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Age of Empires II: DE Startup Crashes and Startup Issues
By -Dare Devil/x/
Hey reader, this is a compilation of the most common solutions I have seen working for people to get their games started. Typically if your game isn't launch because it instantly disappears or nothing happens, we should be able to figure out what's going on.

Please let me know if you know a common solution that worked for you that I may have missed. I'm still gathering data and working on the formatting of this guide.

If this guide has helped you don't forget to up-vote so it can help other people!
   
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Created by
-Dare Devil/x/
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Category: Modding or Configuration, Walkthroughs
Languages: English
Posted
Updated
24 Nov, 2019 @ 12:31pm
27 Dec, 2019 @ 12:22pm
1,772 Unique Visitors
23 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
Start-Up and Launching Issues 
Comments
Start-Up and Launching Issues
Missing Windows updates:
  1. Run windows update multiple times until it says no updates available.
  2. Try playing the game now.

Microsoft C++ Redists didn't install properly:
  1. Go to your control panel for add/remove programs.
  2. Uninstall all versions of 2015 Microsoft C++ Redistribs.
  3. Official Microsoft website[support.microsoft.com].
  4. For the 2015, install the x86 and x64 versions, and right-click run as admin.
  5. Try playing the game now.

Antivirus problems:
  1. Ensure that the game is added to your list of exceptions.
  2. If your game stops working after a patch; remove the game from exceptions then re-add it.
  3. Try playing the game now.

Update your display drivers.
  1. Nvidia Video Card Drivers: http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
  2. ATI Video Card Drivers: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx
  3. Intel Drivers: http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/graphics
  4. Laptop video drivers are dependent on and obtained from your laptop’s manufacturer.
Software Compatibility:
  1. This is more so for troubleshooting.
  2. Turn off all background programs, especially but not limited to Fraps, RivaTuner, overlay programs, crosshair software, recording software, etc.
  3. Try playing the game now.

Hidden Errors:
  1. Try running the AoE2DE_s.exe as an administrator.
  2. Sometimes this will cause a hidden error to appear.
  3. Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Phoenix.
  4. If you don't have that path try locating it here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\AoE2DE
  5. Locate the AoE2DE_s.exe and right-click it.
  6. Now select "Run as Administrator".
  7. If you get an error about a missing .dll, most likely you are having Microsoft C++ Redist installing problems.
  8. If you get a different error; please comment!
18 Comments
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mertcand587 27 Apr @ 1:04pm 
It now shuts down my laptop:steamsad:
كاتيرو 27 Sep, 2024 @ 7:06pm 
the game only randomly starts 1 out of 10 times, mods are disabled, files are checked
-Dare Devil/x/  [author] 11 Nov, 2023 @ 9:47pm 
@megaEmpirez, lately there are a lot of software conflicts that may cause this; for example Discord overlay, or Shadowplay, or any other type of "overlay" program. Try truly shutting off everything else running.
MegaEmpirez 11 Nov, 2023 @ 1:33am 
I have an issue where I load the game and after 10 minutes, it crashes and the game closes. No error message. My laptop has more than enough specs to run this game, I have enough storage etc. I have got the latest drivers, anti-virus is not an issue. I have tried your suggestions. Just baffled how to fix this issue.
Rythir 3 Nov, 2023 @ 10:48am 
I don't have an error, the game just closes randomly during a match. Sometimes right away giving me the penalty, other times 30+ mins in the match or even at the end of the match.
Sgaglietto 25 Nov, 2022 @ 8:21am 
Hi there, I don't understand why anytime I finish a Custom Campaign first scenario I have no access to the second scenario. Any help?
nicktheslicer-HannibalStarkarm 19 Mar, 2020 @ 11:47am 
The first time I try to start the game, I always get the error message "Failed to initialize sprite system" and sometimes my laptop crashes when I try it again (mostly AoE starts when I try it the second time). I already installed AoE again but it keeps happening. Any ideas?
-Dare Devil/x/  [author] 12 Jan, 2020 @ 7:41am 
@bugwabbit12, that is a known crash. For that campaign you will have to wait for an update to fix it for now.
bigwabbit12 12 Jan, 2020 @ 6:32am 
My game crashes when I get into the campaigns at this point...Sundjata the Hunted...and once I enter the village and start to send the villagers to work, shortly afterwards at the same point in the game it crashes...what do I do? I installed all the patches.
bigwabbit12 12 Jan, 2020 @ 6:27am 
Says needs startup appl or something like that?