Ghost Recon (2001) Possible Launch Crash Fixes

These are all the fixes that my friend and I found while we were trying to fix his game not launching (Crashing at launch)

Bear in mind, none of these worked for him and we're still looking for a fix so if these do not work try searching the issue. If it works post
your solution in the comments.

Fix #1

Changing the "dbghelp.dll" file in your Ghost Recon directory

The Ghost Recon directory can be accessed by either clicking "Browse Local Files" upon right clicking ghost recon in your steam library; which will bring you to the .exe location. Or you can find it via file explorer: "INSTALLEDDRIVE:\Steam\steamapps\common\Ghost Recon"

Once there, find the "dbghelp.dll" file and rename it to "dbghelp_old.dll" and boot up Ghost Recon.

If this doesn't work we also saw somebody rename it to: "dbghelp.dll.old" which didn't make sense to me but they said it worked.

Fix #2

Running the game with administrator privileges & compatibility mode

Once again find your directory by either browsing your local files or navigating through Steam files in file explorer until you reach the .exe location.

Important step: Make sure that you are changing the properties of the GhostRecon.exe file and not the Ghost.ico file. One is an icon and the other is the executable. An attached image points an arrow towards the correct file.

Right click the .exe and select properties, once here switch to the compatibility tab. Find "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and enable it. Once enabled, using the drop down menu select "Windows 7" This will just run the game treating it as if you're on Windows 7.

Now click Apply and Ok, now right click the .exe and Run it as an administrator.

Fix #3

Changing the values of the "options.xml" file.

Once again, navigate to the .exe location of Ghost Recon. Once there find "options.xml" and right click it. Open it with notepad.

Now once here use "CTRL + F" to enable find & replace. Search for: "VideoResolution" You should find a line that states: <VideoResolution Width = "x" Height = "y" BitDepth = "xyz"/>

Alternatively or alongside the video resolution change, you could also search for "FULLSCREEN" and switch it from TRUE to FALSE. Your game will not be full screened but may work nonetheless

Once this line is located change the Width & Height value to your resolution. Example: Mine would be Width = "1920" Height = "1080" BitDepth = "16"

Now run Ghost Recon as normal.

Fix #4

This fix requires an internal hard drive.

Changing where Ghost Recon is installed.

This one is simple, if you have both a (C:) & (D:) drive, try installing it on the other drive. Example: If you installed the game on your (C:) Drive, uninstall it and reinstall it on the (D:) Drive.

Fix #5

Purchase the game elsewhere.

If you've recently bought the game on Steam and none of these fixes are working for you, first off I'm sorry but more importantly you could purchase the game on another platform such as "GOG Galaxy".

GOG Galaxy is a free software similar to Steam where you can purchase games, GOG stands for "Good Old Games' and Ghost recon being from 2001, might just be perfect. If you've recently bought it on Steam (Within two weeks ago) and haven't been able to rack up 2 hours on the game, I recommend refunding it.

Fix #6

This fix is a last resort and requires you to be using Windows 10.

"Upgrading" to Windows 11

Like the header above suggests, this fix is a complete last resort if you really want to play this game. The reason that my friend and I found for this game crashing was either leading back to his AMD Graphics card or the fact that he was on Windows 10. I'm on Windows 11 and the game runs fine so it could very well be this.

Fix #7

Changing the location of the "dbghelp.dll" file.

Much like the first fix I mentioned, we'd need to rename the file to begin with. Start by locating your GhostRecon.exe location and finding the "dbghelp.dll" file.

Firstly, rename the file to "dbghelp_old.dll" secondly, create a new folder within the .exe location. Don't worry about the name just drag the "dbghelp_old.dll" into the new folder.

Now run Ghost Recon as normal.

Fix #8

Sail The Seven Seas 🏴‍☠️

This may be your only option if all else fails, multiplayer LAN will still work through using a vpn such as "Radmin VPN"

[Lava]

this man provides helpful info

[flash]

Good to hear!

[⭕⃤ ‎ lMP0SSiBRUH]

Fix #1 saved my ass!

Thank you! Saved hours of gameplay!

[flash]

Anytime!

[Th3grimrip0ff]

fix#1 did the trick thank you!