Civilization 7 Crashing on PC | Troubleshooting Guide: The newly released Sid Meier’s Civilization VII marks a significant addition to the iconic 4X turn-based strategy franchise, crafted by Firaxis Games and brought to players by 2K.
Launched on February 11, 2025, this installment is available across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, quickly gaining popularity among strategy game aficionados around the globe.
Nonetheless, some players on PC have reported issues with the game crashing during startup or while playing. If you find yourself facing these problems, rest assured that you are not the only one.
There are numerous troubleshooting steps you can take to address these crashes, allowing you to return to the task of expanding your empire without further interruptions.
Why Does Civilization 7 Keep Crashing on PC?
Before we explore potential solutions, it’s crucial to identify the frequent factors that may lead to game crashes:
- Outdated Graphics Drivers – Utilizing older versions of GPU drivers can result in subpar performance and unexpected crashes.
- Corrupted or Missing Game Files – The absence or damage of essential game files may prevent the game from launching or cause it to crash during play.
- Resource-Intensive Background Applications – Applications running in the background can consume system resources, adversely affecting game performance and stability.
- Incompatibilities with Overlay Applications – Programs like Steam, Discord, and GeForce Experience may conflict with the game, leading to issues.
- Outdated Windows or DirectX – An outdated operating system or DirectX can lead to compatibility problems that disrupt gameplay.
- Antivirus or Firewall Interference – Sometimes, security software may mistakenly identify the game as a threat, hindering its normal operation.
With an understanding of these potential causes behind Civilization 7’s crashes, we can now proceed with a systematic approach to resolving these issues.
How to Fix Civilization 7 Crashing on PC
Follow these solutions one by one until your issue is resolved.
1. Check System Requirements
Before applying any fixes, ensure your PC meets at least the minimum system requirements to run Civilization 7 smoothly.
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel i5-4690 / Intel i3-10100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 / AMD RX 460 / Intel Arc A380
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 20 GB available space
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2060 / AMD RX 6600 / Intel Arc A750
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 20 GB available space
If your PC struggles to meet these specs, lower the game’s graphics settings or consider upgrading your hardware for better performance.
2. Run the Game as an Administrator
Occasionally, Civilization 7 requires elevated permissions to function correctly.
To launch the game with administrative rights, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Civilization 7 shortcut icon.
- Choose ‘Properties’ from the context menu, then navigate to the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
- Tick the option labeled ‘Run this program as an administrator.’
- Click ‘Apply,’ then ‘OK’ to confirm your changes. After that, restart the game.
3. Verify Integrity of Game Files (Steam & Epic Games)
If Civilization 7 fails to launch or operate properly, it may be due to corrupted or absent game files. To resolve this issue, you can check the integrity of the game files using your game launcher.
For those using Steam:
- Launch the Steam application and navigate to your Library.
- Right-click on Civilization 7 and choose Properties.
- Select the Local Files tab.
- Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
- Allow the verification process to finish, then restart Steam to apply any changes.
For Epic Games Users:
Launch the Epic Games Launcher and navigate to your Library section. Locate Civilization 7 and click on the three-dot menu beside it. From the options that appear, choose the Verify option and allow the process to complete. Once it’s done, restart the game to check if it operates correctly.
4. Update Your Graphics Drivers
To ensure optimal performance with the latest games, it’s essential to keep your GPU drivers up to date.
For NVIDIA Users:
- Launch GeForce Experience and navigate to the Drivers section.
- Select the option to Check for updates.
- If an update is found, proceed to download and install it.
For AMD Users:
- Open the AMD Radeon Software and head to the Updates section.
- Click on Check for updates.
- If updates are available, install them and restart your computer.
If you continue to experience crashes in your game, consider using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to thoroughly remove outdated drivers before installing the new ones.
5. Disable Overlay Apps (Steam, Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience)
Overlay features can occasionally disrupt game performance and lead to crashes.
To turn off the Steam Overlay:
- Launch Steam and navigate to your Library.
- Right-click on Civilization 7 and choose Properties.
- In the General section, uncheck the box that says “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”
To disable the Discord Overlay:
- Open Discord and click on the Settings icon (⚙️).
- Find the Game Overlay option and toggle it off.
To deactivate the GeForce Experience Overlay:
- Start NVIDIA GeForce Experience.
- Go to Settings and then select General.
- Switch off the In-Game Overlay feature.
Once you have disabled these overlays, restart your game to check if the crashing issues have been resolved.
6. Update Windows & DirectX
Ensure that your Windows operating system and DirectX are current.
Updating Windows:
- Press the Windows key + I to access the Settings menu.
- Navigate to Update & Security, then select Windows Update.
- Click on “Check for updates” and proceed to install any updates that are available.
Updating DirectX:
- Visit Microsoft’s official website to download the latest DirectX Web Installer.
- Run the installer, restart your computer, and then try launching the game once more.
7. Disable Antivirus & Windows Firewall
Occasionally, antivirus programs can inaccurately identify game files as threats, leading to unexpected crashes.
To disable Windows Defender, follow these steps:
- Access Windows Security and navigate to the Virus & Threat Protection section.
- Click on Manage Settings and toggle off Real-Time Protection.
To turn off Windows Firewall, do the following:
- Open the Control Panel and select Windows Defender Firewall.
- Click on the option to Turn Windows Defender Firewall On or Off.
- Choose to turn off the Firewall for both private and public network settings.
After completing these steps, attempt to launch the game again.
8. Reinstall Civilization 7 (Last Resort)
Should all other solutions fail, you may find that reinstalling the game could resolve your issues.
Steps for Reinstallation:
- Remove Civilization 7 from your Steam or Epic Games Launcher.
- Restart your computer to ensure all processes are refreshed.
- Download and install the game again through Steam or Epic Games.
A clean installation frequently addresses ongoing crashing problems that can stem from corrupted installation files.
Final Thoughts
Experiencing crashes while playing Civilization 7 can be quite exasperating, yet many issues can be resolved through systematic troubleshooting.
Begin the process with some fundamental solutions, such as launching the game with administrator privileges, checking the integrity of the game files, and ensuring your graphics and system drivers are up to date.
Should these initial steps fail to resolve the issue, consider modifying your system configurations, turning off any game overlays, or even performing a clean reinstall of the game.
If you continue to encounter difficulties despite trying these approaches, please share your experience in the comments section for further assistance. We hope this guide aids you in returning to your quest for global domination in Civilization 7.
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