How to Fix Crusader Kings 3 Crashing or Not Launching

Crusader Kings 3 actually runs pretty good for a new release game, though, as always, there are still a few people having some performance and crashing issues. While most of these will be fixed in future updates, this guide will walk you through quite a few different steps you can take to fix or at least reduce the rate of crashing in Crusader Kings 3. Just make sure your computer meets hardware requirements first, so you don't waste your time.

Update Windows, BIOS, and Graphics Drivers

Before attempting game-specific solutions, make sure your PC is running the latest updates. Install all available Windows updates and, if applicable, check for a BIOS update on your motherboard manufacturer’s website. Outdated system software is a frequent source of instability.

Next, perform a clean installation of your graphics drivers. The most reliable way to do this is with Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).

• Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).
• Download the recommended stable NVIDIA driver (for example, from December 2024).
• Disconnect from the internet.
• Run DDU to fully uninstall your graphics drivers.
• Reboot your PC.
• Install the older driver manually.
• Reboot again before reconnecting to the internet.

Verify Game Files

Missing or corrupted files can prevent Crusader Kings 3 from launching.

• On Steam, right-click the game in your library, select Properties, then Installed Files, and choose Verify Integrity.

Use Lossless Scaling for Stability

Performance instability is sometimes the root cause of crashes. A useful workaround is Lossless Scaling, a third-party tool available on Steam. It improves smoothness through frame generation and scaling techniques, allowing the game to run more consistently, even at reduced graphical settings.

Install Lossless Scaling, run it alongside Crusader Kings 3, and select LSFG 3.1 for frame generation. Set scaling mode to None if you only want frame smoothing, or use FSR or LS1 for upscaling. Once in-game, press Ctrl + Alt + S to activate it. Many players report noticeably fewer crashes when using this method.

Note: If you have a 40 series or a newer GPU, you can also try using Smooth Motion

Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Runtimes

Crusader Kings 3 depends on Visual C++ redistributables. If they are missing or corrupted, the game may fail to start. Navigate to the game’s installation folder, then Support, Redist, and VCRedist. Run the installers for 2010, 2012, and 2015–2022 and select Repair. Alternatively, you can download and install an all-in-one Visual C++ package.

Disable Steam Beta Participation

I doubt that this will do anything, but experimental builds of Steam occasionally cause compatibility issues. To opt out, open Steam settings, go to Interface, and under Beta Participation select None. Restart Steam afterwards.

Turn Off Overlays and Monitoring Tools (All of them!)

Third-party overlays are a common source of crashes. Disable the overlays in Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, and Steam. If you use MSI Afterburner or RivaTuner, close them before starting the game. Restart your computer after disabling these features to ensure they do not reload in the background.

Avoid Alt-Tab During Startup

Switching applications while the game initialises can interrupt loading and cause crashes. Wait until the main menu appears before using Alt-Tab.

Reset Game Settings

Corrupted configuration files can stop the game from launching. Go to Documents, My Games, and Crusader Kings 3. Find the folder that matches your account ID and delete the file GameSettings.ini. When you relaunch the game, it will generate a fresh settings file with default values.

Change DirectX Version

Crusader Kings 3 can run in both DirectX 11 and 12. Some systems are more stable with one than the other. To test this, right-click the game in Steam, select Properties, then Launch Options. Enter -dx11 to force DirectX 11, or -dx12 to force DirectX 12. If neither improves stability, remove the command so the game can decide automatically.