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How to Fix Crash on Loading Track Iracing

iRacing drivers: Here’s how to fix crash on loading track iracing. Understand the causes and follow quick, safe steps to get back on track fast. No fluff—just fixes.

If you’re searching for how to fix crash on loading track iracing, you’re in the right place. Most crashes here come from GPU drivers, broken content files, or overlay conflicts. Use the steps below to fix it fast and get back on track.

Quick Answer: how to fix crash on loading track iracing

Nine times out of ten, the crash is caused by a bad graphics driver, corrupted track/content files, or a third‑party overlay hooking into the game. Update your GPU driver (clean install), repair/verify iRacing files, and disable all overlays/extra apps. If you use VR, test in non‑VR first.

What’s Really Going On

When iRacing loads a track, it pulls a lot of textures and shaders into your GPU. If your graphics driver is outdated, a track file is corrupted, or an overlay injects code at the wrong time, the sim can crash. VR adds another layer: a mismatched OpenXR/Oculus runtime or launch option can fail on load.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Update GPU drivers cleanly
  • NVIDIA/AMD app: choose Clean Install (or Factory Reset on AMD). Reboot. This resolves most iRacing problems tied to graphics.
  1. Repair iRacing content
  • In the iRacing UI/installer, run Repair/Verify to redownload damaged files. If one track always crashes, delete that track folder and re-download it inside the iRacing UI.
  1. Kill overlays and hook-in tools
  • Fully close Discord/Steam/GeForce overlays, MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner, Overwolf, RTSS, and temporarily exit SimHub, CrewChief, FanaLab, JRT. Then launch iRacing and test.
  1. Reset graphics settings
  • Exit the sim. Back up Documents\iRacing, then delete rendererDX11.ini (and optionally app.ini). Launch iRacing to rebuild defaults. In Options > Graphics, start Low/Medium, cap FPS, and reduce textures/crowds.
  1. VR-only checks
  • In the iRacing UI, turn off “Use HMD” and test in 2D. If stable, set the correct runtime (OpenXR/WMR or Oculus), update the runtime software, and avoid mixing OpenComposite/SteamVR unless required.
  1. Windows basics
  • Ensure Windows is up to date; install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ x86 (2015–2022) and DirectX runtime. Add iRacing folders to antivirus exclusions. Keep at least 10–15 GB free on the drive.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Try Borderless or Windowed mode instead of Fullscreen.
  • Move iRacing to an SSD if it’s on an HDD; slow disks can trigger timeouts.
  • Set Texture/Car/Pit object detail lower to reduce VRAM spikes on load.
  • Turn off Windows Game Bar and “Game Mode” while testing.
  • Check Documents\iRacing\logs after a crash; look for the last line before failure to spot the culprit.

FAQs

  • Why does iRacing crash only on one track?
    That track’s files may be corrupted. Delete that track’s folder, then repair/verify in the iRacing UI to re-download clean files.

  • Will reinstalling iRacing fix loading crashes?
    Often, a full reinstall isn’t needed. A repair/verify and driver clean install usually solve it faster.

  • Can overlays really cause this?
    Yes. Overlays hook into the game and can crash it on load. Disable Discord/Steam/GeForce overlays and any FPS/OSD tools while testing.

  • iRacing crashes only in VR—what should I try first?
    Turn off “Use HMD” to confirm the sim works in 2D, then update your VR runtime, use the correct OpenXR/Oculus path, and avoid mixed runtimes.

Wrap-Up

Most “loading track” crashes boil down to drivers, corrupted content, or overlays. Tackle those first, then reset graphics and check VR runtime. Once stable, raise your iRacing settings gradually.