Game Causes Entire PC to FREEZE Forcing a Complete Power Button Shutdown. I have tried all known troubleshooting methods. Please help.

[eaj155]

I am having the exact same issue as described in this previous threads (which were never resolved).

To reiterate the specific issue in case it's not clear, CK3 freezes the entire PC where I can only move my cursor, other times it freezes the entire PC where I can only move my mouse. I am absolutely unequivocally convinced it IS NOT a hardware issue. I have done ALL of the following:

1. Ensured my power draw does no exceed my power supply.
2. Ensured ALL drivers and windows updates were installed CLEANLY (I even did an entire windows reinstall)
3. Ensured there were ZERO issues with RAM (mdsched.exe)
4. NOTHING is overclocked and all components including BIOS are on FACTORY NEW settings.
5. Game is locked at 60 fps on fullscreen DirectX 11 with 60hz refresh and V-Sync OFF (I have also tried almost every conceivable combination of graphics API, v-sync, refresh rate, and in game settings.
6. This issue happens both modded AND unmodded.
7. CK3 has been ALLOWED through controlled folder access in ransomware settings (I also tried controlled folder access off, no chance obviously).
8. Fullscreen optimizations is checked and there are NO ADDITIONAL settings for the ck3.exe file
9. I have 32GB of ram and set a 40GB PAGEFILE
10. Dxdiag was run with NO PROBLEMS found (I am attaching the log file to my reply).
11. Temperatures are average for my components at the absolute worse and often are ABOVE AVERAGE while playing. My CPU does peak to around 75 while the game is loading up however once I am actually playing it stabilizes to mid to low 50C range, my GPU on the other hand is consistently in the 40C range.
12. Searched every single reddit and forum post I could find for solutions and tried everything I found (yes, everything).

If I missed something in the list of things I mentioned above and it is a commonly recommended step for troubleshooting, there is a 99.99% chance I have done it and simply forgot to mention it.

My Computer Specs:
Operating System: Windows 11 Home 64-bit latest release
System Manufacturer: MSI
System Model: B650 Tomohawk (AM5)
BIOS: latest
Processor: 7800X3D at 4.2 GHz
Memory: 32GB DDR5 RAM
Available OS Memory: 32GB DDR5 RAM
Page File: 40GB, plenty of space available
DirectX Version: DirectX 12/11
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti super
Display Memory: 16GB
Dedicated Memory: 16GB
Shared Memory: Not sure
Current Mode: 3440x1440p, 60 hz, v-sync OFF
Monitor Model: 27M1N3200ZA
Monitor Id: aw3423dwf
Output Type: display port

Apologies if the bold words come off as condescending, I am just trying to make absolutely clear that I tried all recommended fixes in the way I interpreted them. I am 110% positive I am not experiencing a hardware issue. No other game, CPU heavy, GPU heavy, or RAM heavy does this to me. Cyberpunk 2077, Stellaris, WoW, CS2, whatever. Literally nothing else. My theory is that it is related to the recent buggy Windows 11 24H2 update, but I am unwilling to downgrade to 23H2 to check as I will have to backup all my files or lose them (too time consuming considering I have already put so much effort just trying to play this one game).

I really, really, really want to play. I have all DLC and have been playing since launch with hundreds of hours but at this point, I am at a complete loss at what to do.

Help me CK3 forum, you are quite literally my only hope.

 

[eaj155]

Forgot DXDIAG, sorry

 

[AndrewT]

My theory is that it is related to the recent buggy Windows 11 24H2 update, but I am unwilling to downgrade to 23H2 to check as I will have to backup all my files or lose them (too time consuming considering I have already put so much effort just trying to play this one game).

Your issue is indeed almost certainly the 24H2 problem. If you won't downgrade or reinstall Windows, you can only play this game on any other machine you might have access to, until MS fix that problem.

 

[Oxbridge]

Your issue is indeed almost certainly the 24H2 problem. If you won't downgrade or reinstall Windows, you can only play this game on any other machine you might have access to, until MS fix that problem.

Do we have any idea if Paradox has made any further developments in their investigation into the problem by working with Microsoft?

 

[boraal]

Funny how this is always a Microsoft problem but the only thing I see affected is CK3. Every other game runs fine. Easy to pass the buck to Microsoft. Asking the end user to wipe their PC because we're well beyond the 10 day limit to roll back is insane. Easier choice is to just stop playing CK3 and to avoid buying games from the dev in the future.

 

[TwilightMirror]

Same issue, on my 7940HS+4070 Laptop, hope Paradox or MS would fix soon.

 

[AndrewT]

Do we have any idea if Paradox has made any further developments in their investigation into the problem by working with Microsoft?

Well, certainly not now, as Paradox are shut down for their annual Windows break. But this is a widely reported issue that affects all sorts of games and apps, so I don't think MS need PDX's input to get it fixed.

Funny how this is always a Microsoft problem but the only thing I see affected is CK3. Every other game runs fine. Easy to pass the buck to Microsoft. Asking the end user to wipe their PC because we're well beyond the 10 day limit to roll back is insane. Easier choice is to just stop playing CK3 and to avoid buying games from the dev in the future.

I understand you only see this on CK3 but I assure you it is a much much wider issue than that.

Assassin's Creed.

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 24H2 issue is breaking games.

Microsoft Warns Millions Of Windows Users—Do Not Install This Update On Your PC.

And so on.