Fix TheoTown Crashing After Plugin Install (Steam)

Hey guys! Having trouble with TheoTown crashing after you went a little plugin-crazy from the Steam Workshop? It's a super common issue, and usually means the game is struggling to handle all the extra content you've thrown at it. Don't worry, we'll walk through some steps to get your city-building dreams back on track! Let's dive into troubleshooting this frustrating problem so you can get back to designing your awesome metropolis. This error often pops up after you've added a bunch of plugins and then restarted the game. The error message usually says something like “An exception occurred (1.12.23p.) It appears that the game has run out of memory. Please try to add…” That “add” part is usually cut off, which isn't super helpful, right? But the key thing to focus on here is the memory issue. Basically, TheoTown, especially older versions, can only handle so much custom content before it starts choking. Think of it like trying to cram too many buildings into a small space – eventually, something's gotta give! The plugins, while awesome, take up memory. And when the game runs out of available memory, it crashes. So, what can we do about it? Well, let’s look at some troubleshooting steps.

Understanding the Memory Issue

Before we start tearing things apart, let's understand a bit more about why this happens. TheoTown, like many games, has limitations on how much memory it can use. This is especially true for older games or those not optimized for handling tons of user-generated content. When you add plugins, you're essentially increasing the amount of data the game needs to load and process. Each plugin, whether it's a new building, a fancy road, or a cool terrain feature, adds to the memory footprint. The more plugins you install, the closer you get to that memory limit. And when you cross that line, boom, crash! It's also worth noting that some plugins are more memory-intensive than others. A highly detailed building with lots of textures and intricate models will take up more memory than a simple park or a basic road. So, if you've been downloading a lot of complex plugins, that could be contributing to the problem. Another factor to consider is your device's specifications. A more powerful computer with more RAM will generally be able to handle more plugins than a less powerful one. If you're running TheoTown on an older device or one with limited RAM, you might need to be more selective about the plugins you install. It's all about finding a balance between the amount of custom content you want and the resources your device can handle.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Okay, let's start with the easy stuff first. Sometimes, a simple restart or a quick settings tweak can do the trick! Here are a few things to try before we get into the more drastic measures:

• Restart TheoTown: This might sound obvious, but sometimes simply closing the game completely and relaunching it can clear up any temporary memory issues. Make sure you actually close the game and don't just minimize it! Closing other programs running on your computer can also free up memory for TheoTown.
• Restart Your Computer: Similar to restarting the game, restarting your entire computer can clear out temporary files and processes that might be hogging memory. This is a good general troubleshooting step for any computer issue.
• Verify Game Files on Steam: Steam has a built-in feature to verify the integrity of your game files. This will check for any corrupted or missing files and automatically download them. To do this, right-click on TheoTown in your Steam library, go to Properties, then Local Files, and click "Verify integrity of game files..."
• Lower Graphics Settings: If your game is running with high graphics settings, try lowering them. This can reduce the amount of memory the game needs to use. Go to the game's settings menu and adjust the graphics options to a lower level.

If none of those worked, then we can go to the more complex things.

Removing Plugins to Resolve Crashing Issues

Okay, so the quick fixes didn't work. Time to get our hands dirty and start removing some plugins. This is usually the most effective way to solve the memory issue. But how do you know which plugins to remove? Here’s the most used method:

1. Start with the most recent: Since the crash happened after you installed a bunch of plugins, start by removing the ones you added most recently. Sometimes a faulty or poorly optimized plugin can cause problems. Go to your TheoTown plugins folder (usually in your Steam directory) and remove the plugins you added last.
2. Remove in Batches: Don't remove everything at once! Remove a few plugins, then restart the game to see if it fixes the issue. If it does, you know the problem plugin was among the ones you just removed. If not, remove a few more and try again. This process of elimination can help you pinpoint the culprit.
3. Look for Suspicious Plugins: If you know you downloaded a plugin from a less-than-reputable source, or if a plugin has a lot of negative reviews, it's a good idea to remove it first. Poorly made plugins can often cause crashes and other issues.
4. Consider Plugin Size: Sort your plugins folder by size and consider removing the largest ones first. As mentioned earlier, larger plugins with lots of high-resolution textures and models can take up a significant amount of memory.

Remember to back up your plugins folder before you start deleting things! That way, if you accidentally remove something you wanted to keep, you can easily restore it.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Still crashing? Alright, let's dig a little deeper. These steps are a bit more technical, but they can sometimes help identify and resolve the issue:

• Check Game Logs: TheoTown might have some log files that can give you more information about the crash. Look for these files in your game directory. They might contain error messages or other clues that can help you pinpoint the problem plugin.
• Reinstall TheoTown: As a last resort, you can try reinstalling TheoTown completely. This will ensure that you have a clean installation of the game without any corrupted files or conflicting plugins. Before you reinstall, make sure to back up your save games and any other important data.
• Check Plugin Compatibility: Make sure that the plugins you are using are compatible with the version of TheoTown you are running. Some plugins may be designed for older versions of the game and may not work correctly with newer versions. Check the plugin descriptions or the plugin creator's website for compatibility information.
• Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can sometimes cause crashes and other issues. Make sure that you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card. You can usually download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue causing TheoTown to crash after installing plugins. Remember to be patient and methodical, and don't be afraid to experiment. With a little bit of troubleshooting, you'll be back to building your dream city in no time!

Preventing Future Crashes

Okay, you've managed to fix the crashing issue. Awesome! Now, let's talk about how to prevent it from happening again. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Be Selective with Plugins: Don't just download every plugin you see! Be selective and only download the ones you really want. The fewer plugins you have, the less likely you are to run into memory issues.
• Read Plugin Reviews: Before you download a plugin, read the reviews. Other users may have reported issues with the plugin, such as crashes or performance problems. If a plugin has a lot of negative reviews, it's probably best to avoid it.
• Keep Plugins Updated: If a plugin has an update available, install it. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can help prevent crashes.
• Monitor Memory Usage: Keep an eye on your computer's memory usage while playing TheoTown. If you notice that the game is using a lot of memory, it might be time to remove some plugins.

By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of running into crashing issues in the future. Happy city-building!