Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition Not Launching Fixes

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is a remaster of the 2002 original. The remaster brings a lot of improvements, including larger maps, improved audio and visuals, and more. On top of that, it requires a bare minimum PC to run. Despite that, PC users are experiencing crashes at startup or the game not launching. Here, I have compiled a list of the best and verified fixes that will resolve the Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition not launching issue on your Windows PC.

How Do I Fix Stronghold Crusader DE Unity Crash At Startup on PC

PC users report that Stronghold Crusader is crashing on their PC at startup or does not launch. For some users, the game crashes with the following Unity error; for others, the game crashes without any error message.

Unity 2021.3.27F1_CA3FFB99BCC6

There are multiple reasons why Stronghold Crusader keeps crashing at startup on your PC, such as the anti-virus blocking the game’s executable, the game not utilizing the discrete GPU, a lack of administrative rights, and more. The following fixes will resolve the Stronghold Crusader startup crashes on your PC.

Fix #1 – Move Stronghold Crusader to an SSD

If you have installed Stronghold Crusader on an HDD, it is likely the reason for the startup crashes, as per community feedback. PC players report that installing Stronghold Crusader on an SSD fixes the game not launching issue.

Fix #2 – Uninstall and Reinstall Stronghold Crusader

A lot of PC players report that Stronghold Crusader DE is crashing at the loading screen. While not exactly a crash at startup, this prevents them from playing the game. To fix these loading screen crashes in the game, uninstall Stronghold Crusader and reinstall it.

Fix #3 – Disable Anti-Virus or Exclude Stronghold Crusader’s Folder From It

Third-party anti-virus software often mistake legit files and executables for malware or a virus. DeepGuard, Norton, McAfee, other like them are known to quarantine game executable, which prevents games from launching.

If you have installed a third-party anti-virus software on your PC, it is crashing Stronghold Crusader at startup. You can fix the issue by either disabling the antivirus’ real-time protection or excluding the game’s folder from it. I recommend the latter.

Once you have excluded Stronghold Crusader’s folder, verify game files, launch the game, and it won’t crash again. To verify the game files, right-click Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition in your Steam library, select “properties”, go to the “Installed files” tab, and click the “Verify integrity of game files” button. After the scan is complete, launch Stronghold Crusader, and startup crashes are now fixed.

Right-click the game in the Steam library > Properties > Installed files tab. Click the “Verify integrity of game files” button.

Fix #4 – Press ESC Instantly After Launching

As absurd as it sounds, this fix actually works, as per community feedback. If you are experiencing the Stronghold Crusader crashing at startup issue, followed by a Unity error, this fix is for you. Launch the game, quickly press ESC, and keep pressing it until the game launches. This will fix the Stronghold Crusader Unity crash on your Windows PC.

Fix #5 – Ensure Stronghold Crusader is Using Discrete Graphics Hardware

Even though Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition only requires an Intel i3 CPU and a GPU with 2 GB VRAM, it should launch on a laptop or PC with an integrated GPU (iGPU). However, if you are playing on a gaming laptop, then the iGPU is the reason Stronghold Crusader isn’t launching.

You can fix the Stronghold Crusader not launching issue by forcing the game to use the dedicated graphics card. Here is how you can force the dedicated NVIDIA or AMD GPU:

Open Windows settings, go to System, select Display, and go to Graphics.
Look for “Stronghold Crusader” in the list of apps and programs and select it.
Click on “Options” and check the “High Performance” option. Save the changes.
Launch Stronghold Crusader, and it will run on the discrete GPU, fixing the startup crash.

Open Windows Settings and go to System > Display > Graphics. Select the game from the list and click on Options.

Check the “High Performance” options and click the Save button.

Fix #6 – Run Stronghold Crusader as an Administrator

The lack of administrative rights is another reason Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition is not launching on your PC. You can fix the issue by running the game as an administrator, and here is how you can do it:

Go to Steam Library, right-click Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition > Manage, > click the “Browse local files” option.
It will open a new window on your screen. Look for the game’s executable file, right-click it, and select properties.
Now go to the Compatibility tab and click the box against “Run this program as an administrator.”
Apply the changes, launch Stronghold Crusader, and it will not crash at startup.

Right-click the game in your Steam library > Manage > Browse local files.

Right-click the game executable and select “properties.”

Go to the “Compatibility” tab > check “Run this program as an administrator” and apply the changes.

Fix #7 – Repair System Files

Corrupt or missing system files could be the reason Stronghold Crusader DE is crashing at startup on your PC. To fix these startup crashes, run the SFC and DISM scan, which will repair or replace system files that need to be. Here is how you can run the scans:

Open Command Prompt (CMD) and run it as an administrator.
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Let the scan complete.
Once the SFC scan is complete, type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter.
Let the scan complete.
Play Stronghold Crusader, and it won’t crash at launch again.

Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter.

These are the Stronghold Crusader fixes for the crash at startup issue on PC. If you are experiencing errors and crashes in games, also see our fixes hub for commonly occurring errors for PC.