How to Fix The First Berserker Khazan Crashing/Not Loading

Souls-like games are notorious for being punishing yet incredibly rewarding, and The First Berserker: Khazan is the latest addition to this beloved genre. However, like many new releases, the game has been plagued by technical issues, with one of the most frustrating being startup crashes and black screen freezes. Many players report the game freezing on launch, forcing the mouse cursor to the top-left corner before crashing entirely.
If you're struggling to get the game running, don’t worry—this guide compiles all known fixes, including official patches, player-tested workarounds, and advanced troubleshooting steps.

Is There an Official Fix Yet?

The developers have released the first patch for The First Berserker: Khazan, addressing various bugs and performance issues. However, the startup crash problem has not yet been officially resolved. While we wait for an update, players have discovered several effective workarounds that may help you bypass the issue.

Basic Fixes to Try First

Before diving into advanced solutions, try these simple steps:

Restart Your PC – A fresh boot can resolve temporary conflicts.

Run the Game as Administrator – Right-click the game’s executable (.exe) or shortcut, select "Run as administrator", and see if it launches.

Update Windows & Drivers – Ensure your GPU drivers and Windows OS are up to date.

If these don’t work, proceed to the following fixes.

1. Delete the Problematic .dll File

Many players found that deleting a specific file resolved the crash:

• Navigate to the game’s installation folder (usually in Steam\steamapps\common\The First Berserker Khazan).
• Go to:CopyEngine\Plugins\Runtime\Nvidia\Streamline\Binaries\ThirdParty\Win64
• Locate sl.pcl.dll and delete it.
• Launch the game again.

This has worked for many players experiencing black screen crashes.

2. Roll Back or Update GPU Drivers

Outdated or buggy GPU drivers can cause crashes.

For NVIDIA Users:

• Some players fixed the issue by downgrading to driver version 566.36.
• Download it from NVIDIA’s official site.
• Perform a clean installation (check the "Clean Install" option in NVIDIA’s installer).

For AMD/Intel Users:

• Update to the latest stable drivers from AMD or Intel.

3. Delete Corrupted Save & Config Files

Corrupted settings files can prevent the game from launching.

Navigate to the game’s save folder:

• Usually in:CopyC:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\The First Berserker Khazan
• Or:CopyC:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\The First Berserker Khazan

Delete these files:

• profilesetting.sav
• gameusersetting.ini
• Any "demo" files if present.

Restart the game.

4. Disable Intro Cinematics via Steam Launch Options

If the game crashes after a short loading screen, disabling intro videos may help:

Open Steam, right-click The First Berserker: Khazan, and select Properties.

Under Launch Options, enter:Copy+noIntroCinematics

Click OK and launch the game.

5. Force DirectX 11 or 12

Some games crash due to DirectX compatibility issues.

In Steam, right-click the game > Properties.

Under Launch Options, enter:

Copy

-dx11

or

Copy

-dx12

Test which version works best.

6. Verify Game Files (Steam)

Missing or corrupted files can cause crashes.

Open Steam, go to Library.

Right-click The First Berserker: Khazan > Properties > Installed Files.

Click "Verify integrity of game files".

Wait for Steam to repair any issues.

7. Disable Antivirus & Firewall Interference

Your antivirus or firewall might block the game.

For Windows Defender:

Open Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.

Go to Manage Settings > Exclusions > Add an exclusion.

Select the game’s .exe file.

For Third-Party Antivirus:

• Add the game to the exclusion list in your antivirus settings.

For Windows Firewall:

Open Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall.

Click "Allow an app through firewall".

Find The First Berserker: Khazan and enable Private & Public access.

8. Disable Overlays & Overclocking Tools

Steam Overlay, Discord Overlay, NVIDIA ShadowPlay, MSI Afterburner, and RivaTuner can cause instability.

Disable Steam Overlay:

• Right-click the game in Steam > Properties > General > Uncheck "Enable Steam Overlay".

Close Discord Overlay:

• Open Discord > Settings > Overlay > Disable "In-Game Overlay".

Disable NVIDIA/AMD Overlays:

• Open GeForce Experience or AMD Adrenalin and turn off overlays.

Close Overclocking Tools (MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner).

9. Update Visual C++ & Windows

Missing Visual C++ Redistributables can cause crashes.

Download the latest Visual C++ Redistributable from Microsoft’s official site.

Install both x86 and x64 versions.

Restart your PC.

Also, ensure Windows is fully updated:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

10. Increase Virtual Memory (Page File)

If your system has low VRAM, increasing virtual memory may help:

Open Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings.

Under Performance, click Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory > Change.

Uncheck "Automatically manage paging file size".

Select Custom Size and set:

• Initial Size: 1.5x your RAM (e.g., 16GB RAM → 24,000 MB).
• Maximum Size: 3x your RAM (e.g., 16GB RAM → 48,000 MB).

Click OK, restart your PC, and try launching the game.

Last Resort: Reinstall the Game on an SSD

If nothing works, try reinstalling the game on an SSD (faster than HDD):

Uninstall the game via Steam.

Reinstall it on an SSD (if available).

Launch and test.

Final Thoughts

While The First Berserker: Khazan is an exciting new Souls-like, its startup crashes are frustrating. Until the developers release an official fix, these workarounds should help you get into the game.

Have any other fixes worked for you? Share them in the comments to help fellow players!

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