Crashing Fix and Resolution Scaling Fix

[Bathtime Pirate]

If your game is crashing, go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Tropico 2 (or browse local files through right clicking game in library) and run Tropico 2 Safe Mode. This will switch your graphics from hardware rendered to software rendered.
You may also set this manually in the configuration file (labeled: Tropico2.cfg, search for "SoftwareDevice=" and change the value to 1).
The game should no longer crash.

The resolution scaling problem is even easier. If you change your resolution to a higher setting, and part of the game is off screen, follow these easy steps.
1. Right click Tropico 2 in local files. Select Properties.
2. Check the box beside "Disable display scaling on high DPI settings
The selected resolution should now display properly.

Hope this helps. Cheers!

[Mr.Sabuska]

Worked. Thanks.

[Norable]

I did the above and run compatibility mode(XP3), but it "only" allows me to run campaign and sandbox. Scenario crashes after loading the (empty) selection screen and the tutorial just sets me back to the main menu after the movie plays. Should the fix fix this as well? Or am I maybe just missing scenarios after installing it?

[Bathtime Pirate]

This only remedies a specific issue. As far as I can tell, your crash and the above fix are unrelated.

[batman_rus54]

thanks! it works

[Sea Witch]

Maybe this has changed since your post, but I don't see any box to check in properties > program files.

When I launch the game, it's zoomed into the top left corner of the main menu screen, so I can't reach any settings options while the game is running. So I can't play it. Also can't get it to launch in windowed mode via any commands in properties > general > set launch options.

[Bathtime Pirate]

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Tropico 2
Right click Tropico2.exe, click properties.
Under the "Compatibility" tab, then under "Settings"
You should see ~5 checkboxes.
Check "Disable display scaling on high DPI settings"

The above assumes you use windows 7/8.1/10.

[LambRam]

Here's my alternate solution, since I didn't have the "Disable display scaling on high DPI settings" check box. I checked "Disable fullscreen optimizations", then pressed on "Change high DPI settings" underneath it. Then I checked Program DPI and High DPI scaling override. This solved it for me.

[/AUSTRIA\Bomberman]

changing it manually in the config file did fix it for me, ty!

[knight905416]

I fixed the same problem by running the game in admin mode. Probably not the greatest idea.

[Prosto Sirko]

" run Tropico 2 Safe Mode" its work. Thanks man!

[Tiltilia]

Gracias Super útil

[taosaur]

Since this thread is still the top result when googling T2 crashes, here's what worked for me:

1. Right-click Tropico2.exe and choose Troubleshoot Compatibility
2. Let it set the compatibility - it will go with WinXP SP3
3. When you test, you will get an error. Ignore the error.
4. Hit Next and tell Windows that the settings worked.
5. Try to launch the game. If you get 3 crashes in a row, edit Tropico2.ini
6. Change the value for DDraw: SoftwareDevice. If it's 0 make it 1, or vice versa.
7. Try launching again. Repeat steps 5-7 until you make it into a game.

In my experience, Safe Mode got no better results than the main .exe, and what value you set under SoftwareDevice doesn't matter, only that you changed it. Yes, I have to repeat steps 5-7 almost every time I launch the game. Once you're in a game, though, you're golden. Maxing out the resolution with in-game settings caused me no problems, and is remarkably sharp on a giant 4K display. DO NOT change the 3D rendering setting to "Hardware." I had to reinstall after doing that, but reinstalling did let me narrow my troubleshooting steps down to the above, which have been reliable since then. I usually get a stable launch in less than 2 minutes.

[CoitusInterruptus]

Hi guys,

I tried safe mode, the DPI scaling override Lambram suggested and followed taosaur's steps. I am still getting "Failed trying to set screen set to 640 ..."

I also tried many variants of the above, always the same result :(

[knight905416]

As a technician years ago, if I had a problem that would not solve with software tweaks, I would start swapping out hardware. Nowadays, video cards are expensive, but I used to have 10 I could swap out to test to see if the problem went away with a video card swap. If you have your previous one, or a friend does, try that.

[Devils_legion]

in windows 11 i cant seem to find the compatibility settings by right click properties anyone have any clue as to where i look lol