Solutions to Common Errors/Questions

[NdemicTech]

We get a few issues regularly reported that after we've looked at error logs etc are often caused by the same issue.

Black/White Screen Error

If when you first run the game you're faced with a black screen it can often be solved by:

• Solution - Uninstalling and re-installing the game via Steam. This makes sure you have the current version with all the additional graphics redistributables that the game needs. Don't worry saves and progress are stored separately so won't be lost.
  
• Solution - Update your drivers! It's key to make sure that your drivers are indeed up-to-date as it's common to discover this to be the fix that was needed. You can use the 'Steam' then 'Check for Video Driver Updates..' option to help here.

Unable to play Main Game

Font Fix - Some users have reported fixing a crash at start-up with Unity based games (of which Plague Inc:Evolved is one) by removing a font file. The fix is here on the Wasteland 2 Steam forums

Game not updating/loading

User cannot install directly into an external hard drive from Steam, or restore it into an external HD. The game itself only can be installed into internal HD, so if you are struggling to update or launch the game, make sure it is located and running in your internal hard drive.

Settings files fix

Sometimes the game settings file can get corrupted by various things and so display oddly. Best way to fix that is to delete the settings file and start at default.

1. Right click the game in Steam Library
   
2. Select the Properties Option
   
3. Select the Updates Tab
   
4. At the bottom will be the option for Steam Cloud - Make sure it's unticked (else when you run the game, Steam will just re-install this)
   
5. Open windows explorer (if Mac or Linux, see here and amend step 5 to 8 as needed)
   
6. Paste into the address bar:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%\..\LocalLow\Ndemic Creations\Plague Inc Evolved\
   
7. This will move the explorer window to the PlagueIncEvolved_Data folder.
   
8. Search in here for the file ‘VideoConfig.txt’ and delete it.
   
9. Now run the game again.
   
10. You will need to enable Steam cloud again, as per step 4, but ticking the option.

'Need to be Logged into Steam' Error

We have had several reports recently of users being unable to play the game because of an error message appearing which says that you must be logged into Steam to play this game, even though you already are. Below are a list of suggested fixes, so that anyone experiencing this issue will be able to get back infecting the world as soon as possible!

Windows

Solution 1 - Steam Client Update

• Delete the game via Steam client: Right click on 'Plague Inc:Evolved' and select 'Delete Local Content...'
  
• Check for any steam client updates: This is done via the 'Steam' then 'Check for Steam Client Updates..' option.
  
• Make sure you are opted out of any beta channels. This can be verified by going to 'BETAS' tab under PlagueInc Evolved game properties.
  
• Download the latest build: Select Plague Inc:Evolved and click on the 'Install' button.
  
• Once the game downloads go to game properties again and under 'LOCAL FILES' tab select 'VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME CACHE...'
  
• Try launching the game again...

Solution 2 - Install Redistributables

All the files you need to run the game should be installed when Steam installs the game. The game needs to have the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package: both 64 and 32 bit versions (or later) to run. You can do it manually (there should be no issues with installing it if you already have it or installing this version over the one you have, but might be worth some research first as you might have a custom set-up):

Microsoft C++ Redistributables 2015[www.microsoft.com]

This fix is also relevant for the 'DLL Loading Issue'

Mac

• Ensure you are running OS X 10.6 or greater on supported hardware
  
• Delete the game via Steam: Menu click on 'Plague Inc:Evolved' and select 'Delete Local Content...'
  
• Click "Steam" on OSX menu bar and select "Check for Updates" to ensure latest steam client is installed.
  
• Opt out of any beta channels by right clicking on game under ‘Library’ and selecting Properties > Betas. And select ‘NONE’ under beta drop down
  
• Reinstall the game: Select Plague Inc:Evolved and click on the 'Install' button.
  
• Navigate to properties again and go to 'Local Files' tab and select 'Verify Integrity of game cache'
  
• Try launching the game again...

Reinstall Steam (Mac & PC)

• A couple of gamers have reported that reinstalling Steam itself fixed the issue for them. There is more information on this process here.

If the above trouble shooting steps did not help then please get in touch with us by emailing the error log file at the point it fails to: [e-mail]

32bit Mac

As Apple are deprecating 32bit applications[support.apple.com], we're moving a playable 32bit version of Plague Inc: Evolved to its own branch for those players still using it. We recommend upgrading your Mac to 64bit if possible (which is free![support.apple.com]) However if not then you can still play Plague Inc: Evolved 32bit build on a separate branch on Steam (How to change branches). Going forward we're not going to be able to support 32bit up in future updates, but you'll still be able to play this version. To access it, please use the 'macos32bit' branch, which is now available - no password is needed.

Note that you shouldn't need to use this version unless you are running a very old Mac (that can't be updated to run the newer Operating System).

Plagues/Genes not unlocking

Delete and re-install the game and verify the game files as per the instructions above, then make sure Steam Cloud Sync is enabled.

How to find error log file

• See here for instructions

Windows and Mac 32bit Operating Systems

• For PC and Mac there is an archived older version of the game under the 'Betas' tab of the game's Steam Library options. Select this to play that version.

If none of these solutions work, it may be a Steam issue

If so, check out this handy list from Steam Support which lists further options;

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5688-ifhz-2170


Thanks!