How to Fix ‘Doom 2016 There Was an Error Loading Your Game’ Issue
Doom 2016, an iconic first-person shooter that has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide, is not without its issues. One common problem that players encounter is the frustrating “There was an error loading your game” message. This can be particularly disheartening, especially after investing hours into gameplay. In this guide, we will explore the possible causes of this error and provide you with actionable steps to resolve the issue.
Understanding the Causes
Before jumping into solutions, it’s important to understand the potential reasons behind the error message. Some of the common culprits include:
- Data Corruption: One of the key reasons for this error is corrupted save files. This can happen due to abrupt shutdowns, crashes, or issues during saving.
- Modifying Saved Game Files: If you’ve altered saved game files manually or using mods, it may lead to corrupt files.
- Hardware Failures: Failing hard drives or insufficient system memory can also contribute to this problem.
- Incompatible Updates: Sometimes, updates or patches to the game can inadvertently introduce bugs that interfere with the loading of save files.
Now that we have identified potential causes, let’s delve into troubleshooting methods to resolve this issue.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
1. Check for Corrupted Save Files
The first step in fixing the “error loading your game” issue is to check if your save files are corrupted. Here’s how you can do this:
- Navigate to the directory where your Doom 2016 save files are stored. This is usually located in your Documents folder under “My Games”.
- Look for backup files (if any) that may not be corrupted and replace the corrupted files with these backups.
If you cannot find any backup save files, continue to the next step.
2. Create Fresh Save Files
If your existing save files are corrupted and cannot be repaired, creating new ones is key:
- Start a new campaign and play until you get to a checkpoint.
- Make sure to save frequently using alternate save slots to manage future backups effectively. This will help you avoid losing hours of gameplay.
3. Verify Game Files (Steam Users)
If you’re playing Doom 2016 on Steam, you can verify the integrity of your game files:
- Open your Steam client and go to your Library.
- Right-click on Doom 2016 and select ‘Properties’.
- Go to the ‘Local Files’ tab and click on ‘Verify Integrity of Game Files’.
- Steam will check and replace any corrupted or missing files. This could resolve the loading error.
4. Disable Mods
If you have installed any mods, they may conflict with the game’s normal operation. Try disabling them:
- Go to the mod management menu and disable any active mods.
- Restart Doom 2016 and check if the error persists.
5. Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers can sometimes contribute to gameplay issues, including error messages. Here’s how to update them:
- For Windows users, go to Device Manager, find Display Adapters, and right-click on your graphics card. Choose “Update Driver”.
- You can also visit the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download the latest drivers directly.
6. Check Disk Health
If hardware failure is a concern, checking your hard drive’s health can unearth underlying problems:
- Use tools such as CHKDSK in Windows to scan for and fix disk errors.
- To do this, open Command Prompt as an administrator and input:
chkdsk /f
. This will schedule a disk check the next time your computer restarts.
7. Reinstall Doom 2016
If all else fails and the error message continues to persist, a fresh installation of Doom 2016 might be necessary:
- Uninstall the game from your system.
- Reinstall it through Steam or another platform you’re using.
- Launch the game and verify if the issue still exists.
Conclusion
Encountering “There was an error loading your game” in Doom 2016 can be a distressing situation, especially after valuable gameplay time has been lost. By following these steps, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the issue, allowing you to jump back into the demon-slaying action as soon as possible. Remember to regularly back up your save files and maintain the health of your hardware for the smoothest gaming experience. Happy gaming!