[Problem Solved] Game Keeps Crashing After Few Minutes

[TheCoyoteHunter]

 

Hello all, hope you are having a fantastic Saturday.

 

I need a little help here, my game keeps crashing after a few minutes of play. I tried it with multiple modules, multiple missions, same results.

 

I hop into the F/A 18c in the free flight mission in Caucuses, start heading inland at below 2000 feet and I will get black flickers on my screen. These flickers will intensify and then my normal desktop will show, with DCS on the taskbar and the crash report thing pops up.

 

Crash Report Attached Below, in the crash report it says my paging file is...

-Page File: 16203MB used, 16515MB available

 

My paging file is 20480MB, and I have included an image showing my paging file in the error report below.

 

Here is what I have tried so far...

-Made sure windows and gpu are updated

-Deleted the 2 folders (fxo and metashaders2)

-Removed all unofficial mods

-Did the "Repair DCS" slow and removed all extra files

 

DCS version 2.7.2

Windows 10

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.6GHz
Memory: 12288MB RAM

Gtx 1060 (6gb)
      

I Enabled "Full debug log" if there is anything else you guys need let me know.

 

Thanks in advance!

Coyote

 

 

 

dcs.log-20210626-163244.zip

Edited June 28, 2021 by TheCoyoteHunter

[Hiob]

Look at the temps of your GPU.

Perhaps it's getting hot?

Any Overclocking applied to GPU or CPU?

[TheCoyoteHunter]

Thanks for your reply,

I do not overclock anything, never have.

I have no overlay programs running either.

As far as gpu temp, only temp I can see is: Task manager, Performance, then on gpu it says 70c, see image below.

My case is well ventilated, is this too hot?

[Flappie]

You're having the "DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED" crashes:

 

2021-06-26 16:32:43.444 ERROR   DX11BACKEND: DX device removed. Reason: 0x887A0006
2021-06-26 16:32:43.466 WARNING LOG: 2 duplicate message(s) skipped.
2021-06-26 16:32:43.466 ERROR   DX11BACKEND: failed to create vertex buffer. Reason: DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED
2021-06-26 16:32:43.466 ERROR   DX11BACKEND: Failed assert `false && "failed to create vertex buffer"` at Projects\render\dx11backend_win8\Source\DX11BufferManager.cpp:416
2021-06-26 16:32:43.466 ERROR   DX11BACKEND: failed to create vertex buffer. Reason: DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED
2021-06-26 16:32:43.466 ERROR   DX11BACKEND: Failed assert `false && "failed to create vertex buffer"` at Projects\render\dx11backend_win8\Source\DX11BufferManager.cpp:416
2021-06-26 16:32:43.474 INFO    EDCORE: try to write dump information
2021-06-26 16:32:43.475 INFO    EDCORE: # -------------- 20210626-163244 --------------
2021-06-26 16:32:43.476 INFO    EDCORE: DCS/2.7.2.8165 (x86_64; Windows NT 10.0.19042)
2021-06-26 16:32:43.477 INFO    EDCORE: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\d3d11.dll
2021-06-26 16:32:43.478 INFO    EDCORE: # C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION at 89E5C370 00:00000000
2021-06-26 16:32:43.482 INFO    EDCORE: SymInit: Symbol-SearchPath: '.;D:\DCS\DCS World;D:\DCS\DCS World\bin;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\system32;SRV*C:\websymbols*https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols;', symOptions: 528, UserName: 'NEP'
2021-06-26 16:32:43.483 INFO    EDCORE: OS-Version: 10.0.19042 () 0x300-0x1
2021-06-26 16:32:44.438 INFO    EDCORE: 0x000000000012C370 (d3d11): CreateDirect3D11SurfaceFromDXGISurface + 0x12DE0
2021-06-26 16:32:44.438 INFO    EDCORE: 0x00000000000431DE (dx11backend): createRenderer + 0x2B23E
2021-06-26 16:32:44.439 INFO    EDCORE: 0x000000000004165C (Effects2): Effects::releaseParticleSetCB + 0xEC8C
2021-06-26 16:32:44.439 INFO    EDCORE: 0x000000000012A801 (Visualizer): RenderParserImpl::DrawTransparentAbove + 0x91
2021-06-26 16:32:44.440 INFO    EDCORE: 0x0000000000130225 (Visualizer): RenderParserImpl::isEmpty + 0x4AE5
2021-06-26 16:32:44.440 INFO    EDCORE: 0x000000000016FD14 (Visualizer): smSceneManager::CreateSceneManager + 0x7C04
2021-06-26 16:32:44.440 INFO    EDCORE: 0x00000000007EA600 (DCS): SW + 0x4F9B00
2021-06-26 16:32:44.440 INFO    EDCORE: 0x000000000080012B (DCS): SW + 0x50F62B
2021-06-26 16:32:44.441 INFO    EDCORE: 0x00000000007D0FA4 (DCS): SW + 0x4E04A4
2021-06-26 16:32:44.441 INFO    EDCORE: 0x00000000007D137D (DCS): SW + 0x4E087D
2021-06-26 16:32:44.441 INFO    EDCORE: 0x0000000001C50651 (DCS): AmdPowerXpressRequestHighPerformance + 0xE6064D
2021-06-26 16:32:44.441 INFO    EDCORE: 0x0000000000A081EE (DCS): SW + 0x7176EE
2021-06-26 16:32:44.441 INFO    EDCORE: 0x0000000000017034 (KERNEL32): BaseThreadInitThunk + 0x14
2021-06-26 16:32:44.442 INFO    EDCORE: 0x0000000000052651 (ntdll): RtlUserThreadStart + 0x21
2021-06-26 16:32:44.758 INFO    EDCORE: Minidump created.

 

 

I understand you didn't mess with your PC frequencies/voltages.

 

Do you have the Corsair iCUE software installed? Recent testimonies showed it could lead DCS to this kind of crash. If you have it, close it before playing and see if your crashes keep happening.

[TheCoyoteHunter]

Thanks for looking into this guys, I really appreciate it!

 

I have no such program installed, as far as messing with PC frequencies/voltages, never done it, no idea where to even begin.

 

I have been testing with various graphics settings, I set everything to the lowest possible setting, still happens. I was hoping it was that simple.

 

I should also mention, in the initial 2.7 update the flickering was barely noticeable, and no crashes. But since yesterday's update, flickering intensifies and leads to a crash every time.

 

[Flappie]

Please try this:

1. Download DDU
2. Launch DDU and ask it to uninstall all graphics driver
3. Reinstall your NVIDIA driver

[TheCoyoteHunter]

Thanks for the tips Flappy, unfortunately it didn't work.

 

I don't play any other games so I can't really test things that way.

 

Last error report attached, 1st crash after driver removal and re-install.

 

 

dcs.log-20210626-223249.zip

[Flappie]

Same error:

 

2021-06-26 22:28:46.868 INFO    Lua: Lua CPU usage: metric: average mission loading: 14.6097 %
2021-06-26 22:28:46.868 INFO    Dispatcher: loadMission Done: Сontrol passed to the player
2021-06-26 22:28:47.394 INFO    GRAPHICSVISTA: Creating Resource "Unicode" of type 1
2021-06-26 22:28:48.903 DEBUG   LuaGUI: ----onSimulationResume---
2021-06-26 22:32:49.433 ERROR   DX11BACKEND: DX device removed. Reason: 0x887A0006
2021-06-26 22:32:49.513 WARNING LOG: 12 duplicate message(s) skipped.
2021-06-26 22:32:49.513 ERROR   DX11BACKEND: failed to create structed buffer. Reason: DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED
2021-06-26 22:32:49.513 ERROR   DX11BACKEND: CreateShaderResourceView FAILED. Reason: E_INVALIDARG
2021-06-26 22:32:49.516 ERROR   DX11BACKEND: DX device removed. Reason: 0x887A0006
2021-06-26 22:32:49.517 INFO    EDCORE: try to write dump information
2021-06-26 22:32:49.522 INFO    EDCORE: # -------------- 20210626-223249 --------------
2021-06-26 22:32:49.522 INFO    EDCORE: DCS/2.7.2.8165 (x86_64; Windows NT 10.0.19042)
2021-06-26 22:32:49.523 INFO    EDCORE: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\d3d11.dll
2021-06-26 22:32:49.524 INFO    EDCORE: # C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION at 08B998A0 00:00000000

 

Your Windows is not up to date (20H2). Try updating it to 21H1.

No result? Then try renaming your "Saved Games\DCS" as "DCS_backup". Do NOT delete this folder: it containes your custom controls.

Then launch DCS: it will create a new "Saved Games\DCS" folder with default controls and default settings. Does DCS still crash?

[TheCoyoteHunter]

Flappie!

I think you did it!

Windows update is not giving me anything new.

 

But... I renamed my Saved Games\DCS folder like you said, and 10-15 of minutes of flying in the F/A18C, no issues, no flashes, just Ol' Betty yelling roll left roll right. (just the way I like it)

 

One thing to note, I am seeing 15-20 less fps with the exact same graphics settings as before, no problem tho as I only have a GTX1060, and can only expect such performance. (mostly high settings and 40-50fps.) I'll fiddle around and see what I can figure out.

I have to step away from the computer, but will re-do my controls and further test things later tonight.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to help a dumb farmer out, I really appreciate it!

 

Coyote

 

 

 

[Flappie]

I'm glad your crash issue is gone, but I find it strange you suddenly get worse DCS performance.

 

Now, you probably want to retrieve your custom controls. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to "Saved Games\DCS_backup\Config\Input".
2. Copy all of its content.
3. Go to "Saved Games\DCS\Config\Input".
4. Paste and accept overwriting.

Please let us know if you find the cause to your DCS performance drop.

[TheCoyoteHunter]

Thanks Flappie,

Did some further testing, and I cannot reproduce the 15-20fps less, I must have left a setting on that I normally have off.

 

Now on to the crashes, after a new Saved Games\DCS folder, if I leave the graphics setting at their default (mostly low) I can fly for 30 minutes maybe a bit longer then some black flashes will start, not many and they will not intensify. DCS will not crash, but once every 20 seconds or so I will get a black flash. This only happens when flying low, under 2000 feet, when cruising around at 25'000 feet no flashes whatsoever.

 

With a new Saved Games\DCS folder, setting my graphics to where I like them (mostly high) game will crash after 15-20 minutes of low flying. When the flashes start and I get up to 25'000 feet, they stop and game will not crash.

 

So, I'm not 100% sure what all this means but... it would seem that the harder my gpu works the more prone I will be to get the crash.

I ran some benchmark tests on my gpu, no issues.

 

Here is how I am flying right now, and so far its working for me...

I set my graphics setting to my preferred settings, fly around fairly low and take note of my fps. When the flashes start I exit DCS, go to NVidia control panel, and set my max fps to approx 5 less than what I had in DCS. In my case I set it to max 45fps, this so far, has not caused a crash or any black flashes. I did however go and enable the G-Sync compatible setting for my screen, just to make the 45fps look/feel better.

 

Thanks

Coyote

[TheCoyoteHunter]

Further testing...

 

After letting DCS make a new Saved Games\DCS folder, game will not crash until 20-30 minutes of low level flying. (Low level is more demanding on gpu) After the 1st crash, game will crash with only 1-2 minutes of low level flying. This I can reproduce consistently.

 

It doesn't matter which graphics setting is where, if my gpu will be running over 95%, I will get the black flashes followed by a crash. Currently I am limiting my gpu usage by setting a max frame rate, and that works, however with draw backs. If I fly up high its nice to have the 80+fps, but if I cap fps for low level, I cannot enjoy the higher fps at higher altitude.

 

Is there a way to set a cap on gpu usage? I know its an unusual thing to do, but if anyone knows how to do that, please let me know.

Also is there a way to test if gpu is faulty other than benchmark software such as Heaven?

 

These issues were not present until I updated to DCS 2.7.2, when I run benchmark software such as Heaven, gpu runs at 100% with no issues.

 

Thanks

Coyote

 

 

[Flappie]

Please try this:

 

 

 

If this doesn't help, please ensure W10 "Ultimate performance" is enabled: https://www.howtogeek.com/368781/how-to-enable-ultimate-performance-power-plan-in-windows-10/

[TheCoyoteHunter]

Thanks Flappie,

I think we are getting some where here.

Setting power management to ultimate, didn't crash the game but crashed the monitor's connection. Flashes intensified and monitor lost signal for a while, then went to desktop.

I immediately ran the heaven benchmark and it almost made it through the benchmark test. At scene 24 of 26 mostly green flashes appeared and benchmark closed down with no error message. Haven't had this issue with benchmark before.

 

Looks like it could be a hardware issue here, I wonder if its the PSU not giving enough power or the GPU starting to die. Both are approx 4 years old, and have run without any problems whatsoever. Why it started to happen after the update to 2.7.2 I don't know.

 

GPU is ASUS DUAL Geforce 1060 6gb (not dual cards, model name is Dual)

PSU is Corsair CX600m

 

 

 

[TheCoyoteHunter]

Here is the fix...

I have the Asus Dual Geforce 1060 6gb OC version of the GTX 1060.

My card never get warmer than 72 degrees C.

 

The OC means it is slightly overclocked out of the box. I did some searching most of yesterday and came on several people with the same card and same issues.

I took their advice and it works for me as well.

 

I installed MSI Afterburner and set... (See image below.)

Core Clock: -100 (default is 0)

Memory Clock: -200 (default is 0)

Power Limit: 90 (default is 100

 

How I got to these settings? Well they were recommended and also the 1st ones I tried, and they work.

 

I flew for several hours and did some missions last night, no flashes no crashes. (no game crashes anyway, my jet wasn't so lucky)

Another thing that I noticed right away, there is virtually no stuttering now, I would get the occasional stutter here and there, only time it really bothered me was during air-to-air re-fueling or the 5 seconds prior to touching down on the carrier. I get 50 fps flying low, and 80+ up high, with the settings I set in MSI Afterburner I would say I am getting 2-3 fps less, but I don't notice it, in fact without the stutters it feels smoother.

 

My Graphics settings are also below, still playing around with msaa, I both like and dislike it.

 

Thanks 

Coyote

 

 

 

[Flappie]

Excellent! Thanks for your detailed feedback.

[Hiob]

I'm a little late to the party, but great that you solved it on your own.

70 something degrees is not unusual for a GPU but instabilities can result from the GPU or VRAM frequencies as well, that would have been my next guess.

 

Afterburner is a great tool and should be used by every geforce owner.

If you want your performance back (if you lost any in the first place) you can raise your core voltage and reapply the frequencies step by step.

It is close to impossible to break anything with Afterburner so don't hesitate to try.

 

 

[TheCoyoteHunter]

Thanks for the help guys!

 

I think I'll leave voltages and frequencies alone for now. I just don't understand enough of it. DCS is remarkably smoother than its ever been for me, to get these frames in DCS with an entry level graphics card I've always thought is pretty amazing. Now with virtually no stutter, AAR and carrier landing got much easier, I got nothing to complain about.

 

DCS has such a great community. I have played lots of Battlefield, and way too much Counter Strike (CSGO). CSGO I had to completely quit because of its community, almost seems like it brings out the worst in people. Battlefield I played for the planes & jets, but after DCS it feels pointless for me.

 

 

[Hiob]

Completely understandable.

Have Fun!