Baldur's Gate 3 stuck on loading screen
✅ Verified on 2026-11-15 · Baldur's Gate 3 version Hotfix #36 (4.1.1.7631656, Sept 29, 2026) · Platform: PC (Steam)
Quick fix
Delete the contents of %LocalAppData%\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\Mods and unsubscribe from all Steam Workshop mods, then relaunch — outdated mods are the most frequent cause of infinite loading screens.
Symptoms
The game launches but hangs forever on a loading screen or the 'Press any key' screen, most often after installing mods or a patch, with corrupted local settings and outdated mods being the usual culprits.
Fixes that work
Remove mods and reset the Larian settings folder
- Go to %LocalAppData%\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\Mods and delete everything inside.
- Unsubscribe from all mods in Steam and relaunch the game — players have traced infinite loading to specific mods (e.g. 'No Press Any Key') after patches.
- If it still hangs, rename or delete the whole 'Baldur's Gate 3' subfolder in %LocalAppData%\Larian Studios so settings regenerate fresh.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/comments/1k3k2fa/bg3_keeps_crashing
Verify files, run as admin, and disable overlays
- Verify integrity of game files: Steam > right-click BG3 > Properties > Installed Files > Verify.
- Run bg3_dx11.exe (or bg3.exe) as administrator: right-click > Run as administrator.
- Turn off the Steam overlay (Steam > Settings > In Game) and other overlays, then relaunch.
Switch renderer and cap frame rate
- Switch between Vulkan and DirectX 11 in the launcher — a renderer problem can present as a hang instead of a crash.
- Cap the frame rate / enable VSync with double buffering to reduce memory strain during heavy loading scenes.
- If nothing works, submit a ticket to Larian support — they respond with step-by-step troubleshooting for persistent hangs.
Frequently asked questions
Why is BG3 stuck on the loading screen after updates?
Outdated or incompatible mods are the most common cause after patches — clear the Mods folder in %LocalAppData%\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3 and unsubscribe from Workshop mods before other troubleshooting.
Will deleting the Larian Studios folder erase my saves?
No — your saves live in %LocalAppData%\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\SaveGames, so back that subfolder up first and only reset the settings/Mods content.
Does the BG3 launcher itself cause hangs?
Yes — the launcher can hang or crash before the game starts; adding --skip-launcher to the Steam launch options starts the game directly and bypasses launcher problems.