Confirmed Random crashes

[ravenboybf]

Information​

I have verifed my game files (Steam only)​

Yes

I have disabled all mods​

Yes

I am running the latest game update​

Yes

Required​

Summary​

Random crashes

Description​

When playing the game, crashes occur at seemingly random times. Sometimes it only takes a couple of minutes, sometimes more than an hour.

Steps to reproduce​

The crashes appear seemingly randomly.

Game Version​

1.16.1.

Platform​

Windows

Additional Information​

Affected Feature​

• Crashes

Save Game​

View attachment autosave.ck3

Other Attachments​

 

[A Sentient Potato]

Hello there! To continue the investigation we need a few more things from you:
Got to C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\crashes and make a zip file of the latest crash log you had
Next, run DxDiag on your computer, in the window that pops up, click "Save all information", which will give you a .txt file with information about your hardware specs.
Lastly, attach them in a response here and send them so we can continue investigating!

 

[ravenboybf]

Hello there! To continue the investigation we need a few more things from you:
Got to C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\crashes and make a zip file of the latest crash log you had
Next, run DxDiag on your computer, in the window that pops up, click "Save all information", which will give you a .txt file with information about your hardware specs.
Lastly, attach them in a response here and send them so we can continue investigating!

 

[A Sentient Potato]

Sorry, let me clarify what I meant:
We need the entire folder that should be named something like ck3_[numbers]_[numbers] zipped up and sent to us, sorry for being unclear!

Also, I noticed that you are on Windows 11 and I guess you are playing with DX11 as the renderer when you are playing, correct? If that is the case, could you please try and change the renderer to Vulkan instead and see if the stability improves?

 

[ravenboybf]

Sorry, let me clarify what I meant:
We need the entire folder that should be named something like ck3_[numbers]_[numbers] zipped up and sent to us, sorry for being unclear!

Also, I noticed that you are on Windows 11 and I guess you are playing with DX11 as the renderer when you are playing, correct? If that is the case, could you please try and change the renderer to Vulkan instead and see if the stability improves?

Here is the folder.

Also, I am on Windows 11 so I assume I am using DX11 as renderer, however I wasn't able to find where I can check that or change it.

 

[A Sentient Potato]

Thank you for the crash log! From what I can tell, this particular crash could be happening because of outdated graphic drivers. Could you try to update all drivers and try again so we can see if it helps the situation. You should have access to the NVIDIA App where you can update it with a short install.

And regarding how to switch to a different renderer, just follow these easy steps!

1. Start the launcher
2. In the launcher, click on Game Settings in the left hand side of the launcher
3. At the top, there should be an option for Renderer. Set it to Vulkan
4. Now you can launch the game normally

In game, you can go to the graphic settings and there should be able to see the same option to change renderer, but then you have to restart the game.

Good luck, and please respond with the results!

 

[ravenboybf]

Thank you for the crash log! From what I can tell, this particular crash could be happening because of outdated graphic drivers. Could you try to update all drivers and try again so we can see if it helps the situation. You should have access to the NVIDIA App where you can update it with a short install.

And regarding how to switch to a different renderer, just follow these easy steps!

1. Start the launcher
2. In the launcher, click on Game Settings in the left hand side of the launcher
3. At the top, there should be an option for Renderer. Set it to Vulkan
4. Now you can launch the game normally

In game, you can go to the graphic settings and there should be able to see the same option to change renderer, but then you have to restart the game.

Good luck, and please respond with the results!

I have tried changing the renderrer to vulkan, but unfortunately the game still crashed after an hour. And then again approximately 10 mins after reloading a save. (attached the crash logs)

Also regarding my drivers, they were up to date during my previous crashes and I checked them before playing today and they were up to date, so that's not the issue probably.

 

[A Sentient Potato]

Alright, thank you so much for the cooperation. I've forwarded the information so that it can be investigated further!

Take care and have a great weekend!

 

[JonZone]

Hello!

After reviewing your DxDiag.txt, I noticed some concerning patterns — specifically multiple system-level error logs (Windows Error Reporting entries) that suggest your system might be experiencing hardware instability, most likely related to disk or RAM issues.

Even with your solid hardware specs, you should not be seeing these types of errors under normal circumstances.

---

1. Check Your Disk for Errors

1. Press Win + R, type cmd, then press Enter
2. In the Command Prompt, type:
   chkdsk C: /f /r
   (Replace C: with the drive where CK3 is installed, if different)
3. Press Enter, and it may ask you to schedule a scan on next reboot — choose Yes, then restart your PC.

---

2. Test Your RAM

Download and run MemTest86. This tool checks your memory for issues and runs outside Windows (you'll create a bootable USB).

---

Could I ask by any chance - do you have CK3 installed on your main drive? Do you play any other games without issues?
[ sorry I unlocked thread again ]

 

[ravenboybf]

I did the 1. thing, however nothing happened after restarting. Maybe I have to do something else to access something?

I can't run MemTest86, because it needs to be accessed with BIOS and for some reason I'm unable to access it. I've tried it already in the support ticket, but no button works for me to bring up the menu, it's always black screen or normal startup.

Also I do have CK3 installed on my main drive and I don't have any issues with other games on it.

 

[JonZone]

I did the 1. thing, however nothing happened after restarting. Maybe I have to do something else to access something?

These kinds of DxDiag errors are low-level — they point to Windows being unable to read or write memory or disk data reliably. So unfortunately, it does seem like your computer is the one crying. Most likely, CK3 is just using every ounce of performance it can get its greedy paws on.

Do you happen to know what power supply your system is using? And is your computer plugged into a power strip, or directly into a wall socket?

I’ve actually had a similar issue with a previous PC — some games were demanding enough that the power supply just couldn’t keep up. If your drive doesn’t get quite enough power even for a moment, it can cause what’s called a ‘brownout,’ which can lead to exactly the kind of system-level errors you’re seeing. If other games you play aren’t quite as taxing as CK3, that would explain why they don’t trigger the same issue. Even something as simple as plugging your power supply directly into the wall — instead of through a power strip — can sometimes completely avoid these kinds of problems.

 

[ravenboybf]

My power supply is RM850e which is 850W so I'm pretty sure it should be more than enough. Also my computer is plugged into a power strip. Unfortunately that's the only way I can connect my pc power, since my monitor also requires an outlet. I've never heard of an issue like that before. Also I have played 1 game that is more taxing than CK3 and it did actually crash at times, but it did so VERY rarely, only like 3-4 times during 100h of me playing it and that game was also known for being quite buggy in the past (the game is Cyberpunk 2077 for reference). Pretty sure it's actually much more demanding than ck3 esp cuz I was playing it on max settings.

 

[JonZone]

My power supply is RM850e which is 850W so I'm pretty sure it should be more than enough. Also my computer is plugged into a power strip. Unfortunately that's the only way I can connect my pc power, since my monitor also requires an outlet. I've never heard of an issue like that before. Also I have played 1 game that is more taxing than CK3 and it did actually crash at times, but it did so VERY rarely, only like 3-4 times during 100h of me playing it and that game was also known for being quite buggy in the past (the game is Cyberpunk 2077 for reference). Pretty sure it's actually much more demanding than ck3 esp cuz I was playing it on max settings.

Your PSU is absolutely enough.

Yeah, sorry man - not entirely sure what to tell you then. It could be faulty drivers causing this as well of course, but I'm basing this on the errors in this log. You could try to just reinstall the NVIDIA drivers completely?

All I can really tell from this is that your windows lower-level gives up at a certain point.

 

[ravenboybf]

Tried reinstalling my drivers, crashed not even 5 mins after playing the game. Yea not sure what to do or if the problem is fixable. Maybe if I could access my BIOS and update them like the people in the ticket said, but no matter how many times I tried, it doesn't want to show up.