Fix Assetto Corsa Loading Screen Crashes
Stop crashes during track and car loading. Identify and fix corrupted mods, memory errors, and dependencies.
What Causes Loading Crashes?
Loading screen crashes happen when:
- • Corrupted mod files - Missing textures, bad physics data, broken .acd files
- • RAM exhaustion - Running out of memory with high-quality mods and CSP
- • Missing dependencies - Mod requires another mod or specific CSP version
- • Incompatible mods - Mod designed for older/newer AC versions
Fix #1: Corrupted or Broken Mods
The Problem: A car or track mod has corrupted files (missing textures, bad physics, broken data.acd). AC tries to load it and crashes.
Identify the Problematic Mod:
- 1. Note what was loading when crash occurred:
- • "Loading track: [track_name]" = track is broken
- • "Loading vehicle: [car_name]" = car is broken
- 2. Open Content Manager
- 3. Go to Content tab → Cars or Tracks
- 4. Find the mod that was loading
- 5. Right-click → "View in File Explorer"
- 6. Delete the entire mod folder
- 7. Try launching session again
Fix the Mod (If You Want to Keep It):
- • Redownload from original source - File may have corrupted during download
- • Check mod requirements - Does it need specific CSP version? Other mods?
- • Look for updates - Creator may have fixed bugs in newer version
- • Check comments/reviews - Other users reporting same crash? Mod may be broken
Pro Tip: Always download mods from trusted sources (AC Supply, RaceDepartment, official Patreons). Sketchy sites often have incomplete or corrupted files.
Fix #2: Out of Memory (RAM) Errors
The Problem: Assetto Corsa with Custom Shaders Patch and high-quality mods can use 6-8GB of RAM. If you run out during loading, AC crashes.
Check Your RAM Usage:
- 1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
- 2. Go to Performance tab
- 3. Look at Memory - if you have 8GB or less total, this is likely your issue
Solution #1: Close Background Apps
Before launching AC, close these RAM hogs:
- • Chrome/Firefox (especially with many tabs)
- • Discord (can use 300-500MB)
- • Spotify
- • OBS/Streaming software
- • Other games/launchers
Solution #2: Lower Graphics Settings
In Content Manager → Settings → Assetto Corsa → Video:
- • World Detail: High (instead of Maximum)
- • Shadow Resolution: 2048 or 4096 (instead of 8192)
- • Reflections: Low or Off
- • Mirror Faces: 1 face only
- • Smoke Generation: Off
Solution #3: Lower CSP Settings
CM → Settings → Custom Shaders Patch → Video Settings:
- • Preset: Change to Medium or Minimum
- • Weather FX: Lower quality or disable
- • God Rays: Disable
- • Screen Space Reflections: Disable
- • Grass FX: Disable (CPU/RAM heavy)
Solution #4: Reduce AI Count
If racing against AI, each car uses RAM. Try:
- • Reduce opponents from 30 to 15-20
- • Lower AI Detail in graphics settings
- • Use simpler AI cars (avoid super high-poly mods)
Long-term Solution: If you have 8GB RAM or less, consider upgrading to 16GB. It's the single best upgrade for modded AC with CSP.
Fix #3: Missing Mod Dependencies
The Problem: Some mods require OTHER mods to work (like sound packs, physics libraries, or specific CSP builds). Missing these = crash.
Check Mod Requirements:
- 1. Go back to where you downloaded the mod
- 2. Look for "Requirements" or "Dependencies" section
- 3. Common requirements:
- • Custom Shaders Patch (specific version, e.g., 0.1.79+)
- • Sol Weather Mod
- • Specific sound banks (like Fonsecker sounds)
- • Physics updates (like "RainFX" or "SurfaceFX")
- • Other car/track mods (track may require specific objects from another mod)
- 4. Install ALL required mods/updates BEFORE the main mod
- 5. Try loading again
Check in Content Manager:
CM can show missing content:
- 1. Open Content Manager
- 2. Navigate to the problematic car/track
- 3. Click it → Information tab
- 4. Look for "Missing content" or "Required apps"
- 5. Install what's missing
Fix #4: Incompatible CSP Version
The Problem: Many modern mods require specific CSP versions. Too old = crash. Sometimes too new also causes issues with older mods.
If Mod Requires NEWER CSP:
- 1. Open Content Manager → Settings → CSP
- 2. Check your current CSP version (e.g., 0.1.78)
- 3. If mod requires newer (e.g., 0.1.80+), click "Update"
- 4. Select latest version from dropdown
- 5. Click install and wait for completion
- 6. Restart CM and try loading mod
If Old Mod Breaks with NEW CSP:
Some very old mods don't work with latest CSP. Options:
- • Look for updated version of the mod
- • Check mod page for CSP compatibility notes
- • Consider removing that specific mod
- • (Advanced) Downgrade CSP to compatible version
Prevention Tips
Avoid Loading Crashes
- • Test mods individually - Install one mod, test it works, then add another
- • Read mod descriptions carefully - Check requirements BEFORE downloading
- • Download from trusted sources - AC Supply, RaceDepartment, official creators only
- • Keep CSP updated - But read changelogs for breaking changes
- • Monitor RAM usage - Don't run 50 Chrome tabs while playing AC
- • Backup working setup - Copy Documents\Assetto Corsa before major mod installations
Still Crashing?
If crashes persist, check AC's log files for specific errors or ask our community for help diagnosing the issue.