Known Issues & Solutions

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About This Page

This page collects common fixes for Holdfast: Nations at War across PC, Linux, Steam Deck, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5. Start here before opening a support ticket, especially if the issue involves crashing, missing servers, VoIP, black screens, loading problems, or Steam file errors.

For any query that is not solved here, reach out to Tech Support in the official Holdfast Discord: discord.gg/holdfastgame.

Essential Diagnostics

Before submitting a ticket, run these checks first. They rule out local corruption, missing dependencies, and lost crash logs.

Integrity Validation (Steam)

Asset corruption is a common cause of pink textures, missing materials, and map load crashes.

  • Procedure: Right-click Holdfast: Nations at War in Steam > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.
  • Note: Steam will re-acquire any file that fails validation.

Error Logging & Console Access

  • F2 Console: Press F2 in-game. Red lines are fatal errors. Yellow lines are warnings.
  • Local Logs: Crash data is stored at %userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow\Anvil Game Studio\Holdfast NaW\Player.log.
  • Critical: Copy Player.log immediately after a crash. Relaunching the game overwrites it.

Drivers & System Checks

  • NVIDIA: Update through the NVIDIA App or nvidia.com/drivers.
  • AMD: Update through AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition or amd.com/support.
  • Intel: Update through Intel Driver & Support Assistant or intel.com/download-center.
  • Windows: Install pending Windows updates, then restart before testing again.

PC & Console Troubleshooting

Issue 1 - Black Screen on Launch (Audio or Music Playing)

Status: GPU scaling and display handshake conflict

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Issue: The game is running and audio is playing, but the display remains black or shows no signal.

The Cause: The game's internal resolution can disagree with display scaling, VRR, 120Hz output, or fullscreen mode.

The Fix PC:

  • NVIDIA App: Open NVIDIA App > Graphics > Global Settings. Set Image Scaling to Off.
  • NVIDIA Control Panel: Right-click Desktop > NVIDIA Control Panel > Adjust desktop size and position. Under scaling mode, choose No Scaling and click Apply.
  • AMD Software: Open AMD Software > Gaming > Games > Holdfast: Nations At War. Under Display, set Scaling Mode to Preserve Aspect Ratio.
  • AMD Integer Scaling: Set Integer Scaling to Disabled.
  • Alt + Enter: If the screen is black but audio is playing, press Alt + Enter to force Windows to toggle display mode.

Manual Resolution Reset (PC):

  1. Press Win + R, type %localappdata%low, and open Anvil Game Studio > Holdfast NaW.
  2. Open HoldfastOptions.ini with Notepad.
  3. Find fullscreenMode and change the value to 1 for Windowed mode.
  4. Save the file and relaunch the game. Once the image appears, set your preferred resolution in-game.

The Fix Console:

  • Xbox: Settings > TV & Display Options > Video Modes. Uncheck Allow Variable Refresh Rate.
  • PS5: Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Set VRR and 120 Hz Output to Off.
  • Launch the game. Once visuals appear, you can test re-enabling those settings.
Issue 2 - High Polling Rate Stutter (Mouse Lag)

Status: Input thread saturation

Affected Platforms: PC

The Issue: The camera hitches or FPS drops hard when moving the mouse, even on strong hardware.

The Cause: Mouse polling rates at 4,000Hz or 8,000Hz can flood the engine with input events.

The Fix: Open your mouse software, such as Razer Synapse or Logitech G Hub, and lower the polling rate to 1,000Hz or 500Hz.

Issue 3 - Cannot Hear Others Or Speak Through VoIP

Status: Dependency, audio device, or system chat conflict

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Issue: You cannot hear players, transmit voice, or have other players hear your custom midi music. On PC, the F2 console may show DllNotFoundException: opus.

The Fix PC:

  • Install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
  • Make sure Windows microphone access is enabled: Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
  • Ensure Let desktop apps access your microphone is enabled for Holdfast.
  • Press Win + R, type mmsys.cpl, open your microphone properties, then disable Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
  • If VoIP still fails, test disabling IPv6 on your active network adapter.
  • If custom midi music still cannot be heard by other players after the normal music checks, your account may be VoIP muted. To appeal a mute, use the Holdfast: Official Discord appeal channel with your Steam profile or SteamID and a short explanation.

The Fix Console:

  • Switch from Party Chat to Game Chat.
  • Hold Y on Xbox or Triangle on PS5 to transmit. Holdfast uses push-to-talk.
  • Xbox: Settings > Network > Advanced > Alternate MAC Address > Clear. This restarts the console and resets the VoIP handshake.
Issue 4 - Crashing on Launch or Splash Screen Freeze

Status: Software conflict or file corruption

Affected Platforms: PC

The Issue: The game crashes during startup, freezes on the splash screen, or fails before the menu appears.

The Fix:

  • Verify Files: Run Steam file validation from Properties > Installed Files.
  • Mono Cleanup: Go to \Steam\steamapps\common\Holdfast Nations At War, delete the MonoBleedingEdge folder, then verify game files.
  • Citrix Conflict: If you use Citrix Workspace, disable Citrix Indirect Display Adapter in Windows Device Manager.
  • Virtual Display Drivers: Disable Virtual Desktop, Meta Quest Link, or Pico virtual display adapters if they are active.
  • Overlays: Close MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, Discord Overlay, Steam Overlay, and similar software while testing.
  • Admin Mode: Right-click Holdfast NaW.exe and select Run as administrator.
Issue 5 - Cannot See Servers In Lobby

Status: Master server, routing, filter, or authentication issue

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Issue: The server browser appears empty, does not populate, or remains stuck on connecting.

Phase 1: Soft Refresh

  • Click Refresh several times.
  • Make sure Hide Empty and Hide Full are unchecked.
  • Move the Max Ping slider all the way right.

Phase 2: Network & Security (PC)

  • Temporarily disable antivirus tools such as AVG, Avast, or McAfee.
  • Check Windows Defender Firewall rules for Holdfast.
  • Disable VPN software. If the issue persists, test a VPN in another region to rule out ISP routing.
  • Power cycle your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Phase 3: Join Custom Server Bypass

  1. Open the Server Browser.
  2. If the list is empty, click Join Custom Server.
  3. PC: Look for an official server dropdown or official server option, then connect directly.
  4. Console: Use the simplified custom server menu and fetch the official list using the on-screen prompt.

Phase 4: Platform Authentication

  • PC (Steam): Log out of Steam fully, then log back in to refresh your Steam ticket.
  • Xbox/PS5: Fully shut down the console instead of using Sleep or Rest mode.
  • Friend Join: Join a friend directly through Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation friends list.
  • Mobile Hotspot Test: If servers appear on hotspot but not Wi-Fi, your ISP or router may be blocking the connection.
Issue 6 - Black or Green Screen Artifacts

Status: Post-processing desync

Affected Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S

The Issue: Flickering colors or black/green artifacts appear, often when switching between first and third person or during heavy naval combat.

The Fix:

  • Go to Settings > Video.
  • Disable Motion Blur and Depth of Field.
  • Xbox Series S: If crashes continue, disable High Quality Textures to reduce memory pressure.
Issue 7 - Reload Animation State Lock

Status: Animation buffer error

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Issue: Your character has ammunition but refuses to start reloading.

The Fix: Quickly open and close text chat. Use Enter on PC, View Button on Xbox, or Touchpad on PS5. This forces the character back to an idle state and clears the reload block.

Issue 8 - Screen Flickering or Unresponsive After Alt-Tab

Status: Display mode conflict

Affected Platforms: PC

The Issue: The game flickers, becomes unresponsive, or gets stuck after minimizing or alt-tabbing.

The Fix:

  • Set Window Mode to Borderless Window in video settings.
  • Disable Discord Overlay and Steam Overlay while testing.
  • In Windows, enable Optimizations for windowed games under Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings.
  • Avoid using -window-mode exclusive in launch options.
Issue 9 - Level 1 or Rank Progress Reset

Status: Cloud sync delay

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Issue: Your rank appears as Level 1 despite having previous progress.

The Fix: Do not reinstall. Join an Official Server and play one full round. The server should force-fetch your profile and restore your rank at the end of the match.

Issue 10 - Stuck on Map Loading Screen

Status: Asset loading or network desync

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Issue: The loading bar reaches 90-100% but the game never enters the spawn menu.

The Fix PC:

  • Verify game files in Steam.
  • If joining modded servers, clear or re-download workshop content.
  • Move the game to an SSD if it is installed on an older HDD.
  • Test VPN off and on, since routing issues can block the final server handshake.

The Fix Console:

  • Install the game on the internal SSD.
  • Xbox: Do not use Quick Resume. Highlight the game tile > Menu Button > Quit, then relaunch.
  • Xbox: Settings > Network > Advanced Settings > Alternate MAC Address > Clear.
  • PS5: Boot into Safe Mode and use Clear Cache and Rebuild Database if specific maps always freeze.
  • If official servers fail, test DNS such as Primary 8.8.8.8 and Secondary 1.1.1.1.
Issue 11 - Fatal Crash on Startup (Citrix Workspace)

Status: Citrix virtual display conflict

Affected Platforms: PC

The Cause: Citrix Workspace installs virtual display components that can block Unity's GPU initialization.

How To Confirm:

  1. Press Win + R, type %localappdata%low, and open Anvil Game Studio > Holdfast NaW.
  2. Open Player.log.
  3. If you see GfxDevice: creating device client; threaded=1 followed by a crash, Citrix may be the cause.

The Fix:

  • Option A: Device Manager > Display adapters > Disable Citrix Indirect Display Adapter.
  • Option B: Device Manager > System devices > Disable Citrix Virtual Bus Enumerator.
  • Option C: Install the Microsoft Store version of Citrix Workspace, which uses a different driver setup.

You may need to re-enable these devices later for work remote desktop sessions.

Issue 12 - Fatal Crash on Startup (Virtual Desktop & VR Drivers)

Status: GPU initialization conflict

Affected Platforms: PC

The Issue: Virtual Desktop, Meta Quest Link, Pico Connect, or similar software can create a virtual monitor that the game tries to initialize instead of the physical GPU.

The Fix:

  • Device Manager > Display adapters > Disable Virtual Desktop Monitor, Meta Quest Link Display, or Pico Virtual Display.
  • Fully close VR streamer apps before launching Holdfast.
  • Disable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling under Windows Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings, then restart.

Log Clue: If Player.log shows GfxDevice: creating device client; threaded=1 followed by Crash!!! or Device Lost, an active virtual display driver is likely involved.

Issue 13 - Cannot Join Modded Server

Status: Workshop handshake or sync conflict

Affected Platforms: PC

The Cause: The client and server cannot synchronize required mod files.

The Fix:

  1. In Steam, go to Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache.
  2. Close Holdfast and Steam. Go to Steam\userdata\[YourSteamID]\ugc\workshop and delete subscriptions.vdf.
  3. If a specific mod is stuck, go to Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\589290 and delete the affected content so Steam can redownload it.
Issue 14 - No Main Menu

Status: UI layer initialization error

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Issue: The background scene loads, but the Join Game, Armoury, and Settings buttons never appear.

The Fix PC:

  1. Close the game.
  2. Press Win + R, type %localappdata%low, and open Anvil Game Studio > Holdfast NaW.
  3. Delete HoldfastOptions.ini.
  4. Relaunch the game so the file is regenerated.

UI Safe Mode (PC):

  • Steam > Holdfast > Properties > Launch Options.
  • Add -screen-width 1920 -screen-height 1080.
  • Relaunch and remove the launch option after the menu is fixed.

Console Language Test: On Xbox or PS5, set the console language to English as a test if the menu still fails to appear.

Issue 15 - Microphone Not Working

Status: Audio device handshake or OS privacy conflict

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Fix PC:

  • Windows Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Turn on microphone access.
  • Enable Let desktop apps access your microphone.
  • Press Win + R, type mmsys.cpl, and open your microphone's advanced properties. Disable exclusive mode.
  • If VoIP fails on some routers, test disabling IPv6 on your active adapter.

The Fix Console:

  • Switch from Party Chat to Game Chat.
  • Hold Y on Xbox or Triangle on PS5 to transmit.
  • If the mic works elsewhere but not in Holdfast, clear Alternate MAC Address on Xbox.
Issue 16 - Game Stuck on Map Load

Status: Asset synchronization or network timeout

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Fix PC:

  • Verify game files through Steam.
  • If this happens mostly on modded servers, refresh workshop content.
  • Move the game to an SSD if installed on an HDD.
  • Test VPN off and on to rule out routing issues.

The Fix Console:

  • Xbox: Fully quit the game instead of using Quick Resume.
  • Xbox: Clear Alternate MAC Address from network settings.
  • PS5: Clear cache and rebuild database if the same maps repeatedly freeze.
  • DNS: If official servers are affected, test Primary DNS 8.8.8.8 and Secondary DNS 1.1.1.1.
Issue 17 - Reginald 'One Eyed' Fitzgerald Head Not Unlocking

Status: Legacy unlock method replaced

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Cause: Rewards are no longer tracked through local Discord app detection. You must link your game profile to Discord in-game.

The Fix:

  1. Join the Official Holdfast Discord.
  2. Open Holdfast and go to Armoury > Social.
  3. Select Link Discord and copy the challenge code.
  4. Go to the Discord channel used for game profile linking and follow the bot instructions.
  5. Return to the Armoury once the bot confirms the link.

Steam Related Issues

Steam Issue - 1 - Content File Locked or Write Error

Status: File permission conflict

Affected Platforms: PC

The Cause: Windows, Steam, or antivirus software is preventing Steam from modifying the game after a patch.

The Fix:

  • Restart your PC to clear locked file handles.
  • Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache.
  • Right-click Steam > Properties > Compatibility > enable Run this program as an administrator.
  • Temporarily disable antivirus software while updating, then re-enable it after the update completes.
Steam Issue - 2 - Workshop Mods Causing Issues
  • Clear Steam's download cache.
  • Delete stuck workshop content from Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\589290.
  • Rejoin the server so Steam downloads clean mod files.
Steam Issue - 3 - EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat) Errors
  • Navigate to the game's install folder and run the EAC setup tool manually.
  • Close third-party software that may interfere with EAC, including some RGB, macro, or overlay tools.

Linux Troubleshooting

Holdfast is not a native Linux title and generally requires Steam Play with Proton. Proton support can vary by distribution, driver stack, and filesystem. Some distributions include Proton support by default, while others require additional setup. If Proton is not available in Steam, install and enable Steam Play first. A community guide for installing Proton is available here: Installing Proton.

Linux Issue - 1 - Game Does Not Launch Under Proton

Status: Proton compatibility, runtime, or local file issue

Affected Platforms: Linux PC, Steam Deck, SteamOS

Try This First:

  • Verify Files: Steam > Holdfast > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.

Force A Proton Version:

  1. Open your Steam Library and right-click Holdfast: Nations At War.
  2. Select Properties > Compatibility.
  3. Enable Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool.
  4. Try Proton Experimental, Proton 8.0, or GE-Proton.
  5. Restart Steam, then launch the game again.

Optional Proton-GE Setup:

  • Download GE-Proton from GloriousEggroll/proton-ge-custom.
  • Place it in ~/.steam/root/compatibilitytools.d/.
  • Restart Steam and select GE-Proton from Properties > Compatibility.
Linux Issue - 2 - Steam Runtime Or Dependency Problems

Status: Missing Steam Linux Runtime components

The Issue: Proton gets stuck, fails to install dependencies, or the game exits before opening.

The Fix:

  • Search your Steam Library for Steam Linux Runtime - Sniper.
  • Search your Steam Library for Steam Linux Runtime - Soldier.
  • Make sure both runtimes are downloaded and installed on the same drive as Holdfast.
  • Restart Steam after installing or moving runtime components.
Linux Issue - 3 - exFAT, NTFS, Or Permission Issues

Status: Proton filesystem incompatibility

The Issue: If Holdfast is installed on an exFAT or NTFS Steam library, Proton may fail silently or close immediately.

The Fix:

  • Move the game to a native Linux filesystem such as ext4, btrfs, or xfs.
  • Use your distribution's partition manager, such as GParted, if you need to create or resize Linux partitions.
  • Steam > Holdfast > Properties > Installed Files > Move Install Folder.
Linux Issue - 4 - Steam Overlay Or Gamemode Crash

Status: Overlay preload or launch wrapper conflict

Common Log Error: ERROR: ld.so: object 'gameoverlayrenderer.so' ... wrong ELF class

The Fix:

  • Disable the Steam Overlay for Holdfast: Steam > Right-click Holdfast > Properties > disable Steam Overlay.
  • If Gamemode is injecting incorrectly, add this launch option:

gamemoderun=0 %command%

Gentoo Note: Unity games may fail when Steam's overlay preloads 32-bit libraries on Gentoo. Disabling the Steam Overlay is the recommended first test.

Linux Issue - 5 - Corrupted Proton Prefix

Status: Broken Proton compatibility prefix

The Issue: Corrupted prefixes can cause silent crashes or repeat startup failures.

The Fix:

  1. Close Holdfast and Steam.
  2. Delete this folder: ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/589290/.
  3. Relaunch Holdfast so Proton rebuilds a clean prefix.
Linux Issue - 6 - Missing Vulkan Drivers

Status: Missing 32-bit or 64-bit Vulkan stack

The Issue: Holdfast runs on Unity through Proton and requires working Vulkan drivers. Missing 32-bit Vulkan support can cause instant launch failures.

Arch / CachyOS:

  • sudo pacman -S vulkan-icd-loader lib32-vulkan-icd-loader

Fedora / Nobara:

  • sudo dnf install vulkan-loader.i686 vulkan-loader.x86_64

Ubuntu / Mint:

  • sudo apt install mesa-vulkan-drivers mesa-vulkan-drivers:i386

Gentoo Multilib Setup:

  • eselect profile list
  • eselect profile set <multilib profile>

Gentoo Vulkan Packages:

  • emerge -av media-libs/mesa
  • emerge -av media-libs/mesa[abi_x86_32]
  • emerge -av media-libs/vulkan-loader
  • emerge -av media-libs/vulkan-loader[abi_x86_32]

Gentoo NVIDIA:

  • Install nvidia-drivers.
  • Make sure the relevant USE flags are enabled, including opengl, X, tools, and abi_x86_32.

Gentoo AMD:

  • Use Mesa with vulkan-radeon and abi_x86_32 enabled.
Linux Issue - 7 - Wayland, Citrix, Or Startup Conflicts

Status: Display server or injected library conflict

Wayland Test:

  • Some Unity games fail under certain Wayland compositor setups.
  • Try running Steam from an X11 session.
  • As a test, add this launch option: PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command%.

Citrix Workspace Conflict:

  • Citrix Workspace can inject libraries that cause fatal Unity startup crashes.
  • If Citrix is installed, remove it using your distribution's package manager.
  • Debian / Ubuntu example: sudo apt remove icaclient.
  • Gentoo example: emerge -C icaclient.
Linux Issue - 8 - Diagnostic Logs

Status: Use logs to identify the actual failure

Enable Proton Logs:

  1. Open Steam > Holdfast > Properties > General.
  2. In Launch Options, add PROTON_LOG=1 %command%.
  3. Launch the game and allow it to fail.
  4. Check your Home directory for steam-589290.log.

Run Steam From Terminal:

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. Run steam.
  3. Launch Holdfast and watch the terminal output.

Useful Errors To Look For:

  • Missing Vulkan ICDs.
  • wrong ELF class overlay preload errors.
  • Proton prefix corruption.
  • Unity crash signatures.

Game Tips

Game Tip 1 - Orbit Camera Not Working

Status: Regional keyboard conflict

Affected Platforms: PC

The Cause: If the tilde ~ key is unresponsive, it may be due to a regional keyboard layout.

The Fix: Go to Settings > Keys and rebind Orbit Camera to Left Alt, Caps Lock, or another comfortable key.

Game Tip 2 - Auto Bayonet Switch

Status: Recommended setting check

The Cause: If you stab when you meant to fire, Auto Switch Bayonet may be enabled.

The Fix: Go to Settings > Game and set Auto Switch Bayonet to Off.

Game Tip 3 - Melee Fluidity and Input Type

Status: Engine feature

The Cause: If melee feels stiff or restrictive, check the melee sensitivity type.

The Fix:

  1. Go to Settings > Game > Advanced Settings.
  2. Find Melee Sensitivity Type.
  3. Raw: Best for high-level players who want direct camera control.
  4. Smooth: Better for newer players who find melee camera movement too jittery.

Sensitivity Tip: Set melee combat sensitivity high enough that you can comfortably block in all directions. Many players prefer at least 2.0 on PC or slightly higher on console.

Game Tip 4 - Recording & Shadowplay

Status: Capture setup note

Affected Platforms: PC

The Fix:

  • Set the game to Borderless Window in video settings.
  • Open the NVIDIA App and ensure Desktop Capture is enabled in privacy settings.
  • Do not use -window-mode exclusive. It can cause crashes when alt-tabbing and interfere with capture tools.
  • If capture fails after an update, verify game files to refresh the local install.
Game Tip 5 - Stuttering, G-Sync, and NVIDIA Reflex

Status: Performance tuning

Affected Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

The Fix PC (NVIDIA):

  • Enable NVIDIA Reflex in video settings if available.
  • Disable in-game V-Sync while testing.
  • Use a frame cap below your monitor refresh rate if G-Sync or FreeSync is active.

The Fix PC (AMD):

  • Enable Radeon Anti-Lag if available.
  • Set a frame cap slightly below your monitor refresh rate.

The Fix Console:

  • Use Performance Mode in video settings if available.
  • Disable VRR or 120Hz output temporarily if the display becomes unstable.

Server-Side Issues

Server Issue - 1 - Server Latency Issues

If the server you are hosting is experiencing latency problems, check the following before escalating.

The server hosting documentation can be found here:

Host Your Own Game Server - Documentation

Take note of the following:

  1. Make sure your CPU has a core speed of at least 3.6 GHz.
  2. Avoid exceeding your available bandwidth.
  3. Run the game server on a single physical and logical core.
  4. Set the server machine's Windows Power Options to High Performance.
  5. Install the latest Windows updates.
  6. Follow the documented folder structure. Copy holdfast_naw_public_servers to your root drive, then include the game files inside holdfast_naw_public_server.
  7. Port forward the game ports through firewall and router, both outbound and inbound, over UDP.
  8. Do not rename Holdfast NaW.exe.
  9. Do not switch the same running server between Naval and Army game modes.
Server Issue - 2 - High Ping / Rubberbanding
  • Connect to servers in your region.
  • Test with Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi.
  • Close downloads, streams, and cloud sync tools while playing.
  • If the server is community-hosted, test another server to rule out host-side issues.

Server Administration

  • For server hosting guides and configuration, see Server Hosting and Server Configuration.
  • Custom map rotations and game mode settings can be configured with the documented server configuration files.
Last edited by Xarkanoth on 15:10, 7 July 2026Version History