How to fix UnityPlayer.dll issue causing game to crash

Fix crashing that happens when joining server or after playing for some time due to errors with UnityPlayer.dll.

The Issue

I had an issue where my client would crash after an hour or so of playing or sometimes a few seconds after joining a server.

I checked the Windows Event Viewer and error logs and found the issue was related to UnityPlayer.dll.

The Attempted Fixes

I tried various fixes, such as:
* Verifying game files
* Running the game in DirectX 10 mode
* Updating graphics drivers
* Reinstalling the game
* Updating Windows

❗ I would recommend trying these first before attempting the fix I eventually applied. None of these worked for me but they may work for you. The fix that worked for me requires more system modification that might affect other games/apps, so if you can fix your crashing with one of these less invasive methods, that would be ideal for you.

I also tried more "scary" fixes, such as:
* Disabling XMP profile in BIOS
* Resetting BIOS settings to default values

❗❗ These are not recommended! Messing around in the BIOS can seriously and permanently damage your system components/hardware, so I do not recommend it!

Ultimately, the solution for me was something else entirely...

The Actual Fix

1. Uninstall Old Visual C++ Runtime Libraries

The solution for me was to uninstall all old Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages and reinstall a fresh copy of the latest supported MSVC runtime library.

I uninstalled every single one of these:

(These redist packages grow over time if you play a lot of indie titles, especially Unity games.)

You may have fewer or more redist packages installed than I did. In any case, remove them all.

2. Reinstall a Fresh Copy of Latest Runtime Libraries

You can find the latest supported VC++ redist downloads from Microsoft here:

Latest Supported Redist Downloads[docs.microsoft.com]

Make sure you pick the right type for your system (likely x64 if you have a modern CPU).



I only needed to install the first package (Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022) and then 7DTD ran like a dream. Better performance, and no more crashes even after several hours of play!

Conclusion

I play a lot of indie games, many of them built with Unity, and having several dependencies installed must have caused a conflict somewhere. If you are having similar issues and have tried everything else, give this a shot!

I hope it works for you so you can get back to killin' zombz.

🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️ Good luck and don't die! 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️

[bunno]

ahhhh this guide is a blessing, came across it in 2026 due to several access violations with games crashing and unityplayer.dll being blamed for one of them, then after trying the removal of microsoft C++ redistributable packages, and reinstalling the current ones, the crashing stopped. thank you so much for posting this, it's the only solution i've came across that has helped

[yioteh]

Although I was getting UnityPlayer.dll crashes, reinstallation did not help me with the other game (Supermarket Together).

[Maveric]

I followed this because I was having an issue with another game besides 7DTD and it didn't work.

[Sleep]

ahhh! so helpful! i was looking everywhere for a fix since my unity wouldnt let me open yandere simulator, old but works so well!

[Xaithren]

This is an old post, but SO HELPFUL! My fiance's Star Rail game kept crashing, and believe it or not this was the post that fixed it. =D Thank you!

[PedroHorace]

I did this and disabled a gpu overclock that I had on with MSI Afterburner and was able to get BattleBit working. Thank you!!!!

[Monserio]

I should add to my previous comment that I am playing the game with others, not solo play so I don't use the "Continue" option when signing in. Monserio

[Monserio]

Hello all. I would appreciate any assistance you can provide. First let me tell you that I really enjoy 7Days; however, I am 70 years old and my computer technical skills are even lower than "basic". I was playing the game (riding my minibike through the mountains) when I started sinking. Next thing I knew, I was under the ground above me. The bike froze up and I was stuck. I left the game and restarted my computer. Now it goes through the initial stages, but when I get to the "join a game" it just sticks on the "Connection to server...." Hopefully someone out there can come up with a fix for my problem that won't involvement me doing a lot of computer stuff. It would also be great if I didn't lose all of my progress. Thanks. Monserio

[Nidht]

Splippah and Nasir: I'm glad I could help!

Helios: Thanks for sharing that link! I'd recommend against reinstalling ALL the redistributables, however, as sometimes it's one of the older ones that causes an issue. The latest one direct from Microsoft is what fixed the issue in this case.

[Nasir Escobar]

Lifesaver, completely fixed my issues