Issue Type (Required):
Crash - on Launch
Issue Description (Required):
Launcher starts fine. After pressing play it starts loading the game and crashes 3 seconds later. Have already tried disabling mods and verifying files through Steam.
[PC] Do You Use Mods? (Optional):
Yes, and I’ve tried disabling them
Reproduction Rate (Required):
Constant (100%)
Platform (Required):
PC - Steam
[PC] Crash Report (Optional):
GUID: 3235b022-1852-40dc-996a-dea1f7c8f9a7
Log File:
Info Type:
[Script Error]: scripts/foundation/utilities/testify.lua:37: attempt to index global ‘cjson’ (a nil value)
[PC] Upload Console Log & darktide_launcher.log (Optional):
console-2026-06-23-12.13.32-3235b022-1852-40dc-996a-dea1f7c8f9a7.log (22.8 KB)darktide_launcher.log (847 KB)
Sorry to hear this @AlexTheRandom
Just to check, did you disable the mod framework? or just your specific mods?
@AlexTheRandom from what we can see lua_cjson_pluginw64_release.dll is not being loaded correctly. Usually verifying files should resolve this - but I appreciate you mentioned trying this already.
In which case, please check Anti-Virus software and ensure it isn’t quarantining any files. It may also help to add appropriate Anti-Virus and Firewall exceptions for Darktide.
Please let me know how it goes!
You were right about the antivirus doing some weird stuff. It’s Windows Defender although im not too sure what else i can disable since ive already turned everything off.
Thanks for the update! If Windows Defender has quarantined any files, are you able to restore them?
If not, please try verifying integrity of game files again after disabling AV or adding exceptions.
The only way i was able to tell was a notification. It doesnt show anything in the quarantined nor in the blocked sections. Im not even able to get it to show every time. I am verifying files again to see if i can get it to block it again so i can see the notification.
edit: The easiest way i could add exceptions was the entire folder of the game directory in the steam folder and the one in %appdata%. Is there anything else i should add?
edit 2: I verified the game files again. Same crash happened again.
For exceptions that should do it. Though if you can specifically add the Darktide.exe that may be beneficial.
It may also be helpful to try:
- Go to the Darktide binaries folder. The path should be similar to this:
\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Warhammer 40,000 DARKTIDE\binaries
- Locate the file ‘lua_cjson_pluginw64_release.dll’
- Right-click and select ‘Properties’
- Under the ‘General’ tab, if you see a Security section with a checkbox to ‘Unblock’, then select this
Otherwise,
Try deleting the file ‘lua_cjson_pluginw64_release.dll’ and then verifying integrity of game files to restore a new dll file.
Weirdly enough that file is missing. I’m doing yet another file verification to see if it pops up again. I also added the darktide.exe to the exceptions.
Hmm okay, that makes me think that it has been quarantined, and it’s remaining blocked when verifying files.
In which case, now you’ve added AV exceptions, a clean reinstall may help and will at least ensure a clean slate (please note custom settings e.g. keybinds, graphics, loadouts etc. will be reset):
https://support.fatshark.se/hc/en-us/articles/360034118394--PC-How-to-Perform-a-Clean-Re-Installation-of-Vermintide-2-or-Darktide
Alright, thank you for your help! I’ll try that next.
Managed to fix it. Windows Smart app control was blocking darktide (along with other games) from launching. Turning it off fixed it in case you run into this again. Thank you for your help!
Ah good catch! Thank you for sharing your solution - it may help others that run into this issue too 