Experiencing crashes when launching "Ready or Not" can be as frustrating as a misfiring engine on a Sunday drive—especially when you're eager to dive into its high-octane tactical gameplay. If your Windows PC seems to have other plans and the game refuses to launch properly, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to get back on track. Below, we detail key methods to help you pinpoint and resolve the issue, so you can enjoy the game without a hitch.

1. Verify the Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can lead to crashes at startup. Steam offers a straightforward way to repair them:

  • How to Verify the Game:
    • Open Steam and navigate to your game library.
    • Right-click on "Ready or Not" and select "Properties."
    • Go to the "Local Files" tab and click on "Verify Integrity of Game Files."

This process checks the game’s installation folder for missing or damaged files and automatically repairs or replaces them. It's a standard troubleshooting step that often fixes issues arising from incomplete updates or mod interference. (windowsforum.com)

2. Remove Problematic Mods

Mods can enhance gameplay but sometimes introduce instability. Outdated or corrupted mods may cause crashes at launch.

  • Steps to Delete Mods:
    • Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
    • Navigate to the folder: INLINECODE0
    • Select all mod files (often identifiable by their INLINECODE1 file extension) by holding down the Ctrl key or by dragging your mouse over them.
    • Click "Delete."

After removing the mods, run the Steam verification scan again to replace any essential game files that might have been altered. Then, try launching "Ready or Not" to see if the crashing issue is resolved. (windowsforum.com)

3. Run Ready or Not as an Administrator

Windows User Account Control (UAC) sometimes restricts applications from accessing necessary system resources, which can trigger startup crashes. Running the game with administrator rights can bypass these restrictions.

  • How to Enable Admin Mode:
    • Open File Explorer and navigate to: INLINECODE2
    • Right-click the "ReadyOrNot" executable file and select "Properties."
    • Go to the "Compatibility" tab and check the box titled "Run this program as an administrator."
    • Click "Apply" and then "OK."

Providing the game with elevated privileges might resolve issues where Windows’ security settings inadvertently block the game from accessing important system files or directories. (windowsforum.com)

4. Launch the Game in Safe Mode

"Ready or Not" offers a Safe Mode option to help isolate the root cause of crashes. By booting into Safe Mode, the game runs without loading mods or other potentially problematic files.

  • Activating Safe Mode:
    • Open your Steam library.
    • Click on "Ready or Not" and then select the "Play" button.
    • From the drop-down, choose "Play Safe Mode."

If the game launches successfully in Safe Mode, it's likely that mod-related conflicts are causing the crashes. (windowsforum.com)

5. Perform a Clean Boot on Windows

Background applications and third-party services can sometimes conflict with your game, leading to crashes during startup. A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which could eliminate conflicts.

  • Steps for a Clean Boot:
    • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type "msconfig," and hit Enter.
    • In the System Configuration window, go to the "Services" tab.
    • Check "Hide all Microsoft services" and then click "Disable all."
    • Next, click on the "Startup" tab and open Task Manager.
    • In Task Manager, disable all non-essential startup applications.
    • Restart your computer.

By reducing the number of active processes, you can isolate any third-party application conflicts that may be causing the crash. (windowsforum.com)

6. Delete the sl.pcl.dll File

A less-known yet effective fix involves deleting a specific DLL file that might be causing conflicts. The "sl.pcl.dll" file, associated with certain NVIDIA components, has been linked to startup crashes in some cases.

  • Instructions to Delete:
    • Open File Explorer and navigate to: INLINECODE3
    • Locate the "sl.pcl.dll" file.
    • Right-click on the file and select "Delete."

After deleting the file, launch the game. Removing the potentially problematic DLL often forces the game to rebuild or bypass stale configurations that might be causing conflicts. (windowsforum.com)

Additional Tips

  • Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers are a common source of game crashes. Visit your GPU manufacturer’s website for the latest updates—keeping your drivers fresh is essential, especially with new Windows updates and ongoing Microsoft security patches. (windowsforum.com)
  • Check for Windows Updates: An outdated operating system could cause random in-game crashes. Therefore, keeping your Windows up-to-date can improve your computer's performance by fixing bugs and resolving compatibility issues. To check for Windows updates, head to the Start menu, type "Windows Update," and select "Check for updates." (windowsforum.com)
  • Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software: Sometimes, your third-party antivirus software can interfere with game files and cause crashes. Temporarily disabling the antivirus software is suggested. Before launching the game, disable your third-party antivirus software. Once you have played your game, you can enable the antivirus solution again. (windowsforum.com)

By systematically applying these troubleshooting steps, you can identify and resolve the issues causing "Ready or Not" to crash on startup, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.

References: Note: Always ensure your system meets the game's minimum requirements and that all software components are up-to-date to minimize the risk of crashes.