Known Issues & Fixes

[Shidan]

Issue Index

1. After pressing 'New Game' the game crashes
   
2. Game crash (general)
   
3. Game crash (area specific)
   
4. Error 'Locked Content' and/or Error 'Missing Executable'
   
5. Unexpectedly low FPS in high-end machines / lower than normal FPS
   
6. Missing DirectX components or missing DirectX dependancies or missing direct3d dll
   
7. Missing mods after game update
   
8. Can't save, failed to save, can't load or crash on game start

After pressing 'New Game' the game crashes:

This is commonly caused by attempting to play with an unsupported graphics card such as with older none-gaming laptops. Your graphics card needs vertex and pixel shader support.

Game crash (general):

Please verify your Kenshi installation, you can do that with the following steps:

1. Right click Kenshi in your game library, and select properties.
   
2. Click on the "local files" tab.
   
3. Click the button labeled "Verify integrity of game cache.."

Make sure that if you are using mods that they are compatible with each other, and disables ones that are not. A frequent cause of random crashes is mod incompatibilities.

If you are using an Intel GPU, you might try downloading the Vulkan Rendering mod, which solves some common crashes with those cards.
https://www.nexusmods.com/kenshi/mods/1294

The CTD Patch mod also solves some other common crashes.
https://www.nexusmods.com/kenshi/mods/506

Game crash (area specific):

Most often, this is caused by an error in the Distant Towns mush generation. Disabling the 'Generate Distant Towns' setting in the graphic settings will usually prevent it.

This can also be caused by a corrupt file, the most common of which can be removed with the following steps:

1. Go to your Kenshi installation folder (The default path for the folder is 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kenshi')
   
2. Open the 'overlapmaps' subfolder (found in ...\data\newland\land\overlaymaps\)
   
3. Delete all the files named new_overlay.x.x.png.
   
4. Validate your Kenshi installation.

If the problem still persists we recommend reinstalling.

Error 'Locked Content' and/or Error 'Missing Executable':

This can be caused by anti-virus software flagging Kenshi as a false positive. To solve this you need to allow Kenshi through your anti-virus software and/or add an exception for the Kenshi folder. For steps on how to do this consult your anti-virus software's documentation.

Unexpectedly low FPS in high-end machines / lower than normal FPS:

A number of Nvidia users have reported their graphics card drivers using an integrated graphics card instead of their discrete high performance graphics card, changing it to the discrete card will drastically improve frame rates.

To change default Graphics Card in Nvidia Control Panel:

1. Open the task bar notification area by pressing the arrow in the bottom right of your task bar
   
2. Right click on the Nvidia GeForce Experience icon
   
3. Select 'Open NVIDIA Control Panel'
   
4. Under the 3D Settings heading select Manage 3D Settings
   
5. Click Program Settings
   
6. Select Kenshi (or add it manually by selecting 'add' and adding the Kenshi executable)
   
7. Change the preferred graphics processor to 'High Performance NVIDIA processor'
   
8. Apply the settings and restart your game.

Game failing to launch: Missing DirectX components or missing DirectX dependancies or missing direct3d dll:

In some cases users report missing DirectX components or DirectX dll's, causing the game to shut down shortly after running it. This is commonly fixed by running through the executables located in the Kenshi dependencies folder. The default path for the folder is 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kenshi\dependencies'

Additionally, users missing DirectX components can benefit from running the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer found on Microsoft's website, below are some versions for common user languages. Installation instructions are provided on the same page below in the user's chosen language.

English: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35&
Russian: https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/download/details.aspx?id=35&
Chinese: https://www.microsoft.com/zh-cn/download/details.aspx?id=35&

A more detailed walkthrough on how to fix this issue can be found here:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2991669138

Missing mods after game update:

If your mods are missing after an update we recommend the following steps:

1. Restart your Steam client and see if this fixes the issue.
   
2. Restart your computer and see if this fixes the issue.
   
3. Change your Download Region in Steam settings, if this fixes the issue you can change it back afterwards.
   
4. Go to your steam folder (The default path for the folder is 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\workshop') and delete the appworkshop_233860.acf file. Right click Kenshi in your library, hit properties then 'Verify integrity of game files...' this should force it to re-download your mods.
   
5. Unsubscribe and resubscribe to the mods on the Steam Workshop.
   
6. Remove and reinstall Kenshi. (Make sure to back up your save file first!)
   
7. If none of the above works please contact Steam Support.

Can't save, failed to save, can't load or crash on game start:

This issue has been fixed by changing the save location in v1.0.50 but the solution below will remain listed for users playing on older versions.

This happens when Windows believes you aren't allowed to create or edit files in your Kenshi folder and can happen even on Administrator accounts. Seems more common after the last major Windows update (May/June 2020). To fix this change the ownership and permissions of the Kenshi folder by following the steps below.

Take Ownership
You need to take ownership of folders and files on the system. Even if you log in as an Administrator, you may not have access to change or install files. The Program Files folder is set to the Trusted Installer group, separate from Administrator access.

1. Open Windows File Explorer.
   
2. Right-click on your Kenshi folder (e.g C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kenshi).
   
3. Select Properties then the Security tab.
   
4. Click Advanced. This opens an Advanced Security Settings screen.
   
5. Next to the Owner, click Edit or Change.
   
6. To change the owner, select the Advanced button to select from a list. Or you can type in the user account name in the "Enter the object name to select" box. Click Ok.
   
7. Select the check-box to Replace owner on subcontainers and objects. This appears under the Owner you changed to.
   
8. Click Apply. Wait until completed.
   
9. When it finishes, click OK on all boxes to close everything.

Fix Permissions
With the files and folders claimed by your account, you need to apply permissions changes.

1. Open Windows File Explorer.
   
2. Right-click on your Kenshi folder (e.g C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kenshi).
   
3. Select Properties then the Security tab.
   
4. Click Advanced and click Change Permissions.
   
5. Select Administrators or your account. Click Edit.
   
6. On the Permissions screen, click Add.
   
7. Change the Applies To drop-down menu to This folder, subfolders and files.
   
8. Select the option for Full Control.
   
9. Click Apply. Wait for it to complete.
   
10. Close all screens and restart your computer.