Game Crash-Freeze Win11 Intel CPU

[Kuennce]

Hello, I have a problem with crashes and freezes that force me to shut down my PC. It happens when zooming in and out, when I press New Game -> Start Game and sometimes even when Im just running the game at speed 5-4-3. Sometimes it doesnt crash but freezes the whole PC. I tried to fix the issue by undervolting, disabling hyperthreading, using Vulkan, deactivating E or P cores, etc. Nothing works. I really like this game and want to continue playing, but it has become a pain to restart every 10 minutes. I have attached files my DxDiag report and crash reports. One is without Vulkan(1) and the other is with Vulkan.

 

[AndrewT]

You do in fact have one of the problem Intel CPU models, and the problem Windows 11 24H2 edition. We'll try to help with both.

I don't think you have the latest bios from MSI , which is necessary to get the latest Intel microcode to address their hardware problems. So please check with MSI support on that; when updated if there is an Intel Default setting in the bios use that; if there is not, just least it as is.


As to the Windows issue, you've already tried the main workaround which is using Vulkan not DirectX11. Did that make no difference at all? How exactly did you implement Vulkan?


In the settings file I see the refresh rate capped to 60, but not that Vsync has been disabled - without that it will still use the desktop rate of 144. What actual fps do you see in the game, doe sit ever exceed 60?

 

[Kuennce]

I updated the BIOS and adjusted the settings (VSync off, fullscreen, 60 FPS) About Vulkan I did Right Click Vic3 on Steam, Properties, General, Launch Options -vulkan. Then started the game. It crashed twice, once when I clicked New Game -> Start Game, then I tried to continue a game I had been playing. That time it crashed after 4–5 minutes. My FPS was 60–55 on speed 4, and 60–45 on speed 5. Crash reports are attached.

Edit: Im trying to start a new game but its imposible with this settings. Whenever I press the start game button game crashing. It was fifty fifty before.

 

[AndrewT]

Not sure how those steps could have made it worse ... Please do a full clean re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-Vic3
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/Victoria3 AND Documents/Paradox Interactive/Victoria3 folders - In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam Victoria3 or Documents Victoria3 locations, before installing again
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add Victoria3.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.

If you have trouble starting the game again, implement vulkan again.

Good luck!

 

[Kuennce]

I did everything even more, I guess.

-Uninstalled the game with Revo Uninstaller and manually deleted the files you asked for
-Restarted my computer and reinstalled the game
-Verified the game files
-I use Windows Defender I added an exception for Victoria3.exe and I dont use the Ransomware protection setting
-Before starting the game I set fullscreen, VSync off, and 60 FPS in the launcher
-Tried without any mods and without Vulkan pressed "New Game" then "Start Game" boom crash.
-Tried with Vulkan five times boom crash.

I’ve genuinely lost hope of playing the game. I dont know why, but it wasnt like this before. I used to be able to start the game. Ive even tried things like undervolting my CPU but I just dont know what the problem is anymore. Crash reports with Vulkan on.

 

[AndrewT]

I'm sorry we've made no progress yet. That Windows version is a real problem but usually not to this extent!

Can i get a new dxdiag please, plus Please install and run the free utility Speccy. Send its output to a text file and attach that here please.
https://www.ccleaner.com/speccy/download

Thanks.

 

[Kuennce]

Im jealous that people can play the game right now

 

[AndrewT]

I see you have two AV apps running, Norton's 360 and Windows Defender. It's best IMO to choose one and disable the other.

Assuming you continue with 360, make sure victoria3.exe is in all its exceptions lists, AND that it is not doing realtimne scans of the Documents/Paradox Interactive/Victoria3 folders

If you continue with WD , in the Windows search box enter Ransomware. Enable Controlled Folder Access if disabled, then go into Apps Allowed Through and add victoris3.exe in there.

And check that victoria3.exe is NOT set to run as the Windows Admin user; Right click on victoria3.exe , properties, compatibility. Tick "disable fullScreen optimisations" untick every other box in that dialog, Apply and exit.


And lastly, unload or disable all those MSI apps such as
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI\MSI Center\Engine\CC_Engine_x64.exe


Does any of that help?