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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →“Fatal Error” on Conan Exiles startup usually points to something blocking initialization—corrupt settings, a bad mod, outdated graphics drivers, or missing runtime components. The good news: most cases can be resolved quickly if you follow the right order.
This guide is built for the exact scenario where the game crashes immediately when you hit Play (or right after the initial loading screen). Work through the Quick Crash Fix steps first, then use log-based troubleshooting only if needed.
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If you paste the exact fatal error text (or a screenshot), you can often skip straight to the targeted fix. For now, this covers the full, reliable path to get the game launching again.
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What the fatal error at startup usually means
Conan Exiles is built on Unreal Engine. Startup crashes typically happen before the main menu fully stabilizes—meaning the problem is often in configuration, rendering setup, or injected content (mods/overlays).
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- EXPLORE A VAST WORLD: Explore a giant world, from the burning desert in the south to the snow-capped mountains in the north. Discover ancient cultures, ruins, and dungeons
- SURVIVE: Stay warm, cool yourself down, drink and eat, weather scouring sandstorms, prevent your mind from being corrupted when exploring dark dungeons, and battle vicious monsters to stay alive
- BUILD: Harvest resources to craft tools and weapons, then build anything from a small home to entire cities piece by piece. Build walls, traps, elevators, and more, then deck out your creations with a wide variety of different furniture, crafting stations, and NPC guards
- DOMINATE: Wage war against your enemies, use siege weapons and explosives and see their walls crumble to dust, then unleash your savage fury in violent and brutal combat
- BUILD AN ARMY OF THRALLS: Capture NPCs, drag them back to your base, and use the Wheel of Pain to break their will. Turn them into archers, crafters, entertainers, and more for your settlements
In practice, the biggest repeat offenders are:
- Corrupt or incompatible mods (especially after updates)
- Damaged local config files (video/audio/display modes, resolution)
- Outdated GPU driver or incompatible runtime DLLs
- Overlay injection (Discord, GeForce Experience, ReShade, recording tools)
Before you change anything (prerequisites)
Do these first so you don’t waste time:
- Confirm you’re logged into the same Steam/Epic account you used to install the game.
- Make sure Windows is up to date (Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates).
- Plug in your laptop (if applicable) and avoid switching power modes during testing.
Optional but helpful: open Task Manager and close any third-party overlay/recording tools before you launch Conan Exiles again.
Quick Crash Fix: do these in order
These are the fastest, highest-success steps. Don’t jump ahead—fixes earlier in the list often solve the same underlying issue.
1) Restart PC and power-cycle the router (if multiplayer)
A hard restart clears driver states and stale handles that can contribute to startup failures. If you’re testing a private server connection or online mode, power-cycling your router can also prevent edge-case handshake issues.
Then try launching once before you start changing files.
2) Disable all mods (and remove recently added mod IDs)
Most mod-related startup crashes happen because one mod is incompatible with your current game build or conflicts with others. Even one broken mod can stop the game from initializing.
Strategy:
- Disable every Conan Exiles mod (then relaunch).
- If it launches, re-enable mods one-by-one until the crash returns.
- Pay special attention to anything you added right before the problem started.
3) Verify game files in Steam or Epic
Corrupt or missing files can trigger fatal errors immediately during startup. File verification is safe and often fixes the problem without manual cleanup.
Steam: Library → Conan Exiles → right-click → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
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Epic Games Launcher: Library → Conan Exiles → ⋯ (More) → Manage → Verify.
After verification finishes, reboot once and try again.
4) Reset Conan Exiles config/cache folders
If the crash is caused by bad local settings, resetting configs can help instantly. This does not delete your saves from the server side; it mainly resets local client configuration files.
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- Dominate the Exiled Lands - Carve out your piece of the Exiled Lands, taking it from other players if you must! Build siege weapons and use explosives to break down the walls of your enemy’s city.
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- Brutal, Bloody Combat - Fight vicious monsters and other players using an action-oriented, combo-based combat system. Dodge, block, and learn to master the true art of combat to become the greatest fighter in the Exiled Lands.
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Try this safe reset approach on Windows:
- Close Conan Exiles completely.
- Open File Explorer and go to:
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Conan Exiles\
Then rename these folders (rename, don’t delete):
- Config
- Saved (if present)
- Crashes (optional; usually safe to keep)
Launch the game again. Conan Exiles will rebuild default config files if they were the cause.
5) Clear Unreal Engine shader cache for the game
Stale shader cache can crash during rendering initialization, especially after driver updates or game patches.
On Windows, clear common Unreal shader cache locations:
- Close the game.
- Delete (or rename) these folders:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\UnrealEngine\(focus on Conan Exiles-related cache if visible)%LOCALAPPDATA%\D3DSCache\(if present)
Reboot and launch. The first run may take longer while shaders rebuild.
6) Update GPU drivers + install latest Microsoft runtime packages
Startup “fatal error” crashes are frequently tied to missing VC++ runtimes or outdated graphics drivers. The reliable path is: update drivers first, then install the required Microsoft redistributables.
Do this on Windows:
- Update GPU drivers from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel (use the current WHQL/stable driver for your GPU model).
- Install these (choose the latest available):
- Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for 2015–2022 (x64 and x86)
- DirectX Runtime components if your system is missing them (the “June 2010” style runtime can matter for older games)
Reboot after installation, then test again.
Platform-specific steps
The crash is the same, but the safest remediation steps differ slightly by launcher and runtime layer.
Windows + Steam
Steam users typically resolve startup crashes with verification + config reset + mod disable.
- Steam → Library → Conan Exiles → Properties.
- Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
- Rename
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Conan Exiles\ConfigandSaved. - Disable all mods, then launch.
- If it still fails: disable Steam Overlay and Discord Overlay, reboot, then test again.
Windows + Epic Games Launcher
Epic users should verify files, then reset local config and remove mod dependencies.
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- Verify.
- Close the game and rename
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Conan Exiles\ConfigandSaved. - Disable mods and retest.
- Turn off overlays (Epic Overlay if enabled, Discord, GeForce Experience overlay), then launch.
Linux (Proton) quick notes
If you’re running Conan Exiles with Proton, fatal startup errors often come from mismatched Proton version, missing components, or graphics stack issues.
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- Explore a giant world, from the burning desert in the South to the snow-capped mountains in the North
- stay warm, cool yourself down, drink and eat, weather scouring sandstorms, prevent your mind from being corrupted when exploring dark dungeons, and battle vicious monsters to stay alive
- harvest resources to craft tools and weapons, then build anything from a small home to entire cities piece by piece
- In Steam, right-click Conan Exiles → Properties → Compatibility → try a different Proton version (e.g., Proton Experimental vs a stable Proton 8.x/9.x line).
- Clear the game’s Proton prefix for that title (Steam will recreate it).
- Disable any wine overlays/recorders.
- Confirm you’re using a stable Mesa/NVIDIA driver version for your GPU.
Launch options and settings that commonly stop startup crashes
Even when the root cause is elsewhere, these settings can prevent the crash from triggering while you troubleshoot.
Try launching with safer graphics settings
Instead of forcing heavy settings, let the game rebuild defaults by resetting config (the earlier step). If you prefer a manual adjustment:
- Start with Windowed mode (or borderless) rather than fullscreen.
- Use a “standard” resolution (match your desktop resolution).
- Disable any extreme options (ray tracing, custom upscalers, over-aggressive sharpening) until the game launches reliably.
Disable overlays (Discord, GeForce Experience, Steam Overlay)
Overlays inject DLLs into the process. That can break initialization timing or conflict with Unreal’s rendering setup.
Turn off these temporarily:
- Discord Overlay
- Steam Overlay
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience in-game overlay
- Any recording tools (OBS game capture with overlays)
Force a clean fullscreen/window mode
If your monitor setup changed (new refresh rate, new monitor, HDR on/off), Unreal can crash while applying display modes.
Set Windows display settings back to a known stable baseline:
- Settings → System → Display.
- Set refresh rate to your panel’s standard value.
- Toggle HDR off temporarily.
Fixes based on the error text (use the actual wording)
Conan Exiles fatal errors usually include a short message like a missing DLL name, a rendering API error, or a GPU device failure. The fix changes depending on that wording.
DirectX 11/12 or DXGI errors
If the fatal error mentions DXGI, D3D, or DirectX:
- Update GPU drivers to the latest stable version.
- Install Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 redistributables (x64 and x86).
- Reset the game config folders so it rebuilds the correct rendering settings.
GPU hang / device removed errors
If the text includes “device removed,” “hung,” or “TDR” style wording:
- Return GPU settings to defaults (disable overclocks, undervolts, and custom fan curves).
- Disable hardware acceleration in browser overlays only for testing (less common, but some tools inject).
- Verify you’re using the latest driver version compatible with your GPU.
Unreal Engine crashes in startup
If it looks like a generic Unreal startup crash:
- Disable all mods and retest.
- Rename Config and Saved to force a clean settings rebuild.
- Clear shader cache and relaunch.
Easy Anti-Cheat launch failures
If the fatal error mentions Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), file repair alone may not fix it.
- Run the EasyAntiCheat installer/repair tool from the game folder (if present).
- Ensure the EAC service files aren’t blocked by security software.
- Reboot and test again without overlays.
If you don’t see the EAC files, verify Conan Exiles installation first.
Missing DLL / runtime errors
If the message includes a DLL name (for example, VC++ runtime DLLs):
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- Explore a vast world: explore a giant world, from the Burning desert in the south to the snow-capped mountains in the north. Discover ancient cultures, ruins, and dungeons
- Survive: stay warm, cool yourself down, drink and eat, weather scouring sandstorms, prevent your mind from being corrupted when exploring dark dungeons, and battle vicious monsters to stay alive
- Build: harvest resources to craft tools and weapons, then build anything from a Small home to entire cities. Build walls, traps, elevators, and more
- Dominate: wage war against your enemies, use siege weapons and explosives and see their walls crumble to dust, then unleash your savage Fury in violent and brutal combat
- Play together or alone: play alone locally or fight for survival and dominance in persistent multiplayer on public servers. You can also host your own server and invite others to join you
- Install the correct Visual C++ Redistributable version(s) (2015–2022 x64 and x86).
- Reboot after installation.
- Then verify game files to rule out missing assets.
When the quick fixes fail: log-driven troubleshooting
If Conan Exiles still crashes instantly after you’ve verified files, reset configs, and removed mods, the logs tell you where initialization fails.
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On Windows, common log locations include:
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Conan Exiles\Saved\Logs\%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Conan Exiles\Saved\Crashes\%LOCALAPPDATA%\UnrealEngine\(shader/build cache related)
Open the newest log file (by timestamp) and look near the end for the fatal error cause.
What to look for in the last 30–80 lines
Don’t read the entire log. Scan the final chunk for these patterns:
- Which module or subsystem failed (rendering, audio, mods, EAC)
- Any DLL name mentioned
- Any mod name, asset path, or workshop item ID
- Any GPU/DirectX error code or device failure text
Common signatures and what they point to
| Log clue | Most likely cause | What to try next |
|---|---|---|
| Mod asset path fails | Broken/incompatible mod | Remove last mod(s) you added, then re-enable one by one |
| DXGI / D3D error text | Rendering/API setup issue | Reset config + update GPU drivers + install VC++ 2015–2022 |
| Device removed / hung | GPU stability (OC/undervolt) or driver issue | Disable OC/UV, return clocks to stock, reinstall GPU driver clean |
| Easy Anti-Cheat errors | EAC component not loading | Repair EAC + whitelist Conan Exiles in security software |
| Missing DLL | Runtime redistributables not installed | Install VC++ 2015–2022 x64 and x86; reboot |
If you share the last lines with the module/DLL/mod name (redact personal info), the fix can be targeted immediately.
Common mistakes that keep the crash coming back
- Re-enabling mods before confirming a clean launch. If one mod is the problem, you’ll repeat the crash every time.
- Changing multiple variables at once. Driver updates, overlays, and config edits all together makes it hard to find the true cause.
- Skipping verification. Verification is quick and clears “missing file” causes that config resets can’t fix.
- Forgetting to clear overlays. Even one overlay left enabled can reintroduce the crash.
- Using a corrupted config backup. If you restore a previous config that triggered the crash, you’ll undo your progress.
FAQ
Does verifying game files delete my mods or saves?
File verification checks game install files. It usually does not delete your saves. Mods are typically managed separately and will remain until you disable/remove them. Resetting Config and Saved mostly affects local client settings.
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Will resetting the Config folder fix a fatal error every time?
No. It fixes a large class of “bad settings” crashes, but mods, GPU/DirectX issues, and missing runtimes can still cause the same fatal error. That’s why the guide walks from least invasive to deeper checks.
Why does it crash right after I update?
Updates can break mod compatibility and can also change rendering expectations. Disable mods first, then verify files, then reset config if needed. Most “right after update” crashes resolve within those steps.
What if it still crashes after everything?
Use the log-driven section: pull the newest log from %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Conan Exiles\Saved\Logs\ and identify the last subsystem/DLL/mod name mentioned. That’s the fastest way to pinpoint the cause.
Bottom Line
When Conan Exiles hits a fatal error at startup, the fastest winning sequence is: disable mods → verify files → reset Config/Saved → clear shader cache → update GPU drivers and VC++ runtimes. In most cases, that gets the game booting again.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf it doesn’t, the logs will tell you exactly what failed during initialization. Use the last 30–80 lines near the crash entry, then apply the targeted fix based on the specific DX/GPU/runtime/mod/EAC clue.
Quick Recap
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