If Ryujinx crashes as soon as you try to start a game, don't worry too much, as this is a super common issue, especially if this is your first time setting up and launching Ryujinx. Thankfully, for most people on most devices, this is a really easy fix and simply requires you to double-check all of the files you are using to make sure that they are up to date and compatible. So follow along as we show you exactly what to check.
Takeaways:
- What is causing Ryujinx to crash when launching a game?
- Learn how to fix Ryujinx crashing when starting a game.
Table of Contents
How to Fix Ryujinx Crashing When Launching a Game
Ryujinx is pretty stable and works well for 99% of games, with most issues usually only happening to newly released games. So if a game has just been released, don't expect everything to be working perfectly. Instead, wait a while and see what happens. It's also a good idea to read through any comment sections and forums to see if there are any specific game-related fixes to check.
Make Sure You Have the Latest Version of Ryujinx
Ryujinx is updated frequently to improve performance, stability, and game compatibility. Running an older version of the emulator usually results in crashes, freezing and missing features that prevent games from starting.
- To check whether you have the most recent version, open Ryujinx and click on Help in the menu bar.
- Then select Check for Updates. If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.
Alternatively, you can manually download the latest build directly from the official Ryujinx website. After updating, it is a good idea to restart your computer or at least close and reopen the emulator to make sure that the update is applied correctly.
Make Sure You Have the Latest Prod.keys
Ryujinx uses a set of encryption keys from a real Nintendo Switch console called prod.keys and title.keys. These files are important because they allow the emulator to decrypt and load Nintendo Switch games. If your prod.keys are outdated, corrupted, or missing, Ryujinx will often crash immediately when attempting to launch a game.
- To fix this, first verify that you have the correct prod.keys file. The keys must match the version of the firmware you are using.
IMPORTANT: If your keys are old or if you recently updated your firmware, replace the existing prod.keys file with a newer version. Always make sure the keys come from your own Nintendo Switch console, as sharing or downloading them from the internet is not legal. Once you have updated the keys, restart Ryujinx and test the game again.
Make Sure You Have the Latest Firmware
The second most common reason for Ryujinx crashing at launch is outdated or mismatched firmware. Firmware files tell the emulator how to handle the system-level functions of the Nintendo Switch. When a game requires a newer firmware version than the one you have installed, Ryujinx may fail to load it properly.
- To update your firmware, open Ryujinx and go to the menu bar at the top of the window.
- Select Tools, then choose Install Firmware, followed by Install from XCI or ZIP. Navigate to the firmware package you have and confirm the installation.
- Once it finishes, restart Ryujinx so the new firmware can take effect. Having firmware that matches the version of your prod.keys is crucial for stable operation.
Try Running the Game Without DLC or Updates Installed
More often than not Ryujinx isn't the problem, it's game updates and downloadable content (DLC) that are incomplete, corrupted, or incompatible with your current version of the emulator. If Ryujinx crashes only when launching a certain title, try disabling all game updates and DLC to see if the base version of the game works properly.
- To do this, right-click the game in your Ryujinx game list and choose Manage DLC. Then click the Trash Can icon and Save.
- Right-click the game in your Ryujinx game list and choose Manage Title Updates. Then click the Trash Can icon and Save.
You can uncheck any installed content to temporarily disable it. Then try launching the game again. If the game starts successfully, that means one of your updates or DLC files is causing the crash. Reinstall the affected files or re-dump them from your Nintendo Switch to ensure they are complete and not corrupted.
