Basic computer game troubleshooting

Click one or more of the links below that matches the issue you are experiencing. If you are having issues with installing an MS-DOS game in Windows, see: How to get old MS-DOS games to run in Windows.

Unable to install the game

1. Verify the diskettes or CD are readable by reading the files from the drive. For example, Microsoft Windows users can explore the drive in Windows Explorer. If the CD attempts to AutoPlay, you may need to right-click the drive and click Explore to browse the drive. If you are having problems with reading a CD, see: Why do I receive an error when a CD is put in a computer?
2. If the CD reads fine with no errors, verify your computer meets the minimum requirements of the game. If your computer does not have enough disk drive space or does not meet the requirements, the game may not install.
3. Make sure the game you are installing is compatible with the version of operating system you have on your computer. For example, many older games developed for MS-DOS or Windows 95 may not work or are incompatible with the later versions of Windows.
4. If you're using the AutoPlay menu to install the game, try to execute the setup.exe or install.exe from the disc instead of the AutoPlay setup menu.
5. If you're getting stopped at the CD key or product key verification, verify you are entering your correct number. If you lost your number or key or it does not work, you must contact the developer of the game. Computer Hope does not provide any users with an alternate number or key.
6. Other programs running in the background can cause issues with the program install. Make sure to close all background programs and TSRs. If you still continue to run into issues, try installing the program from Safe Mode.

• How to remove TSRs and startup programs.

Error during install

1. Verify your computer meets the requirements of the game. For example, if your computer runs out of disk space during the installation, this would cause an error during the installation.
2. Verify the CD is clean and contains no significant scratches. Information about how to clean a CD and a CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) is on our cleaning page.
3. Other programs running in the background can cause issues with the program install. Make sure to close all background programs and TSRs. If you still continue to run into issues, try installing the program from Safe Mode.

• How to remove TSRs and startup programs.

Game does not load or has an error when it attempts to load

1. If the game is a CD game, make sure the correct CD is in the computer when trying to play the game. Sometimes, it may be necessary to have the first or last CD in the computer when starting the game.
2. Verify the game documentation makes no mention of the error you are experiencing. Often the error and explanation to how to resolve the error are documented.
3. Verify no patches or updates are available from the developer of the game. See the game developer page for a listing of links to game company pages. Many game developers list the available patches and updates. If you're unsure who the developer of the game is, use a popular search engine and search for drivers for your game. In most cases, games start with version 1.0.
4. If the game utilizes Microsoft DirectX, you may have an issue with DirectX that happened during the installation of another game or program. Make sure you have the latest version of DirectX installed on the computer. Additional information about DirectX is available on our DirectX page.
5. Some games may require other programs such as OpenGL or QuickTime to be installed to play them. If you did not install all the programs during the installation, try running the install again.
6. Make sure to close other programs before you run the game.
7. Make sure the computer has rebooted at least once after the game is installed. Sometimes, the game may install files that cannot initialize until the computer has rebooted.
8. If the computer is overclocked, try to reduce the speed back to the computer's correct settings to ensure that the overclocked settings are not causing the problem.
9. If the above recommendations do not resolve your issues, install the game again.

Game crashes while being played

1. Verify no patches or updates are available from the developer of the game. See the game developer page for a listing of links to game company pages. Often the game developer list the available drivers. If you're unsure who the developer of the game is, use a popular search engine and search for drivers for your game. In most cases, games start with version 1.0.
2. Other programs running in the background can cause issues with the program install. Make sure to close all background programs and TSRs. If you still continue to run into issues, try installing the program from Safe Mode.

• How to remove TSRs and startup programs.

3. Make sure you have the latest updates for your video and sound card. A listing of video drivers is on our video card drivers page. A listing of sound drivers is on our sound card drivers page.
4. If the above recommendations do not resolve your issues, install the game again.

Problems with video

1. Verify you have the latest video drivers for your video card. A listing of video drivers is on our video card drivers page.
2. If the game utilizes Microsoft DirectX, you may have an issue with DirectX that happened during the installation of another game or program. Make sure you have the latest version of DirectX installed on the computer. Additional information about DirectX is on our DirectX page.

Problems with sound

1. Verify you have the latest sound drivers for your sound card. A listing of sound drivers is on our sound card drivers page.
2. See the following link if the sound works elsewhere but not in the game.

• Why is there no sound in new game, but it works elsewhere?

Problems connecting to an online game server

1. Verify no patches or updates are available from the developer of the game. Often to connect to the game, you must be running the same version as the server. See the game developer page for a listing of links to game company pages. Often the game developer list the available drivers. If you're unsure who the developer of the game is, use a popular search engine and search for drivers for your game. In most cases, games start with version 1.0.
2. Some games require additional software before they can connect to online servers. For example, many games require GameSpy. Make sure all necessary software is installed before running the game.
3. Wait an hour or so and try to connect to the server again. Often a server may crash because of a problem, or go down for an update. Of course, when this occurs it is more than likely you cannot view the servers.

In-game help, hints, walkthroughs, and help

Try searching our web page for further help, hints, walkthroughs, and advice on the game. Unfortunately, because we are not a web page dedicated to computer gaming, we do not have a very extensive database of computer game information. If you do not find what you are looking for, we recommend you try the third-party game pages or try searching using your favorite search engine.

Other game issues

If you are still running into errors, or unable to resolve your problem, search our web page, check our online help section, and check our Q&A section for further help. If, after checking these locations you are still unable to resolve your problem, feel free to contact our support team.