[2023] CK3 1.8.1 crashes on startup, with no mods

Right click on ck3.exe , properties, compatibility. Tick "disable fullScreen optimisations" untick every other box in that dialog, Apply and exit.

Then in the launcher Game Settings menu, select fullScreen display mode, Vsync off, cap refresh rate at 60.


If those don't help:
DXDIAG is a program you run from the Windows search box on the task bar. After running it will open a window and start collecting info with a progress bar in the lower-left corner. When it completes click the 'save all information' button and save it to a file then attach that file here.

Please attach here your Documents/Paradox Interactive/CK3/pdx_settings.txt .
From your Documents/Paradox Interactive/CK3/logs/ folder, attach here system.log , error.log , exceptions.log  

captnchuck67 said: same thing is happening to me. i am getting a launcher update failed when i start the game.

That is not the same thing at all! The OP's launcher runs fine, their game won't start from it. Please start your own new thread in future, thanks.

Please try this:

- uninstall Paradox Launcher v2 from the Windows "Apps and features" utility, if still present.

Delete the following folders if still present:

- C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Roaming/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
To see the AppData folder you'll need to enable View Hidden Items in File Explorer.

- exit the Steam app entirely
- run steam.exe as the Windows Admin user
- run the game from the PLAY button in Steam
OR
- exit the Epic app entirely
- run EpicGamesLauncher.exe as the Windows Admin user
- run the game from the Epic client

IF that doesn't help, in this folder are some .log files:
C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
Please attach them here.  

Arazin said: Same problem, maybe it's after reverting game for 1.5 version (for play goa2) or after new dlc... Game just crush on startup (OR when i open map/select ruler).
Already use all tips from this thread.

Upd: Logs says "not enough vram". Ok. I close ALL programs (browser, discord, wallpaper engine) and he work! Really!? Why? How it works!?
Spec:
OS: Windows 10
RAM: 16GB
GPU: GTX 1050ti (4gb)
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3500 (6 core)

Upd2: okay.... now i can't play with open browser(opera gx) WHY!?

Please run these two Windows repair utilities:

.NET

Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool is available - Microsoft Support

Describes the .NET Framework Repair Tool and how to obtain it. support.microsoft.com
SCANNOW:

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files - Microsoft Support

Describes how to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista. support.microsoft.com

If those don't help:
DXDIAG is a program you run from the Windows search box on the task bar. After running it will open a window and start collecting info with a progress bar in the lower-left corner. When it completes click the 'save all information' button and save it to a file then attach that file here.

Please attach here your Documents/Paradox Interactive/CK3/pdx_settings.txt .
From your Documents/Paradox Interactive/CK3/logs/ folder, attach here system.log , error.log , exceptions.log  

I see you run AISuite3.exe . Please unload that, or prevent it running at boot time then reboot - it's caused problems with our games for some time.

And with those errors, Please do a full **clean** re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-CK3
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/CK3 AND Documents/Paradox Interactive/CK3 folders
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add CK3.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.

In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam CK3 or Documents CK3 locations, before installing again.


THEN Right click on ck3.exe , properties, compatibility. Tick "disable fullScreen optimisations" untick every other box in that dialog, Apply and exit.

Then in the launcher Game Settings menu, select fullScreen display mode, Vsync off, cap refresh rate at 60.

Any better?  

Your browser? Discord? Wow, this looks like a weird one.

Did you run those two Windows repair utilities I linked above? If so did they find anything to fix? You don't mention them either way.  

Ouch! I am sorry that happened but it's a pretty clear indication there's a fundamental problem in Windows on this machine. Time for a Reset or clean wipe and reinstall, I'm afraid!

If you are not experienced in such things you might get professional help for that, including making sure you have backups of your irreplaceable documents and photos.  

Mogensthegreat said: I'm having the exact same issue as OP here, down to the fact that CK3 worked fine on this machine a few months ago but now does not.

First please opt out of 1.8.1 in the Steam betas tab for this game, then the current patch 1.9.0.4 will apply.

Does that help? If not, Right click on ck3.exe , properties, compatibility. Tick "disable fullScreen optimisations" untick every other box in that dialog, Apply and exit. Then in the launcher Game Settings menu, select fullScreen display mode, Vsync off, cap refresh rate at 60.

Interesting that there are no crashes in ck3.exe recorded in that dxdiag! Was there an exceptions.log?  

Mogensthegreat said: I was not opted into the 1.8.1 beta - I was on the latest update.

Oh! As this thread was about 1.8.1 and you said you had the exact same problem, I naturally assumed ... ! Best to make your own fresh thread in future, thanks.

Mogensthegreat said: I ran the game with vsync off, refresh rate and compatibility settings set as you suggested

The refresh rate is not capped in those settings files you provided - can you check that it is capped to 60 please?

What actual fps rate do you see in the game?

Mogensthegreat said: I'm running it on Windows 10 now, would updating my computer to Windows 11 make any difference?

No, but do make 100% sure Win10 is fully up to date.  

Is it any different if you run ck3.exe directly from File Explorer?

If so, then make a new user in Windows and log into it with that. Does it still happen then, regardless of how launched?