[FIX] CTD, RAM Issues, Freezes, Savegame, etc

This guide should help you to fix CTD (Crash to Desktop), RAM Problems, Save the game crash, etc

Notes about the guide

Since the game became the official 2.1 Update i had always CTD's after 10-15 minutes or freezes on startup, so it was unplayable and it took me over 6 month to solve the issues

What i had done to solve the problem, but it didn't work!

- Unofficial Patch installed (don't use it, it will break your game)
- Set "Compatibility" from both .exe to "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)"
- Set "Privilege Level" to "Run this program as administrator"
- Installaled the old DirectX
- Setting the game on Low graphic settings
- Reinstalled
- Verify Integrity of Game Cache

The 4GB Patch (needed if you have 64bit Windows)

First of all you have to know why you need the 4GB Patch!

But before i start have to explain the difference between 32bit and 64bit programs. It will helkp you to understand why you need the 4GB Patch.

What is the difference between 32bit and 64bit programs?

32bit programs (here Anno 1404/Anno1404 Venice) can only handle 2.147.483.648 Byte (2GB). Ths means that if you have 8GB or more in your computer Anno can't use them because it isn't programmed to handle more.

64bit programs can handle more than 128GB, so enough for Anno :)

What is the 4GB doing?

Nothing more than activate a option which said windows "Anno can now handle more than 2GB". :)
These days most 32bit programs have activated this option, but in 2009 it wasn't necessary so that's why we have to activate it now

Here a pic how it looks like if it is activated

How long can i play now with the 4GB Patch?

If you have around 200.000 -> 300.000 Citziens you can play without a Runtime Error for the following time and it doen't matter if you save or not, the game will crash.

-> 2GB = ~ 1 hour
-> 4GB = ~ 3-4 hours
-> 8GB and more = never crashed

HOW TO USE THE 4GB PATCH

Download

First of all you have to downlaod the program ;)

- 4GB Patch[www.ntcore.com]
- 4GB Patch (Mirror)[drive.google.com]

ATTENTION: If you can't download from Google please leave a comment HERE and stop ask for access to the file. It is not my fault that Google makes security updates and the links get broken!

NOTE: If you have a mirror you can send me the link ;)

• Unpack
  
• Doubleclick the "4gb_patch.exe"
  
• A Window will open!
  
• Go to "X:\Steam\steamapps\common\anno 1404" and open the "Addon.exe"

After you opend it you should get the following respond. If not something is wrong with your Anno 1404. Try Verify Integrity of Game Files to solve the problem.

• Press then "Another File" an open the "Anno4.exe"
  
• You should get the same respond as before

Thats all, normally Anno 1404/Anno 1404 Venice should work normally.
If Anno still crash, then please try the next solutions. If this is not helping write a comment whats your problem is.

IMPORTANT

After you patch, you need to start a new game! Old savegames will still crash and not working!

"4GB Patch" with CFF Explorer

Before we start download CFF Explorer

Official Site: https://ntcore.com/?page_id=388

If you scroll down a bit there is also a Multiplattform Version, aswell as a Stand-Alone Version of CFF-Explorer.

BE SURE YOU MAKE A BACKUP BEFORE YOU MESS WITH CFF-EXPLORER!

Unlock 4GB with installed CFF-Exporer

- Rightclick Addon.exe in "X:\Steam\steamapps\common\anno 1404"
- Press on "Open with CFF-Explorer"


Follow the steps on the picture and make sure you activate "App can handle >2gb adressest" on Step 3 and save the File after Step 4.

Make the same with the Anno4.exe

Unlock 4GB with Stand-Alone CFF-Exporer

- Open CFF Explorer
- Open the Addon.exe in "X:\Steam\steamapps\common\anno 1404" in CFF-Explorer

Follow the steps on the picture above and make sure you activate "App can handle >2gb adressest" on Step 3 and save the File after Step 4.

Make the same with the Anno4.exe

______________________________________________________________________________


ATTENTION!

I take no responsibility for any damage you can make on your system or any executable, if you are using CFF-Exporer!

IMPORTANT

After you patch, you need to start a new game! Old savegames will still crash and not working!

Compatibility Mode and Privilege Level

In some cases this and the "4GB"-Patch can solve all problems but be sure you also have Steam running is administrator - Most games, also new ones, have issues if Steam isn't running as Admin.

Set these for both EXE (Anno4.exe and Addon.exe)

• Compatibility Mode: "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)"
  
• Privilege Level: "Run this program as administrator"

Edit the Engine.ini

You find the file under: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Ubisoft\Anno1404Addon\Config

Open it with your Editor of choice, i recommend Notepad++[notepad-plus-plus.org]

First you look if the Screensize is correct, these are the first two lines in the file.
The max. resolution the game can handle correctly is 1920x1080. You can try bigger resolutions but i don't recommend it.


Resolution

<InitFile><ScreenXSize>1920</ScreenXSize>
<ScreenYSize>1080</ScreenYSize>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Solution from B!Rd
I've found another setting which can be set and helped me alot reducing the RAM Freeze:

Set Following Values to 0
<EnableTextureMemoryManagement>0</EnableTextureMemoryManagement>
<EnableModelMemoryManagement>0</EnableModelMemoryManagement>


Hint:

But be sure <PreloadAll> is set to 0 because the Memory usage and loading times will increase if it is enabled.

"Failed to initalize DirextX"

This might help you if you get the "failed to initalize DirextX " Error :)

Change the DirectX Version from 9 to 10 in the Engine.ini

Search for "DirectXVersion"

The Line should look like
<DirectXVersion>0</DirectXVersion>

0 = DirectX 10
9 = DirectX9

Sometimes DirecX10 have issues so use DirectX9 instead. Normally you can change the Version InGame but since your game doesn't start you have to edit the config file :)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Still getting the Error or the game want start?
Or did you get the Error "d3dx10_40dll not found" or "d3dx9_40dll not found"

Solution: Install the old DirectX Version which came with the game
Go to "X:\Steam\steamapps\common\anno 1404\DirectX" and execute "DXSETUP.exe"

Optional: Start without Steam

One of the solutions is to start the game without steam, which is absolutely no problem because the game work without steam.

So go to "X:\Steam\steamapps\common\anno 1404" and start the "addon.exe"



NOTE:
The game can still crash with a Runtime Error.

Optional: Disable the Steam Overlay

If you want to use it with steam, than you have to disable the steam overlay, because since the 2.1 Update the game has some major issues with the overlay.

If you don't know how to diable the overlay, go to this steps ;)

• Go to your Steam Library
  
• Right-Click on "Anno 1404 Venice"
  
• Press "Properties"
  
• In the new window "General" disable "Enable the Steam Overlay while In-Game"

Here is a picture for you if you don't understand the steps :)


NOTE:
The game can still crash with a Runtime Error.

Anno 1404 - Roccat Power Grid

NOT NEEDED FOR ANY PROBLEMS! IT WILL NOT SOLVE ANYTHING!

2013 i made a Roccat Power Grid for Anno 1404 + Anno 1404 Venice =)

What is Roccat Power Grid?

It is an advanced and fully-customizable remote control for your PC. It lets you connect to, monitor, and control your PC and games directly from your smartphone – and all without having to leave the action

Why should i use it for Anno 1404?
Why not?
Sure u can use the keys on your keyboard, but if you like me and always forget the keys you can easy press the button on your smartphone and the game will open the menu or quick-save your game.

Download

Download not available

So if you are interessted you can find it here[www.roccat.org] :D
Screenshot

Thank you

Thank you also to:

- B!Rd

[spaceweezle]

Hey Shona. Sorry I should have mentioned that I'm using Windows 10. I tried with different compatibility modes but nothing changed.

I did catch the part about having to start a new game. Unfortunately it made no difference at all. I think you may be right about it being loosely related to windows version. I too played on Win 7 and the problem wasn't as severe from memory.

At any rate, thanks for the guide and feedback.

[Shona (vincit omnia veritas)]

@spaceweezle
The Problem is the Windows Version. I made the guide the time i had Windows 7, so i can't say what happens under Windows 10 or Windows 11 or if something is working.

Be also sure you start a new game after you used the 4GB Patch, because the Patch does not work with an old savegame and the game will crash immediately.

[spaceweezle]

I've done all the edits listed here but it's still crashing/locking up. The only difference is that after applying the LAA patch it soft-locks my system instead of CTD.

I own the boxed gold edition, not sure if that has anything to do with it. It has gotten to the point I can only play for 25 minutes before it crashes. I only have 8,000 pop atm. I fear it's going to get much worse..

[Käpt'n Blaubär]

Before i followed this guide, i got after 15-45 min a message, that i should restart the game, if i didn´t restart, the game broke after another 15min. Now the game breaks after 4-5h. So it is not
perfect now, but definitely better then before. Thanks for sharing this

[Shona (vincit omnia veritas)]

@Tom If you don't have a addon.exe in your folder you don't have the addon Venice. Use only the Anno4.exe

Also the program does not delete the old addon.exe it renamed it to "Addon.exe.Backup"

[Tom]

after i run 4gb_patch.exe there is no addon.exe in the game files?

[Shona (vincit omnia veritas)]

@clop1000
What?

[clop1000]

Does it work?

[Shona (vincit omnia veritas)]

@Fedhirweg
If you use the Unofficial Patch and/or the Mod I.A.A.M you can't really play Multiplayer, because for the Multiplayer everyone needs the exact same Patch and Version.

So if you have the Unofficial Patch and the Mod, everyone which wants to play with you needs this too

In my eyes it is really sellfish to think everyone wants to install this only to play MP ;)

Also the unofficial patch makes the issues which the game have under 64bit worse.

[Fedhirweg]

Why do you think unofficial patch breaks your game?