In Review The game crashes during map generation with the error "Exit Code null."

[Bleakwalker]

Required​

Summary​

The game crashes during map generation with the error "Exit Code null."

Description​

he game consistently crashes during the map generation phase. The crash occurs after 1-2 minutes of gameplay and results in an "Exit Code null" error. The issue happens even when running the game as an administrator. The game runs briefly before crashing, and the crash is related to the map generation process.

Steps to reproduce​

Launch Age of Wonders 4 from Steam.

Start a new game and enter the map generation phase.

Wait for the map to begin generating (around 1-2 minutes).

The game will crash with the error "Exit Code null."

Platform​

Steam

Game Version​

test Steam version (current version displayed in the lower left corner of the main menu)

Owned DLCs​

• None

Optional​

Affected Feature​

Attachments​

View attachment DxDiag.txt

 

[Bleakwalker]

Summary:The game crashes during the map generation phase, displaying an "Exit Code null" error.


Description:When I start a new game and enter the map generation phase, the game crashes after 1-2 minutes of gameplay. It results in the error "Exit Code null." Running the game as an administrator does not prevent the crash.


Steps to reproduce:

1. Open Age of Wonders 4 through Steam.
2. Start a new game and enter the map generation phase.
3. Wait a minute or two for the map to generate.
4. The game crashes with the "Exit Code null" error.

Platform:Steam


Game Version:Current version displayed in the bottom left corner of the main menu.


Owned DLCs:None


Affected Feature:Map generation

 

[Triumph Jordi]

Hi Bleakwalker, thank you for reaching out. When making a bug reporting involving a crash please provide us with the Crash Report Name you get after uploading your crash. With that we can retrieve your data and have a look.

 

[Bleakwalker]

Thank you for your reply. Here is a full summary of my issue so far, including what I’ve already tried with the helpdesk (ticket #318044), and what I’ve experienced:


Issue Description:

• The game sometimes crashes during or after launch, especially during map generation or when selecting a race/map.
• In one case, launching the game caused my system to restart entirely.
• The crash is not consistent, but it frequently happens during gameplay initialization.

System Information:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (Driver date: 2025.03.14)
• RAM: 32 GB
• OS: Windows 11 Pro,
• Game Version: up to date
• Launcher: Paradox Launcher v2
• Username: Bleakwalker
• Platform: Steam
• All Windows and driver updates are up to date.

What I have tried so far (per Helpdesk instructions):

1. Updated drivers: NVIDIA and AMD both.
2. Used System File Checker & DISM: No issues were found (sfc /scannow & DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth).
3. Ran Windows Memory Diagnostic: No errors detected.
4. Launched the game as Administrator: Sometimes helps bypass launcher crash but doesn’t prevent game crash.
5. Turned off V-Sync: Didn’t help.
6. Tested windowed mode: Initially seemed stable, but eventually crashed again.
7. Checked error logs: Found repeated entries of Windows Error Reporting related to BlueScreen and LiveKernelEvent.
8. Reinstalled the game and cleared local files/settings: Still crashing.
9. Posted on the official bug report forum under the name Bleakwalker with crash behavior and system specs.
10. Created and shared multiple DxDiag files for support review.
11. Tried disabling overlay programs (like Steam Overlay, etc.): No improvement.

Unfortunately, none of these steps have resolved the crash. Other games (Total War: Warhammer 3, Red Dead Redemption 2) run without any issue, suggesting the problem is specific to Age of Wonders 4.


Request:

• Please let me know if there’s any way to manually locate and share the crash report name or dump file so you can review it.
• Could this issue be related to integrated AMD graphics or driver conflicts, considering the Ryzen APU?
• I am happy to assist further or run any additional tests you recommend.

Thank you again for your support.


Best regards,

 

[Bleakwalker]

 

[Triumph Jordi]

Oh, it's an error in the launcher. Can you first try and launch the game through the game executable itself in your Steam Installation folder? That will provide us with a much more useable error message.

 

[Bleakwalker]

Hi,


Thanks for the suggestion. I tried launching the game directly via the executable from the Steam installation folder (AoW4.exe), bypassing the Paradox Launcher.


The game does launch successfully this way, but unfortunately it still crashes within 1–2 minutes of gameplay. There is no crash report or error message shown – instead, my entire PC restarts suddenly as if it encountered a critical failure.


It feels more like a system-level crash or hardware-triggered shutdown, but all diagnostics (SFC, DISM, memory tests) have come back clean so far. I’ve also updated all drivers (including GPU and chipset), and I’ve been in contact with the Paradox Helpdesk under ticket #318044, where we’ve tried many troubleshooting steps already.


Let me know if there's anything else I can provide to help further – logs, dump files, anything you need.


Thanks in advance!

 

[Triumph Jordi]

Alright, if your PC is straight up bluescreening then it's not a game issue. No piece of software on it's own is able to crash a PC, that indicates the existence of a Hardware issue. Your Event Viewer may have more information on why your device is crashing.

Then, you don't simply have a NVidia RTX 4060, you have a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU and that is a difference that might matter. Your error in the Launcher is slightly different but try doing this:

Reset the Laptop’s Battery and Power Settings

• Shut down the laptop, unplug it, and hold down the power button for about 15-20 seconds to reset any stored power configurations that could be affecting hardware detection. (I recommend unplugging any unnecessary hardware and especially anything storage related)

 

[Bleakwalker]

Hi, thank you for the tips!


Just to update you on my situation:
I discovered that Turbo Boost was enabled, which caused my CPU to spike up to 94°C, especially under load. I went into the registry under:


mathematica
MásolásSzerkesztés
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\
54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7


...and changed the value to 2, which effectively disabled Turbo Boost. Now my CPU stays around 78-80°C, even under heavier use.


After this change:

• Other demanding games no longer crash or cause reboots.
• However, Age of Wonders 4 still crashes, even though the system temperatures are under control now.

So, this seems to indicate that AoW4 is uniquely triggering the instability, despite the overall system now being more stable. Still happy to troubleshoot further and provide logs if needed!


Thanks again for the continued support.