How to Fix Dwarf Fortress Crashing Issue

February 14, 2023

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“Dwarf Fortress” is a popular, open-world simulation game that challenges players to build and manage a thriving fortress while defending it against various threats. However, one common issue that players may face while playing Dwarf Fortress is the game crashing unexpectedly, which can be frustrating and disruptive to gameplay.

This article is a comprehensive guide for players experiencing Dwarf Fortress crashing issues, and it provides useful information and solutions for addressing the problem. By following the recommended steps, players can enjoy uninterrupted gameplay and fully immerse themselves in the exciting world of Dwarf Fortress.

Summary

Why Is Dwarf Fortress Crashing?

Dwarf Fortress may crash for various reasons such as outdated drivers, mods, running the game as a non-administrator, full-screen mode, conflicting software, high graphics settings, and corrupted game files. To fix the issue, it is important to identify the specific cause and apply the appropriate troubleshooting method, such as updating drivers, disabling mods, running the game as an administrator, and checking for conflicts.

How to Solve the Crashing Issue in Dwarf Fortress

To fix the issue of Dwarf Fortress crashing, you can try the following solutions:

Update drivers

Updating drivers is one of the solutions recommended to address the Dwarf Fortress crashing issue. Here are the steps to follow to update drivers:

Identify the drivers to update: The first step is to identify the drivers that need updating. In this case, the focus should be on the graphics card driver and sound card driver. You can identify the drivers that need updating by going to the Device Manager on your computer. To access the Device Manager, right-click on the Start button, and select “Device Manager.”
Download and install the latest drivers: Once you have identified the drivers that need updating, the next step is to download and install the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website. You can find the manufacturer’s website by doing a quick search on the internet. Download the latest drivers for your specific model and version of the graphics card and sound card.
Install the drivers: Once the drivers have been downloaded, open the file and run the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Restart the computer: After the drivers have been installed, restart the computer to ensure that the changes are applied and the new drivers are functioning correctly.
Test the game: Once the computer has restarted, launch Dwarf Fortress and check if the game is still crashing. If the issue persists, then try other troubleshooting methods.

Updating drivers is an essential step in ensuring that your computer is running optimally and can handle the demands of a game like Dwarf Fortress. By following the above steps, you can update your drivers and improve the performance of your computer, which should help to resolve any crashing issues.

Disable mods

Disabling mods is another solution to the Dwarf Fortress crashing issue. Here are the steps to follow to disable mods:

Launch Dwarf Fortress: The first step is to launch Dwarf Fortress on your computer.
Select the “Mod” tab: After launching the game, select the “Mod” tab on the main menu.
Disable the mods: Once you have accessed the mods menu, locate the mod that you want to disable and click on the checkbox to uncheck it. This will disable the mod and prevent it from being loaded the next time you launch the game.
Save changes and exit the mod menu: After disabling the mod, make sure to save your changes by clicking on the “Save” button. Then exit the mod menu and launch the game to see if the issue has been resolved.
Test the game: Once the game has been launched, test it to see if the issue has been resolved. If the game is still crashing, then try disabling other mods one by one until you find the mod that is causing the issue.

It is important to note that disabling mods may impact the gameplay experience, especially if the mod adds critical gameplay features or fixes. Therefore, it is recommended to only disable mods as a last resort and to only disable mods that you believe are causing the issue. Additionally, it is a good practice to back up the game files before making any changes to the game to ensure that you can revert to the previous version if needed.

Run as administrator

Running Dwarf Fortress as an administrator is another solution to the crashing issue. Here are the steps to follow:

Right-click on the Dwarf Fortress icon: The first step is to locate the Dwarf Fortress icon on your computer and right-click on it.
Select “Properties”: After right-clicking on the icon, select “Properties” from the context menu that appears.
Select the “Compatibility” tab: In the Properties window, select the “Compatibility” tab.
Check the “Run this program as an administrator” option: Under the Compatibility tab, check the box next to “Run this program as an administrator.”
Save changes and exit: After checking the box, click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes and exit the window.
Launch the game: After making the changes, launch Dwarf Fortress to see if the issue has been resolved.

Running Dwarf Fortress as an administrator gives the game the necessary permissions to access critical files and settings that may be causing the crashing issue. If the game is still crashing after running it as an administrator, then try other troubleshooting methods.

Disable full-screen mode

Disabling full-screen mode is another solution to the Dwarf Fortress crashing issue. Here are the steps to follow:

Launch Dwarf Fortress: The first step is to launch Dwarf Fortress on your computer.
Select the “Display” tab: After launching the game, select the “Display” tab on the main menu.
Check the “Disable Fullscreen optimizations” option: Once you have accessed the display settings menu, check the “Disable Fullscreen optimizations” option by clicking on the checkbox next to it. This will disable full-screen mode and allow you to run the game in windowed mode.
Save changes and exit the display settings menu: After disabling full-screen mode, make sure to save your changes by clicking on the “Save” button. Then exit the display settings menu and launch the game to see if the issue has been resolved.
Test the game: Once the game has been launched, test it to see if the issue has been resolved. If the game is still crashing, then try other troubleshooting methods.

Disabling full-screen mode can help to reduce the strain on your computer’s graphics card and prevent it from crashing. Additionally, running the game in windowed mode allows you to adjust the game’s resolution and size to better fit your computer’s display.

Adjust graphics settings

Adjusting graphics settings is another solution to the Dwarf Fortress crashing issue. Here are the steps to follow:

Launch Dwarf Fortress: The first step is to launch Dwarf Fortress on your computer.
Select the “Display” tab: After launching the game, select the “Display” tab on the main menu.
Adjust the graphics settings: Once you have accessed the display settings menu, adjust the graphics settings to reduce the strain on your computer’s graphics card. For example, you can reduce the resolution, turn off shadows or other advanced graphics features.
Save changes and exit the display settings menu: After adjusting the graphics settings, make sure to save your changes by clicking on the “Save” button. Then exit the display settings menu and launch the game to see if the issue has been resolved.
Test the game: Once the game has been launched, test it to see if the issue has been resolved. If the game is still crashing, then try other troubleshooting methods.

Adjusting the graphics settings can help to reduce the strain on your computer’s graphics card and prevent it from crashing. Additionally, reducing the graphics settings can also help to improve the game’s performance on lower-end machines.

Check for conflicts

Checking for conflicts is another solution to the Dwarf Fortress crashing issue. Here are the steps to follow:

Close all other programs: The first step is to close all other programs running on your computer, especially those that are graphics-intensive or have conflicting settings with Dwarf Fortress.
Disable any overlays: Some programs may have overlays that appear on top of Dwarf Fortress and cause conflicts. Disable any overlays such as Discord or Steam by closing them or disabling the overlay feature.
Check for conflicting software: Some software on your computer may have conflicting settings or interfere with Dwarf Fortress. Check your antivirus software, firewall, and other security programs to ensure they are not blocking Dwarf Fortress or conflicting with its settings.
Temporarily disable conflicting software: If you suspect that a particular software is causing the crashing issue, temporarily disable it to test if it resolves the issue.
Update conflicting software: If any software on your computer is outdated, update it to the latest version to ensure that it is compatible with Dwarf Fortress.
Test the game: Once you have checked for conflicts and resolved any conflicts, test Dwarf Fortress to see if the issue has been resolved. If the game is still crashing, then try other troubleshooting methods.

Checking for conflicts can help to identify any software conflicts that may be causing the crashing issue with Dwarf Fortress. By identifying and resolving these conflicts, you can prevent future crashes and improve the game’s performance.

Repairing game files

Repairing game files is another solution to the Dwarf Fortress crashing issue. Here are the steps to follow:

Open the Steam client: If you have Dwarf Fortress installed through Steam, open the Steam client on your computer.
Right-click on Dwarf Fortress: In the Steam client, right-click on Dwarf Fortress in your library and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
Select the “Local Files” tab: Once the properties window for Dwarf Fortress appears, select the “Local Files” tab.
Click on “Verify Integrity of Game Files”: On the Local Files tab, click on the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” button. This will scan the game files and repair any corrupted files.
Wait for the process to complete: The process of verifying and repairing game files may take a few minutes depending on the size of the game and the speed of your computer. Wait for the process to complete before launching the game.
Test the game: Once the game has been launched, test it to see if the issue has been resolved. If the game is still crashing, then try other troubleshooting methods.

Repairing game files can help to identify and fix any corrupted game files that may be causing the crashing issue. By repairing the game files, you can ensure that the game is functioning properly and prevent future crashes. If the game is still crashing after repairing game files, then try other troubleshooting methods.

Reinstall the game

If none of the above solutions work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the game.

Overall, there are several possible solutions to fix the issue of Dwarf Fortress crashing, and it may require some trial and error to find the solution that works best for your computer.