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ACE COMBAT 8

ACE COMBAT 8 Not Launching or Crashing on PC: Requirements and Official Checks

For the PC/Steam version failing to start, closing at launch, getting stuck loading or crashing in flight. These are source-based checks, not fixes verified on our own gaming PC.

Edited by Gemnao Editorial Team (Japanese)Last checked 2026-10-04
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The short answer

Check the minimum requirements first: Windows 11, an SSD, a hardware ray tracing GPU and DirectX 12 with Shader Model 6.6. For a PC that meets them, the September 29 publisher notice recommends the driver indicated at launch, at least 16 GB free on the installation SSD, and enabled Windows virtual memory. Change one condition at a time and repeat the same scene. ST-3100001 is a separate online connection check.

Different symptom or still not fixed? Find the next check →
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Key facts

Required
Windows 11; SSD; hardware ray tracing; DirectX 12 with Shader Model 6.6 or later
Minimum GPU / RAM
RTX 2060 6 GB or RX 6600 XT 8 GB; 16 GB RAM. The store’s 1080p/Low/30 FPS estimate uses upscaling.
Storage: two different numbers
150 GB required for installation. The crash notice also recommends keeping at least 16 GB free on that SSD after installation.
Recommended RAM
32 GB. Meeting requirements does not guarantee a crash-free session.

Find your symptom

Start with your symptom. Skip steps that do not apply to your setup.

What you seeWhat to checkGo to
An older GPU or an OS other than Windows 11Compare the actual PC against the minimum requirementsStep 1
Installed on an HDD, or storage is nearly fullCheck the installation drive and remaining SSD spaceStep 3
Crashes despite meeting the requirementsCheck the recommended driver; a crash alone does not prove the driver is at faultStep 4
Closes after an update or while an overlay is runningVerify files, then compare overlays separatelyStep 5
Crashes during playCheck virtual memory and compare graphics loadStep 6
ST-3100001 while playing onlineCheck Windows clock synchronization before repeating crash fixesStep 7

Fixes, in order

Continue this issue

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Step 1｜Check GPU requirements

Hardware ray tracing support is required by the official minimum specification.

Time: About 2 minutes · Risk: low

  1. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, choose Performance → GPU and record the model.
  2. Compare it with the Steam requirements, including RTX 2060 6 GB / RX 6600 XT 8 GB and DirectX 12 Shader Model 6.6. A settings edit does not make unsupported hardware meet the specification.

Step 2｜Check Windows 11

The minimum OS is Windows 11.

Time: About 1 minute · Risk: low

  1. Press Windows + R, enter winver and read the Windows edition.
  2. If the PC does not meet the OS requirement, confirm its supported upgrade options before changing the system. Do not reinstall Windows as the first crash fix.

Step 3｜Check the SSD and remaining space

Installation space and the additional free-space recommendation are different checks.

Time: Depends on the amount of data moved · Risk: low

  1. Use Steam’s storage management to confirm the game’s installation drive. If moving it, choose an SSD with enough capacity and wait for Steam to finish.
  2. After installation, check remaining space on that SSD. The September 29 notice recommends 16 GB or more free; this does not replace the 150 GB installation requirement.

Step 4｜Use the driver recommended by the game

The official notice refers to the recommended version shown at launch, not automatically the newest driver.

Time: About 10 minutes · Risk: low

  1. Record the current GPU driver and any recommended version shown by the game. Obtain the appropriate driver from NVIDIA or AMD’s official software or site.
  2. Restart the PC after the update and retry the same launch or scene. Record whether the symptom changed; do not assume an update guarantees stability.

Step 5｜Verify files, then compare overlays

Make one change at a time so the comparison remains useful.

Time: About 10 minutes · Risk: low

  1. Steam Library → right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files. Wait for completion and retry.
  2. If unchanged, temporarily turn off an overlay or recording/FPS tool and retry the same scene. Restore settings that do not help. Do not disable security software or download replacement DLL files.

Step 6｜Check virtual memory and in-flight load

The publisher recommends enabled virtual memory. Lower graphics load is a comparison, not a proven diagnosis.

Time: About 5 minutes · Risk: low

  1. Windows Settings → System → About → Advanced system settings → Performance Settings → Advanced → Virtual memory. Check whether paging is enabled; automatic management avoids guessing a custom size. Record changes and restart if Windows asks.
  2. Compare one lower graphics setting or the game’s upscaling option in the same mission. Close unnecessary applications; the recommended specification lists 32 GB RAM.
  3. If extra input hardware is involved, exit the game before disconnecting it and test separately. Record the result rather than concluding that a flight stick caused the crash.

Step 7｜For ST-3100001, check Windows time

The publisher describes this as loss of communication with the game server, not a launch-crash diagnosis.

Time: About 2 minutes · Risk: low

  1. Open Settings → Time & language → Date & time and use Sync now.
  2. Restart the game and retry online play. If synchronization fails or the code remains, use the dedicated ST-3100001 guide; do not repeatedly reinstall the game.

ST-3100001: clock checks and the separate mission-end notice

Avoid

  • Do not bypass hardware requirements with unofficial patches or replacement DLLs.
  • Do not delete saves, reinstall Windows or permanently disable protection as a first troubleshooting step.

Important cautions

  • The October 2 PC Crash Report Thread requests PC specifications, Windows/system software versions, error messages, reproduction steps and other running apps. Remove account names and other private information from screenshots or logs before sharing.
  • The September 30 flight-stick notice acknowledges missing configuration options compared with some ACE COMBAT 7 devices; it does not establish that a stick causes crashes.

FAQ

Does running ACE COMBAT 7 prove my PC can run 8?

No. Compare the new requirements, especially Windows 11, hardware ray tracing, SSD and Shader Model 6.6. Prior performance does not establish compatibility.

Do I need 150 GB or 16 GB free?

The store lists 150 GB for installation. The separate crash notice recommends leaving at least 16 GB free on the installation SSD afterwards.

Is there a guaranteed crash fix?

The checked notices describe an investigation and checks that may help some environments. If the issue remains, send the publisher a specific reproduction record rather than treating a suggested check as a confirmed cause.

Sources

Requirements and the September 29–October 2, 2026 notices were rechecked on October 4. The publisher was investigating crashes in those notices; these checks are not a universal fix or evidence that a later update solved them. File verification and one-at-a-time comparisons are general troubleshooting, not confirmed causes for your PC. Follow newer publisher guidance.

Steam: system requirementsPublisher website: PC requirements (Japanese)Publisher notices: crashes, online errors and flight sticksSteam Support: verify game filesACE COMBAT 8 (Japanese)Japanese version of this page