[SOLVED] Memory leak/crash on Intel Iris Xe Graphics machines

[StepS]

We are aware of a problem affecting some machines running Intel Iris Xe Graphics.

SUMMARY

An Intel driver update was released recently which leads to excessive memory usage, followed by a crash, when running a game of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on machines with Intel Iris Xe Graphics cards. As far as we are aware, the issue has also impacted several other unrelated programs and games. If you have installed a Graphics Driver with release date between June and October 2022, there is a high chance that you are affected.

SOLUTIONS

Update 2022/11/28:
Intel has resolved the problem in the specialized "Intel® Arc™ & Iris® Xe" branch of their graphics driver. Please make sure to update your graphics drivers to 31.0.101.3802 or newer - available through the official Intel website[www.intel.com]. You can confirm your driver version by going to Win+X -> Device Manager -> Display adapters -> Intel Graphics -> "Driver" tab.

It is worth noting that the generic "Intel Graphics" driver has been discontinued (and its last version is the one with the bug), so you DO need to switch to the "Intel® Arc™ & Iris® Xe Graphics" branch of the driver now. (follow the link above, and check that your CPU/GPU is in the list of supported hardware)

If you are unable to update to the latest version, you may also try downgrading the driver to a version from May 2022 (30.0.101.1994), although this is no longer recommended.

[ArtanisForAiur]

I have the exact same problems (memory leak and then crash after 5 minutes) and no problems before the patch

[major]

Originally posted by aliplays:

Hi major! Thank you for following up.

Could you try recording a short clip of the memory usage in your task manager when you're reproing this problem?

You can press Windows Key + Alt + R to start screen recording. You can then find the file here C:\\Users\YourUser\Videos\Capture. You can send it to us via gofile.io again.

Also please comment again if anything changes, I will be following up on this thread.

Thank you very much!

Hi Aliplays,

Here's the recording: https://gofile.io/d/yz1q4w. No change in behavior. The app crashes within minutes of launching the scenario. All crashes if I launch any kind of game.

thanks for your help.

[Fanynka1994]

Crashing after utilizing all memory

Hi. I am desperate here... After game launches - doesn't matter if SP or MP, game crashes after about 10 minutes. It just stops working, it can't be minimalized, and after few seconds, it shuts down. I've read all possible treads here and all around internet. I've tried to update graphic drivers, make game use just one CPU core, lowering all graphic settings (and I have also tried UHD texture pack (its still same...)), running as administrator, running in compatibility mode, dissabling Xbox game mode, enlarging virtual paging memory, uninstaling game, deleting all related data and instaling it again...
The thing is, when i left task manager opened on top when playing, i've noticed, that at one point, RAM utilization of the game starts to rise, until RAM is used up to about 98 %. At that moment, FPS starts to fall and after few seconds, crash will appear and game stops working.

I have laptop with i5 1145G7, integrated Iris Xe graphic, 16 gb ram and ssd drive. Until crash, the game run flawlessly.

Does anyone had same problem, and does anyone managed to solve it?

Thank you in advance!

[Lamtd]

Hi, yes, the post right below yours is actually about this issue: https://steamcommunity.com/app/813780/discussions/3/3424446023725629215/

We're waiting for a fix; hopefully it will come soon as this is really annoying.

[Akash]

Originally posted by Fanynka1994:

Hi. I am desperate here... After game launches - doesn't matter if SP or MP, game crashes after about 10 minutes. It just stops working, it can't be minimalized, and after few seconds, it shuts down. I've read all possible treads here and all around internet. I've tried to update graphic drivers, make game use just one CPU core, lowering all graphic settings (and I have also tried UHD texture pack (its still same...)), running as administrator, running in compatibility mode, dissabling Xbox game mode, enlarging virtual paging memory, uninstaling game, deleting all related data and instaling it again...
The thing is, when i left task manager opened on top when playing, i've noticed, that at one point, RAM utilization of the game starts to rise, until RAM is used up to about 98 %. At that moment, FPS starts to fall and after few seconds, crash will appear and game stops working.

I have laptop with i5 1145G7, integrated Iris Xe graphic, 16 gb ram and ssd drive. Until crash, the game run flawlessly.

Does anyone had same problem, and does anyone managed to solve it?

Thank you in advance!

Yes, I have exactly same issue - happening since the latest patch. Did all actions suggested like you did.

Wonder if its a patch related effect, then should impact a lot of users. But only few posts on this issue yet. Hope the developer team takes notice and advise a solution.

[FE_ag]

Thank you all for submitting the relevant files and trying the recommended steps, we are now tracking this issue!

[glew4]

I'm playing 2 vs 2 with my buddy & I against 2 AI's. Go 15 - 20 minutes and just I get kicked out to the main page of AOE2 DE. It says tampering detected? We have played this game together for 2 years. Last year this same thing happened and then got corrected. I think the latest update-wiped out the correction.
Then a standard running process interfering pop-up comes up and I have to leave the game altogether and re-start it. Even though I host - the rest remain playing? Can someone get rid of the update from 3-4 weeks ago?? Put it back the way it was. Thx.

[FE_ag]

Hi Fanynka,
Thank you for your report. We are already tracking this issue. However, you can still submit your files to help the investigation.

Files to submit:
1. Your DxDiag (setup info, https://support.ageofempires.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052783111-How-to-find-information-for-troubleshooting-with-Support)

2. Your most recent MDMP files (crash files). You can find them here:
“C:\Users\USER\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\logs” and have this format "AoE2DESteam-58115-2022.01.19-15.05.33.mdmp"

3. A recorded game where the crash happened.

You can submit all these files to us via gofile.io. Simply share the generated link with us devs here in a new comment.

Thank you very much!

[FE_ag]

Hi HeadHunter221,

Thank you for your report. We are already tracking this issue. However, these few steps may still help:

1. Verify your files in the Steam Library -> Age of Empires II -> Right click -> Properties -> Local files -> Verify.

2. Disable your mods and restart the game after that.

3. Update your graphic drivers and check Windows updates.

4. Close as many programs as possible before starting the game.

5. Add the whole game folder to your antivirus exception list. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\AoE2DE is the default

If you're still experiencing crashes after trying these steps, please comment again. Thank you!

[DID JAMB]

Game lag then shutdown after couple minutes

Since last update, game lag then shutdown after couple minutes when in game 4v4.

here is some logs uploaded.

https://gofile.io/d/kzpjvD

[FE_ag]

Hi DID JAMB,

Thank you for your report. Could you please try the following steps to see if they solve this issue?

1. Verify your files in the Steam Library -> Age of Empires II -> Right click -> Properties -> Local files -> Verify.

2. Disable your mods and restart the game after that.

3. Update your graphic drivers and check Windows updates.

4. Close as many programs as possible before starting the game.

5. Add the whole game folder to your antivirus exception list. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\AoE2DE is the default

Please comment again if the issue persists after these steps. Thank you!

[DID JAMB]

Hi,

The memory usage keeps increasing to reach 100% then the app crashes. It goes from 3Go to 22Go usage within 5min of game.

[76561199270942930]

aliplays, any update about this?

[DMac]

Crashing constantly, about every 10 - 15 minutes.

Hi. Game is crashing every 10 -15 minutes. It appears to bog down, graphics get jittery, the freezes. A few seconds after that, window closes back out to the OS. Tried several different settings to get it to stop, nothing is working so far. Been submitting feed back every time I relaunch the game. Game is on single player, 3 teams.

PC version BTW. Windows 11 Pro, brand new laptop, just bought AoEII yesterday. Other Steam games appear to be okay.

[Akash]

Hi Aliplays, is there an option to rollback patch to be able to play the game till the issue is fixed?