Euro Truck Simulator 2

Euro Truck Simulator 2

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ETS2 Won’t Stop Crashing? Fix It in 10 Steps
By Axiata
Fix ETS2 crashes fast in 10 steps. Log reading, mod load order, map-combo connectors, OneDrive/Steam Cloud issues, economy reset, version rollback, GPU/overlay problems, and ready-to-paste regex.

so your game won’t start.. or ETS2 keeps crashing mid load, mid haul, or right when you buy a truck. sometimes it’s Euro Truck Simulator 2 not launching on Windows 11, sometimes it’s ATS crash after update, sometimes it’s just black screen and desktop. this guide is the dump of every fix i’ve seen work. no fluff, no tech jargon, just straight steps. works for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. if you searched how to fix ETS2 crashing on startup or ATS won’t launch fix.. you’re in the right place.
   
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BACKUP & PREP - IMPORTANT

before you mess with stuff, save your game folder..
- go to
C:\Users\<your name>\Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2



- copy the whole folder called Euro Truck Simulator 2
- paste it somewhere safe (USB, another drive, or just a backup folder on desktop)
this folder has:
  • profiles > all your saves
  • mod > every mod you installed manually
  • config.cfg > your settings
  • game.log.txt and game.crash.txt > logs

if OneDrive is syncing your Documents folder (Win10/11 loves to do this), move the whole “Euro Truck Simulator 2” folder to a LOCAL Documents folder, not the OneDrive one. otherwise OneDrive will lock files while the game runs and boom, instant CTD.

turn OFF overlays before testing:
- Discord overlay > User Settings > Game Overlay > toggle off
- NVIDIA overlay > GeForce Experience > Settings > In-Game Overlay > off
- RivaTuner (RTSS) > turn overlay off
- Trucky overlay > disable

then in Steam: Library > Right click ETS2 > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity. this checks and redownloads corrupt files.

also go into your profile editor (ETS2 > Profiles > Edit) and untick “Use Steam Cloud”. keep saves local until you’re stable.

STEP 1: LOGS
logs are your black box..
path:
C:\Users\<your name>\Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2

inside there:
- game.log.txt > spammy log, shows everything game loaded up to the crash
- game.crash.txt > only appears if the game actually crashed hard



tip: delete the old game.crash.txt, then run the game and let it crash again. you’ll get a fresh crash file.

if game.crash.txt is missing, the game didn’t crash itself, something outside killed it (antivirus, driver, Windows).

you can force longer logs by adding this in Steam > Properties > Launch Options:
-unlimitedlog
STEP 2: COMMON ERRORS IN LOG
stuff you’ll see at the bottom:

<ERROR> [fs] Failed to open file 'blah.sii'
→ missing/corrupt mod file

<ERROR> [unit] File '...' not found
→ mod definition missing

Missing accessory ... replaced by ...
→ you removed a mod truck/trailer but still own it in save, or TruckersMP banned item

ntdll.dll / d3d11.dll / dxgi.dll
→ overlay or GPU driver problem

KERNELBASE.dll
→ usually mod conflict or corrupted save


to scan logs fast, open them in Notepad++ and use regex search. example:
# Only ERROR lines ^\d\d:\d\d:\d\d\.\d{3} : <ERROR>.*$
STEP 3: MOD TROUBLE
mods are crash city..
- red text mods in Mod Manager = remove them, they are incompatible
- update every mod, especially map/traffic/trailer mods after game patch
- if you remove a mod truck, SELL it first in-game. if you just delete the .scs, your save will crash looking for missing parts
- check folder
C:\Users\<you>\Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2\mod
only .scs files go here. delete junk/old zips
- check
...\steamapps\common\Euro Truck Simulator 2\bin\win_x64\plugins
if random dlls (like dxgi.dll, telemetry plugins) are left behind from mods, delete them

testing flow:
- disable ALL mods, start vanilla
- if game works → add mods back one by one until it breaks
- for map combos: follow the exact load order from ProMods/RoExtended threads. wrong order = crash
STEP 4: PROFILE ISSUES
- “Save incompatible” → you loaded it in a newer version. can’t roll it back. only way: restore backup
profiles(1.xx.x.xs).bak
from Documents
- profile missing → OneDrive moved your folder. fix by moving it back to
C:\Users\<you>\Documents

- no jobs in Freight Market → economy reset:

Method 1 (config):
Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2\profiles\<profileid>\config_local.cfg

find
uset g_force_economy_reset "0"
→ change to 1 → save → launch game → load profile → it resets → game auto flips back to 0

Method 2 (console):
enable console: open
config.cfg
, set
uset g_console "0"
→ "1"
in game: press ~ → type
g_force_economy_reset 1
→ enter → save → exit → reload → set back to 0
STEP 5: UPDATES KILL MODS
new version out = half your mods dead
- don’t use your main profile in beta builds
- if you roll back game in Steam → Properties → Betas → pick version, make sure you also roll back your saves, check:
profiles(1.xx).bak
- reset config: rename
config.cfg
→ let game rebuild
- large map combos: edit
uset r_buffer_page_size "10"
to “50” in config.cfg
STEP 6: GPU / GRAPHICS
- do a CLEAN install of GPU drivers (use DDU or the clean install checkbox in NVIDIA/AMD installer)
- disable DSR, RTX Dynamic Color, overlays
- if it keeps dying with d3d11 → try OpenGL: Steam → Properties → Launch Options →
-rdevice gl

- force game to use dedicated GPU (Windows Settings → Display → Graphics → add eurotrucks2.exe → set to High Performance)

STEP 7: NETWORK / MULTIPLAYER
- Convoy crash = someone’s mods don’t match. every file must be identical
- TruckersMP crash = you’ve got banned parts. remove them
- Firewall/antivirus: allow eurotrucks2.exe
- Plugins: check
\bin\win_x64\plugins
for old junk (dxgi.dll etc)
STEP 8: LAUNCH OPTIONS
these are the hidden startup commands you can throw into Steam → Library → Right click ETS2 → Properties → General → Launch Options.
they tell the game how to start up and how much memory to grab. use the one that matches your PC or laptop..

basic commands for everyone:
-nointro -unlimitedlog -rdevice dx11

(skip the logos, write bigger logs, force DirectX 11)

if you crash a lot on DirectX → swap dx11 with:
-rdevice gl

(this makes it run on OpenGL, sometimes more stable on older GPUs and laptops)

memory settings by RAM:
  • 4GB RAM (old laptop / low end pc):
    -mm_pool_size 2048 -mm_max_tmp_buffers_size 400

  • 8GB RAM (average gaming laptop / mid pc):
    -mm_pool_size 4096 -mm_max_tmp_buffers_size 1000

  • 16GB RAM (modern mid/high pc):
    -mm_pool_size 8192 -mm_max_tmp_buffers_size 1000

  • 32GB RAM or more (high end rigs):
    -mm_pool_size 16384 -mm_max_tmp_buffers_size 2000

these options help with “out of memory” errors, huge map combos, and long hauls with lots of mods. don’t just copy random numbers – pick the one that matches your RAM.
STEP 9: QUICK 10-STEP CHECKLIST
sometimes you don’t wanna read walls of text.. here’s the short version.
do these one by one.. this works on gaming PCs, low end laptops, even potato rigs.

  1. Backup your saves → go to C:\Users\<your name>\Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2 copy the whole folder to a safe spot (USB stick, desktop backup). this has your profiles, mods, and settings.
  2. Kill OneDrive → if your Documents folder is inside OneDrive, move ETS2 folder back to local Documents. OneDrive syncing = constant crashes.
  3. Steam Cloud OFF → in the profile menu, untick “Use Steam Cloud” so everything saves locally while testing.
  4. Turn off overlays → Discord overlay, NVIDIA overlay, RTSS/Afterburner, Trucky. all of them cause CTDs.
  5. Verify game files → Steam Library → Right click ETS2 → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity.
  6. GPU driver clean install → download latest from NVIDIA/AMD, choose “clean install”. old drivers and junk settings cause half the crashes.
  7. Start fresh profile → make a new vanilla profile (no mods). if that runs fine, problem is mods not the game.
  8. Add mods slow → enable one by one. fix “failed to open file” or “unit not found” errors before adding more.
  9. Empty jobs? reset economy → edit config_local.cfg or use the console with
    g_force_economy_reset 1
  10. Still broken? → grab
    game.log.txt
    +
    game.crash.txt
    from Documents and post on the SCS forum or Reddit r/ETS2. they’ll tell you which mod or setting is killing you.
STEP 10: MINI DECISION TREE
- Game won’t launch at all (nothing but a small window then closes)
→ Steam → Verify files
→ open
Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2\config.cfg
set
r_fullscreen "0"
(forces windowed)
→ turn off overlays (Discord/NVIDIA/RTSS/Trucky)
→ try OpenGL: add
-rdevice gl
to Steam launch options

- Crash with d3d11.dll or dxgi.dll in crash log
→ overlays off (Discord, GeForce overlay)
→ clean reinstall GPU drivers
→ if still broken, force OpenGL with
-rdevice gl


- Crash with ntdll.dll in crash log
→ usually system file mess. run Windows tools: open CMD as admin → type
sfc /scannow

→ if errors, follow up with
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth


- “Failed to open file” or “unit not found”
→ bad or missing mod. update/remove it.
→ check you have all parts of a map combo + correct load order.

- Empty job market (no Freight/Quick Jobs)
→ reset economy. open
config_local.cfg
inside your profile folder, set
uset g_force_economy_reset "1"
, launch once, then it resets back.

- Crash right after update/patch
→ mods broke. disable all mods, wait for updates.
→ or rollback ETS2 in Steam → Properties → Betas → pick older version.
→ use profile backups from
Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2\profiles(1.xx.x.xs).bak
if your main save is dead.
EXTRA: ETS2 CRASHING ON STARTUP OR LOADING SCREEN
if your game dies right after hitting play, black screen then desktop, or it freezes at the loading bar:
- verify files in Steam (Library → Right click ETS2 → Properties → Installed Files → Verify)
- check
Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2\config.cfg
, set
r_fullscreen "0"
to force windowed mode
- disable Discord / NVIDIA overlays, they are #1 cause of “ETS2 crashing on startup”
- if you see d3d11.dll or dxgi.dll in the crash log, swap renderer with
-rdevice gl
in Steam Launch Options
- old laptops or integrated GPUs especially need this

this section also applies if American Truck Simulator won’t launch - same fixes, just swap the Documents folder name.
EXTRA: FIXING ETS2 AFTER UPDATES OR PATCHES
a lot of players search “ETS2 crashing after update” because every big patch breaks mods. common stuff to do:
- disable all mods, start a clean vanilla profile first
- update map mods (ProMods, RoExtended, RusMap) — outdated maps = instant CTD
- rollback game version in Steam if your favorite mods haven’t updated yet (Library → Properties → Betas → select old version)
- check your save backups in
Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2\profiles(1.xx).bak
if your main profile says “incompatible”
- if the game still crashes after patch, delete
config.cfg
in Documents, game will rebuild a fresh one on launch

same deal for ATS - patches break mods, so test vanilla, then bring mods back one by one.
FAQ – COMMON QUESTIONS
Q: ETS2 not launching on Windows 11?
→ Go to Step 10: Mini Decision Tree. Set r_fullscreen "0", turn overlays off, and try -rdevice gl.

Q: How do I fix Euro Truck Simulator 2 out of memory errors?
→ See Step 8: Launch Options and pick the pool size that matches your RAM. Also change uset r_buffer_page_size "50" in config.cfg if you run big maps.

Q: American Truck Simulator won’t start after an update, is it the same fix?
→ Yes. Same exact steps, just the folder is Documents\American Truck Simulator. Check Extra: ATS Fixes.

Q: Where is the ETS2 save game folder?
→ C:\Users\<your name>\Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2\profiles. Covered in Step 0: Backup & Prep.

Q: What does g_force_economy_reset 1 do?
→ It resets your job market when it’s empty. After running once, it flips back to 0. See Step 4: Profile Issues.

Q: Do I need to reinstall ETS2 to stop crashing?
→ Almost never. Crashes usually come from broken mods, OneDrive syncing, or GPU drivers. Try Step 3 (mods), Step 6 (graphics), and Step 7 (multiplayer) first.

8 Comments
alvatam 6 Sep @ 8:36am 
thanks for the tip, i fixed it it was one of these mods

- Waze Navigation
- (Closed) Realistic Signs, version: 1.4, author: Sinagrit Baba
- tree_improved_4k
- Real European Companies Reloaded [DX11], version: 1.50, author: ExiaRS
- Real European Gas Stations Reloaded, version: 1.50, author: ExiaRS
- Real Advertisements, version: 2.4, author: ExiaRS, Sinagrit Baba
Axiata  [author] 6 Sep @ 6:48am 
Try disabling all mods, including graphics mods, and load your current profile. If it works, the issue is mod-related and you can re-enable them one at a time to find the problem.
alvatam 5 Sep @ 4:17am 
So i've tried it and found this, lines with ntdl.dll / d3d11.d11 / dxgi.dll and kernelbase.d11, with the mods i dont know which one is having trouble and with the GPU it's all updated and all old drivers removed i have a 4060 TI I also found out that my game crashes when i go to the menu of fast jobs (The ones that give you the truck) so i dont know what is causing my game tu crash, at this point i will have to start a new profile
Axiata  [author] 4 Sep @ 3:54pm 
:) no worries.... i hope that fixes it
alvatam 4 Sep @ 3:26pm 
ok thanks for responding i will try to fix it tomorrow and i will tell you if that was the case, thansk!
Axiata  [author] 4 Sep @ 2:33pm 
That’s strange that your crash log isn’t showing as a .txt file, idk why thats happening but you can usually open it by dragging and dropping that file into Notepad. That should force open it in a text format.

From what you’re describing, I think I know the cause. Did you copy your own truck config over to your employees’ trucks, or maybe upgrade their trucks with mod parts?

I had the same problem before. All my employees were driving Volvos, and I had installed a mod body kit on my old Volvo. Later, I cleaned up my mods and removed that kit. After that, every time I went to check on an employee’s truck, the game instantly crashed. Turned out the log was pointing to a missing mod.

What fixed it for me was reinstalling the old mod, then switching all employees’ trucks to Scania and only using DLC or base game parts. No issues since.

So if you did something similar, that’s most likely the cause.
alvatam 4 Sep @ 12:20pm 
hey, i have a crash but dont seem to find the cause, its with the trucks of the employees, when i go to see the lvl and all it closes the game, im only able o see the game.crash no .txt, do you know what could cause this?
Axiata  [author] 1 Sep @ 9:03am 
Did i make a mistake? do comment and let me know.. i update the guide