AC Supply Logo
ACSupplyMod Hub
Troubleshooting

Assetto Corsa Crash Fixes - Complete Guide

Stop the crashes and freezes. Comprehensive troubleshooting for all Assetto Corsa stability issues.

15 min readUpdated February 8, 2026

Quick Fix Checklist

Before diving into specific issues, try these common fixes that solve 80% of crashes:

  • ✓ Verify game files in Steam (Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity)
  • ✓ Update your graphics drivers (NVIDIA/AMD)
  • ✓ Run Steam and AC as Administrator
  • ✓ Disable antivirus temporarily (can block AC files)
  • ✓ Delete AC Documents folder and let it regenerate

Crash on Startup / Won't Launch

Symptom: AC crashes immediately when launched or black screen appears

Missing Visual C++ Redistributables

Problem: Assetto Corsa requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2013, 2015-2019, and 2015-2022 redistributables. Missing any of these causes instant crashes.

Solution:

  1. 1. Download all Visual C++ packages from Microsoft's official site
  2. 2. Install both x86 (32-bit) AND x64 (64-bit) versions
  3. 3. Restart your PC after installation
  4. 4. Launch AC again

Download Link: Search "Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable All Versions" - install 2013, 2015-2022 packages

Corrupted Content Manager / CSP

Problem: If you're using Content Manager with Custom Shaders Patch, outdated or corrupted CSP files cause startup crashes.

Solution:

  1. 1. Open Content Manager
  2. 2. Go to Settings → Custom Shaders Patch
  3. 3. Click "Remove" to uninstall CSP
  4. 4. Try launching vanilla AC through Steam
  5. 5. If it works, reinstall latest CSP from official Patreon

Documents Folder Corruption

Problem: Corrupted configuration files in your Documents folder prevent AC from starting.

Solution (Nuclear Option - You'll lose settings):

  1. 1. Navigate to: C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\Assetto Corsa
  2. 2. Rename folder to "Assetto Corsa OLD" (backup)
  3. 3. Launch AC - it will create a fresh Documents folder
  4. 4. Reconfigure your settings

Antivirus / Windows Defender Blocking

Problem: Antivirus software blocks AC.exe or CSP DLL files, causing instant crash.

Solution:

  1. 1. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection
  2. 2. Click "Manage settings" under protection settings
  3. 3. Scroll to "Exclusions" → Add an exclusion
  4. 4. Add your entire AC install folder (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\assettocorsa)
  5. 5. Also exclude Documents\Assetto Corsa folder

Crash During Loading Screen

Symptom: Game crashes while loading track or car

Corrupted Mod Files

Problem: A car or track mod has corrupted files (missing textures, bad physics, broken data.acd).

Solution:

  1. 1. Note which car/track was loading when it crashed
  2. 2. Go to Content Manager → Content tab
  3. 3. Find the problematic mod and right-click → "View in File Explorer"
  4. 4. Delete the mod folder completely
  5. 5. Redownload from a trusted source (like AC Supply!)
  6. 6. If it still crashes, the mod is incompatible with your CSP version

Pro Tip: Always download mods from reputable sources. Sketchy uploads often have missing dependencies or corrupted files.

Out of Memory (RAM) Error

Problem: AC runs out of RAM during loading, especially with high-quality mods and CSP enabled.

Solution:

  1. 1. Close all background apps (Chrome, Discord, etc.) before launching AC
  2. 2. In Content Manager: Settings → Assetto Corsa → Video
  3. 3. Lower "World Detail" from Maximum to High
  4. 4. Reduce "Shadow Resolution" to 2048 or 4096
  5. 5. Disable "Mirror Faces" or set to 1 face only
  6. 6. If using CSP, lower "Weather FX" quality to Medium

If you have 8GB RAM or less: AC with CSP and mods can easily use 6-8GB. Consider upgrading to 16GB RAM or reduce graphics settings significantly.

Missing Car/Track Dependencies

Problem: A mod requires another mod (like a specific sound mod or shader) that you don't have installed.

Solution:

  1. 1. Check the mod's original download page for "Required" or "Dependencies"
  2. 2. Common dependencies: Shader Patch, specific sound banks, physics libraries
  3. 3. Install all required mods FIRST, then the main mod
  4. 4. In CM, click the car/track → "Information" tab shows missing content

Crash During Race / Gameplay

Symptom: Game crashes mid-race, freeze with audio loop, or random CTD

Graphics Driver Crash (TDR)

Problem: GPU driver crashes (Timeout Detection and Recovery), causing AC to freeze or close.

Solution:

  1. 1. Update to latest GPU drivers from NVIDIA/AMD website (NOT Windows Update)
  2. 2. Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to clean install drivers
  3. 3. Lower graphics settings in AC—especially:
    • • Shadow Quality → Medium
    • • Post-Processing → Low
    • • Reflections → OFF or Low
  4. 4. Check GPU temps with MSI Afterburner—if over 85°C, increase fan speed or clean PC
  5. 5. Underclock GPU slightly if overclocked

CSP Settings Too High

Problem: Custom Shaders Patch graphics features pushing GPU/RAM to the limit, causing instability.

Solution:

  1. 1. Open Content Manager → Settings → Custom Shaders Patch
  2. 2. Video Settings → Preset: Change to "Minimum" or "Medium"
  3. 3. Disable these heavy features:
    • • Weather FX (if not needed)
    • • God Rays
    • • Screen Space Reflections
    • • Grass FX (CPU intensive)
  4. 4. Lower "Extra FX" effects like bloom, glare

AI Physics Calculation Overload

Problem: Too many AI cars with complex physics mods cause CPU to choke, leading to crash.

Solution:

  1. 1. Reduce AI opponent count—try 15-20 max instead of 30+
  2. 2. Lower "AI Level of Detail" in graphics settings
  3. 3. Use simpler car mods for AI (avoid super detailed physics)
  4. 4. Close background CPU-heavy apps (Discord, Chrome with many tabs)

Specific Error Messages

"AC.exe has stopped working"

Cause: Generic crash—can be anything from mod conflict to driver issue.

Fix: Start with Quick Fix Checklist above. If that doesn't work, remove ALL mods, test vanilla AC. Add mods back one by one to find culprit.

"Failed to initialize DirectX"

Cause: DirectX 11 not properly installed or GPU doesn't support DX11.

Fix: Download and install DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft. Update GPU drivers. If GPU is ancient (pre-2010), it may not support DX11.

"Content Manager cannot find AC installation"

Cause: CM can't locate your AC folder.

Fix: In CM → Settings → Assetto Corsa → Main tab → Click "..." next to AC folder path and manually select your AC installation folder (usually in Steam\steamapps\common\assettocorsa).

"Missing DLL: MSVCP140.dll or VCRUNTIME140.dll"

Cause: Missing Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable.

Fix: Download and install Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (both x86 and x64 versions). Restart PC.

"Steam must be running to play this game"

Cause: AC can't verify Steam is running, or Steam overlay is broken.

Fix: Restart Steam. Run Steam as Administrator. Verify AC files in Steam. Disable Steam overlay for AC if it still fails (Library → AC → Properties → uncheck "Enable Steam Overlay").

Advanced Troubleshooting

Check AC Error Logs

Assetto Corsa creates log files that reveal crash causes:

  1. 1. Navigate to: Documents\Assetto Corsa\logs
  2. 2. Open log.txt or py_log.txt
  3. 3. Look for lines with "ERROR" or "EXCEPTION"
  4. 4. Common errors:
    • • "Could not load file..." = Missing/corrupted mod file
    • • "Access violation..." = Memory issue, lower graphics
    • • "Python error..." = CSP app issue, disable CSP apps

Clean Reinstall (Last Resort)

If nothing works, nuclear option:

  1. 1. Backup: Copy Documents\Assetto Corsa folder elsewhere
  2. 2. Backup: Copy custom mods from AC\content\cars and tracks
  3. 3. Uninstall AC through Steam
  4. 4. Delete remaining AC folders:
    • • Steam\steamapps\common\assettocorsa
    • • Documents\Assetto Corsa
  5. 5. Reinstall AC through Steam
  6. 6. Test vanilla AC first (no mods, no CM)
  7. 7. If stable, add Content Manager, then CSP, then mods one by one

Prevention Tips

Keep AC Stable

  • • Only download mods from trusted sources (like AC Supply, RaceDepartment, official creators)
  • • Update CSP regularly but not mid-championship—update between seasons
  • • Keep GPU drivers updated but use "Game Ready" drivers, not beta
  • • Don't overload graphics—if you have mid-range GPU, don't max everything
  • • Test mods individually—add one new car, test it, then add another
  • • Monitor temps—high CPU/GPU temps cause instability
  • • Close background apps—Chrome with 50 tabs kills AC performance
  • • Backup your Documents\Assetto Corsa folder before major changes

Still Crashing?

If you've tried everything and AC still crashes, our community can help diagnose the issue.

Get Help on DiscordContact Support

Related Guides

Performance Optimization

Boost FPS and reduce stuttering with our complete optimization guide.

How to Install Mods Properly

Learn the right way to install mods to avoid crashes and conflicts.