Difference between revisions of "Tech Support/Body"

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== Before Consulting the List Below - Common Solutions and Diagnostics ==
+
== 🛠️ Section I: Essential Diagnostics (Agnostic) ==
−
Whilst most problems seen here have very specific solutions, there are a few agnostic solutions that tend to work for most issues. Give these a try before proceeding to the list below.
+
Before submitting a ticket to the Official Discord, you must perform these steps to rule out local data corruption.
  
−
=== Verifying Integrity of Game Files ===
+
=== 1. Integrity Validation (Steam) ===
−
A large portion of crashes and gameplay bugs can be fixed by verifying the integrity of the game files through Steam. This process validates the presence of all game files on-disk, and will prompt Steam to re-acquire any file that fails validation (i.e. is missing). This is especially useful after updates or file changes, where there is a chance that files may be deleted or become corrupt.
+
Asset corruption is the #1 cause of "Pink Textures" (missing materials) and map load crashes.
  
−
To validate your game files:
+
* '''Procedure:''' Right-click '''Holdfast: Nations at War''' in Steam > '''Properties''' > '''Installed Files''' > '''Verify Integrity of Game Files'''.
 +
* '''Note:''' Steam will automatically re-acquire any file that fails the SHA check.
  
−
# Right-click on ''Holdfast: Nations at War'' in your Steam library and select 'Properties'.
+
=== 2. Error Logging & Console Access ===
−
# On the left side of the pop-up, select 'Local Files'
 
−
# At the bottom, click 'Verify Integrity of Game Files'
 
  
−
Steam will perform the validation process. If Steam reports that any files have failed to validate, these files will automatically be re-downloaded again.
+
* '''F2 Console:''' Press <code>F2</code> in-game. '''Red lines''' are fatal errors; '''Yellow lines''' are warnings.
 +
* '''Local Logs:''' Your crash data is stored at <code>%userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow\Anvil Game Studio\Holdfast NaW\Player.log</code>.
 +
* '''Critical:''' You must copy this file '''immediately''' after a crash. Relaunching the game overwrites it.
  
−
=== Checking Player log file and F2 Console ===
+
For any queries, please reach out to Tech Support in the official Holdfast Discord: [https://discord.com/invite/holdfastgame discord.gg/holdfastgame].
−
When diagnosing an issue, it is useful to check the game's error logging. Tech Support may also ask for these logs to help diagnose issues too.
 
  
−
All non-fatal error messages will be written to the in-game F2 console. At any point the game is launched, press '''F2''' to open the console. Any errors are shown in red. Warnings are shown in yellow, but most times these are normal and can be ignored.
+
==🚩 Section II: Critical Known Issues (PC & Console)==
  
−
For game crashes, it is not always possible to access the F2 console. In these cases, the offending error will be logged in the Player.log file. Player logs files can be found by navigating to '''C:\Users\<yourusername>\AppData\LocalLow\Anvil Game Studio\Holdfast NaW''' on Windows. Inside is a file called 'Player', which records logs for the last game session. These logs are overwritten when a new game session is started.  
+
Here's a list of known issues within the game which we're already aware of. You can rest assured that we're doing our best to solve them and please do get in touch with us if you ever face any issues whilst playing the game!
 +
 
 +
<!-- KI 1 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 1 - Black Screen on Launch (Audio/Music Playing)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue1" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue1" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' GPU Scaling & Handshake Conflict
 +
 
 +
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S , PS5
 +
 
 +
'''The Cause:''' This occurs when the game's internal resolution doesn't match the display's scaling parameters, causing the monitor to receive no signal while the game runs in the background.
 +
 
 +
'''The Fix PC:'''
 +
 
 +
'''NVIDIA Phase 1. NVIDIA GPU Scaling (NVIDIA App / Control Panel''')
 +
 
 +
* '''NVIDIA App Path:''' Open the '''NVIDIA App''' > '''Graphics''' tab > '''Global Settings'''. Ensure '''Image Scaling''' is '''Off'''.
 +
* '''Legacy Control Panel Path:''' Right-click Desktop > '''NVIDIA Control Panel''' > '''Adjust desktop size and position'''. Under "Select a scaling mode," choose '''No Scaling'''. Click '''Apply'''.
 +
 
 +
'''AMD Phase 1. AMD GPU Scaling (AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition)'''
 +
 
 +
* '''The Path:''' Open '''AMD Software''' > '''Gaming''' > '''Games''' > '''Holdfast: Nations At War'''.
 +
* '''The Fix:''' Under the '''Display''' section on the right, set '''Scaling Mode''' to '''Preserve Aspect Ratio'''.
 +
* '''Important:''' Ensure '''Integer Scaling''' is set to '''Disabled''', as this often causes "Out of Range" black screens on 1440p and 4K monitors in the current build.
 +
 
 +
'''Phase 2. Manual Resolution Reset (PC)'''
 +
 
 +
If the scaling fix doesn't work, you must force the game into a Windowed state to reset the engine's display handshake:
 +
 
 +
# Press <code>Win + R</code>, type <code>%localappdata%low</code>, and navigate to <code>Anvil Game Studio > Holdfast NaW</code>.
 +
# Open <code>HoldfastOptions.ini</code> with Notepad.
 +
# Find the line <code>fullscreenMode</code> and change the value to <code>1</code> (Windowed).
 +
# Save the file and relaunch the game. Once the image appears, you can change your resolution in the in-game settings and switch back to Fullscreen.
 +
 
 +
'''Phase 3. The "Alt + Enter" Force-Refresh (PC)'''
 +
 
 +
If the screen is black but you hear music, press '''Alt + Enter''' on your keyboard. This forces the Windows OS to toggle the display mode. This often "wakes up" the GPU driver and forces it to render the frame buffer correctly.
 +
 
 +
* '''The Fix Console:''' This is usually a conflict with '''VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)''' or '''120Hz Output''' handshakes.
 +
* '''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 the visuals appear, you can safely re-enable these settings in the console menu.
 +
</div></div>
 +
 
 +
<!-- KI 2 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 2 - High Polling Rate Stutter (Mouse Lag)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue2" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue2" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
=== High Polling Rate Stutter (Mouse Lag) ===
 +
'''Status:''' Unity Engine Constraint (Input Thread Saturation)
  
−
For any queries, please react out to Tech Support in the official Holdfast Discord: [https://discord.com/invite/holdfastgame discord.gg/holdfastgame].
+
'''The Issue:''' Your camera "hitches" or FPS drops drastically when moving the mouse, even on high-end PCs.
  
−
==Known Issues==
+
'''The Cause:''' Mouse set to '''4,000Hz or 8,000Hz''' polling rates flood the engine with interrupt requests.
  
−
Here's a list of known issues within the game which we're already aware of. You can rest assured that we're doing our best to solve them and please do get in touch with us if you ever face any issues whilst playing the game!
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC
 +
 
 +
* '''The Fix:''' Open your mouse software (Razer Synapse, Logitech G Hub) and lower the Polling Rate to '''1,000Hz''' or '''500Hz'''.
 +
</div></div>
 +
 
 +
<!-- KI 3 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 3 - Cannot Hear Others Or Speak Through VoIP (Opus.dll & Others)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue3" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue3" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Dependency / System Priority Error
 +
 
 +
'''The Issue:''' You cannot hear others, and the F2 console says <code>DllNotFoundException: opus</code>.
 +
 
 +
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S , PS5
  
−
=== Known Issue 1 - Black Screen on Launch (Can Hear Music Playing) ===
+
* '''The Fix PC:''' Download the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Missing <code>Opus.dll</code> files prevent voice initialization
−
If you launch the game and see a black screen but can still hear the music playing, you should try doing the following.
+
* '''The Fix Console:''' Ensure your console is set to '''Game Chat''', not Party Chat.
 +
* '''The Fix Xbox:''' If VOIP fails on Xbox, go to '''Network Settings > Advanced > Alternate MAC Address > Clear'''. This restarts the console and resets the VOIP handshake.
 +
</div></div>
  
−
We're currently awaiting a permanent fix for this problem.
+
<!-- KI 4 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 4 - Crashing on Launch / Splash Screen Freeze
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue4" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue4" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
 +
'''Status:''' Software Conflict / File Corruption
  
−
==== AMD Graphics Card (GPU) ====
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''The Issue:''' The 3.X engine is highly sensitive to corrupted shaders and virtual display drivers.
  
−
#Right click on your desktop and select ‘AMD Radeon Settings’.
+
'''The Fix:'''
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 1 AMD 1.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 1 AMD 1]]
 
−
# Go to the ‘Display’ tab at the very bottom and underneath your display, locate ‘Scaling Mode’. You should then select ‘Preserve Aspect Ratio’ from the drop-down menu.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 1 AMD 2.jpg|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 1 AMD 2]]
 
−
# After that is done, you need to go to the ‘Gaming’ tab, locate ‘Holdfast: Nations At War’ and click on it.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 1 AMD 3.jpg|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 1 AMD 3]]
 
−
# Then make sure that you turn ‘Display Scaling’ to ‘Off’ from the drop-down menu.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 1 AMD 4.jpg|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 1 AMD 4]]
 
  
−
==== NVIDIA Graphics Card (GPU) ====
+
* '''Mono Cleanup:''' Navigate to <code>\Steam\steamapps\common\Holdfast Nations At War</code>. '''Delete''' the <code>MonoBleedingEdge</code> folder. Go to Steam > Right-click Holdfast > '''Properties''' > '''Installed Files''' > '''Verify Integrity of Game Files'''.
 +
* '''Citrix Conflict:''' If you use '''Citrix Workspace''', you must disable the "Citrix Indirect Display Adapter" in your Windows '''Device Manager'''. This driver blocks Unity's GPU initialization.
 +
* '''Hardware Monitoring:''' Close software like '''MSI Afterburner''' or '''RivaTuner'''. These overlays frequently cause "DirectX Device Lost" errors in the 2026 build.
 +
* '''Admin Mode:''' Right-click <code>Holdfast NaW.exe</code> in the installation folder and select '''Run as Administrator'''.
 +
</div></div>
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
<!-- KI 5 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 5 - Cannot See Servers In Lobby (PC & Console)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue5" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue5" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Ongoing (Master Server Congestion / Routing Error)
  
−
#Right click on your desktop and select ‘NVIDIA Control Panel’ from the drop-down menu.
+
'''The Issue:''' The lobby appears empty, or you are stuck on "Connecting."
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 1 NVIDIA 1.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 1 NVIDIA 1]]
 
−
# Go to ‘Adjust desktop size and position’ from the menu to the left.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 1 NVIDIA 2.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 1 NVIDIA 2]]
 
−
# Select ‘No Scaling’ under ‘2. Apply the following settings:’ then make sure to click on the ‘Apply’ button.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 1 NVIDIA 3.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 1 NVIDIA 3]]
 
−
[https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1480982971174752598 Thread Reference (Steam Discussion)]
 
  
−
===Known Issue 2 - Razer Kraken Headsets Not Working===
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S , PS5
−
Razer Kraken headsets have a tendency of not working whilst in game. Players reported either not being able to hear any sound or various other issues with 3D VoIP.
 
  
−
Have a look at the instructions below for a possible fix.
+
* '''The Fix:'''
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''Phase 1: The Soft Refresh:'''
  
−
# Check if you have Razer Synapse installed on your system and if so, un-install the software.
+
Before checking hardware or network settings, try the internal UI reset.
−
# Try launching the game again.
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
* '''Refresh Loop:''' Click the '''Refresh''' button (bottom left) 3–5 times. In the 2026 build, the Master Server often requires multiple handshakes to authenticate your session.
 +
* '''Filter Check:''' Ensure "Hide Empty" and "Hide Full" are '''Unchecked'''. Set the "Max Ping" slider to the far right.
  
−
# Download and install Razer Synapse from the link below.
+
'''Phase 2: Network & Security (PC Only):'''
−
#* [https://www.razer.com/synapse-3 Download Razer Synapse]
 
−
# Uninstall Razer Synapse.
 
−
# Try launching the game again.
 
  
−
===Known Issue 3 - Cannot Hear Others Or Speak Through VoIP (Opus.dll & Others)===
+
If the browser is still empty, external software is likely blocking the game's outgoing UDP requests.
−
If you are unable to hear others speaking through VoIP and an error stating that the ‘Opus.dll was not found’ is visible in the F2 console, you are more than likely missing a dependency that is required for the 3D VoIP to function.
 
  
−
You can also find other instructions that may help you solve issues with being unable to hear others or speak through VoIP.
+
* '''Disable Anti-Virus:''' Temporarily disable software like '''AVG, Avast, or McAfee'''.
 +
* '''Disable Firewall:''' Turn off the Windows Defender Firewall specifically for Holdfast.
 +
* '''Disable VPN:''' Applications like '''NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or BullGuard''' often mask your Steam/Console ticket, preventing the lobby from verifying you.
 +
* '''Reset Internet:''' Power cycle your router (unplug for 30 seconds).
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''Phase 3: The "Join Custom Server" Bypass (PC & Console):'''
  
−
# Download and install the redistributable from the link below.
+
If the standard browser list fails to populate, use this direct handshake method:
−
#* [https://aka.ms/vs/15/release/vc_redist.x64.exe Download Redistributable]
 
−
# Try launching the game again.
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
# Open the '''Server Browser''' from the main menu.
 +
# Look at the bottom left. If the list is empty, click '''Join Custom Server'''.
 +
# '''On PC:''' A prompt will appear. Instead of typing an IP, look for a '''Dropdown Menu''' or '''Toggle''' that says '''"Official Servers."''' Select an Official Server (e.g., ''Official EU1'') and hit '''Connect'''.
 +
# '''On Console (Xbox/PS5):''' The "Join Custom Server" button opens a simplified menu. Press the '''Y button (Xbox)''' or '''Triangle (PS5)''' to "Fetch Official List." This initiates a direct call to the Anvil Games Server, bypassing the community browser cache that often freezes.
  
−
# Close Discord, Team Speak or any other voice chat software.
+
'''Phase 4: Platform-Specific Authentication:'''
−
# Try launching the game again.
 
  
−
===Known Issue 4 - Crash To Desktop (Whilst Playing)===
+
* '''PC (Steam):''' Log out of Steam entirely ('''Change Account > Log Out'''), then log back in. This forces a fresh "Steam Ticket" generation.
−
On certain occasions, the game might crash to the desktop which happens more so during a map change. Unfortunately, this is being caused by a bug within the Unity game engine.  
+
* '''Console (Xbox/PS5):''' Fully shut down your console (do not use Sleep/Rest mode). This clears the cache and forces a new handshake with the AGS Master Server.
 +
* '''The VPN Flip:''' If your VPN was already disabled, try '''enabling it''' and selecting a different region.
  
−
We're currently awaiting a permanent fix for this problem. You can try doing the following:
+
'''Phase 5: Social & Connection Workarounds:'''
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
* '''The "Friend Join" Trick:''' On both Steam and Console (Xbox/PS Friends), the most reliable 100% workaround is to '''Join Session''' directly through your platform's friend list. This completely bypasses the in-game browser.
 +
* '''Alternative Connection:''' If possible, test your connection using a '''Mobile Hotspot'''. If servers appear on the hotspot but not your Wi-Fi, your ISP is likely blocking the game's port.
 +
</div></div>
  
−
# Disable your anti-virus.
+
<!-- KI 6 -->
−
# Uninstall or close other software that you're using to monitor performance or hardware ('''Riva Tuner''', '''MSI Afterburner''', etc.) whilst playing the game.
+
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
−
# Set your graphics preset to 'Very Low' from the 'Game' options.
+
Known Issue 6 - Black/Green Screen Artifacts (PS5/Xbox)
−
# Close unnecessary programs running in the background (Internet Browsers & Other Software).
+
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue6" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
−
# Disable XMP from your motherboard's BIOS settings.
+
</div>
−
# Go to the location where Holdfast: Nations At War is installed (\Steam\steamapps\common\Holdfast Nations At War) > Delete the 'MonoBleedingEdge' folder > Go to Steam > Locate the game 'Holdfast: Nations At War' from your library > Press 'right-click' on the game > Go to 'Properties' > Local Files > Press the 'verify integrity of game files...' button > Restart Steam > Try launching the game again.
+
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue6" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
−
# Set your CPU affinity for the game to Two Cores. You can do this by right-clicking on the 'Holdfast NaW.exe' process in your 'Task Manager', select 'Set Affinity' from the dropdown menu then select 'CPU 0' and 'CPU 1'.
+
'''Status:''' Post-Processing Desync
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 4 - 1.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 4 - 1]]
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''The Issue:''' Flickering colors often occur when switching between 1st and 3rd person or during heavy naval combat.
  
−
# Right click on 'Holdfast: Nations At War' in your Steam library > Select 'Properties' from the drop-down menu > Click on 'Set Launch Options' > Insert the following parameter: '''-force-feature-level-10-0'''
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PS5, Xbox Series X|S
−
# Try re-launching Holdfast: Nations At War again through Steam.
 
  
−
===Known Issue 5 - Cannot See Servers In Lobby===
+
* '''The Fix:''' Go to '''Settings > Video''' and disable '''Motion Blur''' and '''Depth of Field'''. This stabilizes the rendering stack on console hardware.
−
If you cannot see servers in the lobby try doing the following.
+
* '''Xbox Series S Fix:''' If the game crashes specifically on the Series S, disable '''High Quality Textures''' to prevent VRAM overflow.
 +
</div></div>
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
<!-- KI 7 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 7 - Reload Animation State Lock
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue7" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue7" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Animation Buffer Error
  
−
#Click on the ''''Refresh'''' button that can be found to the bottom left of the server browser a few times.
+
'''The Issue:''' Your character has ammunition but refuses to start the reload animation.
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S , PS5
  
−
# Disable your anti-virus if applicable (AVG, Avast, ''Etc.'')
+
* '''The Fix:''' Quickly open and close the '''Text Chat''' (View Button on Xbox / Touchpad on PS5 / Enter on PC). This forces the character's animation state to "Idle," clearing the reload block.
−
# Disable your firewall.
+
</div></div>
−
# Disable your VPN if applicable (BullGuard, NordVPN, Express VPN, ''Etc.'').
 
−
# Reset your internet connection.
 
−
# Log out then back in on Steam and try again.
 
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
 
  
−
If you disabled your VPN (or had it disabled already) for the previous step, try enabling it. Although Holdfast generally doesn't work with VPNs in most cases, in very rare cases this can work.
+
<!-- KI 8 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 8 - Screen Flickering / Unresponsive When Minimizing (Alt-Tab)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue8" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue8" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Display Mode Conflict
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''The Issue:''' This occurs when the game and Windows disagree on how to handle the display buffer during a task switch.
  
−
# Launch the game then open the Lobby by clicking on 'Join Game' from the main menu.
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC
−
# Locate the 'Join Other Server' button to the bottom left.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 5 - 1.jpg|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 5 - 1]]
 
−
# Select an Official Server from the drop-down menu then click on the 'Connect' button.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 5 - 2.jpg|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 5 - 2]]
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
* '''The Fix:'''
 +
** Go to '''Settings > Video''' in-game.
 +
** Set your '''Window Mode''' to '''Borderless Window'''. This is the most stable setting for 2026; it allows for instant Alt-Tabbing without desyncing the GPU or getting stuck on a black screen.
 +
** '''Disable Overlays:''' Flickering is frequently caused by the '''Discord Overlay''' or '''Steam Overlay''' fighting for control of the window. Disable these in their respective app settings.
 +
** '''Windows 11/12 Fix:''' Ensure "Optimizations for windowed games" is '''Enabled''' in your Windows System Settings (''Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings'').
 +
</div></div>
  
−
# Join a server through a friend on Steam by selecting 'Join Game' from the drop-down menu.
+
<!-- KI 9 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 9 - Level 1 / Rank Progress Reset
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue9" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue9" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Cloud-Sync Dela
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''The Issue:''' Your rank appears as Level 1 despite previous progress.
  
−
# Try using a different internet connection if possible and see if servers appear in the lobby.
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S , PS5
  
−
===Known Issue 6 - Game Crashes On Launch or Stops Responding (Freezes)===
+
* '''The Fix:''' This is a visual desync where the client fails to fetch your profile. '''Do not reinstall.''' Join an '''Official Server''' and play for one full round. The server will force-fetch your data and restore your rank at the end of the match.
−
If you’re facing issues with the game crashing on launch, you should first try to disable your anti-virus then pre-launch the game with the lowest graphical settings by following the below steps.
+
</div></div>
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
<!-- KI 10 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 10 - Stuck on Map Loading Screen
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue10" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue10" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Asset Loading Desync
  
−
# Update your GPU (Graphics Card) drivers.
+
'''The Issue:''' The game reaches 90-100% on the loading bar but never enters the spawn menu.
−
#* We've had several cases of players experiencing crashes due to outdated drivers especially when the device is equipped with an Intel HD (Integrated) GPU.
 
−
#** [https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/products/80939/graphics-drivers.html Click here to download and update your Intel HD GPU driver.]
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S , PS5
  
−
# Disable your anti-virus (BullGuard, Avast Etc.)
+
* '''The Fix PC:''' This is usually caused by a single corrupted map asset. Go to Steam > Right-click Holdfast > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.
−
# Disable XMP. This may cause severe system instability.
+
* '''The Fix Console:''' On PS5 and Xbox, ensure the game is installed on the Internal SSD. Running Holdfast from an external HDD will cause "Infinite Loading" or "Map Hangs" due to slow read speeds.
−
# Open 'Run' and type in '%appdata%'. This will take you to the AppData folder.
+
* '''The Fix Xbox:''' If stuck on a load screen, go to Network Settings > Advanced Settings > Alternate MAC Address > Clear. This restarts the console and flushes the temporary data that causes map desyncs.
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 6 - 1.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 6 - 1]]
+
</div></div>
−
# Navigate to the 'LocalLow' folder > Then to the 'Anvil Game Studio' folder > And you'll eventually find the 'Holdfast NaW' folder.
 
−
# In the 'Holdfast NaW' folder, open the 'HoldfastOptions' files using a text editor such as Notepad.
 
−
#Find 'graphicsLevel', change the value there to '0' and save.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 6 - 2.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 6 - 2]]
 
−
# Try re-launching Holdfast: Nations At War again through Steam.
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
<!-- KI 11 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 11 - Fatal Crash on Startup (Citrix Workspace Conflict)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue11" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue11" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
  
−
# '''Uninstall''' or '''close''' other software that you're using to monitor performance or hardware ('''Riva Tuner''', '''MSI Afterburner''', etc.) whilst playing the game.
 
−
#* Please make sure that the process for the software you're using to monitor performance or hardware is not visible in your task manager anymore. With this, you can confirm that the program was properly closed.
 
−
# Try re-launching Holdfast: Nations At War again through Steam.
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''Status:''' Software Conflict (Citrix Indirect Display Adapter)
  
−
# Launch the game as an administrator by right clicking directly on 'Holdfast NaW.exe'.
+
'''The Cause:''' If you use '''Citrix Workspace''' for work, it installs a virtual display driver that frequently causes Unity games to crash immediately upon initialization.
−
#* Holdfast NaW.exe can be found in your Steam games installation directory. For Example:
 
−
#** \Steam\steamapps\common\Holdfast Nations At War
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC
  
−
# Go to the location where Holdfast: Nations At War is installed (\Steam\steamapps\common\Holdfast Nations At War) > Delete the 'MonoBleedingEdge' folder > Go to Steam > Locate the game 'Holdfast: Nations At War' from your library > Press 'right-click' on the game > Go to 'Properties' > Local Files > Press the 'verify integrity of game files...' button >
+
* '''The Fix:'''
−
#Restart Steam.
 
−
# Try re-launching Holdfast: Nations At War again through Steam.
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''Phase 1.''' To confirm this is the cause, check your error log:
−
# Right click on the Holdfast NaW icon on your desktop.
 
−
# Select 'Properties' from the drop-down menu.
 
−
# Go to the 'Compatibility' tab.
 
−
# Select the 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:' tick box.
 
−
# Choose 'Windows 7' from the drop-down menu.
 
−
# Press the 'Apply' and then the 'Ok' button at the bottom.
 
−
# Try re-launching Holdfast: Nations At War again from your desktop icon.
 
  
−
NB: Remove the compatibility mode before proceeding to the next step if this doesn't work out.
+
# Press <code>Win + R</code>, type <code>%localappdata%low</code>, and navigate to <code>Anvil Game Studio > Holdfast NaW</code>.
 +
# Open <code>Player.log</code>. If you see '''"GfxDevice: creating device client; threaded=1"''' followed immediately by '''"Crash!!!"''', Citrix is the culprit.
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''Phase 2'''. You do not need to uninstall Citrix. Try these steps in order:
  
−
# Right click on 'Holdfast: Nations At War' in your Steam library > Select 'Properties' from the drop-down menu > Click on 'Set Launch Options' > Insert the following parameter: '''-force-feature-level-10-0'''
+
* '''Option A: Disable the Virtual Adapter (Recommended):'''
−
# Try re-launching Holdfast: Nations At War again through Steam.
+
*# Right-click the '''Start button''' and select '''Device Manager'''.
 +
*# Expand '''Display adapters'''.
 +
*# Right-click '''Citrix Indirect Display Adapter''' and select '''Disable device'''.
 +
*# You can now launch Holdfast. ''Note: You may need to re-enable this later for your work remote desktop to function.''
 +
* '''Option B: Disable the Bus Enumerator:'''
 +
*# In '''Device Manager''', expand '''System devices'''.
 +
*# Locate '''Citrix Virtual Bus Enumerator'''.
 +
*# Right-click and select '''Disable device'''. This often resolves the crash without needing to touch the display drivers.
 +
* '''Option C: The Windows Store Version:'''
 +
*# Uninstall your current Citrix Workspace app.
 +
*# Download the '''Citrix Workspace''' app directly from the '''Microsoft Store'''.
 +
*# The Store version uses a different driver architecture that does not conflict with the Unity engine in 2026.
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
</div></div>
  
−
# Right click on 'Holdfast: Nations At War' in your Steam library > Select 'Properties' from the drop-down menu > Click on 'Set Launch Options' > Insert the following parameter: '''-window-mode exclusive'''
+
<!-- KI 12 -->
−
# Try re-launching Holdfast: Nations At War again through Steam.
+
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 12 - Fatal Crash on Startup (Virtual Desktop & VR Drivers)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue12" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue12" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' GPU Initialization Conflict
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''The Issue:''' Users of Virtual Desktop, Meta Quest Link, or Pico Connect may experience an instant crash upon launching the game.
  
−
# Disable your anti-virus.
+
'''The Cause:''' The game engine attempts to initialize on the "Virtual Monitor" created by your VR software rather than your physical GPU.
−
# Go to your Steam game library > Right click on ‘Holdfast: Nations At War’ > Select Properties > Then click on the ‘Set Launch Options…’ button.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 6 - 3.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 6 - 3]]
 
−
# Input the below argument in the 'Launch Options': '''-show-screen-selector'''.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 6 - 4.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 6 - 4]]
 
−
# Launch the game from Steam and select ‘Fastest’ from the Graphics quality settings then click the ‘Play!’ button.
 
−
#:[[File:Known Issue 6 - 5.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 6 - 5]]
 
  
−
===Known Issue 7 - Low Framerate (Low End PCs)===
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC
−
Players with low-end hardware will sometimes face issues with framerate. We are also working towards more optimisations in this area. You can follow the below steps for some tips which may help you improve your framerate.
 
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
* '''The Fix:'''  
  
−
# Restart your game if it has been launched for a while.
+
'''Phase 1.''' You do not need to uninstall your VR software. Try these steps in order:
−
# Ensure that your GPU isn't set to 'Performance' mode (Especially if an AMD GPU).
 
−
# Go to Options > Video > And set the Graphics Preset to 'Very Low' from the drop-down menu.
 
−
# Got to Options > Game > Then scroll down until you find Ragdoll Corpses > Reduce the Maximum Corpses to 5 > And the Second In-Game to 10.
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
* '''Option A: Disable the Virtual Monitor (Recommended):'''
 +
*# Right-click the '''Start button''' and select '''Device Manager'''.
 +
*# Expand '''Display adapters'''.
 +
*# Look for '''Virtual Desktop Monitor''', '''Meta Quest Link Display''', or '''Pico Virtual Display'''.
 +
*# Right-click and select '''Disable device'''.
 +
*# Launch Holdfast. You can safely re-enable the driver once you are done playing.
 +
* '''Option B: Power Cycle the Streamer:'''
 +
** Ensure your VR Streamer app (on your PC) is '''completely closed''' and not just minimized to the system tray before launching Holdfast. If the streamer is active, it "claims" the display buffer, preventing ''Holdfast'' from opening in Fullscreen mode.
 +
* '''Option C: Disable "HAGS" (Windows 11/12):'''
 +
** '''Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)''' is known to cause fatal conflicts between Unity and VR drivers.
 +
** Go to '''Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings''' and toggle '''Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling''' to '''Off'''. Restart your PC and try launching the game again.
  
−
# Right click on 'Holdfast: Nations At War' in your Steam library > Select 'Properties' from the drop-down menu > Click on 'Set Launch Options' > Insert the following parameter: '''-window-mode exclusive'''
+
'''Phase 2. Identifying the Conflict in Logs'''
  
−
===Known Issue 8 - Game Becomes Unresponsive When Minimized, Screen Flickering or Stuck on Map Load===
+
If you aren't sure if a VR driver is the cause:
−
If your game becomes unresponsive when minimized or your screen is flickering, you can try pre-launching Holdfast: Nations At War with the below parameter.
 
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
# Open your <code>Player.log</code> in <code>%localappdata%low\Anvil Game Studio\Holdfast NaW\</code>.
 +
# Look for the line: <code>GfxDevice: creating device client; threaded=1</code>.
 +
# If the very next line is <code>Crash!!!</code> or <code>Device Lost</code>, an active virtual display driver (VR or Citrix) is almost certainly the cause.
 +
</div></div>
  
−
# Right click on 'Holdfast: Nations At War' in your Steam library > Select 'Properties' from the drop-down menu > Click on 'Set Launch Options' > Insert the following parameter: '''-window-mode exclusive'''
+
<!-- KI 13 -->
−
# Launch Holdfast: NaW and try again.
+
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 13 - Cannot Join Modded Server (Connection/Download Error)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue13" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue13" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Workshop Handshake & Sync Conflict
  
−
===Known Issue 9 - No Game Audio===
+
'''The Cause:''' The client and server cannot synchronize the required modification files.
−
If you cannot hear any audio, you can try doing the following.
 
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC
  
−
# Go to Settings > Audio > Then select your 'Audio Device' from the Drop Down menu.
+
* '''The Fix:'''  
−
# You can also try re-installing your '''Realtek''' audio drivers. This may fix your issue even if audio is working on other games.
 
  
−
===Known Issue 10 - Unable To Spawn or Join Round===
+
'''Phase 1.''' In Steam, go to '''Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache'''. Steam will restart. This forces the client to re-check all <code>modlist.txt</code> requirements for Holdfast.
−
If you are unable to spawn or join the round, an anti-virus you have installed on your machine could be preventing you from doing so.
 
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''Phase 2.''' Close Holdfast and Steam. Navigate to: <code>Steam\userdata\[YourSteamID]\ugc\workshop</code>. Delete the <code>subscriptions.vdf</code> file. Relaunch Steam; this forces a full re-sync of every mod you are subscribed to, fixing 99% of "Version Mismatch" errors.
  
−
# Uninstall your anti-virus software.
+
'''Phase 3.''' If a specific mod is stuck, go to <code>Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\589290</code> and delete the contents. Steam will re-download the clean versions next time you try to join a modded server.
−
# Verify the integrity of your game files through Steam.
+
</div></div>
−
# Launch the game, join a server and attempt to spawn again.
 
  
−
===Known Issue 11 - Citrix Workspaces and Unity Games===
+
<!-- KI 14 -->
−
Citrix Workspace (https://www.citrix.com/) client has effects on games built using the Unity game engine. As a result, games crash, games don't start, etc and it's sadly not something we can sort.
+
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 14 - No Main Menu (Camera Stuck on Cannon/Howitzer Background)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue14" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue14" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' UI Layer Initialization Error
  
−
To identify if it's Citrix causing issues when your game crashes open the player.log (or crash log) and look at the amazing wall of text. If you see the following around the top of the log it's Citrix:
+
'''The Cause:''' The game loads the background scene, but the buttons (Join Game, Armoury, Settings) never appear.
  
−
<blockquote><pre>
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S , PS5
−
Initialize engine version: <Unity Version No.>
 
−
> GfxDevice: creating device client; threaded=1
 
−
> Crash!!!
 
−
> SymInit: Symbol-SearchPath: ’.;C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Holdfast Nations At War;C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Holdfast Nations At War;C:\Windows;C:\Windows\system32;SRV*C:\websymbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols;', symOptions: 530, UserName: ‘<your username>’
 
−
</pre></blockquote>
 
  
−
There is a workaround and that is to install Citrix the following way:
+
* '''The Fix:'''
  
−
# Uninstall Citrix Workspace.
+
'''Option A: The Configuration Reset (PC):'''
−
# Re-install it from Command Prompt using the following command:
 
  
−
<blockquote>CitrixWorkspaceApp.exe ADDLOCAL=ReceiverInside,ICA_Client,AM,SELFSERVICE,DesktopViewer,Flash,Vd3d,WebHelper,BrowserEngine</blockquote>
+
# Close the game.
−
Alternatively, you can use the edition of Citrix Workspace in the Windows 10 Store, which lacks the feature that causes this problem in Unity games.
+
# Press <code>Win + R</code>, type <code>%localappdata%low</code>, and navigate to <code>Anvil Game Studio > Holdfast NaW</code>.
 +
# '''Delete''' the file named <code>HoldfastOptions.ini</code>.
 +
# Relaunch the game. The engine will generate a fresh, default configuration file, which forces the UI layer to re-anchor to your current resolution.
  
−
Reference from [https://support.paradoxplaza.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019138814-Citrix-Workspace-and-Unity-games Paradox Interactive].
+
'''Option B: UI Safe-Mode (PC):'''
  
−
===Known Issue 12 - Virtual Desktop Issue ===
+
* If the menu is still missing, go to Steam > Right-click Holdfast > '''Properties'''.
−
Virtual Desktop (https://www.vrdesktop.net/) has a similar issue to Citrix (Known Issue 11).
+
* In '''Launch Options''', type: <code>-screen-width 1920 -screen-height 1080</code>.
 +
* This forces a standard aspect ratio that often "pops" the UI back into the visible frame if it was bugged by an ultrawide or custom resolution.
  
−
===Known Issue 13 - Cannot Join Modded Server (Steam Workshop) ===
+
'''Option C: Language Sync Fix (Console):'''
  
−
This issue occurs because Steam fails to connect to the Workshop server and you have mods that require updating or must be downloaded anew.
+
* On '''Xbox''' and '''PS5''', this is often caused by a mismatch between the console's system language and the game's supported localization. Ensure your console language is set to '''English (US or UK)''' as a test to see if the menu returns.
 +
</div></div>
  
−
[[File:SteamMod1.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 13 - 1]] [[File:SteamMod2.png|frameless|thumb|Known Issue 13 - 2]]
+
<!-- KI 15 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 15 - Microphone Not Working (VOIP / Proximity Chat)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue15" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue15" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Audio Device Handshake / OS Privacy Conflict
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''The Cause:''' This occurs when the game cannot claim the "Exclusive Mode" of your microphone or is being blocked by system-level privacy settings.
−
# Log out then back in on Steam.
 
−
# Change to another Steam download region by going to your Steam Settings > Downloads > Select a different region from the dropdown.
 
−
# Ask the administrator of the server for the list of modifications and download them manually from the Steam Workshop.
 
−
===Known Issue 14 - No Main Menu (Only Background With Cannon/Howitzer) ===
 
  
−
Doing a PSA regarding possible issues brought up today and easy fixes, we have found for them:
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5
  
−
1. If you're launching the game and its crashing or showing you weird things (purple/black/etc) do the following:  
+
* '''The Fix PC:'''
−
- Verify Steam Files (https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0C48-FCBD-DA71-93EB)
+
 
−
- Update graphic drivers (depending if nvidia or amd, they have their ways)
+
'''Privacy Toggle:''' Go to Windows Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Ensure "Microphone Access" is ON and specifically that "Let desktop apps access your microphone" is toggled ON for Holdfast.
−
- Update windows (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/update-windows-3c5ae7fc-9fb6-9af1-1984-b5e0412c556a)
 
−
- Reinstall directx (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=8109)
 
−
- Close any performance tool such as NZXT Cam.
 
−
 
−
2. If you're launching getting to the main menu (with the cannons/howitzers) but you dont see the main menu
 
−
  - go to %userprofile%\appdata\locallow\Anvil Game Studio\Holdfast NaW you should find a file called holdfastoptions.ini and either delete it,
 
−
    or use the following one (https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/478475816850817024/943979752916680754/HoldfastOptions.ini); Note this is a low preset, so you'll have to go to options and manually fix it. If you can, please send the old/broken holdfastoptions.ini, player.log and player-prev.log to wrexial (me) in dm.
 
  
−
3. If none of the above are the issues go to %userprofile%\appdata\locallow\Anvil Game Studio\Holdfast NaW and check the Player.log and/or Player-prev.log. If at the top it says Version:  Direct3D 11.0 [level 10.0]
+
'''The IPv6 Fix''': A specific bug in the 3.X engine's Vivox integration causes VOIP to fail on certain routers using IPv6.
−
- go to steam, right click on holdfast, go to "launch parameters" in general and remove anything you have there. Than launch the game again.
 
  
−
4. If all the above fail, check the Wiki FAQ pinned above (we'll be adding these to the wiki soon* )
+
# Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
 +
# Right-click your connection > Properties.
 +
# Uncheck "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)". Click OK and relaunch.
  
−
5. If you're still stuck, feel free to post in tech-support your Player.log and/or Player-prev.log and pc specs.
+
'''Exclusive Mode:''' Press <code>Win + R</code>, type <code>mmsys.cpl</code>. Under the Recording tab, right-click your mic > Properties > Advanced. Uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device".
  
−
If you look at the Player.log and see Could not allocate memory: System out of memory! try following the two video guides at the bottom (win10/7)  regarding page files https://steamcommunity.com/app/255710/discussions/0/1741101364301107506/
+
* '''The Fix Console:'''
  
−
=== Known Issue 15 - Audio-Related (Mic Not Picked Up) ===
+
'''Party Chat Conflict:''' If you are in a PlayStation or Xbox Party, the game’s Push-to-Talk (PTT) will be muted by the OS. You must switch to Game Chat in your console's Quick Menu.
  
−
If for any reason your mic isn't being picked up by the game, you'd have to take a look at your windows audio settings, most probably you've got a few 'dead' audio devices/sources that are interfering which you should be able to 'right-click' -> 'disable' on them. From this panel https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/671660988344565792/967469190858567690/unknown.png
+
'''PTT Indicator:''' On console, Holdfast uses Push-to-Talk only. Hold Y (Xbox) or Triangle (PS5). If the microphone icon does not appear above your health bar, your mic is not being detected at the hardware level.
  
−
If that doesn't work take a look at the Sea of Thieves guides https://support.seaofthieves.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115012749647-Windows-10-Audio-Chat mostly, the Windows 10 Privacy Settings, and the Configure the individual Microphone input for Sea of Thieves sections.
+
'''Alternate MAC Address (Xbox):''' If your mic works in other games but not Holdfast, go to Settings > Network > Advanced > Alternate MAC Address > Clear. This clears the network cache associated with the VOIP handshake.
 +
</div></div>
  
−
=== Known Issue 16 - Game Stuck on Map Load ===
+
<!-- KI 16 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 16 - Game Stuck on Map Load
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue16" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue16" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Asset Synchronization or Network Timeout
  
−
Disable your VPN and you should be good to go.
+
'''The Cause:''' This occurs when the client fails to download the final map metadata or cannot handshake with the server's instance after the map has loaded.
  
−
If that doesn't work out try having a go at disabling your anti-virus.
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5
  
−
=== Known Issue 17 - Reginald 'One Eyed' Fitzgerald head not unlocking ===
+
* '''The Fix PC:'''
−
Occasionally the Reginald 'One Eyed' Fitzgerald head will not unlock for the player, even if they are in the official Holdfast Discord. The following steps can be taken to remediate this issue:
 
  
−
* '''If you are not in the official Holdfast Discord''' - join the Discord using the in-game join button. Reginald should unlock for you once you return to the game. A refresh (i.e. leaving and re-joining the server) may be needed.
+
'''Verify Workshop Integrity:''' Map loading freezes are almost always caused by a corrupted map file (especially on modded servers).
−
* '''If you are in the official Holdfast Discord''' - If the head still doesn't unlock and you are in the server, perform the following steps:
 
−
**'''Ensure you are using the Discord desktop app''' - Currently the browser-based web app is not supported. Using this instead of the desktop app will cause issues.
 
−
** '''Click the in-game join button''' - Occasionally, clicking on the in-game join button again will work. If you are in the server you do not need to re-join, just clicking through an exiting out should be enough.
 
−
** '''Ensure you have no other Discord installations''' - Multiple installations of discord, or different versions such as beta or canary may not be recognised by the game. Uninstall any secondary installations and try again.
 
−
** '''Ensure you have the Discord desktop app open in the background''' - As simple as it sounds, make sure discord is actually open.
 
−
* '''If none of the above steps fix the issue:''' - Check the F2 console while in-game. If you see any red errors related to Discord:
 
−
** Make sure that you run Discord, Holdfast, and Steam as administrator for elevated privileges
 
−
** Very rarely, verifying integrity of game files through Steam may fix the issue
 
−
** If all options have been exhausted, please take a screenshot of the error and contact #tech-support for assistance.
 
  
−
== Steam Related Issues ==
+
# Close Holdfast.
 +
# Go to Steam > Right-click Holdfast > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.
  
−
===Known Issue 1 - Content File Locked (Corrupted Download)===
+
'''SSD Requirement:''' If the game is installed on an older HDD, the engine may timeout during asset decryption. Moving the game to an SSD is the primary fix for "Infinite Loading."
−
If the below error is being displayed when you launch the game directly through Steam, it is more than likely that Holdfast: NaW was corrupted whilst downloading.
 
  
−
[[File:Steam Issue 1 - 1.png|frameless|thumb|Steam Issue 1 - 1]]
+
'''The VPN Toggle:''' While old advice said "Disable it," 2026 routing is complex. If you are stuck on a load screen:
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions for a fix:'''
+
# If VPN is OFF: Try turning it ON to a different region to bypass an ISP routing bottleneck.
 +
# If VPN is ON: Turn it OFF, as some VPNs block the specific UDP ports (7777-7780) used for the final server handshake.
  
−
# Delete Holdfast: NaW manually from its folder (Go to were your Steam games are installed).
+
* '''The Fix Console:'''
−
# Uninstall Holdfast: NaW from Steam.
 
−
# Go to your '\AppData\LocalLow\Anvil Game Studio' and delete the 'Anvil Game Studio' folder.
 
−
# Restart your PC.
 
−
# Install the game again.
 
  
−
===Known Issue 2 - Game Crashes After Update===
+
'''The Quick Resume Bug (Xbox):''' This is the #1 cause of stuck loading screens on Xbox. Never use Quick Resume for Holdfast. Always highlight the game tile > Menu Button > Quit, then relaunch.
−
If you have successfully launched the game beforehand but the game is now crashing, this is more than likely being caused by one of the game files getting corrupted after the update.
 
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''Alternate MAC Address (Xbox):''' If stuck at 99%, go to Settings > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > Alternate MAC Address > Clear. This clears the temporary network cache that often holds a "stale" connection to the previous map.
  
−
# Disable your anti-virus.
+
'''Rebuild Database (PS5):''' If certain maps (like ''Palisade'') always freeze, boot your PS5 into Safe Mode (hold power for 2 beeps) and select Option 5: Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.
−
# Delete Holdfast: NaW manually from its folder (Go to were your Steam games are installed).
 
−
# Uninstall Holdfast: NaW from Steam.
 
−
# Go to your '\AppData\LocalLow\Anvil Game Studio' and delete the 'Anvil Game Studio' folder.
 
−
# Restart your PC.
 
−
# Install the game again and try launching it.
 
−
# If it doesn't work, you can try verifying the integrity of your game files by right clicking on 'Holdfast: Nations At War' in your Steam games library > Select Properties > Go to Local Files > Click on 'Verify Integrity of Game Files...' and after the file integrity check is complete, try relaunching the game again.
 
  
−
===Known Issue 3 - Black Screen When Launching (Steam Not Initialised)===
+
* '''The Fix PC/Console:''' DNS Handshake
−
If you are seeing a black screen when launching the game, Steam didn't properly initialise. It is a required step for Steam to detect that you’re the owner of the game.
 
  
−
Here's a reference of how the black screen looks.
+
# If you are stuck on the loading screen only when joining Official Servers, your ISP is likely failing to resolve the AGS API.
 +
# Change your Primary DNS to 8.8.8.8 and Secondary to 1.1.1.1.
 +
</div></div>
  
−
[[File:Steam Issue 3 - 1.png|frameless|thumb|Steam Issue 3 - 1]]
+
<!-- KI 17 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue 17 - Reginald 'One Eyed' Fitzgerald Head Not Unlocking
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-issue17" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-issue17" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Legacy Method Deprecated (Switch to Code Challenge)
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''The Cause:''' As of the 3.X build, rewards are no longer tracked by local Discord app detection. You must now manually link your game profile to your Discord account via the in-game Armoury.
  
−
# Log out from Steam (By clicking on your name to the top right and selecting ‘Change User..’)
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5
−
# Close the Steam application.
 
−
# Open Steam and log in again.
 
−
# Try launching the game again.
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
* '''The Fix:'''  
  
−
# Uninstall Holdfast: Nations At War.
+
'''Join the Discord''': If you haven't already, join the [[/discord.gg/holdfastgame|Official Holdfast Discord]].
−
# Uninstall then reinstall Steam.
 
−
# Launch Steam as an Administrator.
 
−
# Reinstall Holdfast: Nations At War.
 
−
# Verify the integrity of your game files through Steam for 'Holdfast: Nations At War'.
 
−
# Try launching the game again.
 
  
−
=== Known Issue 4 - Loss of class XP and levels ===
+
'''Generate Your Code:''' Open Holdfast and navigate to Armoury > Social. Click the Link Discord button. The game will provide you with a unique Challenge Code.
−
Occasionally, players can sometimes lose some of all of their earned XP and levels for any class. This is usually caused by Steam erroring when retrieving player data, and can often be solved by a simple restart.
 
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''Bot Verification:''' Go to the Official Holdfast Discord and find the <code>#link-game-profile</code> channel. Follow the instructions.
  
−
# Close Holdfast: Nations at War
+
'''Claim Reward:''' Once the bot confirms the link, return to the in-game Armoury.  
−
# Restart Steam (fully log out and log back in again, re-opening the Steam client)
 
−
# Re-open Holdfast: Nations at War. Class XP and levels should be restored again.
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
</div></div>
  
−
If the above has not worked, please reach out to tech support for assistance.
+
== Steam Related Issues ==
  
−
=== Known Issue 5 - Permission Denied error in Regiment Registry ===
+
<!-- Steam 1 -->
−
Users may encounter an error when attempted to modify their regiment in the registry (for example, modifying ranks or accepting/denying members). This is usually caused by Steam auth returning an error, thus a simple restart should work.
+
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Steam Known Issue 1 - Steam Content File Locked / Write Error
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-steam1" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-steam1" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' File Permission Conflict
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''The Cause:''' This occurs when Windows or an overzealous Anti-Virus prevents Steam from modifying the game's executable after a patch.
  
−
# Close ''Holdfast: Nations at War''
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC
−
# Restart Steam (fully log out and log back in again, re-opening the Steam client)
 
−
# Re-open ''Holdfast: Nations at War''.
 
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
* '''The Fix:'''  
  
−
Keep restarting your game a few times - sometimes more than one restart is needed.
+
'''Phase 1:''' Restart your PC: This is the most effective way to clear a "locked" file state.  
  
−
'''If the above doesn't work, try the following:'''
+
'''Phase 2:''' Clear Download Cache: In Steam, go to Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache.
  
−
Very rarely, repeated restarts of Steam and ''Holdfast: Nations at War'' do not resolve this error. However, it can sometimes take minutes, hours, or even days to work, the reason for which is still under investigation. If you are still having issues, reach out to tech support for further assistance. Leave it for a few hours or days and it should eventually fix itself.
+
'''Phase 3'''. Run as Admin: Right-click the Steam Shortcut on your desktop > Properties > Compatibility > Check "Run this program as an administrator".
 +
</div></div><div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"></div>
  
 
==Game Tips==
 
==Game Tips==
  
−
===Game Tip 1 - Orbit Camera (Look Around) Not Working===
+
<!-- Tip 1 -->
−
If the 'Orbit Camera' used to look around your character without moving around is not working, try changing the default key to another from the key settings. The default key for the orbit camera is tilde '~'.
+
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Game Tip 1 - Orbit Camera (Look Around) Not Working
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-tip1" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-tip1" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Updated for Cross-Platform
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
'''The Cause:''' If the tilde <code>~</code> key is unresponsive, it is likely due to a regional keyboard conflict (common with UK/EU layouts).
  
−
# Go to 'Settings' > Then navigate to the 'Keys' tab > Change the key for the 'Orbit Camera' to another one.
+
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC
  
−
===Game Tip 2 - Left Clicking When Using A Musket From Firing Mode Is Going Into Melee Mode===
+
* '''The Fix:''' Go to Settings > Keys and rebind Orbit Camera to <code>Left Alt</code> or <code>Caps Lock</code>.
−
Within the game, you right click to aim, left click to fire and press 'R' to reload. If you left click when you're in firing mode with a bayonetted musket, it will go automatically into melee mode. You can disable this through the game options.
+
</div></div>
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
<!-- Tip 2 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Game Tip 2 - Auto Bayonet Switch (Melee Conflict)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-tip2" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-tip2" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Highly Recommended for Competitive Play
  
−
# Go to 'Settings' > Then 'Game' > Look under 'Melee Combat' > And disable 'Auto Bayonet Switch'.
+
'''The Cause:''' If you find yourself accidentally stabbing when you meant to fire, the "Auto Bayonet Switch" is likely active.
  
−
===Game Tip 3 - Restrictive Melee Combat When Striking (Turning Rate Too Low)===
+
* '''The Fix:''' Go to Settings > Game > search for "Auto Switch Bayonet" and set it to OFF.
−
If melee combat feels restrictive when holding a strike and turning, you should try increasing sensitivity of the 'Melee Combat' sensitivity slider.
+
</div></div>
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
<!-- Tip 3 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Game Tip 3 - Melee Fluidity & "Smooth" vs. "Raw" Input
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-tip3" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-tip3" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Engine Feature
  
−
# Go to 'Settings' > Then 'Game' > Look under 'Mouse Sensitivity' > And increase the 'Melee Combat' sensitivity slider.
+
'''The Cause:''' If melee feels "stiff" or "restrictive," it is often due to the new Melee Sensitivity Type introduced in the 3.X engine.
  
−
===Game Tip 4 - Shadowplay Is Not Working===
+
* '''The Fix:'''
−
If Nvidia Shadowplay isn't working, you can try pre-launching Holdfast: Nations At War with the below parameter.
 
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
# Go to Settings > Game > Advanced Settings.
−
# Right click on 'Holdfast: Nations At War' in your Steam library > Select 'Properties' from the drop-down menu > Click on 'Set Launch Options' > Insert the following parameter: '''-window-mode exclusive'''
+
# Look for Melee Sensitivity Type.
−
# Launch Holdfast: NaW and try again.
+
# Raw: Best for "Spinners" and high-level players. It removes all camera smoothing.
 +
# Smooth (Legacy): Better for beginners who find the camera too jittery during 4-directional blocking.
  
−
===Game Tip 5 - Game Stuttering (V-Sync)===
+
'''Sensitivity Tip:''' Set your Melee Combat Sensitivity to at least 2.0 (PC) or 2.2 (Console) to remain competitive in 360-degree combat.
−
If your game is stuttering even with high framerates. We recommend that you try turning on V-Sync from within the game.
+
</div></div>
  
−
'''Follow the below instructions:'''
+
<!-- Tip 4 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Game Tip 4 - Recording & Shadowplay (NVIDIA App)
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-tip4" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-tip4" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
  
−
# Go to 'Settings' > Then 'Video' > And enable 'VSYNC'.
+
 
 +
'''Status:''' Parameter Update Warning
 +
 
 +
'''The Cause:''' Do NOT use <code>-window-mode exclusive</code> This parameter causes the game to crash when Alt-Tabbing and interferes with NVIDIA Reflex.
 +
 
 +
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC
 +
 
 +
* '''The Fix:'''
 +
 
 +
# Set the game to Borderless Window in the video settings.
 +
# Open the NVIDIA App (formerly Geforce Experience) and ensure "Desktop Capture" is enabled in the Privacy settings.
 +
# The NVIDIA App recognizes Holdfast’s 3.X engine natively; if it fails to record, simply Verify Integrity of Game Files to refresh the API handshake.
 +
</div></div>
 +
 
 +
<!-- Tip 5 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Game Tip 5 - Stuttering, G-Sync, and NVIDIA Reflex
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-tip5" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-tip5" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
'''Status:''' Standard V-Sync
 +
 
 +
'''The Cause:''' Considered a secondary fix for the smoothest experience
 +
 
 +
'''Affected Platforms:''' PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5
 +
 
 +
* '''The Fix PC (NVIDIA):'''  
 +
 
 +
# Enable NVIDIA Reflex (On + Boost) in the Video settings. This automatically caps your FPS and minimizes input lag better than V-Sync.
 +
# Disable in-game VSYNC.
 +
 
 +
* '''The Fix PC (AMD):''' Enable Radeon Anti-Lag+ and set a frame cap 3 FPS below your monitor's refresh rate.
 +
 
 +
* '''The Fix Console:''' Go to Settings > Video and toggle Performance Mode. This targets 60 FPS (up to 120 FPS on supported displays) by dynamically scaling resolution.
 +
</div></div>
  
 
==Server Side Issues==
 
==Server Side Issues==
  
−
====Known Issue 1 - Your Server Is Experiencing Latency Issues====
+
<!-- Server 1 -->
 +
<div style="font-size:1.1em;margin:.5em 0;font-weight:normal;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;">
 +
Known Issue (Server) - Your Server Is Experiencing Latency Issues
 +
<span class="mw-customtoggle-server1" style="font-size:.9em;margin-left:.5em;">[Show/Hide]</span>
 +
</div>
 +
<div id="mw-customcollapsible-server1" class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 
Take note of the following points if the server you are hosting is experiencing latency issues.
 
Take note of the following points if the server you are hosting is experiencing latency issues.
  
Line 466: Line 612:
  
 
'''Take note of the following:'''
 
'''Take note of the following:'''
−
 
 
# Make sure that your CPU has a core speed of at least 3.6 GHz and that you’re not exceeding your bandwidth. You should also run your game server on a single physical and logical core.
 
# Make sure that your CPU has a core speed of at least 3.6 GHz and that you’re not exceeding your bandwidth. You should also run your game server on a single physical and logical core.
−
# Make sure that your server box's 'Power Options' are set to ''''High Performance'''' on Windows. By default, this is set to 'Balanced'. Please change this!
+
# Make sure that your server box's 'Power Options' are set to '''High Performance''' on Windows. By default, this is set to 'Balanced'. Please change this!
 
# Make sure that you have the latest Windows updates installed on your machine. This is very important.
 
# Make sure that you have the latest Windows updates installed on your machine. This is very important.
 
# Make sure that you follow the folder structure as defined in the documentation. Copy over the ‘holdfast_naw_public_servers’ folder over to your root drive then include the contents of the game from Steam in the ‘holdfast_naw_public_server’ folder.
 
# Make sure that you follow the folder structure as defined in the documentation. Copy over the ‘holdfast_naw_public_servers’ folder over to your root drive then include the contents of the game from Steam in the ‘holdfast_naw_public_server’ folder.
Line 474: Line 619:
 
# Don’t rename the ‘Holdfast NaW.exe’ executable.
 
# Don’t rename the ‘Holdfast NaW.exe’ executable.
 
# Don’t switch between Naval and Army based game modes.
 
# Don’t switch between Naval and Army based game modes.
 +
</div></div>

Latest revision as of 09:56, 28 January 2026

🛠️ Section I: Essential Diagnostics (Agnostic)

Before submitting a ticket to the Official Discord, you must perform these steps to rule out local data corruption.

1. Integrity Validation (Steam)

Asset corruption is the #1 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 automatically re-acquire any file that fails the SHA check.

2. Error Logging & Console Access

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

For any queries, please reach out to Tech Support in the official Holdfast Discord: discord.gg/holdfastgame.

🚩 Section II: Critical Known Issues (PC & Console)

Here's a list of known issues within the game which we're already aware of. You can rest assured that we're doing our best to solve them and please do get in touch with us if you ever face any issues whilst playing the game!

Known Issue 1 - Black Screen on Launch (Audio/Music Playing) [Show/Hide]

Status: GPU Scaling & Handshake Conflict

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

The Cause: This occurs when the game's internal resolution doesn't match the display's scaling parameters, causing the monitor to receive no signal while the game runs in the background.

The Fix PC:

NVIDIA Phase 1. NVIDIA GPU Scaling (NVIDIA App / Control Panel)

  • NVIDIA App Path: Open the NVIDIA App > Graphics tab > Global Settings. Ensure Image Scaling is Off.
  • Legacy Control Panel Path: Right-click Desktop > NVIDIA Control Panel > Adjust desktop size and position. Under "Select a scaling mode," choose No Scaling. Click Apply.

AMD Phase 1. AMD GPU Scaling (AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition)

  • The Path: Open AMD Software > Gaming > Games > Holdfast: Nations At War.
  • The Fix: Under the Display section on the right, set Scaling Mode to Preserve Aspect Ratio.
  • Important: Ensure Integer Scaling is set to Disabled, as this often causes "Out of Range" black screens on 1440p and 4K monitors in the current build.

Phase 2. Manual Resolution Reset (PC)

If the scaling fix doesn't work, you must force the game into a Windowed state to reset the engine's display handshake:

  1. Press Win + R, type %localappdata%low, and navigate to Anvil Game Studio > Holdfast NaW.
  2. Open HoldfastOptions.ini with Notepad.
  3. Find the line fullscreenMode and change the value to 1 (Windowed).
  4. Save the file and relaunch the game. Once the image appears, you can change your resolution in the in-game settings and switch back to Fullscreen.

Phase 3. The "Alt + Enter" Force-Refresh (PC)

If the screen is black but you hear music, press Alt + Enter on your keyboard. This forces the Windows OS to toggle the display mode. This often "wakes up" the GPU driver and forces it to render the frame buffer correctly.

  • The Fix Console: This is usually a conflict with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) or 120Hz Output handshakes.
  • 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 the visuals appear, you can safely re-enable these settings in the console menu.

Known Issue 2 - High Polling Rate Stutter (Mouse Lag) [Show/Hide]

High Polling Rate Stutter (Mouse Lag)

Status: Unity Engine Constraint (Input Thread Saturation)

The Issue: Your camera "hitches" or FPS drops drastically when moving the mouse, even on high-end PCs.

The Cause: Mouse set to 4,000Hz or 8,000Hz polling rates flood the engine with interrupt requests.

Affected Platforms: PC

  • The Fix: Open your mouse software (Razer Synapse, Logitech G Hub) and lower the Polling Rate to 1,000Hz or 500Hz.

Known Issue 3 - Cannot Hear Others Or Speak Through VoIP (Opus.dll & Others) [Show/Hide]

Status: Dependency / System Priority Error

The Issue: You cannot hear others, and the F2 console says DllNotFoundException: opus.

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

  • The Fix PC: Download the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Missing Opus.dll files prevent voice initialization
  • The Fix Console: Ensure your console is set to Game Chat, not Party Chat.
  • The Fix Xbox: If VOIP fails on Xbox, go to Network Settings > Advanced > Alternate MAC Address > Clear. This restarts the console and resets the VOIP handshake.

Known Issue 4 - Crashing on Launch / Splash Screen Freeze [Show/Hide]

Status: Software Conflict / File Corruption

Affected Platforms: PC

The Issue: The 3.X engine is highly sensitive to corrupted shaders and virtual display drivers.

The Fix:

  • Mono Cleanup: Navigate to \Steam\steamapps\common\Holdfast Nations At War. Delete the MonoBleedingEdge folder. Go to Steam > Right-click Holdfast > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.
  • Citrix Conflict: If you use Citrix Workspace, you must disable the "Citrix Indirect Display Adapter" in your Windows Device Manager. This driver blocks Unity's GPU initialization.
  • Hardware Monitoring: Close software like MSI Afterburner or RivaTuner. These overlays frequently cause "DirectX Device Lost" errors in the 2026 build.
  • Admin Mode: Right-click Holdfast NaW.exe in the installation folder and select Run as Administrator.

Known Issue 5 - Cannot See Servers In Lobby (PC & Console) [Show/Hide]

Status: Ongoing (Master Server Congestion / Routing Error)

The Issue: The lobby appears empty, or you are stuck on "Connecting."

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

  • The Fix:

Phase 1: The Soft Refresh:

Before checking hardware or network settings, try the internal UI reset.

  • Refresh Loop: Click the Refresh button (bottom left) 3–5 times. In the 2026 build, the Master Server often requires multiple handshakes to authenticate your session.
  • Filter Check: Ensure "Hide Empty" and "Hide Full" are Unchecked. Set the "Max Ping" slider to the far right.

Phase 2: Network & Security (PC Only):

If the browser is still empty, external software is likely blocking the game's outgoing UDP requests.

  • Disable Anti-Virus: Temporarily disable software like AVG, Avast, or McAfee.
  • Disable Firewall: Turn off the Windows Defender Firewall specifically for Holdfast.
  • Disable VPN: Applications like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or BullGuard often mask your Steam/Console ticket, preventing the lobby from verifying you.
  • Reset Internet: Power cycle your router (unplug for 30 seconds).

Phase 3: The "Join Custom Server" Bypass (PC & Console):

If the standard browser list fails to populate, use this direct handshake method:

  1. Open the Server Browser from the main menu.
  2. Look at the bottom left. If the list is empty, click Join Custom Server.
  3. On PC: A prompt will appear. Instead of typing an IP, look for a Dropdown Menu or Toggle that says "Official Servers." Select an Official Server (e.g., Official EU1) and hit Connect.
  4. On Console (Xbox/PS5): The "Join Custom Server" button opens a simplified menu. Press the Y button (Xbox) or Triangle (PS5) to "Fetch Official List." This initiates a direct call to the Anvil Games Server, bypassing the community browser cache that often freezes.

Phase 4: Platform-Specific Authentication:

  • PC (Steam): Log out of Steam entirely (Change Account > Log Out), then log back in. This forces a fresh "Steam Ticket" generation.
  • Console (Xbox/PS5): Fully shut down your console (do not use Sleep/Rest mode). This clears the cache and forces a new handshake with the AGS Master Server.
  • The VPN Flip: If your VPN was already disabled, try enabling it and selecting a different region.

Phase 5: Social & Connection Workarounds:

  • The "Friend Join" Trick: On both Steam and Console (Xbox/PS Friends), the most reliable 100% workaround is to Join Session directly through your platform's friend list. This completely bypasses the in-game browser.
  • Alternative Connection: If possible, test your connection using a Mobile Hotspot. If servers appear on the hotspot but not your Wi-Fi, your ISP is likely blocking the game's port.

Known Issue 6 - Black/Green Screen Artifacts (PS5/Xbox) [Show/Hide]

Status: Post-Processing Desync

The Issue: Flickering colors often occur when switching between 1st and 3rd person or during heavy naval combat.

Affected Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S

  • The Fix: Go to Settings > Video and disable Motion Blur and Depth of Field. This stabilizes the rendering stack on console hardware.
  • Xbox Series S Fix: If the game crashes specifically on the Series S, disable High Quality Textures to prevent VRAM overflow.

Known Issue 7 - Reload Animation State Lock [Show/Hide]

Status: Animation Buffer Error

The Issue: Your character has ammunition but refuses to start the reload animation.

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

  • The Fix: Quickly open and close the Text Chat (View Button on Xbox / Touchpad on PS5 / Enter on PC). This forces the character's animation state to "Idle," clearing the reload block.

Known Issue 8 - Screen Flickering / Unresponsive When Minimizing (Alt-Tab) [Show/Hide]

Status: Display Mode Conflict

The Issue: This occurs when the game and Windows disagree on how to handle the display buffer during a task switch.

Affected Platforms: PC

  • The Fix:
    • Go to Settings > Video in-game.
    • Set your Window Mode to Borderless Window. This is the most stable setting for 2026; it allows for instant Alt-Tabbing without desyncing the GPU or getting stuck on a black screen.
    • Disable Overlays: Flickering is frequently caused by the Discord Overlay or Steam Overlay fighting for control of the window. Disable these in their respective app settings.
    • Windows 11/12 Fix: Ensure "Optimizations for windowed games" is Enabled in your Windows System Settings (Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings).

Known Issue 9 - Level 1 / Rank Progress Reset [Show/Hide]

Status: Cloud-Sync Dela

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

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

  • The Fix: This is a visual desync where the client fails to fetch your profile. Do not reinstall. Join an Official Server and play for one full round. The server will force-fetch your data and restore your rank at the end of the match.

Known Issue 10 - Stuck on Map Loading Screen [Show/Hide]

Status: Asset Loading Desync

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

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

  • The Fix PC: This is usually caused by a single corrupted map asset. Go to Steam > Right-click Holdfast > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.
  • The Fix Console: On PS5 and Xbox, ensure the game is installed on the Internal SSD. Running Holdfast from an external HDD will cause "Infinite Loading" or "Map Hangs" due to slow read speeds.
  • The Fix Xbox: If stuck on a load screen, go to Network Settings > Advanced Settings > Alternate MAC Address > Clear. This restarts the console and flushes the temporary data that causes map desyncs.

Known Issue 11 - Fatal Crash on Startup (Citrix Workspace Conflict) [Show/Hide]


Status: Software Conflict (Citrix Indirect Display Adapter)

The Cause: If you use Citrix Workspace for work, it installs a virtual display driver that frequently causes Unity games to crash immediately upon initialization.

Affected Platforms: PC

  • The Fix:

Phase 1. To confirm this is the cause, check your error log:

  1. Press Win + R, type %localappdata%low, and navigate to Anvil Game Studio > Holdfast NaW.
  2. Open Player.log. If you see "GfxDevice: creating device client; threaded=1" followed immediately by "Crash!!!", Citrix is the culprit.

Phase 2. You do not need to uninstall Citrix. Try these steps in order:

  • Option A: Disable the Virtual Adapter (Recommended):
    1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
    2. Expand Display adapters.
    3. Right-click Citrix Indirect Display Adapter and select Disable device.
    4. You can now launch Holdfast. Note: You may need to re-enable this later for your work remote desktop to function.
  • Option B: Disable the Bus Enumerator:
    1. In Device Manager, expand System devices.
    2. Locate Citrix Virtual Bus Enumerator.
    3. Right-click and select Disable device. This often resolves the crash without needing to touch the display drivers.
  • Option C: The Windows Store Version:
    1. Uninstall your current Citrix Workspace app.
    2. Download the Citrix Workspace app directly from the Microsoft Store.
    3. The Store version uses a different driver architecture that does not conflict with the Unity engine in 2026.

Known Issue 12 - Fatal Crash on Startup (Virtual Desktop & VR Drivers) [Show/Hide]

Status: GPU Initialization Conflict

The Issue: Users of Virtual Desktop, Meta Quest Link, or Pico Connect may experience an instant crash upon launching the game.

The Cause: The game engine attempts to initialize on the "Virtual Monitor" created by your VR software rather than your physical GPU.

Affected Platforms: PC

  • The Fix:

Phase 1. You do not need to uninstall your VR software. Try these steps in order:

  • Option A: Disable the Virtual Monitor (Recommended):
    1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
    2. Expand Display adapters.
    3. Look for Virtual Desktop Monitor, Meta Quest Link Display, or Pico Virtual Display.
    4. Right-click and select Disable device.
    5. Launch Holdfast. You can safely re-enable the driver once you are done playing.
  • Option B: Power Cycle the Streamer:
    • Ensure your VR Streamer app (on your PC) is completely closed and not just minimized to the system tray before launching Holdfast. If the streamer is active, it "claims" the display buffer, preventing Holdfast from opening in Fullscreen mode.
  • Option C: Disable "HAGS" (Windows 11/12):
    • Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS) is known to cause fatal conflicts between Unity and VR drivers.
    • Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings and toggle Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling to Off. Restart your PC and try launching the game again.

Phase 2. Identifying the Conflict in Logs

If you aren't sure if a VR driver is the cause:

  1. Open your Player.log in %localappdata%low\Anvil Game Studio\Holdfast NaW\.
  2. Look for the line: GfxDevice: creating device client; threaded=1.
  3. If the very next line is Crash!!! or Device Lost, an active virtual display driver (VR or Citrix) is almost certainly the cause.

Known Issue 13 - Cannot Join Modded Server (Connection/Download Error) [Show/Hide]

Status: Workshop Handshake & Sync Conflict

The Cause: The client and server cannot synchronize the required modification files.

Affected Platforms: PC

  • The Fix:

Phase 1. In Steam, go to Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache. Steam will restart. This forces the client to re-check all modlist.txt requirements for Holdfast.

Phase 2. Close Holdfast and Steam. Navigate to: Steam\userdata\[YourSteamID]\ugc\workshop. Delete the subscriptions.vdf file. Relaunch Steam; this forces a full re-sync of every mod you are subscribed to, fixing 99% of "Version Mismatch" errors.

Phase 3. If a specific mod is stuck, go to Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\589290 and delete the contents. Steam will re-download the clean versions next time you try to join a modded server.

Known Issue 14 - No Main Menu (Camera Stuck on Cannon/Howitzer Background) [Show/Hide]

Status: UI Layer Initialization Error

The Cause: The game loads the background scene, but the buttons (Join Game, Armoury, Settings) never appear.

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

  • The Fix:

Option A: The Configuration Reset (PC):

  1. Close the game.
  2. Press Win + R, type %localappdata%low, and navigate to Anvil Game Studio > Holdfast NaW.
  3. Delete the file named HoldfastOptions.ini.
  4. Relaunch the game. The engine will generate a fresh, default configuration file, which forces the UI layer to re-anchor to your current resolution.

Option B: UI Safe-Mode (PC):

  • If the menu is still missing, go to Steam > Right-click Holdfast > Properties.
  • In Launch Options, type: -screen-width 1920 -screen-height 1080.
  • This forces a standard aspect ratio that often "pops" the UI back into the visible frame if it was bugged by an ultrawide or custom resolution.

Option C: Language Sync Fix (Console):

  • On Xbox and PS5, this is often caused by a mismatch between the console's system language and the game's supported localization. Ensure your console language is set to English (US or UK) as a test to see if the menu returns.

Known Issue 15 - Microphone Not Working (VOIP / Proximity Chat) [Show/Hide]

Status: Audio Device Handshake / OS Privacy Conflict

The Cause: This occurs when the game cannot claim the "Exclusive Mode" of your microphone or is being blocked by system-level privacy settings.

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

  • The Fix PC:

Privacy Toggle: Go to Windows Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Ensure "Microphone Access" is ON and specifically that "Let desktop apps access your microphone" is toggled ON for Holdfast.

The IPv6 Fix: A specific bug in the 3.X engine's Vivox integration causes VOIP to fail on certain routers using IPv6.

  1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
  2. Right-click your connection > Properties.
  3. Uncheck "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)". Click OK and relaunch.

Exclusive Mode: Press Win + R, type mmsys.cpl. Under the Recording tab, right-click your mic > Properties > Advanced. Uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device".

  • The Fix Console:

Party Chat Conflict: If you are in a PlayStation or Xbox Party, the game’s Push-to-Talk (PTT) will be muted by the OS. You must switch to Game Chat in your console's Quick Menu.

PTT Indicator: On console, Holdfast uses Push-to-Talk only. Hold Y (Xbox) or Triangle (PS5). If the microphone icon does not appear above your health bar, your mic is not being detected at the hardware level.

Alternate MAC Address (Xbox): If your mic works in other games but not Holdfast, go to Settings > Network > Advanced > Alternate MAC Address > Clear. This clears the network cache associated with the VOIP handshake.

Known Issue 16 - Game Stuck on Map Load [Show/Hide]

Status: Asset Synchronization or Network Timeout

The Cause: This occurs when the client fails to download the final map metadata or cannot handshake with the server's instance after the map has loaded.

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

  • The Fix PC:

Verify Workshop Integrity: Map loading freezes are almost always caused by a corrupted map file (especially on modded servers).

  1. Close Holdfast.
  2. Go to Steam > Right-click Holdfast > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.

SSD Requirement: If the game is installed on an older HDD, the engine may timeout during asset decryption. Moving the game to an SSD is the primary fix for "Infinite Loading."

The VPN Toggle: While old advice said "Disable it," 2026 routing is complex. If you are stuck on a load screen:

  1. If VPN is OFF: Try turning it ON to a different region to bypass an ISP routing bottleneck.
  2. If VPN is ON: Turn it OFF, as some VPNs block the specific UDP ports (7777-7780) used for the final server handshake.
  • The Fix Console:

The Quick Resume Bug (Xbox): This is the #1 cause of stuck loading screens on Xbox. Never use Quick Resume for Holdfast. Always highlight the game tile > Menu Button > Quit, then relaunch.

Alternate MAC Address (Xbox): If stuck at 99%, go to Settings > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > Alternate MAC Address > Clear. This clears the temporary network cache that often holds a "stale" connection to the previous map.

Rebuild Database (PS5): If certain maps (like Palisade) always freeze, boot your PS5 into Safe Mode (hold power for 2 beeps) and select Option 5: Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.

  • The Fix PC/Console: DNS Handshake
  1. If you are stuck on the loading screen only when joining Official Servers, your ISP is likely failing to resolve the AGS API.
  2. Change your Primary DNS to 8.8.8.8 and Secondary to 1.1.1.1.

Known Issue 17 - Reginald 'One Eyed' Fitzgerald Head Not Unlocking [Show/Hide]

Status: Legacy Method Deprecated (Switch to Code Challenge)

The Cause: As of the 3.X build, rewards are no longer tracked by local Discord app detection. You must now manually link your game profile to your Discord account via the in-game Armoury.

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

  • The Fix:

Join the Discord: If you haven't already, join the Official Holdfast Discord.

Generate Your Code: Open Holdfast and navigate to Armoury > Social. Click the Link Discord button. The game will provide you with a unique Challenge Code.

Bot Verification: Go to the Official Holdfast Discord and find the #link-game-profile channel. Follow the instructions.

Claim Reward: Once the bot confirms the link, return to the in-game Armoury.

Steam Related Issues

Steam Known Issue 1 - Steam Content File Locked / Write Error [Show/Hide]

Status: File Permission Conflict

The Cause: This occurs when Windows or an overzealous Anti-Virus prevents Steam from modifying the game's executable after a patch.

Affected Platforms: PC

  • The Fix:

Phase 1: Restart your PC: This is the most effective way to clear a "locked" file state.

Phase 2: Clear Download Cache: In Steam, go to Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache.

Phase 3. Run as Admin: Right-click the Steam Shortcut on your desktop > Properties > Compatibility > Check "Run this program as an administrator".

Game Tips

Game Tip 1 - Orbit Camera (Look Around) Not Working [Show/Hide]

Status: Updated for Cross-Platform

The Cause: If the tilde ~ key is unresponsive, it is likely due to a regional keyboard conflict (common with UK/EU layouts).

Affected Platforms: PC

  • The Fix: Go to Settings > Keys and rebind Orbit Camera to Left Alt or Caps Lock.

Game Tip 2 - Auto Bayonet Switch (Melee Conflict) [Show/Hide]

Status: Highly Recommended for Competitive Play

The Cause: If you find yourself accidentally stabbing when you meant to fire, the "Auto Bayonet Switch" is likely active.

  • The Fix: Go to Settings > Game > search for "Auto Switch Bayonet" and set it to OFF.

Game Tip 3 - Melee Fluidity & "Smooth" vs. "Raw" Input [Show/Hide]

Status: Engine Feature

The Cause: If melee feels "stiff" or "restrictive," it is often due to the new Melee Sensitivity Type introduced in the 3.X engine.

  • The Fix:
  1. Go to Settings > Game > Advanced Settings.
  2. Look for Melee Sensitivity Type.
  3. Raw: Best for "Spinners" and high-level players. It removes all camera smoothing.
  4. Smooth (Legacy): Better for beginners who find the camera too jittery during 4-directional blocking.

Sensitivity Tip: Set your Melee Combat Sensitivity to at least 2.0 (PC) or 2.2 (Console) to remain competitive in 360-degree combat.

Game Tip 4 - Recording & Shadowplay (NVIDIA App) [Show/Hide]


Status: Parameter Update Warning

The Cause: Do NOT use -window-mode exclusive This parameter causes the game to crash when Alt-Tabbing and interferes with NVIDIA Reflex.

Affected Platforms: PC

  • The Fix:
  1. Set the game to Borderless Window in the video settings.
  2. Open the NVIDIA App (formerly Geforce Experience) and ensure "Desktop Capture" is enabled in the Privacy settings.
  3. The NVIDIA App recognizes Holdfast’s 3.X engine natively; if it fails to record, simply Verify Integrity of Game Files to refresh the API handshake.

Game Tip 5 - Stuttering, G-Sync, and NVIDIA Reflex [Show/Hide]

Status: Standard V-Sync

The Cause: Considered a secondary fix for the smoothest experience

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

  • The Fix PC (NVIDIA):
  1. Enable NVIDIA Reflex (On + Boost) in the Video settings. This automatically caps your FPS and minimizes input lag better than V-Sync.
  2. Disable in-game VSYNC.
  • The Fix PC (AMD): Enable Radeon Anti-Lag+ and set a frame cap 3 FPS below your monitor's refresh rate.
  • The Fix Console: Go to Settings > Video and toggle Performance Mode. This targets 60 FPS (up to 120 FPS on supported displays) by dynamically scaling resolution.

Server Side Issues

Known Issue (Server) - Your Server Is Experiencing Latency Issues [Show/Hide]

Take note of the following points if the server you are hosting is experiencing latency issues.

The documentation for hosting a server can be found down below.

Host Your Own Game Server! - Documentation

Take note of the following:

  1. Make sure that your CPU has a core speed of at least 3.6 GHz and that you’re not exceeding your bandwidth. You should also run your game server on a single physical and logical core.
  2. Make sure that your server box's 'Power Options' are set to High Performance on Windows. By default, this is set to 'Balanced'. Please change this!
  3. Make sure that you have the latest Windows updates installed on your machine. This is very important.
  4. Make sure that you follow the folder structure as defined in the documentation. Copy over the ‘holdfast_naw_public_servers’ folder over to your root drive then include the contents of the game from Steam in the ‘holdfast_naw_public_server’ folder.
  5. Make sure that you port forward the game ports from your firewall and router, (outbound and inbound), on UDP.
  6. Don’t rename the ‘Holdfast NaW.exe’ executable.
  7. Don’t switch between Naval and Army based game modes.
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