Fixing Ready or Not Crash on Startup: Key Troubleshooting Tips

Ready or Not crashing on startup can be as frustrating as a misfiring engine on a Sunday drive—especially when you're all set to jump into a high-octane tactical experience. If your Windows PC seems to have other plans and the game refuses to launch properly, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to shift your system into high gear. Below, we detail six key methods (plus extra tips) to help you pinpoint and resolve the issue, so you can get back into the game without a hitch.

1. Verify the Game Files​

One of the first steps to troubleshoot startup crashes is verifying the integrity of Ready or Not’s game files. Corrupted or missing files can lead to crashes, and Steam offers a straightforward way to repair them.

• How to Verify the Game:
  • Open Steam and head to your game library.
  • Right-click on Ready or Not and select Properties.
  • Go to the Local Files tab and click on “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”
• Why This Works:
  • This process checks the game’s installation folder for missing or damaged files and automatically repairs or replaces them.
  • It’s a standard troubleshooting step that often fixes issues arising from incomplete updates or mod interference.

Taking a moment to verify your game files can often iron out issues before moving onto more detailed fixes.

2. Remove Problematic Mods​

Mods can add a new layer of fun to your game, but sometimes they introduce instability. Outdated or corrupted mods may not play well with the official game code and can cause crashes at launch.

• Steps to Delete Mods:
  • Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
  • Navigate to the folder:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Ready Or Not\ReadyOrNot\Content\Paks
  • Select all mod files (often identifiable by their .pak file extension) by holding down the Ctrl key or by dragging your mouse over them.
  • Click Delete, or alternatively, delete the entire “Paks” folder if you're ready for a fresh start.
• What to Do Next:
  • After removing the mods, run the Steam verification scan again to replace any essential game files that might have been altered.
  • Try launching Ready or Not to see if the mod removal resolved the crashing issue.

By eliminating the variable of mod interference, you can determine whether the problem lies in the custom modifications or elsewhere in your system setup.

3. Run Ready or Not as an Administrator​

Windows User Account Control (UAC) sometimes restricts applications from accessing necessary system resources, which can trigger startup crashes. Running the game with administrator rights can bypass these restrictions.

• How to Enable Admin Mode:
  • Open File Explorer and navigate to:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Ready Or Not
  • Right-click the ReadyOrNot executable file and select Properties.
  • Go to the Compatibility tab and check the box titled “Run this program as an administrator.”
  • Click Apply and then OK.
• Benefits of Running as Administrator:
  • Provides the game with elevated privileges, which might be required for certain updates or to interact properly with Windows components.
  • Can resolve issues where Windows’ security settings inadvertently block the game from accessing important system files or directories.

This small tweak can make a significant difference, especially if the game needs to write to protected areas of your filesystem.

4. Launch the Game in Safe Mode​

Ready or Not offers a Safe Mode option to help isolate the root cause of crashes. By booting into Safe Mode, the game runs without loading mods or other potentially problematic files.

• Activating Safe Mode:
  • Open your Steam library.
  • Click on Ready or Not and then select the “Play” button.
  • From the drop-down, choose “Play Safe Mode.”
  • If the game launches successfully in Safe Mode, you’re likely dealing with mod-related conflicts.
• Why Use Safe Mode?
  • Safe Mode disables additional modifications and provides a clean environment.
  • It’s an excellent diagnostic tool to confirm if third-party modifications or additional configurations are behind the issue.

If Safe Mode works, you have a clear indication that one or more mods may need updating or even removal.

5. Perform a Clean Boot on Windows​

Background applications and third-party services can sometimes conflict with your game, leading to crashes during startup. A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which could eliminate conflicts.

• Steps for a Clean Boot:
  • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type “msconfig,” and hit Enter.
  • In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
  • Check “Hide all Microsoft services” and then click “Disable all.”
  • Next, click on the Startup tab and open Task Manager.
  • In Task Manager, disable all non-essential startup applications.
  • Restart your computer.
• Expected Outcome:
  • By reducing the number of active processes, you isolate any third-party application conflicts that may be causing the crash.
  • If Ready or Not launches successfully after a clean boot, consider selectively re-enabling background applications to identify the culprit.

This method is especially helpful if you suspect that other software running on your computer is interacting negatively with the game.

6. Delete the sl.pcl.dll File​

A less-known yet effective fix involves deleting a specific DLL file that might be causing conflicts. The sl.pcl.dll file, associated with certain NVIDIA components, has been linked to startup crashes in some cases.

• Instructions to Delete:
  • Open File Explorer and navigate to:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Ready Or Not\ReadyOrNot\Plugins\Nvidia\Streamline\Binaries\ThirdParty\Win64
  • Locate the sl.pcl.dll file.
  • Right-click on the file and select Delete.
• After Deleting:
  • Once you remove the file, launch the game.
  • Deleting the potentially problematic DLL often forces the game to rebuild or bypass stale configurations that might be causing conflicts.

It’s a subtle change, but for some users, it has been the tipping point between continuous crashes and a smooth startup experience.

Honorable Mentions: Additional Troubleshooting Techniques​

Not every crash can be fixed with the primary methods above. Here are a few extra tips for avid troubleshooters:

• Run an SFC Scan:
  Use the Command Prompt with administrative privileges to run the System File Checker by typing “sfc /scannow.” This command checks for and repairs corrupted Windows system files, which might influence game stability.
• Update Graphics Drivers:
  Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers are a common source of game crashes. Visit your GPU manufacturer’s website for the latest updates—keeping your drivers fresh is essential, especially with new Windows 11 updates and ongoing Microsoft security patches.
• Reinstall the Game:
  When all else fails, a complete reinstallation of Ready or Not might resolve persistent issues. Ensure you back up any saved data before doing so.
• Switch DirectX Versions:
  Depending on your system’s configuration, switching between DirectX 11 or 12 launch options might offer better compatibility. Adjusting these settings in the game’s launch properties can help stabilize performance issues.
• Erase the mod.io Subfolder:
  Within the mods directory, deleting the mod.io subfolder can sometimes resolve conflicts left over from previous mod installations.

Each of these methods adds another layer to your troubleshooting toolkit. Just as you wouldn’t expect a seasoned driver to overlook checking the engine’s oil, don’t hesitate to explore these additional steps if the primary fixes don’t do the trick.

Wrapping Up​

When Ready or Not crashes on startup, the pain of a disrupted gaming session can be all too real. However, by methodically approaching the problem with these troubleshooting techniques, you’re well on your way to restoring stability to your gaming experience. Whether it’s verifying game files via Steam, deleting pesky mods, granting administrator privileges, launching in Safe Mode, performing a clean boot of Windows, or even deleting a suspect DLL file, each step addresses a potential underlying issue.
Remember, troubleshooting is as much about isolating the problem as it is about applying fixes. Think of it as peeling the layers of an onion—one layer at a time, and soon you’ll reveal the cause of the crash. Should these solutions not fully resolve the issue, consider exploring further by updating system drivers, running system file checks, or reinstalling the game entirely. Every system is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.
For Windows users keen on a seamless gaming experience, keeping your system updated and performing routine maintenance goes a long way. With a mix of traditional fixes and advanced troubleshooting (like a clean boot or DLL editing), you’re empowered to tackle even the trickiest startup crashes. So, roll up your sleeves, dive into these methods, and soon you’ll be back in the game without that annoying crash screen.
Happy gaming, and may your sessions be as smooth as your favorite Windows performance optimizations!

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Source: KeenGamer 6 Ways to Fix Ready or Not Crashing on Startup on a Windows PC