PPSSPP Crashing upon launch (windows, vulkan)

[FusionX22]

After playing FF3 for a bit the program shut down.

Everytime I went to open up the emulator, it would open the window to a black screen then shut completely back down.

After speaking with Abbanon, I went into the ppsspp.ini and changed the Backend to 0, 1, 2 to revert it away from defaulting to Vulkan. I have a NVIDIA graphics. After attempting all 3, I would eventually get the program to launch, but after starting a game, it would crash again and revert the settings back to default.

[gridranger]

I encountered similar with my AMD card (Radeon r9 270x). Driver is up to date.
Windows version 1809 build 18290.1000
I tried reinstalling PPSSPP and tried running it from extracted ZIP too, but PPSSPP crashes the whole system every time about 2-4 seconds after launch. I tired to analyze the blue screen message but no use, it is too generic and PPSSPP logs nothing.
In May it was running flawlessly set to Vulkan but now it just crashes the whole system with any backend setting.
If I shall give any further details to assist you just let me know.
(PPSSPP core from libretro still works but its not the same...)

[hrydgard]

I'm completely baffled by this, not seen anything like it on any computer I have access to.

[unknownbrackets]

@gridranger your problem sounds more like the Windows 10 Insider Preview issue. See #11603. The preview version of Windows 10 is simply unstable.

But FusionX22's issue seems different, and is happening without Insider Preview, and it's not taking down the whole system, but PPSSPP is crashing starting any game.

Maybe it's crashing trying to load a shader? Some things to try:

1. Extract to a new folder on your desktop. Ensure you run NOT as administrator, and without copying any save files or anything into memstick. Rename PPSSPPWindows64.exe to TestingPPSSPP.exe before starting it. If this works, it could mean something is wrong with memstick, or settings are set for PPSSPP (e.g. compatibility mode, driver settings) where you're normally running it.

2. Check the NVIDIA settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel. Under Manage 3D Settings, go to Program Settings and check for PPSSPP in the list. You can add it and try making everything "Application controlled" if possible.

3. If you are using any game recording, alteration, etc. software (GeDoSaTo, Fraps, etc.) turn it off and see if anything changes. Try quitting as much as possible, even from the system tray.

4. Turn off the "Game bar" and "Game DVR" in Windows 10 settings (search for Game Mode in the start menu.) Turn everything there off if possible.

5. Try installing the latest NVIDIA driver from the NVIDIA website. Don't rely only on the update from Windows Update, which usually lags behind the official NVIDIA releases a bit.

6. If none of this helps, it'd be great to try running it using a debugger (Visual Studio 2017 Community.) It's not hard, and the software is free... but it will have to download and install several gigabytes. If you're willing, I can give you some quick instructions. This will give us more info about the crash.

-[Unknown]

[gridranger]

Sorry for the false alarm from my side then and thank you for pointing out the probable cause. Keep up the good work. 👍

[FusionX22]

I will attempt those solutions a little later on this evening after I return home from work. I will then comment with any changes or updates after then! Thank you for looking deeper into this, as I am very much aware this is an annoyance more so than an issue.

Also, just a tidbit, I normally NEVER run the program as an Administrator. I HAVE extracted PPSSPP to multiple different locations (albeit C:/ or D:/) and also to the desktop and program file locations.

But, as I said, I'll attempt these fixes later and will post an update following that! Thank you guys.

[hrydgard]

How is this now with the latest builds?

[hrydgard]

Hopefully #11802 has taken care of this.