GTA IV freezes at startup

[JohnnyGuitar101]

Hi!

Well, I got this weird problem. When I am starting GTA IV, it just freezes after 2 seconds.

When I open up the game, I see copyright stuff and I hear Windows Live's "pop" sound, after that, it freezes and I can close the game only by restarting the system. I can still press "Alt + TAB" to see other programms that are open on my PC and "Caps Lock" gives away the light when I press it, so my system is ok.

Now! I've tried many things:

1. Recommended compatibility mode (Vista SP2) - doesn't work
2. Launching from game directory - doesn't work
3. Launching in minimized window - I can hear game's sound when it's minimized, but when I open it up in full screen it freezes again after 2 seconds
4. Running with Integrated Intel HD adapter - WORKS FINE! BUT! I don't want to play at 720p, low settings and 24 FPS.

So the problem seems to be my Nvidia GTX 1050? But every other game I've tried, works fine, GTA V is beautiful and runs pretty well on this card. I know that GTA IV is not well optimized on PC, but at least, it was playable on my older computers.

So any suggestions on how to fix this? By the way, it's a gaming laptop, here are my specs:

i7-7700HQ
GTX 1050 2GB
8GB RAM
WINDOWS 10
GTA IV is installed on external 1TB HDD

Thank you!

[Prince]

I guess the game is officially dead and rekt ♥♥♥♥ steam

[ENunn]

I have the same ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ issue. It's been happening ever since I installed the creators update. I find it so ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ridiculous that Rockstar doesn't even acknowledge the issue.

It's ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.

[EpcotBall]

Having the same thing. Really missing Liberty City rn

[..:: eeZee ::..]

If any of you use Windows 10 N, with the latest creators update, you'll need to install an additional multimedia pack from Microsoft.

Google on the terms:
Media Feature Pack N edition Windows 10 1703

[‽]

No worky.

[蒸汽平台]

Try run in compatibility mode (Windows 7) and I don't know whether you need to close Game Mode in Settings but I closed it anyway. It worked for me.

[ENunn]

Originally posted by zihuidengus:

Try run in compatibility mode (Windows 7) and I don't know whether you need to close Game Mode in Settings but I closed it anyway. It worked for me.

Doesn't work.

[ENunn]

Ok I think I have found a solution.

Go into your GTA IV folder. Should be "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto IV\GTAIV".

Right click inside the folder, hover over new, then click text document.

Name that text file "commandline.txt"

Copy and paste these four commands.
-availablevidmem 2048.0
-nomemrestrict
-norestrictions
-windowed
(you can set the available video memory to 4092.0 for a 4gb card, etc. it doesn't have to be 2048)

Now launch the game. Change your video settings and resolution. Close the game.

Delete the -windowed command from the commandline.txt file.

Launch the game. It should work. I finally got it working. This was a pain in the ass.

EDIT: It seems that this issue only happens in fullscreen. Keep the -windowed command, then download Borderless Gaming to make the program run in borderless fullscreen windowed mode. Works fine for me.

edit 11/30/18: glad most of y'all got your games working. looks like it hasn't worked for everyone but give my solution a shot. hopefully it'll fix it.

[EpcotBall]

Originally posted by ENunn:

Ok I think I have found a solution.

Go into your GTA IV folder. Should be "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto IV\GTAIV".

Right click inside the folder, hover over new, then click text document.

Name that text file "commandline.txt"

Copy and paste these four commands.
-availablevidmem 2048.0
-nomemrestrict
-norestrictions
-windowed
(you can set the available video memory to 4092.0 for a 4gb card, etc. it doesn't have to be 2048)

Now launch the game. Change your video settings and resolution. Close the game.

Delete the -windowed command from the commandline.txt file.

Launch the game. It should work. I finally got it working. This was a pain in the ass.

EDIT: It seems that this issue only happens in fullscreen. Keep the -windowed command, then download Borderless Gaming to make the program run in borderless fullscreen windowed mode. Works fine for me.

WOW this totally worked! I've been trouble shooting for weeks, and this method totally worked for me! Thanks a bunch bruh you a real one fuh sho

[axbig]

Originally posted by ENunn:

Ok I think I have found a solution.

Go into your GTA IV folder. Should be "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto IV\GTAIV".

Right click inside the folder, hover over new, then click text document.

Name that text file "commandline.txt"

Copy and paste these four commands.
-availablevidmem 2048.0
-nomemrestrict
-norestrictions
-windowed
(you can set the available video memory to 4092.0 for a 4gb card, etc. it doesn't have to be 2048)

Now launch the game. Change your video settings and resolution. Close the game.

Delete the -windowed command from the commandline.txt file.

Launch the game. It should work. I finally got it working. This was a pain in the ass.

EDIT: It seems that this issue only happens in fullscreen. Keep the -windowed command, then download Borderless Gaming to make the program run in borderless fullscreen windowed mode. Works fine for me.

Thank you!

Also, following your example, might also consider another way: In Steam > right-click GTA IV (from Library) > Properties > Set Launch Options > and paste everything that is between quotes these three lines: "-nomemrestrict -norestrictions -availablevidmem 4096".

Note 1: 4096 is the amount of memory available on my video card. replace that with the amount you have.

Note 2: I notice that ENunn -and everywhere I searched- mentions the amount of video memory in MB with DECIMALS (4092.0). For me it did not work using decimal .0 at the end, but instead worked just fine leaving just the number, without decimals.

[rtxA]

Originally posted by ENunn:

Ok I think I have found a solution.

Go into your GTA IV folder. Should be "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto IV\GTAIV".

Right click inside the folder, hover over new, then click text document.

Name that text file "commandline.txt"

Copy and paste these four commands.
-availablevidmem 2048.0
-nomemrestrict
-norestrictions
-windowed
(you can set the available video memory to 4092.0 for a 4gb card, etc. it doesn't have to be 2048)

Now launch the game. Change your video settings and resolution. Close the game.

Delete the -windowed command from the commandline.txt file.

Launch the game. It should work. I finally got it working. This was a pain in the ass.

EDIT: It seems that this issue only happens in fullscreen. Keep the -windowed command, then download Borderless Gaming to make the program run in borderless fullscreen windowed mode. Works fine for me.

Thank you very much.

[NobleFox]

From Rockstar support:
We do understand your concern regarding the issue with the game crashing and unable to play in full screen. In an attempt to resolve the issue, we would request you to try the below troubleshooting steps.


Go to your GTA IV folder and search for GTA IV.EXE > Right click on the mouse and click on Properties --> Compatibility and check the box that says Disable Full Screen Optimization.


If you are still facing the issue or you have any other concern, please feel free to let us know.

[e3valdas]

Originally posted by NobleStar:

From Rockstar support:
We do understand your concern regarding the issue with the game crashing and unable to play in full screen. In an attempt to resolve the issue, we would request you to try the below troubleshooting steps.


Go to your GTA IV folder and search for GTA IV.EXE > Right click on the mouse and click on Properties --> Compatibility and check the box that says Disable Full Screen Optimization.


If you are still facing the issue or you have any other concern, please feel free to let us know.

This is a WORKING solution. Thank you!

[Siwkann]

Thanks. I wonder if the fullscreen optimization disabled affects fps.

[Shit_Boring696969]

Wow those fixes worked :)
Guys I know 30 fps is not ideal but I recommend it for a stable experience if you want try it with downloading bandicam
Lock it from between 25 to 40