Windows

Generic troubleshooting: https://planetaryannihilation.com/support/troubleshooting/

Discord: https://discord.gg/pa

Clean Boot

A great way to troubleshoot Windows issues is by starting with a clean boot: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135/

Windows System Requirements

MinimumRecommended
Windows 7 Service Pack 1Windows 10 latest

NVIDIA Low FPS

Known issue with latest driver impacting many games typically in multiple display environments with AMD CPU / NVIDIA GPU.

Disable, set to manual or stop the NVIDIA Display Container LS Windows service.

Disabling will remove the NVIDIA icon from the Windows taskbar.

Report via NVIDIA Support or the NVIDIA Display Driver Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/kJ9Bqcaicvjb82SdA from 466.11 thread: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/game-ready-drivers/13/448105/geforce-46611-grd-feedback-thread-released-41421/

Windows Updates KB5001330 / KB5000842

Also see: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-10-20h2#1594msgdesc

Update Your Windows Graphics Drivers

Please make sure your graphics drivers are up to date by downloading your drivers directly from the graphics card manufacturer websites. Drivers from Windows laptop manufacturer websites are often outdated.

Alternatively use the graphic card manufacturer auto detection and update tools:

For a clean driver uninstall:

Multiple GPUs or Switchable Graphics

If your gaming laptop or desktop has multiple graphics cards, please make sure you have updated drivers for both GPUs and that you have configured both PA and CoherentUI_Host to run on your high performance dedicated GPU:

Check the GPU in the Windows Task Manager. For some dual GPU configurations you may want PA and Coherent on different GPUs.

Windows Planetary Annihilation Data Directory

The default location is in your local app data directory:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Uber Entertainment\Planetary Annihilation
C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\local\Uber Entertainment\Planetary Annihilation

Your user AppData directory is hidden by default so you have a couple of options:

Windows Incompatible Software

ASUS / ROG GameFirstMay cause network lag resulting in unit stutter / jumps with both online and offline servers.
Firewall / Security Suites
May cause connection failures and crashes.

Disable or add exceptions for SSL / protocol scanning / filtering for PA.exe, server.exe and CoherentUI_Host.exe

ESET: https://support.eset.com/en/kb5833-manage-protocolssltls-filtering-in-eset-windows-home-products
Kaspersky: https://support.kaspersky.com/12684#block2
On Screen Displays (OSD)May cause black screens and crashes.

MSI Afterburner / Rivatuner
ASUS / ROG Sonic Radar
3D API / OpenGL InterceptorsMay cause black screens and crashes.

Lucid Virtu MVP
Sound EnhancersMay cause no sound, stutter, static, etc.
Nahimic Audio Driver

Also bundled in:
ASUS / ROG Sonic Studio
MSI Audio Drivers
Alienware Command Center		May cause no sound, stutter, static, etc and may also freeze when launching on a second display with NVIDIA drivers.

Add PA.exe to:
C:\ProgramData\A-Volute\A-Volute.Nahimic\Modules\Scheduled\Configurator\BlackApps.dat

Windows Crash Dumps

PA generated crash reports with logs (and dxdiag on windows) are usually automatically uploaded to our crash reporting system.

When reporting crashes it also helps if you include the crash ID from your logs (same as the filename of the generated minidump):

xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx.dmp


The default location for crash dumps generated by PA is now the logs directory in your Planetary Annihilation data directory.

The environment variable MINIDUMP_DIRECTORY can be used to change the location where PA crash minidump files are saved and will also generate more detailed (and larger) minidump files similar to the new --enable-detailed-minidump command line option.

Windows Error Reporting (WER)

The default location for mini crash dumps created by Windows Error Reporting (WER) is:

  • %LOCALAPPDATA%\CrashDumps\

WER crash dump files are named like:

  • PA.exe.NNNNN.dmp

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/performance/read-small-memory-dump-file#configure-the-dump-type

Windows Environment Variables

To set environment variables on Windows use:

  • Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables (or search for environment variables if using Windows 10).

HDR10

Experimental hardware HDR10 support can be enabled on latest Windows 10 for modern NVIDIA 10 series or newer GPUs connected via DisplayPort 1.4+ or HDMI 2.0+ with full output of dynamic range and colour depth in the NVIDIA Control Panel using:

  • --hardware-hdr

Troubleshooting

Planetary Annihilation is a cross platform client / server networked OpenGL application.

Any software that interferes with network connections or OpenGL can cause issues.

When playing you are connecting to a local server or hosted server over the internet.

A cabled Ethernet connection to your router will perform better than Wi-Fi for most games. After your router your ISP, their backhaul and their transit to PAnet AWS servers will determine the quality of your network connection.

Like most games you need free memory to run PA especially with a local server. A minimum spec Windows system with 8GB RAM and a dedicated GPU should normally have 6GB RAM free before starting PA.

System level crashes or mouse / keyboard freezes during live games are almost always a hardware / driver issue with your system. PA can really push your hardware to the max.

Windows: https://planetaryannihilation.com/support/windows/

macOS: https://planetaryannihilation.com/support/macos/

Linux: https://planetaryannihilation.com/support/linux/

Discord: https://discord.gg/pa

System Requirements

MinimumRecommended
CPUMODERN Quad CoreMODERN Quad Core+
Memory8GB RAM for dedicated GPU
12GB RAM for integrated GPU
4GB free for local server		16GB RAM
GPUOpenGL 3.2+ / 1GB VRAMDedicated GPU
Storage5GB available space7 GB available space
InternetBroadbandBroadband via Ethernet

Update Your Graphics Drivers

On Windows please update your graphics drivers: https://planetaryannihilation.com/support/windows/#drivers

Older CPUs

  • AMD Phenom
  • Intel Core 2

Try the legacy build.: https://planetaryannihilation.com/guides/planetary-annihilation-public-test-environments-pte/

Older AMD / Intel GPUs or Brightness Issues

All modern GPUs should now support sRGB and sRGB multiple render targets blending.

Historical sRGB workarounds for AMD / Intel GPU’s were removed in 114880.

Use the following if you need to enable the previous settings:

  • --gl-disable-srgb
  • --gl-disable-mrt-srgb

For Intel GPUs on Windows 10 make sure you have the latest GPU driver and the Intel Graphics Commander Center:

Changing Your Display Name

To change your display name in-game, click on the social icon in the lower right-hand corner. A menu should appear with your name and a dropdown box to change your online status. Below that says, “Change Display Name.”

A box will appear where you can type in your New Display Name. If the name you’ve entered has already been taken, a message will appear to notify you.

Adding PA Friends

To add a PA friend send them a friend request using right click on their name in any of the following:

  • community chat
  • recent
  • search results

Friends need to be logged in and online to accept friend invites.

PA Accounts

Historical backers and anyone who wants to play outside of steam can create an optional PAnet account with a username and password that can be linked with a steam account for TITANS ownership.

Lost TITANS Ownership After Linking Steam with PA Account

Open a support ticket at: https://support.planetaryannihilation.com/

Verify Your Game Files

Clear Your Download Cache

Delete the contents of the download directory in your Planetary Annihilation Data Directory.

Disable FPS Counters / Overlays / Memory Optimisers

The safe way to check stats is via control-p in-game to toggle between:

  • Client FPS
  • GPU memory usage

When connected to a local or public server:

  • Server (always max 1 FPS)
  • Sim (max 10 FPS once game has started)

Close Other Applications / Browsers

PA is a CPU heavy game especially when running a local server.

Close unnecessary applications and browser tabs especially on older systems.

Client Stalls or Unit Jumps

This is usually a network issue such as packet loss or network lag in transit to PAnet AWS servers (or OVH US for the dedicated servers).

Some network issues may be temporary due to congestion or bad ISP transit / peering routes.

Software such as firewalls or network optimisers can also disrupt network connections. eg ASUS / Rog GameFirst on Windows.

Network Testing

MTR or WinMTR is the preferred tool for testing network connectivity. All hops should show 0 (no packet loss) or 100 (blocked).

Persistent packet loss on many hops is most likely a local issue with PC software / hardware, Ethernet cables, router software / hardware or your ISP last mile connection to network termination / demarcation (or ONT for fibre connections).

Incorrect MTU and TCP MSS clamping settings may result in fragmentation or packet loss. For PPEoE, DSL or cable connections test MTU sizes of 1492 or 1452.

Clean Testing

You can start a clean copy of PA without deleting your existing Planetary Annihilation Data Directory by using the --localstorageurl command line parameter. eg --localstorageurl=localstore-testing

Planetary Annihilation Data Directory

The data directory or folder is separate from your install directory and contains:

  • logs
  • local configuration localstore
  • file system mods client_mods and server_mods
  • downloads for community mods download

The data directory is shared by all installations of Planetary Annihilation:

  • steam
  • launcher
  • stable or PTE streams

Updating or reinstalling PA does not impact the data directory.

By default all installations use the same local configuration. You can override this using the --localstorageurl command line parameter. 

--localstorageurl=localstore-testing

Windows Planetary Annihilation Data Directory

The default location is in your local app data directory:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Uber Entertainment\Planetary Annihilation
C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\local\Uber Entertainment\Planetary Annihilation

Your user AppData directory is hidden by default so you have a couple of options:

macOS Planetary Annihilation Data Directory

The default location is in your local library folder:

/Users/YOURUSERNAME/Library/Application Support/Uber Entertainment/Planetary Annihilation
~/Library/Application Support/Uber Entertainment/Planetary Annihilation

Your user library folder is hidden by default and can be accessed via:

Linux Planetary Annihilation Data Directory

The default location is in your home directory:

  • ~/.local/Uber Entertainment/Planetary Annihilation/

Steam Installation Directory

  • Open your Steam library
  • Right click on Planetary Annihilation: TITANS or Planetary Annihilation in your list of games
  • Select Properties
  • Click the LOCAL FILES tab
  • Click BROWSE LOCAL FILES

Steam Command Line Parameters

  1. Open your Steam library
  2. Right click Planetary Annihilation: TITANS then select Properties
  3. Click Set Launch Options…

PA Launcher Command Line Parameters

  1. Open the PA launcher and sign in
  2. Click on your username then select Build Options… from the list
  3. Additional command-line options

Crash Dumps

PA generated crash reports with logs (and dxdiag on windows) are usually automatically uploaded to our crash reporting system.

When reporting crashes it also helps if you include the crash ID from your logs (same as the filename of the generated minidump):

xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx.dmp


The default location for crash dumps generated by PA is now the logs directory in your Planetary Annihilation data directory.

The environment variable MINIDUMP_DIRECTORY can be used to change the location where PA crash minidump files are saved and will also generate more detailed (and larger) minidump files similar to the new --enable-detailed-minidump command line option.

Windows Error Reporting (WER) and macOS may also generate different crash reports:

Repeatable Crashes Within N Minutes

When there is a repeatable crash after starting a game, clicking on preview PIPs, etc it’s often caused by local issues like:

  • out of date drivers
  • out of date BIOS
  • faulty / failing hardware
    • faulty or mismatched RAM
    • old or underrated power supply

PA can stress your hardware more than other games and we can normally spot local issues by:

  • uniqueness of crash
  • type of crash
  • location of crash
  • kernel events

Full Screen Desktop Resolution and 4K

Full screen uses a borderless window at your native desktop resolution to allow for quick alt-tabbing to desktop and other applications without disruption.

Subsampling

If you are playing on an older or lower spec GPU then try subsampling:

  • SETTINGS > GRAPHICS > RESOLUTION SCALING > SUBSAMPLE (75%)

Subsampling does not pixelate the user interface.

Supersampling

If you have a high spec GPU then you can also supersample:

  • SETTINGS > GRAPHICS > RESOLUTION SCALING > SUPERSAMPLE (175%)

GUI Size

You can increase or decrease the GUI size using:

  • SETTINGS > GAMEPLAY > GUI SIZE

Save will make the changes permanent. Cancel will temporarily change so you can test.

Build Bar Size

You can increase or decrease the build bar size using:

  • SETTINGS > GAMEPLAY > BUILD BAR SIZE

Bigger Icons Mods

You can install the Bigger Icons mods for larger icons.

Streaming

Use game capture with a specific window to avoid jitter when scrolling.

Twitch Game is Planetary Annihilation: TITANS

HDR10

Experimental hardware HDR10 support can be enabled on latest Windows 10 for modern NVIDIA 10 series or newer GPUs connected via DisplayPort 1.4+ or HDMI 2.0+ with full output of dynamic range and colour depth in the NVIDIA Control Panel using:

  • --hardware-hdr

Note: macOS HDR10 support is automatic.

Regions

  • APNorthEast: AWS ap-northeast-1 in Tokyo, Japan
  • APSouthEast: AWS ap-southeast-1 in Singapore
  • Australia: AWS ap-southeast-2 in Sydney, Australia
  • USWest: AWS us-west-2 in Oregon, USA
  • USCentral: AWS us-east-2 in Ohio, USA
  • USEast: AWS us-east-1 in Virginia, USA
  • EUWest: AWS eu-west-1 in Ireland

1v1 ranked automatically selects a region between players.

Region at Capacity

New instances constantly spin up as needed and may take up to 5 minutes to appear online.

Error Codes

Basil

Coherent UI initialization failed. Verify your game files.

Cilantro

Coherent UI view creation failed. Verify your game files.

Parsley

Coherent UI GPU process crashed. Update your graphics drivers.

Rosemary

Coherent UI component corrupted or missing. Verify your game files.

Sage (Steam)

Restart Steam, check for steam client updates and verify your game files.

macOS

macOS is our primary development environment.

Generic troubleshooting: https://planetaryannihilation.com/support/troubleshooting/

Discord: https://discord.gg/pa

macOS System Requirements

MinimumRecommended
macOS10.9 64 bit10.15
CPUMODERN Quad Core i5MODERN Quad Core i7+
Memory8GB RAM for dedicated GPU
12GB RAM for integrated GPU
4GB free for local server		16GB RAM
GPUOpenGL 3.2+Dedicated GPU
Storage5GB available space7 GB available space
InternetBroadbandEthernet Broadband

macOS Planetary Annihilation Data Directory

The default location is in your local library folder:

/Users/YOURUSERNAME/Library/Application Support/Uber Entertainment/Planetary Annihilation
~/Library/Application Support/Uber Entertainment/Planetary Annihilation

Your user library folder is hidden by default and can be accessed via:

macOS Crash Dumps

The default location for minidumps generated by PA is now the logs directory in the Planetary Annihilation data directory.

On macOS you can also use the console application to locate macOS generated crash reports:

Linux

Linux is our labour of love.

Starting with build 114220 we have upgraded our Ubuntu based toolchain to gcc-9 with LTO which is available in the default repositories or backports of most distributions.

gcc-9 is available for all Ubuntu releases back to Ubuntu 12 Precise and derivatives via https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ToolChain

gcc-9 for Debian 10 buster can be pulled from Debian 11 Bullseye.

https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/libstdc++/manual/abi.html

Local servers will see performance improvements from the move to gcc-9 with LTO and c++17.

https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=GCC-9.1-Compiler-Released

Generic troubleshooting: https://planetaryannihilation.com/support/troubleshooting/

Discord: https://discord.gg/pa

Linux Dependencies

The only supported distro is Ubuntu latest.

  • libstdc++6 >= gcc-9.3 GLIBCXX_3.4.28 (native)
  • libcurl4-gnutls (native on non Ubuntu / Debian)
  • libsdl2 (provided by steam)
  • libgl1 (provided by steam)
  • libudev0 (provided by steam)
  • libuuid (provided by steam)
  • libgconf (provided by steam)

There are some known issues for Linux distributions not based on Ubuntu / Debian.

As a last resort if packages are not available for libudev0 or libcurl4-gnutls you might be able to use a hacky symlink (not recommended).

Steam Linux Client Beta and Scout vs Soldier Steam Linux Runtime

The current Steam Linux Client only supports the original Scout Steam Linux Runtime which is based on Ubuntu 12 Precise from 2012 with 32 bit support then hacked / patched to 64 bit and somewhat modern packages while trying to allow for native libraries like graphics drivers. eg there is no modern compiler support with only an old version of gcc-5.4.1 pre C++11 ABI changes. ie no full c++11 or c++17 support.

The Steam Linux Client Beta now partially supports a long awaited new Soldier Steam Linux Runtime based on Debian 10 with modern packages that falls back to Scout.

There is currently no officially supported way to target Solider and we hope this eventually releases based on Debian 11 with full gcc-9 / LTO / c++17 support.

Stops on launch splash

Downloads are stalled due to missing certs on some non Debian / Ubuntu distributions like Fedora or NixOS.

Use the OpenSSL SSL_CERT_FILE environment variable when launching PA from a shell script:

SSL_CERT_FILE=/etc/ssl/certs/ca-bundle.crt

For steam command line arguments use:

SSL_CERT_FILE=/etc/ssl/certs/ca-bundle.crt %command%

Black screen or fails to start

Check your logs for missing dependencies:

  • libcurl4-gnutls
  • libstdc++6 from gcc-9 or newer

Some non Ubuntu / Debian distributions provide a libcurl-compat package for compatibility with libcurl-gnutls from Ubuntu based builds.

You can also manually launch PA from the command line to check for missing dependencies.

Note: if video acceleration fails the intro video may play as a black screen (press ESC or space to skip).

Mesa Coherent UI Panel Corruption

The following added to /etc/drirc or ~/.drirc in the <device driver="radeonsi"> section may help:

<application name="CoherentUI_Host"executable="CoherentUI_Host">
    <option name="radeonsi_zerovram" value="true" />
</application>

Toggling full screen may clear issues (alt + enter).

Linux Planetary Annihilation Data Directory

The default location is in your home directory:

  • ~/.local/Uber Entertainment/Planetary Annihilation/
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