Add the installation folder to your antivirus exclusion list before re-enabling it. 2. Run as Administrator and Compatibility Mode
If the game crashes when you host or join a multiplayer match, the config file is likely corrupt.
Right-click your game executable → → Compatibility tab: Add the installation folder to your antivirus exclusion
Lower the resolution to match a native 4:3 or 16:9 ratio, and toggle off full-screen mode to see if stability improves in a windowed layout. Restoring Working Multiplayer Functionality
A surprising number of crash-on-launch issues stem from outdated DirectX drivers. Right-click your game executable → → Compatibility tab:
For multiplayer, all players must apply this.
Wait for Steam to scan and automatically replace any corrupted network modules. For Standalone / Non-Steam Full Versions Wait for Steam to scan and automatically replace
Check "Run this program as an administrator" and choose "Windows 7" or "Windows 8" in the compatibility mode dropdown. 3. Update Graphics Drivers and DirectX
Crashes in are almost always fixable. Whether you are dealing with a permissions issue (the VirtualStore), a network authorization error (the firewall), or a strange compatibility quirk with a specific build (like version 165), the solution is usually a matter of system hygiene and proper configuration.
Locate the configuration file (usually named settings.cfg or options text files).