Fix: Grounded Keeps Crashing on Startup on PC

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: Windows 7 (SP1) 64bit
• Processor: Intel Core i3-3225
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia GTX 650 Ti
• Storage: 8 GB available space

2. Run the game as an admin

Make sure to run the game app file on your PC as administrator access to allow the User Account Control (UAC) access to the system. Sometimes, your system requires UAC access permission to run a program which is quite important. By following the steps below, you’ll have to allow the admin access for once, and it won’t ask you for the same again. To do so:

• Head over to the installed Grounded game directory.
• Right-click on the application file on your PC.
• Click on Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.

• Click on the Run this program as an administrator checkbox to enable it.
• Once done, click on Apply and then OK to save changes.
• Finally, just double-click on the game app file to launch it.

If in case, you’re running the game via the Steam or Epic Games Launcher, perform the same steps for the Steam application too.

3. Disable fullscreen optimizations

Sometimes turning off the fullscreen optimizations by the Windows system for your specific game application file should fix the compatibility issues for some PCs. Though it comes disabled by default, you should cross-check it to ensure that the fullscreen optimization isn’t enabled. To do this:

• Open the Steam client > Click on Library.
• Right-click on Grounded > Click on Manage.
• Click on Browse local files > Head over to the Grounded installed folder.
• Right-click on TrainSimWorld3.exe > Click on Properties.
• Go to the Compatibility tab > Ensure to click on Disable fullscreen optimizations to checkmark it.
• Once done, click on Apply and then OK to save changes.

4. Update GPU Driver

Another thing you should do is update the graphics driver version on your PC by following the steps below. If there is an update available, make sure to install the same. An outdated GPU driver can cause several issues with the program launching such as games or even during the gameplay sessions. Not only your game looks pathetic but also your PC won’t be able to run its full potential due to graphics conflict. To do that:

• Press the Win+X keys to open the Quick Access Menu.
• Click on Device Manager from the list.
• Double-click on Display adapters to expand it.

• Right-click on the dedicated graphics card that’s active or you’re using.
• Now, click on Update driver > Click on Search automatically for drivers.
• It’ll automatically check for the available update, then download and install the latest version.
• Just wait for the same and reboot the PC to apply changes.

If there is no update available for your GPU, then you can go to the official graphics card website from the links below and search for the model of your graphics manually. Make sure to download and install the latest GPU driver for your model number as per the manufacturer.

• Nvidia GPU
• AMD GPU
• Intel GPU

5. Update Windows

If you’re running an outdated Windows version or build number for a while, then follow the steps below to check for the same. Always try to install the latest system update so you can get the latest security patch, improved performance, bug fixes, additional features, and more.

• Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
• Click on Windows Update and click on Check for updates.
• If there is an update available, click on Download and Install.
• Wait for the update process to be completed.
• Once done, reboot your PC to apply changes.

You should also check for the optional updates by following the steps below. Sometimes, a few driver updates or security patch updates might appear here that can help you fix several bugs or issues.

• Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
• Click on Windows Update > Click on Advanced Options.
• Scroll down to locate Additional options.
• Click on Optional updates > If an update is available, you can select the update.
• Now, click on Download & install, then wait some time to complete it.
• Finally, reboot the system manually.

6. Force Use the Dedicated GPU

It’s highly suggested to always use the dedicated (external) graphics card on your desktop for heavy games and applications to get higher graphics performance. To do that:

For Nvidia GPU:

• Right-click on the blank desktop screen > Open Nvidia Control Panel.
• Go to 3D Settings > Click on Manage 3D Settings.
• Open Program Settings > Select Grounded from the list.
• Select preferred graphics processor for this program from the list.
• Once done, you can see it as High-Performance Nvidia Processor.
• Make sure to save changes and reboot the PC.

For AMD GPU:

• Right-click on the blank desktop screen > Open Radeon Settings.
• Head over to Additional Settings > Go to Preferences.
• Click on Power > Click on Switchable Graphics Application Settings.
• Select Grounded from the list. [If the game is not visible, select Add Application to include the game]
• Once done, select High Performance from Graphics Settings.
• Finally, reboot the PC to apply changes.

7. Close Unnecessary Background Tasks

It’s recommended to close all the unnecessary background running tasks on your system by following the steps below because the more system resources will be used, the higher your system performance will drop. You may not notice it drastically when you face in-game lags, framerate drops, stutters, etc. But this method should be useful for you in many ways.

• Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.

• Click on Processes and check which task is consuming higher resources.
• Click on the particular process and select End Task to close it forcefully.
• Make sure to do the same steps for each third-party app process that consumes higher resources.
• Once done, close Task Manager and restart your PC.

8. Repair Game Files

It’s needless to say that issues with the corrupted or missing game files on the PC might encounter game launching crashes a lot without any proper error message in some cases. If, in case, your game starts to load for a few seconds and then closes automatically or doesn’t launch at all, then it’s better to verify and repair the installed game files on the PC by following the steps below:

For Steam:

• Launch the Steam client > Click on Library.
• Right-click on Grounded from the list.
• Click on Properties > Go to Local Files.

• Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• This process may take some time to get completed. So, have some patience.
• Once done, make sure to reboot the PC to apply changes.

For Epic Games Launcher:

• Open the Epic Games Launcher > Click on Library.
• Click on the three-dots icon next to Grounded.
• Click on Verify > Wait for the process to complete and restart the launcher.
• It should resolve the Grounded Crashing issue on the PC.

9. Update Grounded

We should also recommend you manually check for the game update at your end via the Steam client to ensure there is no outdated game version conflicting with the game launching. An outdated game patch version can trigger several potential issues that might trigger crashes. To do this:

For Steam:

• Open Steam and go to Library.
• Click on Grounded from the left pane > Steam will automatically search for the available update.
• If there is an update available, click on Update.
• Make sure to wait for some time until the update completes.
• Once done, ensure to reboot the PC to apply changes.

For Epic Games Launcher:

• Open the Epic Games Launcher > Head over to Library.
• Now, click on the three dots icon next to Grounded.
• Make sure the Auto Update option is turned on.
• It should automatically install the available update for the Grounded game and reduce startup crashing.

10. Turn Off Third-Party Overlay Apps

Conflicts with the background running third-party overlay apps can trigger several issues with the game launching because they consume a lot of system resources, just like the processes whenever you start the game. Even though the game doesn’t launch, the overlay app starts and runs until you close it manually. Some overlay apps may also start running while you initially boot the system. So, try disabling overlay apps manually.

Disable Discord Overlay:

• Open the Discord app > Click on the gear icon (Settings) at the bottom.
• Select Overlay under App Settings > Turn on the Enable in-game overlay.
• Click on Games > Select Grounded.
• Make sure to turn off the Enable in-game overlay toggle.
• Once done, reboot your PC to apply changes.

Disable Xbox Game Bar:

• Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
• Now, click on Gaming > Go to Game Bar.
• Turn Off the Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcasts using the Game bar option.
• Once done, save changes, and reboot the PC to apply changes.

Disable Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:

• Launch the Nvidia GeForce Experience app > Go to Settings.
• Click on General > Disable the In-Game Overlay option.
• Once done, restart the PC to apply changes.

Disable Steam Overlay:

• Open the Steam client > Click on Library.
• Right-click on Grounded > Click on Properties.
• Click on General > Turn OFF the Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game option.
• Once done, reboot the PC to change the effects.

Some PC gamers or advanced users also use other overlay apps such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB software, etc. If you’re also using any other mouse or keyboard software or RGB tool that isn’t necessary during gaming, then it’s better to turn them off.

11. Turn Off Windows Firewall and Antivirus Software

The chances are high that you’re using the default Windows Firewall protection on your PC, but sometimes disabling it temporarily before launching any game might greatly reduce startup crashing issues. To do this:

• Click on the Start Menu > Type Windows Defender Firewall and open it.
• Next, click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the left pane.
• Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) option for all domains.
• Once done, click OK to save changes > Reboot your PC to apply changes.

Additionally, turn off the Windows Defender antivirus program on your PC to ensure no antivirus software is blocking the game files. To do so:

• Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
• Click on Update & Security > Click on Windows Security.
• Click on Open Windows Security > Go to Virus & threat protection.
• Now, click on Manage settings > Just turn off the Real-time protection toggle.
• If prompted, click on Yes to proceed further.

Note: If you’re using any other third-party antivirus program on your PC, then turn it off from its settings menu.

12. Adjust Power Management Options

It’s better to set the high-performance power option on your computer before playing games to get the system’s full potential because Windows prefers to run in the default balanced power mode to save power and offer medium performance for your daily task. But the, heavy games or applications require high-performance mode, which will consume extra power but offers stunning performance. To do that:

• Click on the Start Menu > Type control panel and open it.
• Click on Hardware and Sound > Select Power Options.
• Select High Performance, and you’re done.
• Finally, reboot the PC to apply changes.

13. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime

If your Windows system doesn’t have Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables installed or even installed, make sure to reinstall it manually by following the steps below.

• Open the Start Menu > Type apps & features and open it.
• Click on the Microsoft Visual C++ program(s) from the list one by one.
• Click on Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Once all Visual C++ programs are uninstalled, reboot the PC.
• Now, go to the official Microsoft website and download the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime.
• Install it on your computer and restart the system to change the effects.

14. Perform a Clean Boot

Multiple users claimed that performing a clean boot on the PC fixed the system boot-up issue because some apps or tasks start initially. These tasks run all the time and consume a lot of system resources. You should follow the steps below to do so:

• Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Type MSConfig and hit Enter to open System Configuration.
• Go to Services > Click on Hide all Microsoft services to enable it.

• Now, click on Disable all, so that rest of the services gets turned off.
• Click on Apply and then OK to save changes.
• Next, go to Startup > Click on Open Task Manager.
• Click on the Startup tab > Ensure to select the specific task with a higher startup impact.
• Now, click on Disable to turn it off.

Note: Do the same steps for each program with a higher startup impact except for the audio or graphics service.

• Finally, make sure to restart your computer to apply changes.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.