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Table of contents
General Galactic Civilizations III Troubleshooting
Game loading issues
Multiplayer
Errors \ Crashes
Graphical issues
DLC Questions
Getting to the in-game console
GalCiv3 Languages
Performing a clean boot
Purging game installation
General Galactic Civilizations III Troubleshooting
Below is a list of things to try if you are having technical issues with installing or running Galactic Civilizations III. Another resource for seeing if your issue is being addressed can be found in the GalCiv3 forum:
https://forums.galciv3.com/
http://steamcommunity.com/app/226860/discussions/
Please also see the GalCiv3 Wiki for additional help with gameplay and other important details:
wiki.galciv.com/index.php
For a master changelog list, please visit: https://forums.galciv3.com/461047/
Make certain your system meets the minimum requirements
MINIMUM:
- OS: 64-bit Windows 8.1 / 8 / 7 / 10
- Processor: 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo / AMD K10 Dual-Core
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: 512 MB DirectX 10.1 Video Card (AMD Radeon HD5x00 Series / Nvidia GeForce 500 Series / Intel HD 4000 or later)
- DirectX: Version 10
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 3 GB available space
- Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card
RECOMMENDED:
- Processor: 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor or Equivalent
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics: 1 GB DirectX 10.1 Video Card
- Hard Drive: 5 GB available space
Game loading issues
Verifying your Game Cache within Steam / GoG Galaxy / Epic
Many issues can be resolved by verifying you have the most recent files.
Steam:
GOG:
Epic:
Page File Size
Please make sure your virtual memory is set to default:
Update Video Drivers
Please make sure your video drivers are up-to-date. Even if they are current, a full removal, and reinstall, would be prudent; especially if you have recently installed Windows 10.
Use the link(s) below for updating:
Intel:
http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect?iid=dc_iduu
Nvidia:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
Note: Please perform a "clean installation" if you have an Nvidia graphics card. The below screenshots will help with how to do that:
http://screencast.com/t/Zxuoznqdg8LN
http://screencast.com/t/upWIXNbcW9
ATI \ AMD:
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx
For ATI \ AMD driver uninstalling:
http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/GPU57RemoveOldGraphicsDrivers.aspx
Run as Administrator
Exit Steam\GOG\Epic completely. In a search for any of the launchers, right-click and choose to run as Administrator, ie:
Re-Installing Redistributables
Download the redist files from the links below and install \ repair.
2012
http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/confirmation.aspx?id=30679
2015:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=48145
Re-Install DirectX
In the following location:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared\_CommonRedist\DirectX\Jun2010
Run: DXSetup.exe
Reboot and try to run the game again.
Create a new Administrator Account
As a test, create a new Administrator (<--Important) Windows account and try to run the game again:
http://sd.stardock.com/sean/JingImages/2015-09-23_1527.png
If that works, for some people, we have seen that permissions for the 'My Games' directory have changed after a Windows 10 upgrade (fresh Windows 10 installs would not have the issue). If you have recently upgraded to Windows 10, and GC3 will not load \ save \ save your settings changes, please download and run the following:
http://sd.stardock.com/Support/PermFixer.zip
If that fails, manually make certain that your 'My Games' directory, under your own Windows user account, has 'Full' permissions (write is the key).
MODs
We are pleased that MODs are very popular. However, prior to placing a ticket, please mention if the issue you are having is not present if you do not use them (or have them installed). While we may be able to provide nominal support for why the MOD may not be working, ultimately, if the game works without the MOD, the author of the MOD may be the best resource for resolving it.
To disable MODs:
http://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2015-08-25_1345.png
Check for available opt-in updates
Start by turning off Steam Cloud saving here please:
http://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2015-05-19_1502.png
To opt into the development snapshot, do the following:
Right-click the game in your Steam library
Select “Properties”
Select the “Betas” tab
Choose “Opt-in” from the drop-down menu
Close the Properties window
Example of selecting the opt-in:
http://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2015-02-10_1429.png
Unless otherwise stated (ticket or from a forum post), you do not need to enter a 'Code'; closing will start the patch update.
After opting into the patch, and if your save game still shows to have issues, please verify that they still exist with a new game.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer with crashing with my friend (Epic)
Epic uses the latest version of GalCiv 3. However, one specific issue we have identified is the need to run the game as admin on Windows initially to fix some file permission issues that can affect sync in multiplayer. Note: You should only need to do this once.
Errors \ Crashes
Error: 'Failed to initialize display'
No doubt, you have this somewhere in your debug:
\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\debug.err
Debug Message: InitializeGalCiv3DrawManager FAILED to initialize the device.
Debug Message: InitializeD3DDrawManager FAILED
Debug Message: InitializeDirect3D Failed second attempt. Aborting.
Try the following in order:
Turn of Steam Cloud Sync:
https://images.stardock.com/support/2018-02-16_11-16-21.png
Window the Game:
Go to:
Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade
Open the prefs.ini file in notepad. Change
Fullscreen=1
to:
Fullscreen=0
Save and try to run the game.
If that fails, open prefs.ini and change:
DisplayResolution=-1 x -1
to:
DisplayResolution=1920 x 1080
Save and try to run the game again.
If that fails, change your desktop resolution to something other than: 1920 x 1080
Also change the prefs.ini file to match what you changed it to.
Save and try again.
If that fails, update your drivers making sure to remove the old first
Nvidia:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
Note: Please perform a "clean installation" if you have an Nvidia graphics card. The below screenshots will help with how to do that:
https://www.screencast.com/t/L4rVrm40
https://www.screencast.com/t/30rwsLL9S3c
Try to run the game. If that fails:
DirectX and VCRedist:
Go to:
\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared\_CommonRedist\DirectX\Jun2010
Run: DXSETUP.exe
Go to:
\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared\_CommonRedist\vcredist\2012
\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared\_CommonRedist\vcredist\2015
\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared\_CommonRedist\vcredist\2017
Run vcredist_x64.exe from each
Reboot and try to run the game again.
Error 'The following folders are in a state of partial install'
Go to wherever your Galciv install is; by default, it is:
Steam:
\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III
Epic:
\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\GalacticCivilizations3
Rename the DLC directory there to DLC.OLD then do a file verification in Steam \ Epic \ GOG
Try to run the game again after the files are reacquired.
Error: Could not create your Galactic Civilizations Ill user data folder.
On Windows 10, go to your 'Windows Defender Settings' --> 'Virus and threat protection --> Ransomware protection --> Turn off 'Controlled folder access'.
If that fails, or if you have other supported versions of Windows, see 'Create a fresh Administrator Account' below
Error: Environment Variable Missing Path'
If you recived the above in-game error', press the Windows and 'R' Key at the same time. A "Run" dialog box should appear, paste the line below and click OK:
systempropertiesadvanced
The "System Properties" menu should appear. Click the 'Environment Variable' button, and under 'System Variables' select the 'Path' entry and click 'Edit'. (Example: http://screencast.com/t/fpYioUMO)
What we believe may be missing for you is this segment (don't worry about comparing anything else of yours to the example posted above):
Win 7:
C:\WINDOWS\system32:
http://sd.stardock.com/sean/JingImages/2015-07-20_1138.png
Win10:
%SystemRoot%\system32
http://sd.stardock.com/sean/JingImages/2017-11-29_17-16-56.png
If the line above is missing, please add a 'New' line for Win10
For Win7, the full line, C:\WINDOWS\system32; ,to the very beginning of the data in the 'Variable Value' field. Example (not the whole long string, just C:\WINDOWS\system32;):
C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live;C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live;c:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\iCLS Client\;c:\Program Files\Intel\iCLS Client\;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\WINDOWS\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\
Click OK to save it, reboot your system, and try to run the game again.
Crashes \ black wireframe starting screen on non-western language PCs
Please see:
https://forums.galciv3.com/503374/galactic-civilizations-iii-crash-on-start-or-just-a-black-wireframe-startin
How do I get the in-game crash reporter to show again?
If you clicked the option to not have the in-game crash reporter show any longer, to get it to appear again to go here in the registry:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Stardock\Crashlog
And delete the 'DoNotPromptAboutCrashes' key:
'Disk write error' or cannot save game or settings
Often this is the result of the game not having permissions to write to your \Documents\MyGames folder. Try disabling your AV app and trying agin.
If that fails, try disabling 'Windows Controlled Folder Access' or whitelisting the game there:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/allow-an-app-to-access-controlled-folders-b5b6627a-b008-2ca2-7931-7e51e912b034
Graphical issues
Also see updating your Video card drivers above.
Delete Prefs.ini:
In this location:
\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade
Delete the prefs.ini file and try to run the game again (a new one will be created).
Low Prefs:
For clients with low-end video cards (especially Intel PC's with only integrated Video), try running the game with some lower base settings to see if that resolves some of your issues.
Please download the following Prefs.ini file and unzip it in the location following:
http://sd.stardock.com/Support/games/GC3/LowSettings/Prefs.zip
Directory:
C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Documents\My Games\GalCiv3
Gameplay Settings: http://screencast.com/t/0fY8D8OK
Galaxy Settings: http://screencast.com/t/bY1JfuDbK
Try experimenting with these settings pointed out: http://screencast.com/t/pUNAl62jVs
Black Screen while using a Microsoft Surface:
If you're running the game at fullscreen, or a non-native resolution, please change the resolution to the Surface's native resolution or run in windowed mode.
No text visible
Go to this folder (you might need to make hidden files and folders visible in order to see it).
C:\ProgramData\Stardock\Galactic Civilizations III
C:\ProgramData\Stardock\Galactic Civilizations III - Retribution
And delete these files in it
K2FontData_Small.fontdata
K2FontTexture_Small.dds"
Try to run the game again.
DLC Questions
For information regarding DLC for Galactic Civilizations III, see below:
http://galciv3.gamepedia.com/DLC
To see which DLC you currently own in Steam:
Example:
GOG:
Epic:
What DLC do I have access to for free:
Only Elite purchase would receive free expansions and DLC. A complete breakdown:
ALPHA ACCESS (Elite Only)
Explore the first playable version
BETA ACCESS (Founders and Elite)
ALL DLC AND EXPANSIONS (Elite only)
Enjoy additional GalCiv III content we produce
NAME A STAR (Elite only)
Choose a name that will appear randomly in-game
BE RECOGNIZED (Elite only)
Your name will be included in the credits as a special thanks
FORUM BADGE (Founders and Elite)
Show your support on the official forums
$5 OFF (Founders)
Getting to the in-game console
The console is disabled by default, however, you may re-enable it by doing the following:
Steam
- Adding "-cheat" to the launch commands through Steam for GC3
Epic
Navigate to "Settings > Galactic Civilizations III > Additional Command Line Arguments" then add the line "-cheat" (not quotes).
Whilst in-game, you can press ` (the 'grave' accent - key under the ESC key on the keyboard) to also access it.
GalCiv3 Languages
Steam:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/226860/discussions/6/1354868867707817063/
Epic:
GalCiv3 is currently only available in English at the time of release. However, we are working with Epic to get that language packs implemented. They are expected to be live soon as a free update.
Clean Boot
Prior to continuing, it would be prudent to make sure the issue you are encountering is not occurring as a result of an application conflict. The best way to proceed would be to try loading under a new Window's Administrator account and in a "clean boot" state.
Create a new Windows Administrator (<--important that its an Administrator) account:
Windows 7:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-7
Windows 10:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/create-a-local-user-account-in-windows-10
Windows 8:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-8
Log in under that account and try. If it fails, and while still under that account, please click the link below for performing a 'clean boot' under it:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135
After you've loaded Windows in a clean state, please try once again.
*IMPORTANT NOTE*
Once you are booted into a clean state, you may need to Install the Steam service again. You can do so by trying to start up Steam. If Steam asks you to install the Steam service, simply hit "Install Service" and try to boot up Steam again:
http://sd.stardock.com/acole/Images/Jing/2016-03-01_1335.png
Purging game installation
Please uninstall GC3 from Steam/Galaxy by following the instructions below.
STEAM: Right click GC3 in your Steam library and select "Uninstall...":
http://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2017-06-16_1515.png
You will be prompted to delete the game(Dead Man's Draw is just an example):
http://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2014-09-30_1134.png
GALAXY: Left click GC3 in your Galaxy library and select More, Manage, Uninstall:
http://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2016-01-04_1039.png
You will be prompted to uninstall the game:
http://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2016-01-04_1059.png
***IMPORTANT*** Make sure you've completely exited Galaxy after uninstalling:
Open your Windows notifications window, right click the GoG icon and select Exit
After GC3 has been uninstalled, please press the Windows key and "R" at the same time. In the window that appears, paste the path below and hit enter:
%userprofile%\Documents\My Games
In the "My Games" folder, if there is still a folder remaining called "GalCiv3" please rename it so a new one will be generated.
Once again, press the Windows key and "R" at the same time, and use the path below:
%programdata%\Stardock\
You should see a folder named "Galactic Civilizations III", please rename this as well.
Lastly, please navigate to the path below and delete the entire folder for GalCiv3:
STEAM: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Galactic Civilizations III
GALAXY: C:\Program Files (x86)\GalaxyClient\Games\Galactic Civilizations III
Note: The path above assumes you've installed GC3 to the default Steam/Galaxy directory. You may need to adjust the path accordingly if it is installed to a non-standard location.
Restart your computer and reinstall GC3 using Steam/Galaxy. After it has completed the installation, please create a new save and let us know if you experience any further issues.
