SE launching issues + errors with saving world

Mark shared this bug 41 days ago
Reported

Hello,

Since yesterday I started having issues running SE. The game launches as expected when Win11 has been restarted, but if the game has been closed it will only start up again as a background proccess. No error messages, just a background proccess in task manager. Only after another full system restart will the game launch propperly (one time).

Additionally I get an error when I save a world, saying it has no access to the save location. However the changes are actually saved. Deleting a blueprint instantly crashes the game.


I have attempted a clean re-install of SE.

- Made backups of blueprints and save files

- Unsubscribed form workshop mods and scripts

- Uninstalled SE via Steam

- Deleted remaining files in Steamapps/Common and AppData/Roaming

- Restarted the pc

- Reinstalled SE via Steam

- Restarted PC because game would not load

- Found that the config SpaceEngineers.cfg did not install

- Ran Steam file integrity verification (no change)

- Installed SE on laptop to get a fresh .cfg file

- Copied .cfg file to the PC and corrected the screen resolution data

- Restarted the PC

- Started SE, loaded a fresh word and made a BP

- Placed back the backup BPs and World saves


I have also have made other attempts to find a fix

- Ran SE as administrator (No luck, only runs as background task)

- Updated Nvidia Drivers

- Ran Windows Updates

- Used the .Net fixing tool

- Uninstalled EasyAntiCheat (allong with Sea of Thieves)

- Turned off Windows Core Isolation features (and turned them back on when it didn't help)

- Edit: I also turned off Nvidia/ Steam and Discord overlays


The issues keep persisting as discribed above.

I have attached 2 log files. One is when the game does launch after a restart, and the other when I try to run SE a second time, but it only launches as a background task.


I don't know what else to do in this case. I love Space Engineers and have played it for 1800 hours without issues.

Best Answer
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Hello Engineer,

Thank you for reaching out and for the detailed description.

We have identified that this behavior may be related to a recent Windows 11 update (KB5083769). Our QA team experienced the same issue, and removing this update resolved the problem on our side.

As a temporary workaround, you can try the following:

  • Open Settings → Windows Update → Update history
  • Select Uninstall updates
  • Locate KB5083769 and uninstall it
  • Restart your PC

Please note that this is only a workaround, and removing Windows updates may have other implications. We recommend reinstalling the update once a permanent fix is available.

In the meantime, we are continuing to investigate the root cause.


Kind Regards,

Ludmila Danilchenko

Head of Space Engineers QA Department

Replies (36)

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0

Hello!

Thank you for contacting us. Since this is a bug report, I'm moving your ticket to our support page, where our QA team will take care of you.

Kind Regards,

Keen Software House

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1

Seems the new Windows 11 Net Framework update from Apr 14 is the main culprit. Not sure if that is something that SE needs to fix or Microsoft.


Right now, the work around to this issue is to roll back your windows before this update and your game should launch properly.

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Followup with a bit more info...

Removing the .cfg file doesn't cause SE to generate a new one or present the install options for .NET framework etc.. I originally used the newer experimental .NET framework (10,11???) for potential better performance. When I had problems, I think I may have selected version 4. I had thought to review the choice of .NET, but it now donesn't appear when I now re-install SE.

Is there anyway to forece SE to present the installation options?

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This is a Windows 11 and AMD related issue. A new Windows 11 update came out recently and all AMD users seem to be the only ones affected. The current workaround is to uninstall the most recent Windows 11 updates until a true fix comes out.

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Thank you for sharing this. I'm running an Intel i7-13700K though. I might still try uninstalling recent Win11 updates if there are no other suggestions.

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3

Hello Engineer,

Thank you for reaching out and for the detailed description.

We have identified that this behavior may be related to a recent Windows 11 update (KB5083769). Our QA team experienced the same issue, and removing this update resolved the problem on our side.

As a temporary workaround, you can try the following:

  • Open Settings → Windows Update → Update history
  • Select Uninstall updates
  • Locate KB5083769 and uninstall it
  • Restart your PC

Please note that this is only a workaround, and removing Windows updates may have other implications. We recommend reinstalling the update once a permanent fix is available.

In the meantime, we are continuing to investigate the root cause.


Kind Regards,

Ludmila Danilchenko

Head of Space Engineers QA Department

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1

Thank you, this workaround fixed all issues!

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I removed KB5083769 and this resolved my problem. Also, FYI, my CPU is 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-13700K (3.40 GHz) so not AMD. Dave...

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2

My own post was merged with this one but this work around does not work for me as KB5083769 is not available to uninstall

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2

Hello Zbyněk Skácel,

This issue began with a bad reaction to the Windows .NETFramework update package released on April 14. I reported the same issue several days ago with Steam, Keen, and Microsoft, and am now asking Keen Software House to provide a general progress report to all SE1 players who have complained about the same issue.

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I’m having the same issue. The fix works, but Windows will update again and then you’ll need to delete it again. Hopefully, they can fix it soon.

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Maikel,

I had the same problem with Windows Update constantly trying to reinstall KB5083769. However, you can prevent Windows Update from doing this by "hiding" KB5083769 from Windows Update using the Microsoft wushowhide utility. Once hidden Windows Update will not see KB5083769 and so won't try to install it. You can resume installation of KB5083769 by "unhiding" it using wushowhide.


Make sure that Windows Update is showing KB5083769 in it's upate list, then run wushowhide, select the hide option and then select KB5083769. To unhide KB5083769 if necessary, run wushowhide, select the unhide option, and the select KB5083769.


The Microsoft "Show or hide updates" troubleshooter (wushowhide.diagcab) allows users to hide or block specific Windows updates or drivers.


The direct Microsoft download URL for the Microsoft "Show or hide updates" troubleshooter (wushowhide.diagcab) is: https://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f22d5fdb-59cd-4275-8c95-1be17bf70b21/wushowhide.diagcab

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I have done the associated troubleshooting for this and related issues to be sure.

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I had the same issue, and removing the Update from my Intel i7, RTX4060 Windows 11 pc corrected the issue. Thanks all for the help.

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I can't uninstall KB5083769. It does not appear in the list. When I try to force-uninstall through the command prompt, it says my computer ""Needs"" the update. Hoping for a real fix before the big update.

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Hi there,

Uninstalling windows updates didn't help.

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3

Hey,

Your problem might be somewhere else, as uninstaling just the KB5083769 update worked for me. However before the uninstall I could launch SE right after restarting my PC. If I waited a bit, I couldn't

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delete

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In reply to these comments, It worked, but for some reason the update installed itself again, so just un-install it until the fix is out.(I just had it happen to me)

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Is this why when I try to launch Space Engineers I keep seeing it get reduced to a Background Task Utilizing Minimal Resources? shame i cant uninstall that windows update It just Straight up does not give me the option to remove it . . . why does windows have to be so darn buggy half the time. . . guess ill have to wait longer to see what was brought in with the economy update. . . oh well

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I have the same issue and have an intel processor

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2

Sorry, I sent my comments before finishing. I have the same issue and I have a i9 14900KS system. I also do not appear to have that Windows Update KB5083769 listed as installed on my system when I go to check.

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1

This fix worked for me.

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0

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us. Since this is a bug report, I'm moving your ticket to our support page, where our QA team will take care of you.

Kind Regards,

Keen Software House

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1

Hello Tyrel,

Thank you for reaching out to us on the forum, and we sincerely apologize for the issue you’ve been experiencing with the new update.

We’ve a few similar reports described and linked in this thread where players experienced the same issue;

Crash post ECO 2 update | Space Engineers PC Support

To confirm whether this is the same issue or something different, could you please share the game log file from the time the issue occurred on your side?

  • You can access your log files by typing %appdata% into your Windows search bar and you will be redirected to the hidden Roaming folder. After that just follow: \Roaming\SpaceEngineers.

Kind Regards,

Keen Software House: QA Department

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I believe i found the file but wont let me send it do i need to compress it to a zip file?

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1

Hello Engineer,

Can you please provide us more information?

It would be helpful if you can describe whole process when you are trying to start the game, as well as share us a log file from any of those affected sessions/attempts.

You can access your log files by typing %appdata% into your Windows search bar and you will be redirected to the hidden Roaming folder. After that just follow: \Roaming\SpaceEngineers.

Thank you in advance.

Kind Regards,

Keen Software House: QA Department

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I'm having this issue and I don't have KB5083769 installed. I've attached a screenshot showing everything available in the uninstall updates section

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i had the same thing but the download for it appeard in my download history but even when using console commands to remove it. it didnt work and now ive lost 1500 hours stuff all my blueprints and saves trying to fix the game and can only launch it on pc restart

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i think these are the files

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I literally load up my PC. Open Steam and select Space Engineers > "Play" button. Only things running are my GPU and logitec in the background.

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2026-05-07 03:55:30.084 - Thread: 1 -> Log Started

2026-05-07 03:55:30.084 - Thread: 1 -> Timezone (local - UTC): -5h

2026-05-07 03:55:30.084 - Thread: 1 -> App Version: 01_209_020

2026-05-07 03:55:30.088 - Thread: 1 -> Is official: True [NO][IS][NAMP]

2026-05-07 03:55:30.088 - Thread: 1 -> Branch / Sandbox: SVN

2026-05-07 03:55:30.088 - Thread: 1 -> Client Build Number: 1

2026-05-07 03:55:30.088 - Thread: 1 -> Server Build Number: 0

2026-05-07 03:55:30.088 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.ProcessorCount: 16

2026-05-07 03:55:30.120 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.OSVersion: Microsoft Windows 11 Home (Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26200.0)

2026-05-07 03:55:30.120 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CommandLine: F:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64\SpaceEngineers.exe

2026-05-07 03:55:30.120 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitProcess: True

2026-05-07 03:55:30.120 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitOperatingSystem: True

2026-05-07 03:55:30.120 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Version: .NET Framework 4.8.9325.0

2026-05-07 03:55:30.120 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CurrentDirectory: F:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64

2026-05-07 03:55:30.123 - Thread: 1 -> CPU Info: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core Processor

2026-05-07 03:55:30.123 - Thread: 1 -> Default Culture:

2026-05-07 03:55:30.123 - Thread: 1 -> Default UI Culture:

2026-05-07 03:55:30.123 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - START

2026-05-07 03:55:30.123 - Thread: 1 -> Path: C:\Users\Steves PC\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.cfg

2026-05-07 03:55:30.123 - Thread: 1 -> Config file not found! C:\Users\Steves PC\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.cfg

2026-05-07 03:55:30.123 - Thread: 1 -> NewNewGameScreen: False

2026-05-07 03:55:30.123 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - END

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2026-05-07 20:50:12.954 - Thread: 1 -> Log Started

2026-05-07 20:50:12.955 - Thread: 1 -> Timezone (local - UTC): -5h

2026-05-07 20:50:12.955 - Thread: 1 -> App Version: 01_209_022

2026-05-07 20:50:13.017 - Thread: 1 -> Is official: True [NO][IS][NAMP]

2026-05-07 20:50:13.018 - Thread: 1 -> Branch / Sandbox: SVN

2026-05-07 20:50:13.018 - Thread: 1 -> Client Build Number: 1

2026-05-07 20:50:13.018 - Thread: 1 -> Server Build Number: 0

2026-05-07 20:50:13.018 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.ProcessorCount: 16

2026-05-07 20:50:13.056 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.OSVersion: Microsoft Windows 11 Home (Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26200.0)

2026-05-07 20:50:13.057 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CommandLine: F:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64\SpaceEngineers.exe

2026-05-07 20:50:13.057 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitProcess: True

2026-05-07 20:50:13.057 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitOperatingSystem: True

2026-05-07 20:50:13.057 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Version: .NET Framework 4.8.9325.0

2026-05-07 20:50:13.057 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CurrentDirectory: F:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64

2026-05-07 20:50:13.061 - Thread: 1 -> CPU Info: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core Processor

2026-05-07 20:50:13.061 - Thread: 1 -> Default Culture:

2026-05-07 20:50:13.061 - Thread: 1 -> Default UI Culture:

2026-05-07 20:50:13.068 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - START

2026-05-07 20:50:13.071 - Thread: 1 -> Path: C:\Users\Steves PC\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.cfg

2026-05-07 20:50:13.071 - Thread: 1 -> Config file not found! C:\Users\Steves PC\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.cfg

2026-05-07 20:50:13.072 - Thread: 1 -> NewNewGameScreen: False

2026-05-07 20:50:13.074 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - END

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I have not uninstalled the game. deleted all space engineers folders from my pc. Uninstalled Steam > Reinstalled steam > reinstalled Space Engineers. We I try to start the game it will not start. My PC thinks its running but nothing happens.

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0

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us. Since this is a bug report, I'm moving your ticket to our support page, where our QA team will take care of you.

Kind Regards,

Keen Software House

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Hello Tyrel,

Thank you for sharing the logs.

After reviewing them, it appears that the game is unable to find the configuration (CFG) file required to launch properly. Could you please check whether you have a SpaceEngineers.cfg file in the AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers folder?

If the file is not there, could you please try performing a 'clean installation' of the game. Although you have already reinstalled the game, a 'clean installation' is a more thorough process that ensures all remnants are removed before reinstallation.

To perform a clean installation, please follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to \AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers and copy the Saves and Blueprints folders to a different drive or folder.
  2. Uninstall the game.
  3. Remove any remaining files from the following locations:
  • \AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers
  • \Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers

After completing the above steps, reinstall the game through Steam and check if the issue persists. If the issue is resolved, you can move your Saves and Blueprints folders back to \AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers.

If the issue continues, please check again whether the SpaceEngineers.cfg file is present after reinstalling. If it is there, could you please send the file to us so we can investigate the issue further?

Kind Regards,

Keen Software House: QA Department

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Right I've managed to uninstall KB5083769, to even make it appear in the uninstall updates list I had to remove KB5083631 and KB5082417. I can now launch the game at any time, not just immediately after booting . Hopefully this helps others as a temporary solution untill keen fixes it properly

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i followed your comment only had to delete KB5083631for KB5083769 to appear as an option i did have to do the first one restart then do the second one and restart again and now i can play anytime again however i still lost everything because the other fix methods didnt work which is painful

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Same as Jack M., I only had to delete 83631. I then hid 83769 as described in a previous post. Everything normal so far. Thanks to everyone for the help.

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Update: Next morning... after 83631 reinstalled, the issue has returned.

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I'd recommend uninstalling the update and then pausing Windows updates for a couple of weeks. This doesn't stop Windows Defender form updating so you're still covered if that's the AV you use

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UPDATE #2: Uninstalled 83631 again and paused updates. So far, performing as it should.

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For the Record I have tried reinstalling the game, reinstalling and rolling back my graphics drivers, reinstalling Windows, and unsubscribing from all mods.

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Yeah, sometimes I have to restart my machine to get it to come up. It starts a zombie process that just sits there and does nothing. It doesn't happen all the time, but 2-3 times a week for me.

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Hello Engineer,

Thank you for reaching out. We're sorry to hear you're experiencing issues.

In order for us to be able to investigate this issue better, could you please share a log file from one of the affected game sessions?

You can access your log files by typing %appdata% into your Windows search bar and you will be redirected to the hidden Roaming folder. After that just follow: \Roaming\SpaceEngineers.

Thank you in advance.

Kind Regards,

Keen Software House: QA Department

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1

Hello Engineer,

Thank you for reaching out. We're sorry to hear you're experiencing issues.

In order for us to be able to investigate this issue better, could you please share a log file from one of the affected game sessions?

You can access your log files by typing %appdata% into your Windows search bar and you will be redirected to the hidden Roaming folder. After that just follow: \Roaming\SpaceEngineers.

Thank you in advance.

Kind Regards,

Keen Software House: QA Department

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I have the same issue. On an intel processor, the workaround of uninstalling the security update also does not work. I currently can't get SE to launch into the game at all. KEEEEENNNNN!!!! Fix your stuff!!!

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i did what you said but still doesn't load at all

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I think I fixed it. I have to turn off "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" in services and then restart the PC. And it always starts up again. I am on the latest version of Windows.

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So I was having the same issue but I wasn't seeing the Windows Update that has been mentioned in previous posts. However I fixed the issue whereby the game would not launch by disabling/stopping the service "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" (BITS).


On your Windows 11 desktop, press ALT + R

Then type "services.msc" then click on OK

Find "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" and stop/disable it.


I had an issue where it couldn't stop it. As it is a delayed service, reboot your machine and as soon as it boots into window 11 follow the above steps to stop/disable the service before it starts. Since doing that I have not had the issue. You may need to do this a couple of times for it to remember your settings This fixed the issue for me and I didn't have to uninstall any windows security updates. I hope this works for you.

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333e770cc22f38805f61d7322c4906e2

You can also set this option to disabled and then restart, and it will stay off.

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Hi


Thanks for getting back to me. It seems I have the same issue that a number of users have reported on Discord, namely that it's a recent Windows Update patch that is preventing the game from starting. I have uninstalled the two patches the system installed on 9th May and disabled WIndows Updates and now the game starts OK. The two patches concerned are: KB5083631 and KB5082417. I think it's the latter patch that's the real issue, but some other users mentioned both so I uninstalled both.


I've attached a log file. Every time the program failed to start it did so after reading the configuration and didn't log anything else.


Regards

David

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still doing the same thing

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