Game crashes during the loading after last update - Windows 10

[allfair2]

The game crashes during loading. I'm on Windows 10, launching via launcher v2. The game starts loading. Shortly after the music starts playing, without the main game menu coming up, the game crashes and returns me back to the desktop without any error message.

 

[allfair2]

Log file here:

[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISIONS_VIEW_TITLE' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'MY_LIFESTYLE_TITLE' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'MY_EDUCATION_TITLE' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'CHOOSE_LIFESTYLE' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'CHOOSE_EDUCATION' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'CHANGE_LIFESTYLE' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'CHANGE_EDUCATION' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISIONS_VIEW_DECISIONS' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISIONS_VIEW_MAJOR_DECISIONS' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISIONS_VIEW_MAJOR_TOGGLE' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISION_DETAIL_REQUIREMENTS' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISION_DETAIL_EFFECTS' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISION_NOT_VALID' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISIONS_VIEW_COUNCILLOR' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISIONS_VIEW_LEAVE_COUNCIL' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISIONS_VIEW_LEAVE_COUNCIL_TT' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'DECISIONS_VIEW_MAJOR_NOT_AVAILABLE' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'LEAVE_COUNCIL_CONFIRMATION_TITLE' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'LEAVE_COUNCIL_CONFIRMATION' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:47:15][E][pdx_localize.cpp:279]: Duplicate localization key. Key 'LEAVE_COUNCIL_CONFIRMATION_ACCEPT' is defined in both 'localization/english/gui/decisionsview_l_english.yml' and 'localization/english/gui/desicionsview_l_english.yml'.
[22:53:50][E][lexer.cpp:297]: File 'common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_artifact.txt' should be in utf8-bom encoding (will try to use it anyways)
[22:53:51][E][lexer.cpp:297]: File 'common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_building.txt' should be in utf8-bom encoding (will try to use it anyways)
[22:53:51][E][lexer.cpp:297]: File 'common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_conversation_subjects.txt' should be in utf8-bom encoding (will try to use it anyways)
[22:53:51][E][lexer.cpp:297]: File 'common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_food.txt' should be in utf8-bom encoding (will try to use it anyways)
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_stallion_cz_2p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalMale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 772 (GetAnimalMale2P)'
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_stallion_cz_3p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalMale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 777 (GetAnimalMale3P)'
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_stallion_cz_4p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalMale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 782 (GetAnimalMale4P)'
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_stallion_cz_6p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalMale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 787 (GetAnimalMale6P)'
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_stallion_cz_7p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalMale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 792 (GetAnimalMale7P)'
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_mare_cz_2p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalFemale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 888 (GetAnimalFemale2P)'
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_mare_cz_3p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalFemale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 893 (GetAnimalFemale3P)'
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_mare_cz_4p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalFemale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 898 (GetAnimalFemale4P)'
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_mare_cz_6p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalFemale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 903 (GetAnimalFemale6P)'
[22:53:51][E][jomini_custom_text.cpp:179]: Missing loc key 'horse_gender_mare_cz_7p' for custom localization 'GetAnimalFemale' (or variant), at 'file: common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt line: 908 (GetAnimalFemale7P)'
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetTerrainTypePlural, near line: 1395" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1399
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetTerrainTypeADJ, near line: 1401" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1405
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: TerrainTypeProvince, near line: 1407" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1479
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: TerrainTypeProvince2P, near line: 1481" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1484
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: TerrainTypeProvince3P, near line: 1486" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1489
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: TerrainTypeProvince4P, near line: 1491" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1494
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: TerrainTypeProvince5P, near line: 1496" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1499
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: TerrainTypeProvince6P, near line: 1501" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1504
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: TerrainTypeProvince7P, near line: 1506" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1509
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjective, near line: 1514" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1670
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveCaptive, near line: 1672" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1706
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveG, near line: 1709" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1914
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveCaptiveG, near line: 1916" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1950
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveG2P, near line: 1952" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1955
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveG3P, near line: 1957" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1960
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveG4P, near line: 1962" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1965
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveG5P, near line: 1967" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1970
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveG6P, near line: 1972" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1975
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveG7P, near line: 1977" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1980
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveCaptiveG2P, near line: 1982" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1985
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveCaptiveG3P, near line: 1987" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1990
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveCaptiveG4P, near line: 1992" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 1995
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveCaptiveG5P, near line: 1997" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2000
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveCaptiveG6P, near line: 2002" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2005
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetAnimalAdjectiveCaptiveG7P, near line: 2007" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2010
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetRandomRegionalDanger, near line: 2012" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2155
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetRandomRegionalDanger2P, near line: 2157" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2160
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetRandomRegionalDanger3P, near line: 2162" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2165
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetRandomRegionalDanger4P, near line: 2167" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2170
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetRandomRegionalDanger5P, near line: 2172" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2175
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetRandomRegionalDanger6P, near line: 2177" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2180
[22:53:51][E][pdx_persistent_reader.cpp:216]: Error: "Unexpected token: GetRandomRegionalDanger7P, near line: 2182" in file: "common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_hunt.txt" near line: 2185
[22:53:51][E][lexer.cpp:297]: File 'common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_regional.txt' should be in utf8-bom encoding (will try to use it anyways)
[22:53:51][E][lexer.cpp:297]: File 'common/customizable_localization/00_CZ_relations.txt' should be in utf8-bom encoding (will try to use it anyways)
[22:54:02][E][lexer.cpp:297]: File 'common/customizable_localization/05_CZ_bp2_custom_loc.txt' should be in utf8-bom encoding (will try to use it anyways)

 

[AndrewT]

Please do a full **clean** re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-CK3
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/Crusader Kings 3 AND Documents/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III/ folders - In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam CK3 or Documents CK3 locations, before installing again.
- 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.

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.

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.
IF dxdiag.txt fails to attach here, rename it to dxdiag.log , or zip it up.

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.txt

 

[allfair2]

Please do a full **clean** re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-CK3
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/Crusader Kings 3 AND Documents/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III/ folders - In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam CK3 or Documents CK3 locations, before installing again.
- 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.

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.

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.
IF dxdiag.txt fails to attach here, rename it to dxdiag.log , or zip it up.

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.txt

Thank you for your help. Sadly, nothing helped, so here I am attaching the file from DXDIAG and thank for another tip or help!

 

[AndrewT]

You might be a bit low on available memory. Please expand your Windows paging file maximum size to 32gb
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/openpag...increasing-paging-file-size-windows-computers
(given how small your C: drive is you might have to extend the paging file onto D: too)
AND exit every other app you can before starting the game.

If still a problem, a new dxdiag plus all those other files I requested, please.

 

[Avessinus]

Hi, I have the same problems as the OP and I've done all you've said but it won't work for me either. The log files won't upload because they're empty.

 

[AndrewT]

Hi, I have the same problems as the OP and I've done all you've said but it won't work for me either. The log files won't upload because they're empty.

You don't appear to have done all the steps from my post #3. Please try that, and supply here all the files I requested there if no help. Thanks.

 

[Avessinus]

You don't appear to have done all the steps from my post #3. Please try that, and supply here all the files I requested there if no help. Thanks.

My bad, I did the steps I had missed. I'm very confused as to how to make the DXDIAG work and below is the pdx-settings. The other files you have requested come up as 'empty' with exceptions not even in the folder. Also, when I try to load CK3, Google Chrome shuts down.

 

[AndrewT]

I'm very confused as to how to make the DXDIAG work

Can you please provide the DxDiag

• Open your Start menu, Cortana or Search
• Type dxdiag in the search field
• Click on the dxdiag program
• A window called "DirectX Diagnostic Tool" should pop up now
• Wait until the green bar at the bottom-left has disappeared
• At the bottom right-hand side, click on "Save all information"
• Save it to a place where you can find it easily, for example your desktop
• Attach this file here
• IF dxdiag.txt fails to attach here, rename it to dxdiag.log , or zip it up.

 

[Avessinus]

Here you go! Hopefully this is what you meant by zip it up

 

[AndrewT]

A few problems in there!

You are low on available memory, and must be running a bunch of other stuff too as your swap space is almost full.

Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 7498MB RAM
Page File: 26029MB used, 3997MB available

Please expand your Windows paging file maximum size to AT LEAST 32gb
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/openpag...increasing-paging-file-size-windows-computers
AND exit every other app you can before starting the game.

Update that Nvidia driver to May 2025 https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
If GeForce Experience or the Nvidia app are running after doing that, exit them before starting the game.

If you still get this problem after that, you are also on the problem Windows 11 24H2 version.

A user has come up with another possible workaround
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/threads/24h2-w11-update-issue-found-no-more-crashes.1728373/
Some affected users have definitely seen that help them with this issue. Do try this first as it has a decent record of success!

Also switch the renderer to Vulkan in the launcher-game settings menu - performance will likely be worse but users are reporting it stops the PC freezes!


Good luck!

 

[Avessinus]

I tried the workaround you linked but it crashed, (causing Chrome to crash alongside it) and gave me the following message (print screen wasn't working):

NVIDIA Overlay.exe - Application Error
The exception unknown software exception (0xe0000008) occurred in the application at location 0x00007FFF77BD933A.

Let me try the technique you proposed because I've removed the changes.

 

[Avessinus]

I've changed it to 32gb, what should the initial size be? I've updated the Nvidia driver to May 2025...

… it worked!!!!!

Thank you so much! I haven't had a chance to play CK3 in months because of this issue. You've been the only one who's helped solve it! Hopefully it doesn't crash throughout gameplay but this already is so much.

I don't know how to thank you enough!