Civilization 7 Stuck on the Loading Screen Issue: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII marks the newest installment in the acclaimed 4X turn-based strategy series crafted by Firaxis Games and released by 2K.
Launched on February 11, 2025, this title is accessible across various platforms, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam Deck.
Unfortunately, some users on PC have encountered a common issue where the game becomes unresponsive during the loading phase. If you are experiencing this challenge, there’s no need for concern. This guide outlines practical troubleshooting steps to help you overcome this hurdle and return to your gameplay experience.
Why Is Civilization 7 Stuck on the Loading Screen?
Before we explore potential solutions, it’s important to identify the underlying factors that could be contributing to the problem:
- 🔍 Inadequate System Specifications – If your computer does not meet the minimum requirements, the game may have difficulty launching properly.
- 🔍 Outdated Graphics Drivers – Using an older version of your GPU driver can lead to performance degradation and crashes during
- gameplay.
- 🔍 Corrupted or Missing Game Files – Essential game files that are either corrupted or missing can prevent the game from starting as expected.
- 🔍 Resource-Hungry Background Applications – Other programs running simultaneously can consume significant CPU and RAM, hindering the loading speed.
- 🔍 Interfering Overlay Applications – Software like Steam Overlay, Discord, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience may create conflicts that disrupt gameplay.
- 🔍 Outdated Windows or DirectX Versions – An old operating system or absent DirectX components can result in loading difficulties.
- 🔍 Virtual Memory Complications – An inadequate pagefile size (virtual memory) can lead to freezing and prolonged loading times.
With a clearer picture of the potential issues at hand, we can now proceed to discuss the solutions.
Fix: Civilization 7 Stuck on the Loading Screen
Follow these solutions step by step until the issue is resolved.
1. Check Your System Requirements
Before troubleshooting, make sure your PC meets the game’s system requirements.
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit or newer
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6GB) / AMD RX 580
- Storage: 100 GB available space
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit or newer
- Processor: Intel Core i7-13700K / AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Memory: 32 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4070 / AMD RX 7800 XT
- Storage: 100 GB available space
If your system doesn’t meet these requirements, you may need to upgrade your hardware or lower in-game settings for better performance.
2. Increase Virtual Memory (Pagefile Size)
When your computer is low on memory, adjusting the virtual memory settings can be beneficial:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type in “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter.
- Navigate to the Advanced tab and click on the Settings button under the Performance section.
- In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab again and find the Virtual Memory section. Click on Change.
- Deselect the option that says “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
- Select the C: drive and opt for Custom Size.
- Input values of 4096 MB (or more) for both Initial Size and Maximum Size.
- Click on Set, then OK, and restart your computer.
By following these steps, your system will be able to allocate additional memory resources for applications, which can help reduce instances of freezing and lag during gameplay.
3. Check RAM and Storage Connections
If you encounter a freeze on the loading screen while playing the game, it could be caused by an improperly connected RAM stick or SSD.
Begin by turning off your computer.
- Next, open the computer case and gently detach both the RAM and SSD components.
- Utilize compressed air to clear away any dust that may have accumulated.
- Reinsert the RAM and SSD, ensuring they are firmly secured in place.
- Turn your computer back on and attempt to start the game once more.
- Performing this straightforward hardware check can often fix unforeseen loading problems.
4. Update Graphics Drivers
Using outdated GPU drivers can lead to various compatibility issues. To enhance performance, it’s advisable to update to the most recent version.
For NVIDIA Users:
Launch GeForce Experience and navigate to the Drivers section. Click on “Check for updates” and proceed to install any available updates.
For AMD Users:
Open the AMD Radeon Software and select the Updates tab. Download and install the latest driver updates, then restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
5. Close Background Applications
Excessive background applications may lead to prolonged loading times in Civilization 7.
To close these apps, follow these steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager.
- Navigate to the Processes tab.
- Identify any non-essential applications that are using a significant amount of CPU or RAM, right-click on them, and choose “End Task.”
Afterward, restart the game and see if the loading issue has been resolved.
6. Verify and Repair Game Files
In the event that the game files for Civilization 7 are damaged or absent, you may encounter issues when attempting to launch the game.
For those using Steam:
- Launch the Steam application and navigate to your Library.
- Locate Civilization 7, right-click on it, and choose the Properties option.
- Switch to the Local Files tab and select the option to Verify Integrity of Game Files.
- Allow the verification process to finish, and then restart your computer to complete the procedure.
For Epic Games Users:
Launch the Epic Games Launcher and navigate to your Library. Locate Civilization 7 and click on the three-dot icon adjacent to it. Choose the “Verify” option and allow the process to finish.
7. Disable Overlay Applications
Applications that provide overlays, such as Steam, Discord, and NVIDIA GeForce Experience, can sometimes disrupt gameplay. Here’s how to disable these overlays:
Disabling Steam Overlay:
- Launch Steam and navigate to your Library.
- Right-click on Civilization 7 and select Properties.
- In the General tab, uncheck the option that says “Enable Steam Overlay while in-game.”
Disabling Discord Overlay:
- Open Discord and click on the Settings icon (⚙️).
- Go to the Game Overlay section and toggle it OFF.
Disabling GeForce Experience Overlay:
- Start GeForce Experience and access the Settings menu.
- In the General section, disable the In-Game Overlay feature.
After making these adjustments, restart your computer and attempt to launch the game once more.
8. Update Windows & DirectX
It is essential to maintain the latest versions of Windows and DirectX for an optimal gaming experience.
Updating Windows:
- Open the Settings menu by pressing Win + I.
- Navigate to Update & Security and select “Check for updates.”
- If updates are available, follow the prompts to install them and restart your computer.
Updating DirectX:
- Visit Microsoft’s official website to download the most recent version of the DirectX Web Installer.
- Run the installer and complete the installation process, then restart your computer to finalize the updates.
Final Thoughts
Should you find Civilization 7 unresponsive on the loading screen, the following troubleshooting measures may assist in resolving the problem.
If these suggestions do not yield results, you might want to explore reinstalling the game or assessing the need for hardware enhancements.
We invite you to share in the comments which solution proved effective for you. Enjoy your gaming experience!
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