Problem on Startup Civ V

This is my first Civilizations game. This may be an easy fix solved in the past games, but being a beginner, I don't know where to start.

For 2 weeks I've played Civ V with no problems. 3 days after purchase and playing I added 2Gb of ram to my system. My game was flawless after that. Today I tried to enter the game and suddenly it does not work.

After double-clicking the Sid Meier's Civilization V icon, the screen pops up "Preparing to launch Sid Meier's Civilization V." I click play with DirectX 10/11. After that nothing happens. My computer just sits there and makes no progress in loading the game up in a normal start up procedure.

The only thing that is different from the last time I played Civ V is I installed and uninstalled World of Warcraft. After realizing it was too expensive to play I deleted the program within a few days. Could installing and uninstalling WOW really make Civ V not start up?

I've also tried all my other Steam games and they work great, so I know there is no problem with Steam. It seems to be Civ V.

How can I fix this problem because I am hooked and addicted and I need my daily dose!!!

[Eli's_Revenge]

Try this.

Right click Civ 5 -> Properties -> Local files -> View integrity of game cache.

If that don't work you might want to try running it in a lower directx level.

Try: Right click -> Properties -> Set launch options -> type "-dxlevel 90"

If after a reinstall you are still having problems, try setting "-safe" as the launch option. This will reset video settings, and will be at a very low resolution.

I completed your first 2 recommendations, and the game loaded up normally. I do have school now so I can't try to play the game, but the good news it that the game loaded up!

Thanks so much Eli's_revenge!!!

Originally Posted by Eli's_Revenge

Try this.

Right click Civ 5 -> Properties -> Local files -> View integrity of game cache.

If that don't work you might want to try running it in a lower directx level.

Try: Right click -> Properties -> Set launch options -> type "-dxlevel 90"

If after a reinstall you are still having problems, try setting "-safe" as the launch option. This will reset video settings, and will be at a very low resolution.

Eli, what OS is this? I am running Vista and those options don't come up under Properties for me. Thanks!

[Eli's_Revenge]

Originally Posted by Neakrase1

Eli, what OS is this? I am running Vista and those options don't come up under Properties for me. Thanks!

I meant under the Steam properties when you right click a game in the library.

Originally Posted by rocklegend0407

I completed your first 2 recommendations, and the game loaded up normally. I do have school now so I can't try to play the game, but the good news it that the game loaded up!

Thanks so much Eli's_revenge!!!

No problem mate

Originally Posted by rocklegend0407

This is my first Civilizations game. This may be an easy fix solved in the past games, but being a beginner, I don't know where to start.

(On soapbox)
For 2 weeks I've played Civ V with no problems. 3 days after purchase and playing I added 2Gb of ram to my system. My game was flawless after that. Today I tried to enter the game and suddenly it does not work.

After double-clicking the Sid Meier's Civilization V icon, the screen pops up "Preparing to launch Sid Meier's Civilization V." I click play with DirectX 10/11. After that nothing happens. My computer just sits there and makes no progress in loading the game up in a normal start up procedure.

The only thing that is different from the last time I played Civ V is I installed and uninstalled World of Warcraft. After realizing it was too expensive to play I deleted the program within a few days. Could installing and uninstalling WOW really make Civ V not start up?

I've also tried all my other Steam games and they work great, so I know there is no problem with Steam. It seems to be Civ V.

How can I fix this problem because I am hooked and addicted and I need my daily dose!!!

I too have the same problem after the update. I've had Civ 5 running on DX 11 flawlessly from the first day the game was released until several days ago. I've validated files with one error. The system downloads a file. Start the game. An installation update begins then the launcher appears. I select DX11 and theeennn..... zippo! nada! nilch!

I then completely removed the program and reinstalled from disc. Tried again. same problem. 1 file doesn't validate and Civ V DX 11 doesn't load. (keep in mind, this game worked flawlessly for months!) Civ 5 DX 9 also will not work as I get an APPCRASH from ntdll.dll.

My setup is a bit unique. I'm running Server 2008 R2 x64 as a suped-up Win 7 workstation to run SQL Server, etc.. Every game I've wanted to play (except Dungeon Keeper!) has worked without a hitch.

I'm stumped... This sucks and I now feel for those who haven't had the game working at all for all this time. Whichever is the cause, a Steam error or a Firaxis patch problem, I don't care. Please fix this once and for all!
(Off soapbox)

[setsunaluvr]

Same issue here. Game ran fine on DX 11 until sometime this week, then it stopped working. All my other games run fine in DX 11 mode. DX 9 mode works fine. When I run DX 11, I don't even get an error message, it just fails to run. My game cache is intact, and my drivers are up to date. Any help would be appreciated.