💥 How to Fish Crashes - Fixes

Most launch crashes and black or gray screens clear with the first four steps below. Apply them in order before trying anything more invasive.

• Run the game as administrator.
• Update GPU drivers.
• Verify the integrity of game files (Steam → Properties → Installed Files).
• Allow the game through Windows Firewall.

If the quick fix did not help, work through the remaining community-verified fixes compiled from sources such as Sportskeeda.

• Use compatibility mode or disable fullscreen optimizations.
• Try Steam launch options: -dx11 or -dx12.
• Force the dedicated GPU: Windows Graphics Settings → add the game → High Performance.
• Disable the Steam Overlay.
• Clear the Steam download cache.
• Install or repair the Visual C++ Redistributables.
• Last resort: reinstall the game.

Meaning: Windows Smart App Control has blocked the game's executable from launching. This is a launch-policy interception — not an in-game crash, a save file problem, or a rendering issue.

• Keep Smart App Control enabled — do not disable system security features right away.
• Restart Windows and Steam.
• Update Windows and Microsoft Defender (install all pending security updates, then restart).
• Steam → verify the integrity of game files.
• Remove any third-party modifications, replaced EXEs or custom launchers.
• Re-verify the files afterwards.

💡 Microsoft states there is no official per-application bypass for Smart App Control — do not download unofficial EXEs.

A separate case from launch crashes: the screen goes black when joining a lobby. Ensure all players run the same game version, create a new lobby, or switch to a different host.

Since patch 1.0.6, crashes no longer write to new save files — a crash mid-session cannot corrupt a fresh save slot. Normal saves run an auto-save every minute plus manual saves whenever the player chooses Save / Main Menu / Quit. Manual saving after important progress is still recommended.