[Solved] Cities Skylines 2 Crashing on Startup, Not Launching

[Solved] Cities Skylines 2 Crashing on Startup, Not Launching

Cities Skylines 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the popular city-building simulation game, has finally arrived. Unfortunately, some players have reported issues with the game crashing on startup or not launching at all. But fear not, for we have come up with troubleshooting tips to help you overcome these frustrating problems and get back to building the metropolis of your dreams.

[Solved] Cities Skylines 2 Crashing on Startup, Not Launching

Update Your Graphics Drivers

One of the most common causes of crashes in PC games is outdated or incompatible graphics drivers. To ensure that your system is up to date, visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer and download the latest drivers specifically designed for Cities Skylines 2. This simple step might just fix the crashing issue.

Verify Game Files

If you encounter frequent crashes or the game refuses to launch altogether, it’s possible that some game files may have become corrupted during the download or installation process. To rectify this, open your preferred gaming platform (such as Steam or Epic Games Store) and navigate to the Cities Skylines 2 game library. Right-click on the game, select Properties, and click on the “Local Files” tab. From there, choose “Verify Integrity of Game Files” to scan and repair any damaged files.

Adjust Graphics Settings

While Cities Skylines 2 boasts stunning visuals, the game’s advanced graphics can sometimes overwhelm older or less powerful hardware. Lowering the graphics settings can alleviate the strain on your system and potentially prevent crashes on startup. Experiment with reducing details like shadows, anti-aliasing, or texture quality until the game becomes stable. Remember, it’s always better to enjoy the game at slightly lower graphics settings than not to play it at all!

Disable Non-essential Programs

Occasionally, conflicts arise between Cities Skylines 2 and other running applications, resulting in crashes or startup issues. To determine if this is the case for your system, temporarily disable or exit non-essential programs running in the background, such as antivirus software, recording tools, or any overlay programs. By freeing up system resources, you provide the game with a better chance to run smoothly.

Run the Game as an Administrator

Running Cities Skylines 2 as an administrator can help resolve issues related to permissions. To run as an administrator:

  • Right-click on Cities Skylines 2 shortcut or .exe file.
  • Select “Properties.”
  • Click on “Compatibility” tab.
  • Check “Run this program as an administrator.”
  • Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
[Solved] Cities Skylines 2 Crashing on Startup, Not Launching

Cities Skylines 2 crashing on startup or not launching can be a frustrating roadblock. However, by following steps mentioned by me above you will be able to play it again no time. I hope you found my guide helpful.

Masab Farooque is a Tech Geek, Writer, and Founder at The Panther Tech. He is also a lead game developer at 10StaticStudios. When he is not writing, he is mostly playing video games