Demo crashes and fixes
Stronghold 4 Demo Problems: Crashes and Fixes
The Stronghold 4 demo crashing or not starting? Here are the 7 problems demo players run into, with the error text you see. 4 have a fix from Firefly itself; for the rest we say plainly what is not known yet.
Last updated Game version: Pre-launch (demo and official info, October 2026)
1. The demo crashes while loading, at the end of the loading screen, or when you click Free Build
Firefly's fixError message:
An Unreal process has crashed: UE-Stronghold4Update your graphics card driver first. Then start the demo with the DirectX 11 option: pick it in the window that opens at start, or in Steam right-click Stronghold 4 Demo, open Properties, and under General set it in the Launch Options list. If it still crashes, write what you were doing into the Crash Reporter box; it sends Firefly the crash log.
2. Out of video memory crash
Firefly's fixError message:
Out of video memory trying to allocate a rendering resourceSteam lists a graphics card with at least 3 GB of its own memory (GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB) as the minimum and 6 GB (RTX 2060) as recommended. Check your card with our spec checker, update the driver and try the DirectX 11 option as above. Below 3 GB the demo is under the official minimum.
3. The demo will not start on a Mac, in CrossOver, Parallels or Wine
Firefly's fixError message:
Required: Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 RedistributableFirefly does not support macOS, virtual machines or translation layers such as Parallels or Wine, and has set no time aside for other platforms. It may look at compatibility during Early Access, but says it is not a priority. Only a Windows PC is supported.
4. Crashes on Linux with Proton, or on the Steam Deck
Firefly's fixSteam lists Stronghold 4 for Windows only, and the game has no Steam Deck rating yet. Running it through Proton is the same kind of translation layer Firefly does not support.
5. The game stops moving (units frozen) or a menu will not close
Report it to FireflyThere is no confirmed fix yet. Firefly asks for bug reports through the Contact Us button at the bottom of its Stronghold 4 support page: describe the bug, the steps to make it happen again, add screenshots or a short video and a DxDiag file of your PC.
6. Cannot find a way to save in the demo
Not confirmed yetNot confirmed yet: Firefly has not said whether the demo saves progress. The full game lists Save Anytime and Steam Cloud among its features on Steam.
7. How to turn buildings and gates
Not confirmed yetNot confirmed yet. Firefly has not listed the demo controls, and whether buildings can be turned freely has not been announced. We add the key here once we have checked it in the game.
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Before you try anything else
Start with two steps: update your graphics card driver, then start the demo with DirectX 11 instead of DirectX 12. Firefly gives this advice for crashes while loading or loading into a level. Then check that your PC meets the minimum: 16 GB of RAM and a graphics card with at least 3 GB of memory. Our Stronghold 4 spec checker does it line by line.
The demo is a test build
The demo is a work-in-progress version, released to collect feedback before the Early Access launch on December 7. Firefly asks players to use the feedback form in the demo and its Crash Reporter, and says it squashes as many bugs as it can before every release. What the demo contains is on our Stronghold 4 demo page; for Mac and console questions see Stronghold 4 platforms. You can download the demo from the Steam store page.
We add new problems and fixes as Firefly answers them. Also see the official Stronghold 4 Steam page for patch notes.
Questions
Why does the Stronghold 4 demo crash?
For crashes while loading or when starting Free Build, Firefly’s advice is to update your graphics driver, then start the demo with the DirectX 11 option from the start-up window or Steam’s launch options.
How do I fix “Out of video memory” in Stronghold 4?
Make sure your graphics card has at least 3 GB of its own memory, the official minimum (6 GB recommended), update the driver and try the DirectX 11 option.
Does the Stronghold 4 demo work on Mac, Linux or Steam Deck?
Not officially. Firefly supports Windows only and does not support Parallels, Wine, CrossOver or other translation layers; the game has no Steam Deck rating yet.
How do I report a Stronghold 4 bug?
Use the Contact Us button at the bottom of Firefly’s Stronghold 4 support page, with a description, the steps to repeat it, screenshots or a short video and a DxDiag file.
Official sources
- Firefly support: Stronghold 4 crashed, what should I do?
- Firefly support: Can I play the demo on Mac or use Parallels or Wine?
- Firefly support: How do I submit a bug?
- Steam store page: Stronghold 4 (system requirements, features)
Last checked October 28, 2026. Before launch this page follows Firefly's own description and the demo; after launch we add what is confirmed in the game.
Continue reading
Next stepCrashing often? Check your PC against the official specs first.Can I Run It?Pick your Windows, RAM, graphics memory and drive, and see line by line whether your PC meets the minimum or recommended specs.Go there Related pages
PlatformsStronghold 4 on PS5, Xbox, Mac and Steam DeckWindows PC on Steam is the only confirmed platform. What Firefly says about PS5, Xbox, Mac, Linux and the Steam Deck.
FAQStronghold 4 FAQ: Release, Demo, Price, ModesStraight answers on the release, demo, price, platforms, the 22-mission campaign, CPU lords, languages and the voice cast.
ModesStronghold 4 Multiplayer, Co-op and SkirmishNo online play at the Early Access launch: what multiplayer and co-op 1.0 brings, and every mode you can play against the AI until then.