# Game crashing since last hotfix **URL:** \ **Category:** AoM - Report a Bug\ **Created:** [July 4, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/game-crashing-since-last-hotfix/287428 "2026-07-04T15:02:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PadtheLad12](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/padthelad12/32/29413_2.png) [@PadtheLad12](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/PadtheLad12)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/game-crashing-since-last-hotfix/287428/1 "2026-07-04T15:02:02Z")
- ## Game Version: Standard / Premium / DLC - ## Build Number: (In-game in Settings Menu) - ## Platform: Steam / Microsoft Store / Xbox / PlayStation - ## Operating System: Windows 11 / Windows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 7 / Mac / Linux > ## Issue: The game crashes to desktop The game crashes to desktop after 3 minutes of game time, regardless of situation. It will even crash if I stay on the main menu. Affects all options: main menu, skirmish, multiplayer, campaign etc. If in a game, it will give an error message saying I have lost internet connection and crashes to desktop (will do this on singleplayer which requires no internet). > ### Trigger Event: No trigger event > ### Repro Steps: 1. Load the game 2. Do anything, or do nothing, and after 3 minutes it will crash to desktop. ---
**Author:** ![Farius](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/farius/32/211477_2.png) [@Farius](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Farius)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/game-crashing-since-last-hotfix/287428/2 "2026-07-07T17:38:37Z")
Not only there’s no trigger, it doesn’t even show a crash report or bugsplat window or anything. After around 3 minutes, it straight up sends you to desktop no matter what you’re doing. Game is unplayable, it happens every single time. ---
**Author:** ![PadtheLad12](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/padthelad12/32/29413_2.png) [@PadtheLad12](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/PadtheLad12)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 6:13pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/game-crashing-since-last-hotfix/287428/3 "2026-07-07T18:13:32Z")
You’re getting it too? Glad it’s not only me! (But frustrated for you!) ---
**Author:** ![Farius](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/farius/32/211477_2.png) [@Farius](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Farius)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/game-crashing-since-last-hotfix/287428/4 "2026-07-07T18:32:46Z")
Yes, it’s been happening not just last patch, I think it started on the June 29th patch. I’ll leave my specs in case it helps: - Windows 10 64bit - intel i5-11600 processor - 2 x 16 GB RAM - RTX 4070 graphics card ---
**Author:** ![Evokexsand](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/evokexsand/32/172798_2.png) [@Evokexsand](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Evokexsand)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/game-crashing-since-last-hotfix/287428/5 "2026-07-07T18:46:36Z")
We are investigating reports of players experiencing crashes a few minutes after launching the game across **multiple Age of Empires** titles. We’re actively working on it and will share updates as soon as we have more information. There are steps that have worked for some players to resolve the issue including disabling run as an administrator in the game properties and launching the game directly from Steam. ---
**Author:** ![Farius](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/farius/32/211477_2.png) [@Farius](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Farius)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/game-crashing-since-last-hotfix/287428/6 "2026-07-07T19:20:20Z")
Oh damn, this actually worked for me. I had run as administrator from a previous issue that got resolved time ago. I didn’t imagine having it enabled would cause a different issue so I didn’t even consider it. Thanks for the help! ---
**Author:** ![PadtheLad12](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/padthelad12/32/29413_2.png) [@PadtheLad12](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/PadtheLad12)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2026, 11:08am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/game-crashing-since-last-hotfix/287428/7 "2026-07-08T11:08:44Z")
This worked for me too - many thanks devs for monitoring, responding and keeping track! We all greatly appreciate it and the work you are putting in