Civ 6 Crashing? Fixes That Actually Work

If Civilization 6 is crashing on your PC, the cause is almost always one of a handful of issues: outdated graphics drivers, corrupted game files, a mod conflict, or a Windows/DirectX problem. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes in order, from the quickest checks to deeper solutions, so you can get back to building your empire.

Why Civ 6 Crashes on Some PCs

Civilization 6 is a demanding strategy game that relies heavily on your CPU and GPU, especially in the late game when the map is full of units and cities. Crashes can happen for several reasons, but the most common are:

• Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers – The game uses DirectX 12 (or 11), and driver issues are the #1 cause of crashes.
• Corrupted game files – A partial download or update can leave files broken.
• Mod conflicts – Even popular mods can break after a game update.
• Overheating or power supply problems – If your PC shuts down or freezes, it’s often hardware-related.
• Antivirus interference – Some security software falsely flags game files.

Knowing which one applies to you can save hours of frustration. Start with the simplest fixes below, as they resolve the majority of crashes.

Quick Fixes to Try First

These take less than five minutes and solve a surprising number of crashes:

1. Restart your PC. This clears memory leaks and stuck processes.
2. Verify game files. In Steam: right-click the game, select Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files. In Epic: click the three dots next to the game → Verify. This re-downloads any missing or corrupted files.
3. Disable mods. If you use mods, unsubscribe from all of them (or move the Mods folder out of the game directory) and test the game. If it works, re-enable mods one by one to find the culprit.
4. Update your graphics drivers. Go to NVIDIA or AMD’s website, or use Windows Update, to get the latest driver for your GPU.

If the game still crashes, move on to the more targeted fixes below.

Update Graphics Drivers and DirectX

Outdated drivers are the most common cause of Civ 6 crashes, especially after a Windows update. Here’s how to update them properly:

1. Identify your GPU: Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. Look at the “Display” tab for your GPU name and driver version.
2. Go to the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver for your exact model. Do not use “beta” drivers unless you’re comfortable troubleshooting.
3. Run the installer and choose “Clean Installation” if offered. This removes old driver files that can conflict.
4. Restart your PC after installation.

Also ensure DirectX is up to date. Windows Update usually handles this, but you can download the DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft’s website (it’s a web installer that adds missing components). After updating, try launching Civ 6 again.

Switch Between DirectX 11 and 12

Civ 6 defaults to DirectX 12 on Windows 10/11, but DX12 can be unstable on some hardware, especially older GPUs or certain laptop configurations. Switching to DirectX 11 often fixes crashes.

1. Open Steam, right-click Civilization 6 → Properties → General → Launch Options.
2. Type -dx11 (without quotes) and close the window.
3. Launch the game. If it stops crashing, you can keep DX11 permanently. If you want to revert, just remove the launch option.

Note that DX11 may perform slightly worse on some systems, but stability is more important than a few frames per second.

Check for Overheating and Power Issues

If your PC crashes only during intense gaming sessions (especially late-game turns), overheating is a strong suspect. Use a free tool like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to check your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing. If they exceed 90°C (194°F) for the CPU or 85°C (185°F) for the GPU, you need better cooling.

• Clean dust from fans and heatsinks.
• Ensure all fans are spinning.
• If you’re on a laptop, elevate it or use a cooling pad.
• If your PC shuts down instantly without a blue screen, it’s likely a power supply issue – check that your PSU wattage is sufficient for your GPU and CPU.

Also, if you’re overclocking your CPU or GPU, revert to stock clocks. Civ 6 is sensitive to unstable overclocks.

Disable Antivirus and Background Apps

Antivirus software (especially third-party ones) can interfere with Civ 6’s anti-cheat or file access, causing crashes. To test this:

1. Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection (don’t disconnect from the internet).
2. Launch Civ 6. If it works, add the game folder and the Steam/Epic executable to your antivirus whitelist.
3. Also close background apps like Discord, Chrome, or streaming software that might conflict.

If the game crashes at the main menu or during loading, this is a common culprit.

Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, a clean reinstall will fix any corrupted files that verification missed. Before uninstalling, back up your saves and mods (they’re in Documents\My Games\Sid Meier's Civilization VI). Then:

1. Uninstall the game via Steam/Epic.
2. Delete the remaining game folder (e.g., Steam\steamapps\common\Civilization VI) to remove any leftover files.
3. Reinstall the game. This can take a while, but it’s the most thorough fix.

After reinstalling, test the game without mods first, then add them back gradually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Civ 6 crash on the loading screen?

This is often caused by corrupted save files or mods. Try loading a different save, or disable all mods. If that doesn’t work, verify game files and update your graphics drivers.

Why does Civ 6 crash on the “next turn” button?

This usually happens in the late game when the map is busy. It could be a memory leak or a specific unit/action causing a bug. Try lowering graphics settings, especially “Graphics Quality” and “Terrain Quality”. Also, check if the crash happens with a specific civilization – if so, it might be a mod issue.

Does Civ 6 crash on Mac?

Yes, Mac users can experience crashes, often due to Metal driver issues. Make sure your macOS is updated and try running the game in windowed mode. Also, check for any known issues with the current game version on Apple Silicon or Intel Macs.

Can I play Civ 6 without DirectX 12?

Yes, you can force DirectX 11 by adding -dx11 to the launch options (as described above). This is a common fix for crashes on older GPUs.

Will verifying game files delete my saves?

No, verifying files only checks the game installation, not your save data. Your saves are stored separately in Documents, so they’re safe.

Is there a known issue with Civ 6 and Windows 11?

Some players have reported crashes on Windows 11, often related to the “Memory Integrity” feature in Core Isolation. You can try turning that off in Windows Security → Device Security → Core Isolation. Also, ensure your graphics drivers are fully updated for Windows 11.

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