[2.0.32] Crash upon initialization

[u_NUUB]

Currently, I am unable to open Factorio in its current state, with it hard crashing when initializing sprites (approx 65% - 75% loaded). Please see the video on what I am currently seeing. The logs, as I have read them, do not describe how the crash occurs, and only shows the latest step taken, which is typically parallel sprite loader initialized. The logs are included. The only indication of what has happened is in event viewer, where a single information page shows vaguely what has happened. See picture.

The reason I bring this here is because this was working perfectly about 1 week ago, without any changes in hardware or configuration.

Current troubleshooting steps taken:

• verifying game files (x3)
• reinstalled game (x2)
• restarted PC
• clean reinstalled drivers
• Changed version ([2.0.32] -> [2.0.30])

Specs:
CPU: Ryzen 5 3600
MEM: 16GB 3600MHz (XMP) DDR4
GPU: RTX 3060Ti (8Gb)
PSU: 850W Gold

[Loewchen]

Check if the .zip install works.

[u_NUUB]

what are you suggesting? donwloading the demo via the webpage or buying it? Ill try the demo because its easy to do but please advise.

[u_NUUB]

It seems that the demo version loads in just fine, making it to the game selection screen. However, when loading the steam install, it still hard crashes.

[Loewchen]

Download the windows .zip install from factorio.com after linking your steam account to it, see https://factorio.com/support/faq.

[u_NUUB]

After logging into the factorio website through steam and downloading the .zip of space age, the game loads fully when started through factorio.exe. when starting the game through steam, the game still crashes.

what would further debugging steps be, as I would like to continue using the steam version of the game, as all my saves are in the steam cloud.

[mmmPI]

verify files integrity from steam, or re-install the steam version i think

[u_NUUB]

I have already done these troubleshooting steps, and so far they have not worked. I.e. when verifying, all game files verify successfully, and reinstalling just ends up with the same issue.

[Loewchen]

Try disabling the steam overlay.

[u_NUUB]

After disabling steam overlay, factorio still crashes. However, when disabling MSI Afterburner/RTSS, it loads into the main menu. is there a generally accepted reason for this? And what could I do to mitigate this in the future, other than turning them off when I want to play factorio?

[Rseding91]

The generally accepted reason overlay/graphics hooking software crashes are faulty overlay/graphics hooking software.

There is no official method to overlay on another program and every single piece of software does their own set of “tricks” to make it work, until it doesn’t, and then it crashes.