Source SDK Base 2013 Multiplayer not exiting & games not loading

[76561199791048288]

Had to put this here because, apparently, my account isn't allowed to start discussions in the Source SDK general forums or whatever they're called and figured it sorta relates to TF2.


So I've had Team Fortress 2 Classic installed for a while now, but the last time I used it (which was in like December), when I exited the game, it wouldn't let me use any other applications. "Only one instance of the game can be running at one time" it says. I had this problem before on my old account, so I knew the problem was Source SDK Base 2013 Multiplayer not closing, even though TF2C was already closed. When I went to the SDK and clicked "Stop", it wouldn't stop running. I exited Steam (as in, completely shut it down), which caused it to say "Waiting for Team Fortress 2 Classic to shut down". It eventually finished loading and closed, so I assumed that TF2C had fully shut down. Nope. SDK wasn't running anymore, neither was TF2C, but it still wouldn't let me go on TF2 or SFM. Keep in mind that this part of the story happened about a month ago. The last time this happened (mid-2024), I just waited like a couple weeks and everything was fine. Well, it's been a couple weeks. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's been EXACTLY one month since I last played it. And it's not fine. I recently tried signing out of my account and signing back in to see if that would help, spoiler alert: it did not.

My dumb ass just tried (meaning as I am writing this) opening TF2C again to see if anything would happen, got the same notification, and the SDK reopened and wouldn't re-stop running. Just used the ol' "exit and reopen it" trick, and now it's probably gonna take even longer to get better. Good job, me. But yeah, does anyone have any explanation for why this happens, any workarounds for it, etc.? If you need PC info, I use an Acer laptop that can just barely run TF2. I don't know anything else about it other than that.

I do also remember that, last time this happened, I uninstalled TF2 Classic and the SDK, so that probably helped speed the process up a little. I'll do that and give an update in a few weeks if it does anything. In the meantime, feel free to help however you can. Cheers.

[Ljam9824]

I have had the same issue. I found a workaround, don't think it's a fix though. Go into task manager and look for the process called hl2 (it will probably be using a lot of GPU). Execute it. Steam seams to think you are running half life 2 and probably doesn't know where to stop it from.

[76561199791048288]

Originally posted by Ljam9824:

I have had the same issue. I found a workaround, don't think it's a fix though. Go into task manager and look for the process called hl2 (it will probably be using a lot of GPU). Execute it. Steam seams to think you are running half life 2 and probably doesn't know where to stop it from.

Apparently just waiting it out worked, but the next time this issue arises, I'll be sure to try your workaround. Thank you so much!

[Jacob Freakshow]

Currently still experiencing the same issue. Though it does not seem to be an issue between both my devices. I use a Windows 10 era laptop while at work and my newest PC just a higher grade of both an AMD Processor and Windows 11. While I dont think theres a big factor in the fact that both are completely different devices, hardware and all. I just find it odd how the issue doesnt happen on my laptop, but constantly happens on my PC