Crusader Kings 3 PC is facing errors and issues like the crash at startup, Access Error To Game Data, Steam Runtime Communication Error, no display, launcher can’t access game folder, bootstrapper error, and more. I have compiled a list of errors and issues with the game along with their fixes and workarounds.
Crusader Kings 3 Crash, No Display, And Fixes
Crusader Kings III is the latest entry in the popular strategy franchise. The game isn’t very demanding in terms of system specs and it’s quite well-optimized. However, Crusader Kings 3 PC players are reporting errors and issues like the crash at startup, launcher crashing, no display, Steam Runtime Communication Error, bootstrapper error, Access Error To Game Data, and more.
The following are the errors and issues that PC players are experiencing with the game along with their fixes and workarounds. This guide will also help players with how to enable the in-game console.
Crash At Startup, Linux Launcher Crash, macOS Launcher Crash Fix
Crusader Kings III players are reporting that the game is crashing at startup or not launching at all. For some, the game’s launcher just crashes. There are multiple reasons behind Crusader Kings 3 crash at startup or not starting issue and here are the fixes.
- One simple fix for the crash at launch is to give the game admin rights. Right-click Crusader Kings 3’s exe > Properties > Compatibility tab > check “Run this program as administrator”. Click apply and the game should now be working without crashing.
- For some players, the issue is the game’s launcher and this can be fixed by launching the game directly from the executable. Go to your Steam folder and navigate to Steam > Steamapps > Common > Crusader Kings III > Binaries. Launch the game by double-clicking ck3.exe and the game should launch without crashing.
- If the game is still crashing at startup or not launching then the issue might be missing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable files. Download and install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, both x86 and x64 versions and the Crusader Kings 3 won’t crash anymore at startup.
- Different operating system users have varying experiences with Crusader Kings 3. From some, the game is crashing while for others, the game’s launcher is crashing. Those of you using Windows 7 OS and experiencing crash at startup issue, your OS might be 32-bit. Crusader Kings 3 runs fine on the 64-bit Win 7 OS, so upgrade your OS.
- Players experiencing crash at launch issue on Windows 8.1, this is compatibility and outdated OS issue. Just update your OS and the issue will be fixed for good.
- As for Windows 10 users, update your OS if you haven’t in a while as the game requires the latest build of the operating system to work.
- macOS players are reporting that the game’s launcher is crashing. This can be easily fixed by verifying the game files.
- Linux users are not safe from such issues and are reporting that Crusader King 3 launcher is crashing. To fix this, open Steam library > right-click the game > properties > click “set launch options” and type “LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libc.so.6 %command%” and press Ok. The launcher won’t crash anymore on Linux and the game will work fine.
These fixes and workarounds will fix the Crusader king 3 crash at launch, Linux launcher crash, and macOS launcher crash issue for you.
Steam Runtime Communication Error Fix
Crusader Kings 3 players are reporting that they are unable to play the game due to “Steam Runtime Communication” Error. To work around this Steam Runtime Communication Error, go to the game’s install folder and open launcher settings in the notepad. In the file, replace Steam with GOG and save. This will fix the “Steam Runtime Communication Error”.
If the error is still persisting then here is a possible fix/workaround. Close Steam and delete Paradox Launcher v2 from Windows “Apps and features” utility. Navigate to the following paths and delete the folders.
C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/
C:/users//AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/
C:/users//AppData/Roaming/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
Give Steam.exe admin rights. Right-click Steam’s exe > Properties > Compatibility tab > check “Run this program as an administrator” and hit apply. Launch the game through Steam. This will fix the Steam Runtime Communication Error with Crusader Kings 3.
No Display Fix
According to PC players, when they launch Crusader Kings 3 they can hear the game’s music while the game itself doesn’t display. The fix for this issue is a bit of an odd one.
If your system has both integrated and dedicated GPU then disable either of the GPUs and the game will start to display. Open device Manager and disable either of the GPUs under “Display adapters”. Right-click on the game GPU and select disable. This will fix the issue.
Black Map, Map Zooming Fix
Players are reporting that the Crusader Kings 3 map is either completely black or is zooming the map on its own. This issue is occurring if players have attached any controller with their PC. Just unplug the controller and the game’s black map and map zooming issue will be fixed.
If you haven’t’ attached any controller to your system then the culprit is the outdated GPU driver. Update the GPU driver and the issue will be fixed.
Launcher Can’t Access Game Folder Fix
Crusader Kings 3 players are reporting that the game isn’t launching as they get the following error.
“Launcher can’t access game folder
Make sure game can access the Documents folder.”
This issue might be occurring due to Controlled Folder Access blocking the game from accessing the folder. Open Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage ransomware protection > Turn off controlled folder access. This will fix the launcher can’t access folder error.
If this Crusader King 3 error persists, then maybe you have enabled OneDrive backup for the Documents. Disable the OneDrive backup and the Save Game error will be fixed.
Launcher Not Installing Fix
To play Crusader Kings 3, players have to install the game’s launcher when they first launch the game. However, for some players, the launcher is failing to install.
To fix this, go to the game’s install folder and right-click the launcher > Properties > Compatibility tab > check “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”. As for what OS you need to select is a bit of trial and error as this issue is being fixed for different players by selecting different OS in the compatibility mode.
Bootstrapper Error fix
According to players, when they try to play the game they get the “Bootstrapper Error” with the error message: “Couldn’t Start the Launcher”. This can be easily fixed by giving Steam.exe admin rights. Look under “Steam Runtime Communication Error Fix” to see how to do it.
If the error persists, then try the fixes mentioned under “Steam Runtime Communication Error Fix” and also delete the Paradox folder in the Documents. This will fix the Crusader Kings 3 Bootstrapper error.
Crash Fix
Players are reporting that Crusader Kings 3 is crashing randomly while playing and here are the fixes. One reason for the game to crash if the use of third-party tools and software like MSI Afterburner. Disable any third-party software you are using along with in-game overlays for Steam and GeForce Experience and the game won’t crash.
Unable To Find Config File Fix
Players are unable to locate the config file to launch Crusader Kings 3. Go to the game’s install folder, open the launcher folder and run the “launcher-installer-windows.msi”.
Click next and change the install path to the location where players found the “launcher-installer-windows.msi”. After that, Crusader Kings 3 will start working.
How To Enable The Console
Before Crusader Kings 3 players can use console commands, they first need to enable the console itself. Right-click the game in Steam library > properties > click “set launch options”. Type “-debug_mode” and click Ok. Launch the game and press the “~” key to launch the console and start typing console commands.
Access Error to Game Data Fix
“Access Error to Game Data” is another Crusader Kings 3 error that players are experiencing. This error is quite common for Paradox Games and the culprit behind it is probably the anti-virus/Windows Security.
This error can be fixed by either disabling the anti-virus. For Windows Security, open Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > click “Manage Settings” under “Virus & Threat Protection settings”. Disable the “Real-Time Protection”. After that, Crusader Kings 3 Access Error to Game Data will be fixed.
If the issue continues to persist, then disable the controlled folder access. Open Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage ransomware protection > Turn off controlled folder access. This will fix the error.
Stuttering Fix
Stuttering is another issue that Crusader Kings III players are experiencing, which is kind of surprising considering the game is;t graphically intensive. Here are is how to fix low FPS and stuttering.
First, install the latest GPU drivers and make sure there is no background process using too much CPU. The main resource this game needs if the CPU. The game isn’t graphically demanding but, it does require CPU for itself.
Start the game and disable in-game v.sync and close the game. Open Nvidia Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings > select Crusader Kings 3. Set “Vertical Sync” to “On” and apply this change.
Start the game and then open Task Manager. Go to the Details tab and look for the Crusader Kings 3’s process through the list. Right-click on the process > set priority > High. Never select the “Real-Time” options as it’ll make things even worse. This will fix the Crusader Kings 3 stuttering issue.
That is all for our Crusader Kins 3 fixes for errors and issues like Bootstrapper Error, crash at startup, launcher not installing, launcher crash on macOS and Linux, Steam Runtime Communication Error, and more. If you are facing errors and issues with other PC games or your PC then also see our hub for commonly occurring PC errors and their fixes.