The new Age of Wonders 4 faces performance issues leading to crashes and lags in the game. This is the case with any high-profile game nowadays, and players have had to search for workarounds for these problems.
The good news is that the developers know the reported issues and have confirmed that they are working on a patch to eliminate them. Nevertheless, there are some fixes that players can utilize on their own. As expected, most troubleshooting tips are related to graphics drivers and performance settings, as the guide below explains.
Age of Wonders 4: How to fix crash at launch and graphics issues
Firstly, we begin with what the developers have told us. While giving information on a patch in the works and asking for crash reports, they have said that players should use the “hotfix” branch of Steam alongside making sure they have the latest graphics drivers on their system.
VSync should be kept Off or On, depending on your setup, while you should also decrease the Shadow Quality and Quality mode from the Settings menu. We will take up these two solutions in detail at the beginning.
Updating your Graphics Drivers
Players can download the most recent graphics drivers from the respective Nvidia and AMD websites. You can also use the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to make sure the previous files from the past have been removed as well.
Switching to Hotfix Branch
Players can change to the Hotfix Branch by going into the Steam Library and selecting Properties. Once the tab opens, go to Betas and choose the Hotfix option.
Anti-virus exception
As has been the case with some other games, players can also allow an exception for Age of Wonders 4 in their anti-virus application. This will enable you to save the game correctly and avoid crashes.
While these are the most common fixes, there are some more that players can apply if the ones above do not work out.
Verifying the game files
Another straightforward step is where players have to get inside the Steam Library and locate the game. Right-click on Age of Wonders 4 and choose Properties.
Go to the Local Files tab and click “Verify integrity of game files…“Additionally, players can also run the Windows Compatibility Mode once as well.
Enhance Shader Cache
Players can open their respective graphics driver’s Control Panel and get inside 3D settings. In manage 3D settings, you increase the maximum performance you want.
Dual drivers for the laptop
Players with dual Nvidia/Intel GPU must open the Nvidia Control Panel and “Manage 3D Settings.” Head to “Program Settings” and select the game, go to “Power Management Mode,” and change it to “Prefer Maximum Performance.”
If you have a dual AMD “Switchable Graphics” GPU, you can get inside the AMD Catalyst Control Center, and under the graphics, choose “High Performance” before clicking on “Apply.”
You should also change your system’s Power Options to “High Performance” to have the best settings for launching the game.
Increasing Virtual Memory
If you are running tight on the 24 GB RAM space required, players can go to the Windows Settings and the System category. Choose About and then Advanced system settings.
The Performance Options tab will have the Advanced subhead and select Virtual Memory change. Change it to however much your system can handle, and then start your PC again.
Increased Graphics Settings Control
Open your GPU’s control panel and go inside the Manage 3D Settings.
Add the AOW4.exe file and then increase the framerate cap to 30 or 60 FPS and make Power management mode to “Prefer maximum performance.”
Disable full-screen optimization of Windows
Find Age of Wonders 4 in the Steam Library and select Manage.
Choose Browse local files and right-click on AOW4.exe and then select Properties. In the Compatibility tab, check the box.
Thus, that is all the information players will need to fix crashes during the launch. You can eliminate these issues by having a speedy SSD and saving your games.
Similarly, systems with Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro will be able to handle the rigors of the game much better than older versions, meaning fewer crashes and other graphics-related issues.
Last Updated on May 5, 2023
A FIFA junkie who can also mix it up with Call Of Duty and racing games. GTA was his first love. Now can be found spending time between writing on what he plays and playing what he will write on.