Fix: Game Crashes In Fullscreen On Multi-Monitor Setups

by SLV Team 56 views
Game Crashes in 'Fullscreen Exclusive' Mode on Multi-Monitor Setups

Hey guys! Ever run into the frustrating issue of your game crashing when you're rocking a multi-monitor setup and playing in fullscreen exclusive mode? It's a pain, I know! This article dives into a specific problem reported by gamers encountering crashes with certain games when using more than one monitor. Let's break down the issue, explore potential causes, and discuss possible solutions to get you back in the game.

The Reported Problem: Crashes After 15-20 Minutes

The core issue? Some games, particularly older titles like Call of Duty: World at War (CoD: WaW) and Call of Duty: Black Ops (CoD: BO1), seem to be crashing after about 15-20 minutes of gameplay when running in fullscreen exclusive mode on systems with multiple monitors. Interestingly, the games work perfectly fine when only one monitor is connected. This has been observed across different systems and even confirmed by a local streamer, suggesting a consistent pattern.

This issue can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you're deep into a game. The consistency of the crashes after a specific time frame (15-20 minutes) points towards a potential conflict or resource issue that arises when the game interacts with the multi-monitor setup in fullscreen exclusive mode.

What's Fullscreen Exclusive Mode?

Before we dive deeper, let's quickly clarify what "fullscreen exclusive" mode actually means. In this mode, the game has exclusive control over the display output. This often leads to better performance and reduced input lag because the operating system isn't trying to manage other windows or applications on the same display. However, this exclusive control can sometimes lead to conflicts, especially with multi-monitor setups.

Games Affected

So far, the issue has been confirmed for Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty: Black Ops. This suggests that the problem might be related to how these specific games, or perhaps games built on similar engines, handle multi-monitor configurations in fullscreen exclusive mode. It's possible that other games could be affected as well.

User Observations and Testing

Users have reported testing this issue at home and even at local LAN events while trying to mirror the game onto a projector. The consistent crashing behavior across different environments further reinforces the idea of a fundamental compatibility problem. One user also confirmed that the issue persists even with the dxvk.enableGraphicsPipelineLibrary = False setting, which is often a workaround for other issues in WaW.

System Information and Setup

To better understand the context, let's look at the typical system configurations where these crashes occur. Knowing the hardware and software involved can help pinpoint potential causes.

GPU

The issue has been observed on various AMD GPUs, including the RX 6800, RX 6700XT, and RX 5700XT. This suggests that the problem might be related to AMD drivers or how these specific GPUs interact with the games in a multi-monitor environment.

Drivers

The crashes have been reported on both older and the latest AMD drivers (25.9.1). This eliminates the possibility of a recent driver update being the sole cause. Instead, it indicates a more persistent issue that has been present across different driver versions.

Driver compatibility is often a key factor in game stability, especially when dealing with advanced features like multi-monitor support and fullscreen exclusive mode. The fact that this issue persists across multiple driver versions suggests a deeper problem, possibly within the game's rendering engine or its interaction with the GPU drivers.

DXVK Version

DXVK (a Vulkan-based translation layer for Direct3D 9/10/11) is used to run these older DirectX games on modern systems. The crashes have been observed on both older and the latest DXVK version (2.7.1). This rules out DXVK as the primary cause, although it's still possible that DXVK is interacting with another component in a way that triggers the crashes.

Log Files

Interestingly, the log files don't show any errors or warnings related to the crashes. This makes troubleshooting more challenging because there's no clear indication of what's going wrong. The absence of log errors suggests that the crash might be occurring at a low level, possibly within the GPU driver or the game engine itself, before any error messages can be generated.

Potential Causes and Solutions

Okay, so we've laid out the problem. Now, let's brainstorm some potential causes and explore possible solutions. Since the log files are silent, we'll have to rely on educated guesses and try various troubleshooting steps.

1. Resource Conflicts

One possibility is that the game, when running in fullscreen exclusive mode across multiple monitors, is encountering resource conflicts. This could be related to memory allocation, GPU processing power, or other system resources. When a game demands exclusive control over the display, it might not handle the distribution of resources across multiple displays effectively, leading to instability.

Solution:

  • Try running the game in windowed or borderless windowed mode: This allows the operating system to manage the display output, potentially resolving resource conflicts. While this might slightly reduce performance, it could eliminate the crashes.
  • Close unnecessary background applications: Freeing up system resources can sometimes prevent crashes. Close any programs you're not actively using, especially those that consume significant CPU or GPU power.
  • Monitor system resource usage: Use tools like Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to track CPU, GPU, and memory usage while playing the game. If you see any spikes or bottlenecks, it could indicate a resource conflict.

2. Driver Issues

Although the issue persists across different driver versions, it's still possible that there's a driver-related problem. The way the AMD drivers handle multi-monitor configurations in fullscreen exclusive mode might be interacting negatively with these specific games.

Solution:

  • Try different driver versions: While the latest drivers aren't working, older drivers might offer better compatibility. Experiment with a few different versions to see if any resolve the issue.
  • Perform a clean driver installation: Sometimes, residual files from previous driver installations can cause conflicts. Use a tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove the old drivers before installing new ones.
  • Check for driver updates: Keep an eye out for future driver updates from AMD. They might include fixes specifically addressing multi-monitor issues.

3. DirectX/Vulkan Compatibility

Since these games are older and rely on DirectX, and DXVK is used as a translation layer, there might be compatibility issues arising from the interaction between the game, DirectX/Vulkan, and the drivers.

Solution:

  • Experiment with different DXVK versions: While the latest version didn't fix the issue, older versions might behave differently. Try using a previous DXVK release to see if it resolves the crashes.
  • Check for game-specific patches or fixes: The game developers or community might have released patches or workarounds for multi-monitor issues. Check online forums and communities for any available fixes.
  • Verify game files: Corrupted game files can sometimes lead to crashes. Use the game platform's (e.g., Steam) file verification tool to ensure all files are intact.

4. Fullscreen Optimization Problems

Windows has a feature called "Fullscreen Optimizations" that can sometimes cause issues with older games. This feature aims to improve performance in fullscreen mode, but it can sometimes lead to compatibility problems.

Solution:

  • Disable Fullscreen Optimizations for the game:
    1. Locate the game's executable file (.exe).
    2. Right-click the file and select "Properties."
    3. Go to the "Compatibility" tab.
    4. Check the box labeled "Disable Fullscreen Optimizations."
    5. Click "Apply" and then "OK."

5. Hardware Conflicts

Although less likely, there's a possibility of a hardware conflict, especially if you have multiple GPUs or other display-related hardware.

Solution:

  • Ensure proper hardware configuration: Make sure your monitors are connected to the correct GPU and that the GPU is properly seated in the motherboard.
  • Test with a single GPU (if applicable): If you have multiple GPUs, try disabling one to see if it resolves the issue.

Community Input and Collaboration

Troubleshooting these kinds of issues often benefits from community input and collaboration. If you're experiencing similar problems, consider sharing your experiences and system configurations in online forums and communities. Others might have found solutions or workarounds that can help.

Sharing your experiences, system specs, and any troubleshooting steps you've tried can be incredibly valuable. It helps identify patterns, narrow down the potential causes, and collectively work towards a solution.

Conclusion

Crashing games are a frustrating experience, especially when the cause isn't immediately apparent. The issue of game crashes in fullscreen exclusive mode on multi-monitor setups, particularly with older titles, highlights the complexities of hardware and software compatibility. By systematically exploring potential causes and trying different solutions, you can increase your chances of resolving the problem and getting back to gaming.

Hopefully, this article has provided some valuable insights and troubleshooting steps. Keep experimenting, stay patient, and don't hesitate to seek help from the gaming community. Good luck, and happy gaming!