How to Fix Civilization 7 Stuck on the Loading Screen Issue

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is the latest entry in the legendary 4X turn-based strategy series developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K. Released on February 11, 2025, the game is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam Deck.

However, some PC players have reported a frustrating issue—the game gets stuck on the loading screen and refuses to progress. If you’re facing this problem, don’t worry. This guide provides effective troubleshooting methods to resolve it and get you back into the game.

Why Is Civilization 7 Stuck on the Loading Screen?

Before diving into the solutions, let’s understand what might be causing this issue:

✅ PC Doesn’t Meet System Requirements – If your system lacks the necessary specs, the game may struggle to load.
✅ Outdated Graphics Drivers – Running an older GPU driver can cause performance issues and crashes.
✅ Corrupt or Missing Game Files – If crucial game files are damaged or missing, the game won’t start properly.
✅ Background Applications Consuming Resources – Other apps running in the background may hog CPU and RAM, slowing down the loading process.
✅ Overlay Applications Interfering – Programs like Steam Overlay, Discord, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience may cause conflicts.
✅ Outdated Windows or DirectX Versions – Running an outdated OS or missing DirectX files can lead to loading issues.
✅ Virtual Memory Issues – Insufficient pagefile size (virtual memory) may cause freezing and slow loading.

Now that we have a better understanding of the causes, let’s move on to the solutions.

Fix: Civilization 7 Stuck on the Loading Screen

Follow these solutions step by step until the issue is resolved.

1. Check Your System Requirements

Before troubleshooting, make sure your PC meets the game’s system requirements.

Minimum Requirements:

OS: Windows 10 64-bit or newer
Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6GB) / AMD RX 580
Storage: 100 GB available space

Recommended Requirements:

OS: Windows 10 64-bit or newer
Processor: Intel Core i7-13700K / AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Memory: 32 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4070 / AMD RX 7800 XT
Storage: 100 GB available space

If your system doesn’t meet these requirements, you may need to upgrade your hardware or lower in-game settings for better performance.

2. Increase Virtual Memory (Pagefile Size)

If your system runs out of memory, increasing virtual memory can help:

Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter.
Go to the Advanced tab > Under Performance, click Settings.
In the new window, go to Advanced > Under Virtual Memory, click Change.
Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
Select C: Drive and choose Custom Size.
Set both Initial Size and Maximum Size to 4096 MB (or higher).
Click Set > OK, then restart your PC.

This allows the system to allocate more memory to the game, preventing freezing and slowdowns.

3. Check RAM and Storage Connections

If the game suddenly freezes on the loading screen, it might be due to a loose RAM stick or SSD connection.

Power off your PC.
Open the case and carefully remove the RAM and SSD.
Clean any dust buildup using compressed air.
Reseat the RAM and SSD securely.
Restart your PC and try launching the game again.

This simple hardware check can resolve unexpected loading issues.

4. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated GPU drivers often cause compatibility problems. Updating to the latest version can fix performance-related issues.

For NVIDIA Users:

Open GeForce Experience > Go to Drivers.
Click Check for updates > Install if available.

For AMD Users:

Open AMD Radeon Software > Click Updates.
Install the latest driver update and restart your PC.

5. Close Background Applications

Too many background apps can slow down Civilization 7’s loading times.

How to close them:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on the Processes tab.
Right-click on any unnecessary apps consuming high CPU/RAM and select End Task.

Now, restart the game and check if the issue is resolved.

6. Verify and Repair Game Files

If the game files are corrupt or missing, Civilization 7 may fail to load.

For Steam Users:

Open Steam and go to Library.
Right-click on Civilization 7 and select Properties.
Go to Local Files and click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Wait for the process to complete, then restart your PC.

For Epic Games Users:

Open Epic Games Launcher and go to Library.
Click the three-dot menu next to Civilization 7.
Select Verify and wait for it to complete.

7. Disable Overlay Applications

Overlay apps like Steam, Discord, and NVIDIA GeForce Experience may interfere with the game.

Disable Steam Overlay:

Open Steam > Go to Library.
Right-click Civilization 7 > Click Properties.
Uncheck “Enable Steam Overlay while in-game.”

Disable Discord Overlay:

Open Discord > Click Settings (⚙️ icon).
Click Game Overlay and turn it OFF.

Disable GeForce Experience Overlay:

Open GeForce Experience > Click Settings.
Under General, turn off In-Game Overlay.

Now, restart your PC and try launching the game again.

8. Update Windows & DirectX

Keeping Windows and DirectX updated is crucial for modern games.

To Update Windows:

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Click Update & Security > Check for updates.
If available, install the update and restart your PC.

To Update DirectX:

Download the latest DirectX Web Installer from Microsoft’s official website.
Install it and restart your PC.

Final Thoughts

If Civilization 7 is stuck on the loading screen, following these troubleshooting steps should help you resolve the issue. If none of these solutions work, consider reinstalling the game or checking for hardware upgrades.

Let us know in the comments which fix worked for you! Happy gaming!