. If that describes your setup, open HITMAN's graphics settings, switch ray tracing off and try loading the mission again.
There is something magnificent about the world's most meticulously prepared assassin being stopped at the door by a lighting setting. Agent 47 can infiltrate heavily guarded compounds, steal identities and arrange elaborate accidents, but apparently getting into Chongqing now requires written permission from the Graphics Department. Application denied: reflections too ambitious.
Unfortunately, this isn't a universal crash fix. IO Interactive has documented this particular combination of driver, settings and locations. Crashes involving other drivers, different missions or ray tracing already disabled may have completely different causes. If the workaround doesn't help, don't assume you've encountered the same bug.
More importantly, IO Interactive hasn't instructed players to roll back drivers, reinstall HITMAN or delete save files. Those aren't necessary steps in the developer's documented workaround.
When Is the Permanent Fix Coming?
IO Interactive says a permanent fix is planned for a subsequent patch, although no exact release date has been confirmed. Until then, affected players can disable ray tracing to access Chongqing and Mendoza without triggering this known issue.
You can follow the developer's progress through the official HITMAN Update 3.290 patch notes.
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HITMAN Chongqing and Mendoza Crash FAQ
Why does HITMAN crash when loading Chongqing or Mendoza?
IO Interactive has confirmed that NVIDIA driver 621.01 WHQL can cause crashes when loading either location with ray tracing enabled.
How do I fix the HITMAN ray-tracing crash?
Open HITMAN's graphics settings and disable ray tracing before loading Chongqing or Mendoza. IO Interactive confirms this workaround allows both locations to load normally.
Do I need to reinstall HITMAN or roll back my NVIDIA driver?
No. Neither is required by the official workaround. Disabling ray tracing is sufficient for the specific issue documented by IO Interactive.
When will the HITMAN crash be permanently fixed?
IO Interactive plans to address the problem in a subsequent patch, but no confirmed release date has been announced.
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