General Crashes & Freezes (CTD) Questions & Answers

Simulator crashes range from a clean desktop exit to a full PC restart, and the distinction matters. This hub covers FS2004 compatibility on Windows 10 and 11, Prepar3D Terrain.dll faults, unstable GPU overclocks, driver failures, overheating and power-supply symptoms. It also explains how scenery, aircraft and other add-ons can trigger repeatable CTDs.

Start with evidence rather than random tweaks: note the aircraft, location, weather and last action, then inspect event logs and isolate recent changes. The Fly Away team writes and tests these answers across simulators where possible, with practical steps for safe-mode starts, cache resets, file verification, clean driver checks and returning hardware to stock settings.