The Guide to Unreal Engine Error Resolution, System Optimization & Monitoring (GUEERSOM) was created out of the need to consolidate information for video games affecting gameplay.

Microphone fixes, disconnection & connectivity issues, game engine hiccups, and basic hardware monitoring are the problems this guide intends on eliminating.

Guide to Unreal Engine Error Resolution, System Optimization & Monitoring

Guide was created 14 April 2020.
Please do not distribute source without Disclaimer.

Disclaimer

  1. Steps are performed at end-user(s) risk.
  2. There are no guarantees expressed or implied.
  3. Solutions may make computer system unstable; the end-user(s) accept(s) this risk by using this guide.
  4. End-users(s) is (are) responsible to maintain up-to-date system & file backups and system restore points to ensure the recovery of potential data loss.
  5. Author is not responsible for data loss, software & hardware malfunctions and/or failures.
  6. End-user(s) is (are) responsible to ensure the use of administrator-level permissions when using this guide.
  7. This guide assumes end-user(s) has (have) intermediate knowledge of operating a computer system with the Windows 10 OS and as such: End-user(s) is (are) tasked with further research into processes, topics, and methods covered in this guide.
  8. Author is not responsible for the integrity of rentry.co or linked websites; the end-user(s) is (are) responsible for the security of their system(s).
  9. To resolve errors, some systems may require the completion of multiple resolutions; the end-user(s) is (are) responsible for combining steps to enhance system operation.

Application Restart

Some applications may require to be restarted after altering configurations to take effect. Restart applications even after they are frozen and hanging (unresponsive), as well as in the process of loading and closing.

  • Restart application after progress has been saved
  • Sometimes to close an application you must force-close.

Warning: Force closing applications may corrupt save files.

  • Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete
  • Open Task Manger
  • Right-Click the problem application, and
  • Select "End Task"

Table of Contents

Create System Restore Point

Before attempting to resolve any errors by altering system and program files, create a System Restore
Point.

  • Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type "SystemPropertiesProtection" and enter
    • Click "Create...", and
    • Type Restore Point title, select "Create"

After performing fix restart application.
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When using online resources, consider donating to authors when the option is available. Although most
information is freely accessible, authors spend countless hours in Content Production. However, many producers
are not employed and spend their time producing content out of a passion to share information.

After performing fix restart application.
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Potential Video Game Windows 10 Microphone Fixes

This section was created specifically for video games in Windows 10; to ensure the reliability of these steps, ensure the following:

  • Microphone is plugged in to the appropriate jack and is receiving power before starting any applications (USB 2+, 3.5mm, DAC, etc.)
  • Microphone is undamaged or in good repair

Either continue the process below, or visit this imgur album for steps and screenshots.

After performing fix restart application.
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The Irish Solution

Some problems may be caused by third-party software. If the software is installed, open it.

  • Locate your device in the appropriate tab and/or window
  • Locate and toggle your device off, then
  • Save and apply this setting, now
  • Go back to your device and toggle it on, then
  • Save and apply the enabled device setting
  • Thank your nearest Irish man and buy him a pint of his choice brew.

After performing fix restart application.
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Sound Properties

This process will set various configuration options for sound input properties.

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog
    • In the Run dialog, type "control panel" and press enter
    • Select Hardware and Sound
    • Select "Manage audio devices"
    • Select the "Recording" tab
      • If you must allow multiple recording devices to be enabled, right-click the recording device you desire to use and select "Set as Default Device", or
      • Select the Recording tab and right-click to disable any unused recording devices. Disabling unused devices will eventually set your desired (enabled) mic to the default device.
    • Right click the mic you use, and select Properties
      • Select the Listen tab, and ensure "Continue running when on battery power" is selected and Apply
      • Select the Levels tab (this may or may not present with a USB mic). Then ensure the Microphone Boost is set up to your preference. These settings are generally used for analog audio recording devices.
      • Select the Enhancements tab. If "Disable all sound effects" is an option and it's enabled, try disabling and vice versa. For testing purposes, this may need to be switched on/off.
      • Select the Advanced tab in the Microphone Properties window. If the "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" is enabled, try it disabled and vice versa.

After performing fix restart application.
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Power Options (for USB Microphones or Headsets)

This next process will alter the "USB selective suspend setting" in Power Options. In the Control Panel (follow steps from Sound Properties).

  • Select "Power Options"
    • Select "Change plan settings" beside your active power plan
    • Select "Change advanced power settings"
    • Now find "USB settings" in the list, expand it. Then expand "USB selective suspend settings" and set this to Disabled.

After performing fix restart application.
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Microphone Privacy Settings

This process will ensure the correct Privacy settings for Windows 10 Microphone accessibility.

  • Right-click the Start button on your Windows desktop taskbar
    • Select Privacy
    • After opening the Privacy menu, first scroll down to locate Microphone and select it. Then ensure "Microphone access for this device" is set to On, and ensure "Allow apps to access your microphone" is also On
    • Then, scroll down to "Allow desktop apps to access your microphone" and ensure it is On, then exit the Settings window.

After performing fix restart application.
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EasyAntiCheat Authentication timed out OR Auth Ticket Cancelled by User

  • Open File Explorer and navigate to Steam\steamapps\common\[game]\EasyAntiCheat (or applicable EasyAntiCheat directory)
  • In the EasyAntiCheat game directory, double-click "EasyAntiCheat_Setup"
    • Select the game with the authentication time out error, and select "Repair Service"

After performing fix restart application.
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OnlineAsyncTaskThreadSteam Fatal Error

This error is apparently caused when joining a game from a server list and is directly associated to the "In-Game Server Browser" Steam setting. Big thanks to [GP] Guybrush Threepwood for finding the fix.

  • Right-click Steam icon in taskbar
    • Select Settings and go to the "In-Game" tab
      • Under "In-Game server browser: Max pings / minute" set this to "500" or "250"
      • Available settings: Automatic (5000), 5000, 3000, 1500, 1000, 500, 250
      • Be patient for server list to populate on lower settings

After performing fix restart application.
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Add Game to Windows Firewall Exception

  • Follow the linked guide here: Windows Firewall Exceptions, or
  • Press Windows key + R, type "firewall.cpl" and press enter (command from groovypost.com)
    • Select "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall"
    • Click "Change settings", then select "Allow another app..."
    • For "Path:", click "Browse..." and navigate to game directory
    • Select the executable (the ".exe") of the game
      • Select "Add" and on the exceptions list, enable "Private" and "Public" to ensure
        access
    • Repeat process for game launchers

After performing fix restart application.
Read the Disclaimer Table of Contents

Add Game to Anti Virus Firewall Exception

Because there are many third-party anti virus programs, this guide recommends performing a simple search with
the following criteria: "[anti virus name] allow program firewall access". Search now, using duckduckgo.com.

After performing fix restart application.
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Potential fixes for common Unreal Engine error messages

Game produces any error (whether it crashes) OR end-user has recently moved game install files

  • Verify integrity of game files
    • Right-click the Steam icon in task bar, select "Library"
    • Right-click the game, select "Properties"
    • Select the "Local Files" tab on the Properties window
    • Select the "Verify integrity of game files..." button and test the game
      • If any files are corrupt, they will automatically redownload
    • If the game continues to produce (an) error(s), proceeed to the other steps within this guide

After performing fix restart application.
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Crash in runnable thread RenderThread OR GameThread timed out waiting for RenderThread

  • Set video settings to low, disable all effects, and reduce Texture Resolution to <=70
  • Enable Data Execution Prevention for all programs
    • Enabling this feature may decrease performance while increasing system stability
  • Increase Page File size (to see a tutorial click here):
    • Press Windows Key + R, type "SystemPropertiesAdvanced"
      • Under Performance, select "Settings..."
      • Select the Advanced tab and under "Virtual Memory", select "Change..."
      • Deselect "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" and select your Windows 10 system drive (usually C:)
        • If system drive is on SSD, opt to create a paging file on an HDD if available (select drive accordingly)
      • Select the "Custom Size" bubble, and set the following (adjust for storage limitations):
        • Initial size: 16000
        • Maximum size: 32000
        • Select "Set"
        • Choose "Ok" to close the Virtual Memory set window
        • Choose "Ok" to close the Advanced Performance Options window
        • Choose "Ok" to close the Advanced System Properties window
        • Select "Restart Now" to restart the system

After performing fix restart application.
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EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION

  • Enable Data Execution Prevention for all programs
    • Enabling this feature may decrease performance while increasing system stability
  • Complete the following section on removing/reinstalling your C++ Redistributables

After performing fix restart application.
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Pure virtual function being called OR VCRUNTIME140.dll error

After performing fix restart application.
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Unreal Engine is exiting due to D3D device being lost OR Timed out while waiting for GPU to catch up

  • Update graphics drivers
  • Disable overclocks
  • Disable GPU utilities
  • Create TdrDelay registry key (example from 1Bravo's reddit post)
    • Press Windows key + R, type "regedit", press enter
    • Expand the following:
      • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
      • SYSTEM
      • CurrentControlSet
      • Control
      • GraphicsDrivers
        • Right-click in the empty space of GraphicsDrivers, select "New", then choose "DWORD (32-bit) Value"
        • Set the registry Name to "TdrDelay", then double-click registry key TdrDelay to open a dialog
        • Set "Value data:" to 4, and ensure "Hexadecimal" is the "Base"
      • Repeat process for testing purposes, setting TdrDelay anywhere from 2 to 10
      • If this solution does not resolve the error, delete this TdrDelay registry key to revert the system to its default TdrDelay state
        For more information regarding TDR, visit Microsoft: Timeout Detection and Recovery (TDR) Registry Keys
  • Perform a graphics driver wipe and reinstall (see following section)
  • Refer to:

After performing fix restart application.
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Perform a graphics driver wipe and reinstall (for advanced users only)

  1. Download applicable graphics driver
  2. Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)
  3. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type "SystemPropertiesProtection" and enter
    Click "Create..." and give the Restore Point a title
  4. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type "SystemPropertiesHardware" (from windowscommandline.com) and enter
    • On the System Properties window Hardware tab: select "Device Installation Settings"
    • Select "No (your device might not work as expected)" and Save Changes
  5. Reboot into Windows Recovery safe mode following the "From Settings" drop down here: Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10
  6. Once in safe mode, locate the DDU download, extract the program and open the DDU program
    • Select "Options" enable the removal of NVIDIA and AMD driver folders
      • This will remove previously-installed unpackaged driver downloads from the Windows 10 root filesystem
    • If you have previously installed drivers from multiple manufacturers (NVIDIA, AMD, and/or Intel):
      • Select device type: GPU, then select device: NVIDIA
      • Select "Clean and do NOT restart"
      • Repeat the process for AMD, then
      • Repeat the process for Intel, but run "Clean and restart"
    • If you have previously installed drivers of only one manufacturer:
      • Select device type: GPU, select applicable device (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel)
      • Select "Clean and restart"; system will reboot into Windows 10
  7. Once in Windows 10, locate downloaded NVIDIA or AMD driver and install
  8. If Windows 10 reboots with a blank screen (and a few minutes have passed with no change):
    • Reboot into Windows Recovery safe mode following the "From blank or black screen" drop
    • down here: Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10
    • Once in safe mode, locate downloaded NVIDIA or AMD driver and install, then reboot
  9. If Windows 10 continues to reboot with a blank screen:
  • Reboot into Windows Recovery mode following the "From blank or black screen" drop down here: Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10, but once in Recovery mode, do the following:
    • Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore
    • Select the Restore Point created in step 3 of this section
  1. Once in Windows 10 with a fresh GPU installation:
    • Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type "SystemPropertiesHardware" and enter
    • On the System Properties window Hardware tab: select "Device Installation Settings"
    • Select "Yes (recommended)" and Save Changes
    • This ensures Windows 10 installs drivers once other devices are connected

After performing fix restart application.
Read the Disclaimer Table of Contents

Common steps for optimization and monitoring

  • Adjust Power Options by enabling max performance for PCIe Link power state management
    • Visit top-password.com to discover ways to open Power Options
      • In Power Options, select "Change power settings" and then "Change advanced power settings" to open the Edit Plan Settings window
    • Now expand "PCI Express", then expand "Link State Power Management"
    • Select Setting: "Off" and press OK
    • As an aside, if using a USB microphone or headset:
      • Expand "USB Settings" and "USB selective suspend setting"
    • Select Setting: "Disabled" to disallow Windows 10 power savings on USB devices
    • Now close the Edit Plan Settings window
  • Disable non-essential startup programs
  • Defrag HDDs
    • Do not defrag or zero-fill SSDs; doing so will degrade SSD performance and lifespan
  • Enable game mode in anti virus
  • Move game to SSD or RAID0 if available
  • Perform CCleaner Health Check
  • Remove third-party GPU management utilities (retain AMD and NVIDIA utilities)
    • Do not attempt to overclock system hardware without understanding the risks
  • Run & install Windows Updates
    • Windows 10 updates include DirectX, so do not disable Windows Updates
  • Run Windows 10 Advanced Disk Cleanup
    • For advanced users only: Select Cleanup system files after opening the Disk Cleaner
    • Read the descriptions of each selection before checking corresponding box
    • To delete System Restore points and Shadow Copies: Select the tab "More options"
      • In any case, never select to delete the ESD installation files (these are necessary for Windows 10 Refresh and Reset)
  • Uninstall all non-essential programs
  • Use GPU-Z to monitor CPU and GPU temperature & power consumption

After performing fix restart application.
Read the Disclaimer Table of Contents

Reset Windows 10

The end-user(s) is (are) responsible to maintain the system's integrity. Procedures and results will vary
per system when a Refresh or Reset compared to a reinstall is performed. The end-user(s) is (are)
responsible for recovering or obtaining a CD Key.

Microsoft has provided integrated Refresh & Reset procedures for consumers with a bootable Windows 10 already
installed. Before starting the procedure, review the following:

  • A 20 Mbps (2MB a second) download rate to get updates & programs from the web is preferable
  • Personal files and all applicable data should be backed up
    • Passphrase is required to access data on encrypted volume(s)
  • Save text file of programs list using Piriform CCleaner Tools (to reinstall after the Refresh or Reset)
    • This is particularly useful when performing this process for a computer that is for a client, relative, or friend
  • From a bootable Windows 10, Reset or Refresh should not require a CD Key, however:
    • When installing from a USB drive or physical disc, a CD key may be required
    • For help locating a system's CD Key, visit TechSpot.com

For more information on resetting Windows 10 see here: Recovery options in Windows 10. Read the article twice to ensure the decision to be made regarding the Windows 10 reset is made with understanding and confidence.

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Ensure proper system cooling

Keep your cool, fool.
Ensure your system is properly cooled.

  • Observe CPU and GPU temperature in GPU-Z > Sensors tab
    • 70-degrees Celsius is hot; your hardware's max temps will vary
      • Perform all necessary steps to lower the temperature of your system
      • Do not blow on electronics with your breath, humidifiers, or swamp coolers
  • Clean computer of debris & dust ONLY when power is off and cable (and all peripherals) are unplugged.
    • Do not smoke or vape in the same room as computer
    • Use upright-only compressed air can or low-psi air compressor
  • DO NOT disassemble PSU to clean unless you're an advanced user and understand the risks
  • Ensure adequate fan (and water pump (if applicable)) operation
  • Ensure fans and heatsinks are clear of debris and dust (this is required with routine maintenance)
  • Gaming Laptops are often designed for easy fan and heatsink maintenance
    • (refer to laptop model part number for online help)
    • Disassembling laptops may void warranty

After performing fix, monitor computer temperature closely using a reputable temperature monitoring application
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System cooling (for advanced users only)

  • Install aftermarket (chipset) cooler/heatsink, and/or
  • Replace TIM on heatsinks if exceeding max temp specs (replacing TIM will void product warranty)
    • TIM is often replaced at CPU, GPU, and chipset(s) (North/South bridge)

After performing fix, monitor computer temperature closely using a reputable temperature monitoring application
Read the Disclaimer Table of Contents

Edit
Pub: 28 Apr 2020 03:22 UTC
Edit: 22 Jan 2021 04:33 UTC
Views: 1111