Game freezes or gets stuck loading (happens less often when switching to default graphics configs)

Hello, I have been completely unable to play my lvl 88 Slayer in Settlers league since the release of POE 2, and I am unsure of the cause. When loading into a new area, the game frequently freezes (gears stop spinning), and no matter how long I leave it, does not progress. I am unable to log in with this character if I modify my graphics settings.

I recently retried the character and when I reset my graphics configs to default, I am finally able to log in with this character, but the issue still seems to happen at random times when progressing through an area.

Can someone please advise? I made a lot of progress on this character and don't want to lose it because of a technical issue.