Game loads only 18MB then hangs. Will not load further. Does not start
Good Morning and Thank You for any assistance you can provide,
I posted on the Steam Forums and the Developer Dan2D3D suggested that I also post here. I will provide the full text of that thread to outline the troubleshooting steps already undertaken.
My apologies in advance for the copy pasta formatting fail.
<THREAD>
Exdiapolis 
14 hours ago
Game loads 18MB then hangs. Will not load further
As the title says, starting the game both from steam and from the command line loads approximately 18MB than hangs and will load no further. Game will load in the compatibility mode DX9.32bit. But will not load further.
My video card is an GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER. I have run both the latest version of the drivers (version 577.00 - July 2025) as well as the Jan 2024 version (551.23) of the drivers. I have played the game many times but the is a fresh install after about a year hiatus. I have tried reloading DirectX as well as both the 32bit .NET as well as the 64bit .NET. For DirectX, I have tried the June 2010 DirectX redist and the dxwebsetup.exe install/repair.
I tried deleting the entire SpaceEngineers folder in \%AppData%\ and it gives me this log file:
2025-07-27 18:23:34.718 - Thread: 1 -> Log Started
2025-07-27 18:23:34.719 - Thread: 1 -> Timezone (local - UTC): -5h
2025-07-27 18:23:34.719 - Thread: 1 -> App Version: 01_206_032
2025-07-27 18:23:34.753 - Thread: 1 -> Is official: True [NO][IS][NAMP]
2025-07-27 18:23:34.754 - Thread: 1 -> Branch / Sandbox: SVN
2025-07-27 18:23:34.754 - Thread: 1 -> Client Build Number: 1
2025-07-27 18:23:34.754 - Thread: 1 -> Server Build Number: 0
2025-07-27 18:23:34.755 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.ProcessorCount: 16
2025-07-27 18:23:34.822 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.OSVersion: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19045.0)
2025-07-27 18:23:34.822 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CommandLine: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64\SpaceEngineers.exe" -skipintro
2025-07-27 18:23:34.822 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitProcess: True
2025-07-27 18:23:34.822 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitOperatingSystem: True
2025-07-27 18:23:34.822 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Version: .NET Framework 4.8.9310.0
2025-07-27 18:23:34.822 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CurrentDirectory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64
2025-07-27 18:23:34.826 - Thread: 1 -> CPU Info: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-9900K CPU @ 3.60GHz
2025-07-27 18:23:34.826 - Thread: 1 -> Default Culture:
2025-07-27 18:23:34.826 - Thread: 1 -> Default UI Culture:
2025-07-27 18:23:34.830 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - START
2025-07-27 18:23:34.834 - Thread: 1 -> Path: C:\Users\Gabriel\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.cfg
2025-07-27 18:23:34.834 - Thread: 1 -> Config file not found! C:\Users\Gabriel\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.cfg
2025-07-27 18:23:34.836 - Thread: 1 -> NewNewGameScreen: False
2025-07-27 18:23:34.837 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - END
When I create a blank .cfg file, it still doesn't load but gives me a change toward the end of the log file but the last few lines are the same:
2025-07-27 18:38:05.775 - Thread: 1 -> Log Started
2025-07-27 18:38:05.776 - Thread: 1 -> Timezone (local - UTC): -5h
2025-07-27 18:38:05.776 - Thread: 1 -> App Version: 01_206_032
2025-07-27 18:38:05.790 - Thread: 1 -> Is official: True [NO][IS][NAMP]
2025-07-27 18:38:05.791 - Thread: 1 -> Branch / Sandbox: SVN
2025-07-27 18:38:05.791 - Thread: 1 -> Client Build Number: 1
2025-07-27 18:38:05.791 - Thread: 1 -> Server Build Number: 0
2025-07-27 18:38:05.791 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.ProcessorCount: 16
2025-07-27 18:38:05.853 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.OSVersion: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19045.0)
2025-07-27 18:38:05.853 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CommandLine: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64\SpaceEngineers.exe" -skipintro
2025-07-27 18:38:05.853 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitProcess: True
2025-07-27 18:38:05.853 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitOperatingSystem: True
2025-07-27 18:38:05.853 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Version: .NET Framework 4.8.9310.0
2025-07-27 18:38:05.853 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CurrentDirectory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64
2025-07-27 18:38:05.857 - Thread: 1 -> CPU Info: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-9900K CPU @ 3.60GHz
2025-07-27 18:38:05.857 - Thread: 1 -> Default Culture:
2025-07-27 18:38:05.857 - Thread: 1 -> Default UI Culture:
2025-07-27 18:38:05.860 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - START
2025-07-27 18:38:05.864 - Thread: 1 -> Path: C:\Users\Gabriel\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.cfg
2025-07-27 18:38:06.059 - Thread: 1 -> Exception occurred, but application is continuing. Exception: System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at Sandbox.Engine.Utils.MyConfigBase.LoadConfigData(ConfigData values, String path)
at Sandbox.Engine.Utils.MyConfigBase.Load()
2025-07-27 18:38:06.060 - Thread: 1 -> Config:
2025-07-27 18:38:06.060 - Thread: 1 ->
2025-07-27 18:38:06.061 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - END
Does anyone have any ideas? I have reached the end of what I can think of.
Showing 1-8 of 8 comments
Dan2D3D [developer] 2 hours ago
Hi, I would remove the launch option as a first test. I see you have added skipintro :
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64\SpaceEngineers.exe" -skipintro
How to remove Launch Options
Open your Steam Library
1 - Right click Space Engineers and select Properties.
2 - On the General tab you'll find Launch Options section.
3 - Remove the launch options, delete all in that text box.
4 - Close the game's Properties window and launch the game.
__________
You may try the important to do first when having game problems,
do #1 + #2 + #3 first in the Forum/Community workaround(s) Pin added to Troubleshooting sub forum :
Forum/Community workaround(s) Pin 📌
https://steamcommunity.com/app/244850/discussions/6/3464975177698306889/
Exdiapolis 1 hour ago
Good Morning Dan2D3D,
Thank you for your reply and I have followed your instructions which generates a smaller output log file accordingly. The output file is thus:
2025-07-28 08:19:14.460 - Thread: 1 -> Log Started
2025-07-28 08:19:14.461 - Thread: 1 -> Timezone (local - UTC): -5h
2025-07-28 08:19:14.461 - Thread: 1 -> App Version: 01_206_032
2025-07-28 08:19:14.476 - Thread: 1 -> Is official: True [NO][IS][NAMP]
2025-07-28 08:19:14.478 - Thread: 1 -> Branch / Sandbox: SVN
2025-07-28 08:19:14.478 - Thread: 1 -> Client Build Number: 1
2025-07-28 08:19:14.478 - Thread: 1 -> Server Build Number: 0
2025-07-28 08:19:14.478 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.ProcessorCount: 16
2025-07-28 08:19:14.533 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.OSVersion: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19045.0)
2025-07-28 08:19:14.533 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CommandLine: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64\SpaceEngineers.exe"
2025-07-28 08:19:14.533 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitProcess: True
2025-07-28 08:19:14.533 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Is64BitOperatingSystem: True
2025-07-28 08:19:14.533 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.Version: .NET Framework 4.8.9310.0
2025-07-28 08:19:14.534 - Thread: 1 -> Environment.CurrentDirectory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SpaceEngineers\Bin64
2025-07-28 08:19:14.537 - Thread: 1 -> CPU Info: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-9900K CPU @ 3.60GHz
2025-07-28 08:19:14.537 - Thread: 1 -> Default Culture:
2025-07-28 08:19:14.537 - Thread: 1 -> Default UI Culture:
2025-07-28 08:19:14.541 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - START
2025-07-28 08:19:14.546 - Thread: 1 -> Path: C:\Users\Gabriel\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.cfg
2025-07-28 08:19:14.685 - Thread: 1 -> Exception occurred, but application is continuing. Exception: System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at Sandbox.Engine.Utils.MyConfigBase.LoadConfigData(ConfigData values, String path)
at Sandbox.Engine.Utils.MyConfigBase.Load()
2025-07-28 08:19:14.685 - Thread: 1 -> Config:
2025-07-28 08:19:14.685 - Thread: 1 ->
2025-07-28 08:19:14.686 - Thread: 1 -> MyConfig.Load() - END
Please advise and accept my sincerest thanks for your assistance.
Most cordially,
Ex
Dan2D3D [developer] 1 hour ago
Is it the same in brand new created No Mods world or it happens only in one specific save ?
You should test with Sandbox world named "Red ship v2" to see if better.
Exdiapolis 45 minutes ago
Originally posted by Dan2D3D:
Is it the same in brand new created No Mods world or it happens only in one specific save ?
You should test with Sandbox world named "Red ship v2" to see if better.
The game will not load at all. When clicking "Launch" from Steam, I see the blue windows cornhole spinning and the "Launch" button turn to "Running". Examining Task Manager reveals that the "Space Engineers" process is running with no processor utilization and anywhere from 16MB to 20MB depending on when it hangs. It will remain in this state until either end tasking from Task Manager or "stopping" from Steam.
It never reaches a loading screen, splash screen or any other visible indication that the process is running at all. One must consult a third party application (Task Manager or Steam) to even know that the process is running.
Dan2D3D [developer] 40 minutes ago
Oh! The game does not open at all, I thought you were trying to load a world save, sorry my bad.
May be try the fresh installation setps in the Pin, scrool down to title
Safe Steps ...
in that link :
Forum/Community workaround(s) Pin 📌
https://steamcommunity.com/app/244850/discussions/6/3464975177698306889/
Dan2D3D [developer] 37 minutes ago
+
I am not the best to read game logs but Veteran players reading may see something wrong in there if you share the complete log.
How to share the complete game log on Steam :
The log can be found here: C:\Users\{YOUR WINDOWS USERNAME}\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.log
or simply paste this into your Explorer:
%appdata%\SpaceEngineers
The log file should be from the game session where you've encountered the bug. If you start the game again, the log will be overwritten.
post log file to https://pastebin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://pastebin.com/">https://pastebin.com/ and share the link on forum.
Game log look like this now, with date on :
>> SpaceEngineers_20220205_213907114.log <<
Dan2D3D [developer] 35 minutes ago
I also recommend to ask a SE Programmer to help you, they are better than me to read game logs.
-> Click "Request help" on Support Portal to have a SE Programmer testing the Bug for you and reply :
(create "Bug report" or "Request help"(Private) or "Feedback"(Petition) on the Portal)
Exdiapolis Just now
Originally posted by Dan2D3D:
Oh! The game does not open at all, I thought you were trying to load a world save, sorry my bad.
May be try the fresh installation setps in the Pin, scrool down to title
Safe Steps ...
in that link :
Forum/Community workaround(s) Pin 📌
https://steamcommunity.com/app/244850/discussions/6/3464975177698306889/
Thank you for your reply: - My current issues are the result of a fresh install. The post mentioned was part of my first steps in troubleshooting.
Originally posted by Dan2D3D:
+
I am not the best to read game logs but Veteran players reading may see something wrong in there if you share the complete log.
How to share the complete game log on Steam :
The log can be found here: C:\Users\{YOUR WINDOWS USERNAME}\AppData\Roaming\SpaceEngineers\SpaceEngineers.log
or simply paste this into your Explorer:
%appdata%\SpaceEngineers
The log file should be from the game session where you've encountered the bug. If you start the game again, the log will be overwritten.
post log file to https://pastebin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://pastebin.com/">https://pastebin.com/ and share the link on forum.
Game log look like this now, with date on :
>> SpaceEngineers_20220205_213907114.log <<
Thank you for the follow-up. The game logs that I posted in this thread constitute the entirety of the game logs icontained within the folder in %AppData%. The game logs begin with "Log Started" and abruptly end with "MyConfig.Load() - END"
I will make a mirror post on the Keen Forums.
Thank you again.
</THREAD>
I have the same bug
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
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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