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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If Slay the Spire closes, hangs, or never opens on your PC, there is no confirmed universal fix. Start with the low-risk checks below: restart, update Windows and drivers, then verify the game files in your storefront. If the crash continues, use the title-specific notes and send Mega Crit useful diagnostic details.
Try these general launch fixes first
Steam notes that a game stuck at “Preparing to Launch” may be crashing immediately after launch, and that causes vary between PC configurations. Work through these checks in order; test the game after each one so you can tell whether anything changed.
- Restart the PC. Steam recommends starting its general launch checklist after a fresh restart.
- Install operating-system and driver updates. On Windows, check Windows Update and install available graphics-driver updates. Steam also notes that .NET Framework updates delivered through Windows Update can matter for some games; that is a general possibility, not an established cause of Slay the Spire startup crashes. See Steam’s launch troubleshooting guide.
- Verify the installed game files. In Steam, open your Library, right-click Slay the Spire, choose Properties, open Installed Files, and select Verify integrity of game files. Steam says launch failures can occur when extracted game files are corrupted. The verification process checks the installation and replaces files Steam identifies as missing or damaged; consult Steam’s file-verification instructions if the labels differ in your client.
- Temporarily close non-essential software. Exit overlays and background utilities, then try launching again. This can help identify a software conflict. Do not leave antivirus or other security protection disabled; if you test with a security feature temporarily paused, restore it immediately afterward.
- Compare your PC with the game’s listed requirements. The Windows listing specifies a 2.0 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, graphics with 1 GB video memory and OpenGL 3.0+ support (or OpenGL 2.1 with ARB extensions), and 1 GB available storage. These are the published minimums, not a guarantee that every setup will launch successfully. Check the Steam store listing for the full requirements.
Check Windows compatibility separately from the game’s old minimum OS list
The game’s Steam listing retains historical minimum Windows versions: XP, Vista, 7, 8/8.1, and 10. That does not mean those systems can run the current Steam client. Steam states that its client supports Windows 10 and later beginning January 1, 2024. Treat the game’s legacy minimum list and present-day Steam client support as separate compatibility facts; the latter may prevent launching through Steam on an older Windows installation. The current client note appears on the game’s Steam listing.
Try title-specific workarounds only if they fit your setup
If you use NVIDIA ShadowPlay
The Slay the Spire community FAQ says some users reported that NVIDIA ShadowPlay prevented the game from starting. If ShadowPlay is enabled, turn it off temporarily and test the launch. This is a community-reported workaround, not a confirmed fix for every PC or current game version.
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If you suspect a display-configuration problem
The same community FAQ suggests deleting info.displayconfig from the game directory to reset display settings. Before changing anything, make a copy of the file somewhere safe. Delete the original only if you are comfortable resetting those settings, then launch the game to see whether it starts. This advice is anecdotal; it does not establish that the file is responsible for your crash.
Use the crash timing to describe the problem
There is no supported ranking of startup-crash causes, so note what you can observe rather than assuming a particular component is at fault. These distinctions can help narrow the issue when you troubleshoot or contact support:
Rank #2
- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
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- Before a game window appears: note whether Steam remains at “Preparing to Launch,” and whether the process closes immediately.
- After the logo or menu appears: record which screen was visible and what action preceded the crash.
- Storefront: identify whether your copy is from Steam, GOG, or the Microsoft Store. Steam’s verification steps apply to the Steam installation; use the relevant storefront’s own repair options for another version.
- Mods and overlays: say whether the game launches differently with mods or overlays disabled. Change one thing at a time where practical.
- Game files: report whether verification found or replaced files, or whether the installation appeared unchanged.
Contact Mega Crit if the crash persists
After trying the applicable checks, follow Mega Crit Games’ official FAQ. It directs players with unresolved issues to email [email protected], submit a bug report through its Discord, or post on the game’s Steam forums. The email address is presented here as text because the FAQ’s published address is protected in the source format.
Include your operating system, storefront, when the crash occurs, whether mods or overlays are enabled, and the steps you have already tried. The community FAQ also asks players reporting crashes to include SlayTheSpire.log, if available. A clear sequence and log are more useful than simply reporting that the game will not launch.
Rank #3
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
If the general checks do not resolve the issue, Steam notes that individual PC configurations may need local technical help. That is a next step for a persistent system-specific problem, not a reason to assume that your hardware needs replacing.
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