When something stops working, the cause is usually recent and boring. The checks for how to fix a broken heart below run from most to least likely, so stop as soon as one helps.
If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.
The short answer
Nine times out of ten this is a cached file, a stale setting or an update that half-applied. Clear those three first.
Check these first
If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. Keep changes reversible so a failed fix does not become a second problem. Give the first attempt an honest try before deciding the method does not work. Treat the numbers as a guideline; your exact result depends on your setup and current version.
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago.
If it is still broken
Check whether the service is down before spending an hour on your own machine. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem.
- Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
- Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
- Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
- Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
Fixes that require more patience
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Driver updates fix this often enough to be worth trying, and break it often enough to be worth noting first. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. The community figured most of this out through repetition, and the pattern has held up well.
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
- Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
- Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
- Trusting a video thumbnail over the actual patch notes.
Frequently asked questions
Will reinstalling fix it?
Sometimes, but it is slow and it hides the cause. Work through the checks above first; reinstalling is worth trying only after they fail.
Could a mod be causing this?
Very likely, if you have any installed. Disable all of them, confirm the problem is gone, then re-enable in batches.
Is there a faster method?
Usually yes, and usually it is riskier. The route above trades a little speed for a much lower chance of having to start over.
Bookmark this if you expect to look up how to fix a broken heart again after the next update.