How to Fix: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Crashing on Startup

Noting is more disappointing than a game crashing during its startup. Many gamers often complain that Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is failing to load when they start it. In this guide, I will explain some reasons that cause this issue and how you can fix them. Often it’s the corrupted saved game files that can hamper the game from loading. If the game has some codec packs missing that will stop the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion from launching.

Sometimes, the gamers install a load of mods on the game. This also interferes with the smooth startup of the game. Another reason for game crashing at startup can be due to the number of unused yet open applications in the background. When you have too many memory-intensive applications open at one time while you’re trying to load a game, it can also lead to a crash. So, you have to fix all these to start and run your Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion game seamlessly. Let’s check out the troubleshooting in detail.

Elder Scrolls IV

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Fix Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Crashing on Startup

Fix Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Crashing on Startup

Let’s carry out the troubleshooting.

Change the Executable File’s Name

Right-click on Steam
From the menu select Properties
Navigate to Compatibility
Click the checkbox Run this Program As an Administrator
Go to the game directory where you have installed Oblivion and double click to open oblivion.exe
If the game runs smoothly then everything is fine.
If the game crashes during startup, change the executable file name from Oblivion.exe to Oblivionlauncher.exe

Install Missing Codec Pack for the Game

Download K-lite Codec [Google for it you’ll find one]
Install the codec file
Restart Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
If it runs fine, then your problem is solved otherwise try out other troubleshooting methods.

Tweak the ini file of Oblivion

Go to Windows Explorer by pressing Win + E
Navigate to the folder where you have installed Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Locate the Oblivion.ini file > right-click on it
From the menu select Open With > Notepad
To invoke the search box press Ctrl + F
Type in MusicEnabled
Make changes to the MusicEnabled value, change it to “0”. It would be set to 1.
Now, save the file by pressing Ctrl + S
Also, repeat the exact process for the elements “bDSoundHWAcceleration”, “bSoundEnabled” and “bUseWaterShader”
Change their value to 0
Set “uInterior Cell Buffer” to 24
Similarly, set “iPreloadSizeLimit” to 262144000

Now, try to launch the game and see whether it starts up successfully or is still crashing.

Remove the Saved Game Files of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E
Go to the folder Save
Delete all the saved game files present in that folder
Now, start Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and check whether it starts successfully or not

Enable Steam Overlay

Open Steam
Go to the Library
On the left-hand section, locate your game that is Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Right-click on the game and select Properties
Navigate to the General tab
Click on the checkbox Enable the Steam Overlay While in-game

Close Unused Background Applications

Access Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del
Go to the Processes tab
Check which unused apps are consuming more memory and CPU
Simply, right-click on the apps that you want to close
From the menu select End Task

Uninstall Cyberlink Power DVD 5 to Fix Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Crashing at Startup

Open Control Panel using the Search box
Navigate to Programs > Programs and Features
From the list of installed programs and apps locate Cyberlink Power DVD 5
Once you locate it, right-click on it and select Uninstall
Then launch Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and I’m sure it will start up smoothly

Update or Disable the Mods that you have installed

If you have installed mods on Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion that may require an update. So, try to update the mods and check whether that fixes the issue of the game crash at the startup. Another way is to disable the mod temporarily and launch the game. Then you can enable all the mods individually. Try this method out. For some gamers managing the mods fixes the crash issue.

Reinstall Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

There is one last troubleshooting method you can try out if other fixes don’t work. You can uninstall Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and reinstall it back again.

Go to Control Panel
Then click on Programs and Features
Navigate to Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Right-click on it and select Uninstall
Then open the Steam client for your PC
From the Store download the game back on your PC.

So, these are some of the most simple troubleshooting processes you can follow to fix the start-up crash issue of the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion game. Do share this guide with your gamer friends as well.