How to Fix Crusader Kings 3 Crashing at Startup: Troubleshooting Guide

By Michael On Sep 1, 2022 Last updated Mar 31, 2023

Crusader King 3 is a great strategy game. With the release of the game, many gamers jumped on the first day to play, unfortunately, bugs like Crusader Kings 3 Crashing at Startup and Won’t Launch prevent them from playing the game.

Fix Crusader Kings 3 Crashing at Startup and Won’t Launch

Crusader Kings 3 is a grand strategy game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. The game has been well-received by the gaming community, with its detailed gameplay, intricate mechanics, and immersive storylines. However, some players have reported issues with the game crashing at startup, which can be frustrating and prevent them from enjoying the game. In this article, we’ll go over some common solutions to this problem.

Solution 1: Check for Updates

The first thing you should do when experiencing issues with Crusader Kings 3 is to check for updates. The developers regularly release updates and patches to address bugs and improve gameplay. To check for updates, go to your game library in Steam, right-click on Crusader Kings 3, and select “Properties.” From there, go to the “Updates” tab and make sure that the “Automatic Updates” option is checked. If it isn’t, select it, and Steam will automatically check for and download any available updates.

Solution 2: Verify Game Files

If you’ve already updated the game and are still experiencing issues, the next step is to verify the game files. This ensures that all game files are intact and not corrupted, which can cause crashes. To verify game files, go to your game library in Steam, right-click on Crusader Kings 3, and select “Properties.” From there, go to the “Local Files” tab and click on “Verify Integrity of Game Files.” Steam will then check for any missing or corrupted files and download them if necessary.

Solution 3: Update Drivers

Outdated or faulty drivers can also cause issues with Crusader Kings 3, so it’s important to make sure that your drivers are up to date. You should start by updating your graphics card driver since it’s the most likely culprit for causing crashes. You can usually find the latest driver on the manufacturer’s website or through a driver update software. Additionally, you may want to update your sound card and motherboard drivers as well.

Solution 4: Disable Antivirus

Sometimes, your antivirus software may interfere with the game and cause it to crash at startup. To rule out this possibility, try disabling your antivirus temporarily and see if the game launches without any issues. If it does, then you may need to whitelist the game in your antivirus software or switch to a different antivirus program.

Solution 5: Reinstall the Game

If none of the above solutions work, the last resort is to reinstall the game. This should only be done if all other troubleshooting steps have failed, as it can be time-consuming and may result in the loss of saved game data. To reinstall the game, go to your game library in Steam, right-click on Crusader Kings 3, and select “Uninstall.” Once the game has been uninstalled, reinstall it and see if the issue is resolved.

Crusader Kings 3 System Requirements – Minimum and Recommended

Check out the minimum and recommended system requirements for Crusader Kings 3, including CPU, RAM, OS, and graphics card requirements. Ensure your PC meets the necessary specifications to enjoy the game to its fullest.

Crusader Kings 3 System Requirements (Minimum)

CPU: Intel® iCore™ i5-750 or Intel® iCore™ i3-2120, or AMD® Phenom™ II X6 1055T
RAM: 4 GB
OS: Windows® 8.1 64 bit or Windows® 10 Home 64 bit
VIDEO CARD: Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 460, or AMD® Radeon™ R7 260X or AMD® Radeon™ HD 6970, or Intel® Iris Pro™ 580
PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
VERTEX SHADER: 5.0

Crusader Kings 3 Recommended Requirements

CPU: Intel® iCore™ i5- 4670K or AMD® Ryzen™ 5 2400G
RAM: 8 GB
OS: Windows® 10 Home 64 bit
VIDEO CARD: Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 1650
PIXEL SHADER: 5.1
VERTEX SHADER: 5.1
DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 4096 MB

Final Conclusion

Crusader Kings 3 crashing at startup can be a frustrating issue, but there are several solutions you can try to fix it. The first step is to check for updates and verify game files, followed by updating drivers, disabling antivirus, and reinstalling the game if necessary. By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to get the game running smoothly again and enjoy its engaging gameplay and immersive world.