The Far Far West Fatal Error can show up in a few different ways. For some players, the game crashes as soon as they launch it. Others get a black screen first, reach the menu and crash later, or play normally for a while before the Fatal Error suddenly appears.
That difference matters because there isn’t one single fix for every Far Far West crash. The problem can come from game files, Windows runtime files, graphics settings, drivers, mods, or a game bug. Some older launch problems were also linked with Intel AI Boost on certain PCs, although the developers later released fixes aimed at that issue.
This guide is mainly for PC and Steam players who want to work through the problem without randomly changing Windows settings. Start from the top, test the game after each useful change, and stop once you’ve found what was causing the crash.
What Does Far Far West Fatal Error Mean?
A Fatal Error means Far Far West ran into a problem serious enough that it could not keep running. The message itself doesn’t tell you exactly what failed. A crash before the menu can have a different cause from one that appears after several hours of gameplay, so pay attention to when the error happens and any extra text shown with it.
| What Happens | What to Check First |
|---|---|
| Fatal Error immediately after launch | Game update, Intel-specific issue, Visual C++, game files |
| Black screen then crash | Graphics settings, Intel-specific issue, DirectX, driver |
| Crash during a mission | Game update, game files, GPU issue |
| Crash after playing for hours | Memory use, game update, background apps |
| Visual C++ error appears | Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable |
| EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION appears | Exact crash details, files, drivers, logs |
Don’t get too stuck on the words “Fatal Error.” They’re broad. The timing and full error message are usually much more useful.
Why Does Far Far West Keep Crashing With a Fatal Error?
Far Far West has had several different crash-related bugs during its Early Access updates, so a Fatal Error doesn’t always mean something is wrong with your computer. Some earlier versions had known launch crashes, shader crashes, and possible memory problems during long play sessions. Several of those issues have since received fixes, which is why updating the game should be part of your troubleshooting.
Other common causes can still sit on the PC side:
- Old or damaged game files
- Microsoft Visual C++ runtime problems
- Outdated or unstable GPU drivers
- Mods left inside the game folders
- DirectX or rendering problems
- Intel AI Boost conflicts on some affected Intel systems
- Overlays or monitoring software interfering with the game
- High memory use during a long session
- A current game bug that needs a developer patch
The important bit is not to assume the first fix you find online applies to your PC. An Intel workaround, for example, isn’t useful if you’re running an AMD CPU.
How to Fix Far Far West Fatal Error?
Before doing anything advanced, fully restart your PC and make sure Far Far West is updated in Steam. Then work through the fixes in order. Test the game after each major change so you know what helped instead of changing six settings at once and having no idea which one mattered.
1. Restart Your PC Before Changing Anything
It sounds almost too simple, but start with a proper Windows restart. Don’t just close Far Far West and launch it again. A restart clears stuck game processes, reloads drivers, frees temporary memory, and restarts Steam services that may have been left in a bad state.
The game’s own troubleshooting advice has also recommended restarting the PC before moving into deeper fixes. Once Windows loads again, open Steam and launch Far Far West before starting a bunch of other apps. If the error comes straight back, move on.
2. Disable Far Far West Mods Before Troubleshooting
If you’ve installed any mods, remove them from the test for now. Mods can change files or behavior that the current version of Far Far West expects to work differently, especially after the game receives an update.
Don’t only disable a mod through its manager and assume every file is gone. Some manually installed mods can leave files inside the game’s folders. If you’ve added anything yourself, check how that mod was installed and remove its files properly before testing again.
This is also why troubleshooting a modded copy first can waste a lot of time. Get the normal game working, then bring your mods back later one at a time.
3. Disable Intel AI Boost on Affected Intel PCs
This fix needs a little context. Earlier Far Far West launch crashes were linked with Intel AI Boost on some systems, and disabling the Intel Neural Processor helped affected players get past Fatal Errors and black screens. The developers later released an update aimed at fixing Intel AI-related crashes, so make sure your game is fully updated before using this as a workaround.
If you’re still getting the launch crash on an affected Intel PC, you can test it:
- Right-click the Windows Start button and open Device Manager.
- Find Neural processors.
- Look for Intel(R) AI Boost or the Intel neural processing device.
- Right-click it and choose Disable device.
- Launch Far Far West again and see whether the crash changes.
Only use this step if that Intel device actually exists on your system. If you have an AMD CPU or there is no Intel AI Boost entry, skip this fix. You can also re-enable the device afterward if disabling it makes no difference.
4. Repair or Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable
Far Far West depends on Windows runtime components, and Microsoft Visual C++ is one of the important ones. If the runtime is missing, damaged, or not working properly, the game can fail during startup before you even reach the main menu.
This fix makes more sense if you see a message mentioning Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64), but it can also be worth checking after a stubborn startup Fatal Error. Far Far West’s own technical troubleshooting has specifically covered Visual C++ problems, and players have also reported startup errors disappearing after repairing the runtime.
Open the installed apps list in Windows and look for the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable packages. If the x64 package offers a repair option, run it and restart your computer. If you need to reinstall it, use Microsoft’s official redistributable package rather than downloading DLL files from random websites.
After the restart, test the game before changing anything else.
5. Verify Far Far West Game Files in Steam
A bad update, interrupted download, or damaged game file can cause crashes that look much worse than they really are. Steam can check your Far Far West installation and replace files that don’t match the expected version.
To do it:
- Open Steam.
- Go to your Library.
- Right-click Far Far West.
- Select Properties.
- Open Installed Files.
- Click Verify integrity of game files.
- Let Steam finish the check before launching the game again.
Don’t worry if Steam replaces one or more files. That’s exactly what this check is meant to do. Once verification finishes, restart the game and see whether the Fatal Error still appears.
6. Try Launching Far Far West With DirectX 11
If Far Far West reaches a black screen or crashes during graphics initialization, testing DirectX 11 can help narrow down the problem. Some players have used the -dx11 launch option while troubleshooting earlier Fatal Error cases.
In Steam, right-click Far Far West and open Properties. Under the General tab, find the launch options box and enter:
-dx11
Close the properties window and launch the game normally. If the game starts with DX11 when it wouldn’t before, the issue may be connected to the graphics path rather than the whole game installation.
Treat this as a test, not a magic permanent setting. If it does nothing or causes display problems, remove -dx11 from the launch options and continue with the next fix.
7. Update or Clean-Reinstall Your GPU Driver
Far Far West relies heavily on the graphics driver, so a broken or unstable driver can cause crashes while the game is starting, loading a map, compiling shaders, or rendering gameplay. Check whether your NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics driver is reasonably current and supported by your hardware.
If the Fatal Error started immediately after a GPU driver update, don’t assume installing another newer driver will automatically solve it. In that situation, reinstalling the driver cleanly or returning to a stable version may be a better test.
There’s another detail worth checking for AMD GPU users. Recent Far Far West updates have mentioned AMD Frame Generation related performance and crash problems. If you’re using AMD graphics and the crash seems tied to graphics settings, try testing the game with AMD FSR turned on and then off. Don’t change ten graphics settings at once. One controlled change tells you much more.
8. Disable Overlays and Background Hooking Apps
Overlays sit on top of a running game, and some monitoring or recording tools hook into the graphics process too. Most work fine, but they’re easy enough to test when you’re dealing with a crash that refuses to go away.
Temporarily turn off things such as:
- Steam Overlay
- Discord in-game overlay
- NVIDIA or AMD overlays
- FPS monitoring tools
- GPU tuning or monitoring software
- Screen capture tools that hook into games
You don’t need to uninstall everything. Disable the overlay or background feature, launch Far Far West, and see whether the behavior changes. If nothing improves, turn your normal setup back on.
This isn’t one of those fixes where every overlay should be blamed. It’s just a clean way to remove another possible layer between the game and your graphics driver.
9. Check for Far Far West Updates and Hotfixes
Far Far West is still receiving fixes, and this matters more than it does with an old finished game. The developers have already patched different launch crashes, shader crashes, mission crashes, GPU crashes, and other stability problems over time.
So before spending an hour changing Windows settings, check Steam for an update. Fully close and reopen Steam if the update doesn’t seem to appear or remains stuck.
This is especially worth doing if your Fatal Error began after a new Far Far West update or happens at the same place every time. That kind of repeatable crash can be a game-side bug rather than a bad PC configuration.
10. If the Fatal Error Happens After Hours of Playing, Restart and Check Memory Use
A crash that happens five seconds after launch is one problem. A crash that appears after two or three hours of normal gameplay points you in another direction.
Earlier Far Far West builds had known reports of possible memory problems during long sessions. That doesn’t mean every current long-session crash is a memory leak, but memory use is still worth watching if the game becomes slower before crashing.
Open Task Manager while you’re playing and occasionally check how much memory Far Far West is using. What matters most is the pattern. If usage keeps climbing during a long session and never settles, note it.
Restarting Far Far West between very long sessions can also help as a temporary test. If the game consistently works again after a restart but fails only after extended play, include that detail if you eventually report the issue to the developers.
11. Reinstall Far Far West as a Last Local Fix
Don’t jump straight to reinstalling the game. Steam’s file verification should come first because it’s much quicker and often repairs damaged files without making you download everything again.
If verification finishes normally but Far Far West still crashes, a clean reinstall becomes reasonable. Uninstall the game through Steam, make sure manually installed mod files haven’t been left behind, then reinstall it and test before adding any mods again.
Be careful with saves and other personal game data. Don’t randomly delete folders outside the normal installation just because a troubleshooting post tells you to. If you’re trying to remove saved configuration too, confirm what the folder contains first.
12. Check the Exact Crash Message and Windows Logs
If none of the normal fixes work, stop treating every crash as just “Fatal Error.” Read the full message. Far Far West’s troubleshooting material has covered errors such as EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION, and that extra information can help narrow things down.
Write down what happens right before the crash. Does it happen before the menu, when loading a map, when starting a mission, after finishing one, or after several hours? Also note whether there is an address, exception name, or another message underneath the Fatal Error.
For deeper checking, Windows Event Viewer can sometimes show which application or module crashed. You don’t need to understand every line inside it. You’re mainly collecting useful clues.
If you’re planning to ask for help, keep these details ready:
- Full error message
- CPU model
- GPU model
- RAM amount
- Windows version
- When the crash happens
- Whether the game ever worked before
- Whether mods are installed
- What fixes you’ve already tried
An EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION message alone does not prove that your RAM or another piece of hardware is broken. Don’t start replacing hardware just from that error text.
13. Contact Far Far West Support If Nothing Works
If you’ve updated Far Far West, removed mods, verified the files, checked Visual C++, tested the graphics side, and the game still crashes, it’s time to give the developers something useful to work with.
Don’t send only “game gives Fatal Error.” Explain exactly when it happens and whether you can reproduce it every time. Add your CPU, GPU, RAM, Windows version, the complete error message, and what you’ve already tested.
Details matter here. “It crashes every time I start a mission after the map finishes loading” is much more useful than “game won’t work.” The developers can compare a clear crash pattern with other reports and known issues much faster.
How to Tell Which Far Far West Fatal Error Fix to Try First?
You don’t need to run every fix in this guide. Match the first test to what your game is doing.
| Symptom | Check First | Good First Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Fatal Error immediately on launch | Game version and startup dependencies | Update game, restart PC, check Visual C++ |
| Intel PC crashes before menu | Intel-related launch issue | Update game, then test Intel AI Boost if needed |
| Black screen then Fatal Error | Graphics initialization | GPU driver and DX11 test |
| Visual C++ message | Windows runtime | Repair Visual C++ 2015-2022 x64 |
| Crash after installing mods | Modified files | Remove mods and verify files |
| Crash after several hours | Memory/resource behavior | Restart game and monitor memory |
| Crash after an update | Game files or current bug | Verify files and check for hotfixes |
| AMD GPU crash/performance issue | Graphics feature/settings | Update game and test AMD FSR settings |
Use the table as a starting point, not proof of the cause. Two PCs can show almost the same Fatal Error for completely different reasons.
Does Intel AI Boost Cause Far Far West Fatal Error?
Intel AI Boost was linked with some Far Far West launch Fatal Errors on affected Intel systems, and disabling the Intel Neural Processor worked as a temporary fix for some players. The important part is that the developers later released a game update aimed at fixing Intel AI-related crashes.
So in a current installation, update Far Far West first. If you’re fully updated and still getting the same launch crash on a PC that has Intel AI Boost, temporarily disabling it is still a useful diagnostic test. If your PC doesn’t have that device, this fix doesn’t apply to you.
Why Does Far Far West Crash After Playing for Several Hours?
A long-session crash can come from memory use, a game bug, graphics instability, or another issue that becomes noticeable only after the game has been running for a while. Earlier Far Far West updates listed possible memory leak problems during extended sessions, so there is some history behind this particular crash pattern.
That doesn’t mean you should automatically call every current crash a memory leak. Keep the game updated, monitor memory use in Task Manager, and note whether performance gets worse before the crash. If Far Far West only fails after a similar amount of play time each session, that pattern is worth reporting.
Can Corrupted Game Files Cause Far Far West Fatal Error?
Yes, damaged or incomplete files can cause Far Far West to fail at launch or crash while loading game content. It can happen after an interrupted update, storage problem, or changes made by third-party files.
That’s why Steam’s Verify integrity of game files option is one of the better early troubleshooting steps. It checks the local installation and replaces files that don’t match. If verification fixes the game, you usually don’t need to reinstall everything.
How to Prevent Far Far West Fatal Errors?
You can’t prevent every crash, especially when the cause is inside the game itself. You can still keep your installation clean and avoid creating extra problems while Far Far West continues receiving updates.
A few habits help:
- Keep Far Far West updated through Steam.
- Remove broken or outdated mods after game updates.
- Keep a stable GPU driver installed.
- Don’t delete or replace DLL files manually.
- Keep Microsoft Visual C++ runtime components installed properly.
- Avoid stacking unnecessary overlays and monitoring tools.
- Verify the game files if an update gets interrupted.
- Restart the game if a very long session starts becoming unstable.
Most importantly, don’t keep changing random Windows settings once the game works. Troubleshooting changes should have a reason behind them.
Final Thoughts
The Far Far West Fatal Error doesn’t have one fix because it can appear at different stages of the game. Start simple: restart the PC, remove mods, update Far Far West, and verify the Steam files. If you’re seeing a launch crash, check Visual C++ and graphics settings. On an affected Intel PC, Intel AI Boost can also be tested if the game is already fully updated.
Crashes that appear only after several hours deserve a different approach. Watch memory use, keep the game patched, and record exactly when the failure happens instead of repeating startup fixes that don’t match the problem.
If Far Far West is still giving you a Fatal Error, comment with when it crashes – on launch, on a black screen, during a mission, or after playing for a while. That one detail can narrow the next fix down quite a bit.