RedM crashes before server browser - RDR2 Story & Online work normally

RedM Client Support
1

What is the issue you’re having?

RedM crashes every time during startup.

A black RedM window appears for a few seconds before crashing to desktop with one of the graphics related error messages below.

The crash occurs before the RedM server browser is displayed.

RDR2 Story Mode and Red Dead Online both work perfectly without any crashes.

RedM consistently crashes during graphics initialization. Depending on the graphics API and driver version I receive one of these errors:

  • ERR_GFX_D3D_DEFERRED_MEM
  • VK_ERROR_INVALID_EXTERNAL_HANDLE
  • Failed to allocate memory for Vulkan

The crash happens before joining any server, so it is not server specific.

I last used RedM approximately one year ago on this same PC without issues.

The problem appeared when installing a fresh installation of RedM again recently.

What have you tried already to fix the issue?

  • Verified RDR2 game files.
  • Completely removed and reinstalled RedM.
  • Deleted RedM cache.
  • Deleted RDR2 shader cache (sga files).
  • Switched between Vulkan and DirectX 12.
    Tested with Vulkan and DirectX 12 both via XML and in-game settings.
  • Tested three different NVIDIA drivers:
    • 610.62
    • 572.83
    • 566.36
  • Performed clean NVIDIA driver installations.
  • Disabled Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling.
  • Disabled Variable Refresh Rate.
  • Removed all overlays.
  • No MSI Afterburner.
  • No RTSS.
  • No ScriptHook.
  • No ASI plugins.
  • No dinput8.dll.
  • No dxgi.dll.
  • No winmm.dll.
  • No version.dll.
  • RedM cache fully cleared.
  • RDR2 XML reset.
  • Windows system files verified (SFC).
  • Tested with external monitors disconnected.
  • Armoury Crate GPU mode set to Ultimate.
  • RedM forced to High Performance GPU.

What server did you get this issue on?

None. RedM crashes before I can connect to any server or even browse client.

Error screenshot(s)

Error window.png
Error window.png359×317 55.1 KB

Windows version

Windows 11 Home 25H2 Build 26200.8655

System specifications

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU603VV)

CPU:
Intel Core i7-13620H

RAM:
48 GB DDR4

GPU:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8 GB)

Integrated GPU:
Intel UHD Graphics

NVIDIA drivers tested:
610.62
572.83
566.36

Storage:
Samsung NVMe SSD
2x external SSD (Samsung) via Thunderbolt

Game API tested:
Vulkan
DirectX 12

RDR2 version:
1.0.1491.50

Antivirus software

Microsoft Defender

CitizenFX crash zip file (‘Save information’ on a crash)

CfxCrashDump_2026_06_25_12_58_54.zip (2 MB)

Log files

CitizenFX_log_2026-06-25T125203.log (50.5 KB)
f04cb85c-e36c-4271-ae9c-13f4deac890e.dmp (8.94 MB)
Crashes.dmp.zip (1.94 MB)
dxdiag.txt (187 KB)

Additional comments

Short:

  • RDR2 Story Mode and Red Dead Online both work flawlessly.

  • The crash occurs before the RedM server browser or client appears.

  • This is a completely clean RedM installation.

  • No ScriptHook, ASI plugins or injectors are present.

  • Multiple NVIDIA driver versions have been tested without any difference.

  • The issue has been reproduced after multiple complete reinstallations of RedM.

  • RDR2 Story Mode and Red Dead Online remain fully functional throughout all testing.

Windows Insider is NOT enabled.

Windows Update currently shows “Join the Windows Insider Program”.

This is a Windows 11 25H2 Retail installation.

I am happy to test experimental builds or provide any additional diagnostics if needed.

2

Hello, this is a friendly reminder because this is your first time creating a topic (or it has been a while since your last topic) in this category.

Please note that most of the support is provided by the Cfx.re community on a voluntary basis. We ask you to be patient; there is no guarantee we have a solution to your problem(s). To avoid unnecessary/duplicate topics, please browse the forums before creating a topic.

To improve your chances of your issue(s) being solved, please provide as much information as possible about the issue(s) you are having. Also —whenever possible— please use the template given to you when creating a topic.

Thanks for keeping these forums tidy!
:mascot:

3

As it looks right now - it works.

All I did was going into MyAsus and updated everyone it had as an option. If nothing is heard, I have resolved this issue.

4

If using steam, steam may be the cause, if not using beta build, just steam itself is causing MY issue.
FiveM and RedM are different but use the same “launchers” - i havent tried REDM since closing steam, but fiveM started working after Steam was closed entirely, hinting its a steam issue, not a client, or CFX issue.

5

I am having this exact same issue and updating is not working for me (along with every other attempted solution), though I have MSI instead of Asus.