Game crashes at startup

[gremlin303]

I have had CK2 for quite some time and put a many hours into it with virtually no problems in the past. Yesterday I bought HOI4 and all its DLCs in the sale. HOI kept crashing on startup but I chalked that up to my computer not being up to scratch for it so after much frustration I gave up and uninstalled it.

However, today when I loaded up CK2 i was having the same problem, the game crashes anytime between the launcher appearing to around half way through the game loading, I have tried validating the cache on steam and reinstalling it a couple times. Not sure what else to try. Any suggestions?

Edit: Okay I just tried Stellaris and it is doing the same thing, it used to work fine. Absolutely baffling

 

[AndrewT]

Most likely the recent Windows update has borked DirectX9 or Visual C++.

Please go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Crusader Kings II\ _CommonRedist\DirectX\Jun2010\ and run dxsetup.exe

Please go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Crusader Kings II\ _CommonRedist\vcredist\2010\ and run vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe


Also if you have installed a gaming VPN app called Evolve, or the MSI Gaming App, disable it as it clashes with this game.

 

[DaJiangjun1982]

I have had the same problem with HOI4, Stellaris, and CK2 after pressing play on the launchers. HOI4 and Stellaris I can alt-tab to a blank screen where I will get a program is not responding message and close the program. On CK2 I can hear the music from the loading screen but nothing pops up, if I alt-tab I just end up back on my desktop and I have to restart my pc to close the program.

I have tried reinstalling, validating the cache on Steam and the recommended fix above and still nothing works.

 

[AndrewT]

For the record it is always preferable to start your own thread rather than hijack someone else's. Similar symptoms do not necessarily mean the same problem.


For all these games start with a clean reinstall, the process is the same for all of them:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-CK2
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/CK2 AND Documents/Paradox/CK2 folders
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- start the game with no mods active and test

In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam CK2 or Documents CK2 locations, before installing again.


IF that doesn't help, DXDIAG is a program you run from a command prompt or the Windows start menu 'run' dialog box (or 'search programs' in Windows 7 or later). 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 your Documents/Paradox/CK2/settings.txt.
From your Documents/Paradox/CK2/logs/ folder, attach system.log .