Stronghold.exe has stopped working.

[ghost_phriek]

Hey guys!
I just bought Stronghold yesterday and decided to try it out just now. I let everything update and install but, whenever I try to play, I get the "Stronghold.exe has stopped working" message. This is also happening for Prototype, and has happened once or twice with Banished. Is this just a Steam bug? I'm running a brand new Asus X750JB 17.3" laptop with a Gen 3 Core i7 (2.4 GHz), 8 GB of RAM, and 2 GB of VRAM. I just updated to Windows 8.1 x64, but noticed the same issues on Windows 8 x64. So what can I do to fix this?

Thanks!

[Sauce]

same prob happening to me on windows 8.1 X64

[ghost_phriek]

I just tried running the game in compatability mode, which resulted in a catastrophic failure. I also tried dropping my resolution down to 1024x768 (suggested on a Windows forum), but also no luck. You might want to try those to see if one works for you.

EDIT

AHA! Got it to work through Compatability Mode! I was using the incorrect file path. Here's what you have to do to get it working:

1. Open the start screen and search for "run programs". Click on the "Run programs made for previous versions of Windows" app on the right side of the screen.
2. Click "Next" and let the troubleshooter run.
3. Choose the "Not listed" option from the menu and then click "Next".
4. Paste in the filepath for StrongholdHD. This is the default path:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Stronghold\Stronghold.exe

5. Click "Next" and let the troubleshooter run again. This time, click the "Try recommended settings" button.
6. Click the "Test the program..." button and StrongholdHD should open and run properly.
7. Close StrongholdHD and click "Next".
8. Click "Yes, save these settings for this program".
9. Close the Program Compatability Troubleshooter and StrongholdHD should run fine!

Let me know if this works for you!

[Marsellus Wallace]

Thanks Alot Man worked perfectly :)

[ZombieAgent]

Can you fix this for windows 7? i have my own disscusion started a few minutes ago on it. I dont know why buts its doing the same thing.

[Jonesy]

Just wanted to say thanks! Great stuff!

[abiondi1993]

There isn't Stronghold.exe in my file!! :'(

[MrMojitos]

Originally posted by abiondi1993:

There isn't Stronghold.exe in my file!! :'(

You are looking at the wrong file

[ghost_phriek]

Originally posted by LMR:

Originally posted by abiondi1993:

There isn't Stronghold.exe in my file!! :'(

You are looking at the wrong file

As LMR said, you are likely not looking at the correct folder. If you are 100% sure you're in the right place, check to see if you have file extensions enabled. If you don't have them enabled, the ".exe" part will not be displayed.

In any case. you don't need to go looking for the Stronghold.exe file if you installed the game using the default path. :)

EDIT: P.S: Glad to see so many people found this helpful. I was not expecting that!

[Lhynn]

Hi there,

for those who, like me, had the game crashing on startup with a black screen and a "Stronghold.exe stopped working" message and who have NOT solved this issue so far with all the hints provided in this topic and other similar ones (change compatibility mode etc.), here's a clue that's been sent to me by the official Firefly support and that worked for me, so it might as well work for you guys too:

- make sure you applied the official HD patch (which is NOT automatically applied by Steam, surprisingly enough); you can download it here >>> http://www.strongholdhd.com/patch.html
- go to your default "C:\User\<Your name>\Documents\Stronghold" folder
- delete the stronghold.cfg file
- launch the game

The game should launch normally now. Don't worry, your saves won't be deleted (mine weren't, so...), the only things you might have to change are the graphic settings.

Enjoy this wonderful game! And leave a comment if this hint was useful to you. Cheers!

[O Barbier]

Originally posted by ghost_phriek:

I just tried running the game in compatability mode, which resulted in a catastrophic failure. I also tried dropping my resolution down to 1024x768 (suggested on a Windows forum), but also no luck. You might want to try those to see if one works for you.

EDIT

AHA! Got it to work through Compatability Mode! I was using the incorrect file path. Here's what you have to do to get it working:

1. Open the start screen and search for "run programs". Click on the "Run programs made for previous versions of Windows" app on the right side of the screen.
2. Click "Next" and let the troubleshooter run.
3. Choose the "Not listed" option from the menu and then click "Next".
4. Paste in the filepath for StrongholdHD. This is the default path:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Stronghold\Stronghold.exe

5. Click "Next" and let the troubleshooter run again. This time, click the "Try recommended settings" button.
6. Click the "Test the program..." button and StrongholdHD should open and run properly.
7. Close StrongholdHD and click "Next".
8. Click "Yes, save these settings for this program".
9. Close the Program Compatability Troubleshooter and StrongholdHD should run fine!

Let me know if this works for you!

Perfect! Thank you! :D

[bolieride]

Thank you ghost! I was at my wits end. Your solution worked!
Thanks again!

[Ritsuka434]

Originally posted by Lhynn:

Hi there,

for those who, like me, had the game crashing on startup with a black screen and a "Stronghold.exe stopped working" message and who have NOT solved this issue so far with all the hints provided in this topic and other similar ones (change compatibility mode etc.), here's a clue that's been sent to me by the official Firefly support and that worked for me, so it might as well work for you guys too:

- make sure you applied the official HD patch (which is NOT automatically applied by Steam, surprisingly enough); you can download it here >>> http://www.strongholdhd.com/patch.html
- go to your default "C:\User\<Your name>\Documents\Stronghold" folder
- delete the stronghold.cfg file
- launch the game

The game should launch normally now. Don't worry, your saves won't be deleted (mine weren't, so...), the only things you might have to change are the graphic settings.

Enjoy this wonderful game! And leave a comment if this hint was useful to you. Cheers!

- i can't seem to find the cfg file.

[CAPNxCHAR]

me either. Game never worked. Just bought it, installed it, and go to run it and I get CTD every time.

[Lhynn]

Weird... Can't tell you then, contact the Firefly support, they answered within 3 days in my case and the trick they suggested (the one I told you) worked for me, so I think they'd be able to find a solution for you too... Good luck !

[Kiryuu Sonya]

Originally posted by Lhynn:

Hi there,

for those who, like me, had the game crashing on startup with a black screen and a "Stronghold.exe stopped working" message and who have NOT solved this issue so far with all the hints provided in this topic and other similar ones (change compatibility mode etc.), here's a clue that's been sent to me by the official Firefly support and that worked for me, so it might as well work for you guys too:

- make sure you applied the official HD patch (which is NOT automatically applied by Steam, surprisingly enough); you can download it here >>> http://www.strongholdhd.com/patch.html
- go to your default "C:\User\<Your name>\Documents\Stronghold" folder
- delete the stronghold.cfg file
- launch the game

The game should launch normally now. Don't worry, your saves won't be deleted (mine weren't, so...), the only things you might have to change are the graphic settings.

Enjoy this wonderful game! And leave a comment if this hint was useful to you. Cheers!

I tried that, but the game refuses to run. It opens, blinks a bit, and then crashes.