Admit it, you were SUPER PUMPED to download SU5 because you too believed it was going to transform your GTX 1050 graphic card into an RTX 3090. Well, maybe not a 3090 but definitely a 3070!

Back to Earth….

The reality was somewhat different. Yes, you did see big FPS gains without the stutters, with the lone exception of the “stutter” that ended up sending you back to the desktop. By now you are certainly an expert in these “stutters,” unaffectionately known as CTDs. 

So, how are you going to get past these CTDs so you too can join the party? It really isn’t that complicated, but you are going to have to get your hands dirty. So without boring you any further let’s get into it.

Note: i am going to “assume” you don’t have a hardware issue that cannot be resolved without replacing components. And you know what they say about people who assume?

1. Unplug any joysticks, yokes, track IRs, etc. I had a crash with my x52 pro hotas and it happened every time i plugged it in.

2. Clear out your community folder. No exceptions. It needs to be empty.

3. Uninstall any mods you purchased from the marketplace. 

4. Delete all content from your SimObjects folder. This folder will get regenerated automatically.

5. Go into your BIOS and save your exuisting settings to a user profile first, then reset your settings to Optimized Defaults or similar. We want no overclocking, no XMP profiles, etc. we want pure vanilla.

6. Restart your PC and download HWMonitor. You need this to monitor your CPU and GPU temps. 

7. Check Windows update to make sure you have the latest Windows updates. 

8. Update the latest Nvidia driver. Do not install or run the “experience” app or whatever it is called. You just want the driver.

9. Restart your PC.

10. Make sure nothing is running. Process Lasso can cause crashes. Shut it down. Also, anything else you see running, including Browsers, antivirus software, skype, trackIR…shut them all down.

Are you still with me? 

11. Load HWMonitor. Minimize it.

12. Fire up MSFS. It “should” load up. 

13. Select the 787 (default livery since you shouldn’t have anything else installed).

14. Fly from KDEN to KLAX. Let the AI pilot do the flying.

15. Once in the air pop up the HWMonitor app. Look at the max temp for your GPU. If it is above 75 C shut down MSFS.

16. Install MSI Afterburner. You need your GPU fan running faster. Set them to manual fan control and crank it up to 100%. 

17. Once your GPU fan is running at 100% restart MSFS and see if your GPU exceeds 70 C. It should be close to that temp. If not you need additional GPU cooling.

18. Assuming your GPU temps are good check your CPU cores are not hot. Depends on your cpu but i like my 10850k below 80 C max.

Once you get to a known stable state you can add stuff back one at a time. That is the only way to know what is causing the CTDs.

Good luck! I am sure others will chime in with tips. 

 

Edited July 30, 20214 yr by RobJC

Had my first CTD tonight, So am done, taking a break from this boo.

 

10 hours ago, Nyxx said:

Had my first CTD tonight, So am done, taking a break from this boo.

Good idea boo.

11 hours ago, RobJC said:

5. Go into your BIOS and save your exuisting settings to a user profile first, then reset your settings to Optimized Defaults or similar. We want no overclocking, no XMP profiles, etc. we want pure vanilla.

8. Update the latest Nvidia driver. Do not install or run the “experience” app or whatever it is called. You just want the driver.

 

Re 5: 90% of the folks couldn't distinguish BIOS from a biology class.

Re 6: I guess AMD users are word not allowed out of luck, then?

😏

Great tutorial Rob, one thing to add to the list is to cap fps, that will help the GPU not to run at 100% all the time, but only when needed.

6 minutes ago, Ricardo41 said:

 

Thanks for the great tutorial. 

However I think it's a shame that the user needs to bend around the game instead of the other way round. I know no game that requires so muxh effort to run stable at certain pints (depending on the various updates) 

In fact this is unacceptable. We have paid for this so we can expect a functional product (minor bugs are OK in such a complex game) 

So I agree that MSneeds to take a step back and hand this whole Sim to the QA department agein because if any company would release their products in a non functioning state they would get sued or bancrupt or both... 

It's exhausting trying to second guess what causes CTD.  I'm out and now playing Star Wars Squadrons in VR for a welcome break and for my own sanity!

All this to not have a CTD...?
No thank you, not worth the effort, my computer is also used for other stuff (which actually works).

Thanks guys. Some good ideas added. I would not say you have to do all of these suggestions, but it is a list to look over for ideas. Just last night one user’s CTDs were resolved by unplugging his joystick. It happened to me too, about 6 or 7 months ago. If you are uncomfortable messing with your PC’s BIOS, then skip that step. Unfortunately a lot of people have what appear to be stable PCs that can crash when pushed really hard. MSFS will bring that out. 

Tried to uninstall the NGxi because someone suggested it might be the cause of the FBW A320 ctds on load, but no ... Fbw still Ctds on the first loading ...

4 minutes ago, jcomm said:

Tried to uninstall the NGxi because someone suggested it might be the cause of the FBW A320 ctds on load, but no ... Fbw still Ctds on the first loading ...

I have that same problem every time. Waiting for an update to retest. Flying other planes in the meantime. 

Btw, i have successfully completed multi-hour flights in the 787, CJ4 and DC-6. The FBW A320 is not stable on my system, and others have reported the same. 

FBW A320 hangs on loading for me. DA62 Improvement Mod similar. The whole PC hung at one point which is unheard of on my machine. Flyinside Bell47G works okay.

Im not going to do their work.