Quick Answer
Verify the game files, update your graphics driver, and select your dedicated GPU. If We Were Here Tomorrow keeps crashing at launch, check the Windows Media Feature Pack on Windows N and try the DirectX launch options below. For recurring demo crashes, disable overlays, reset GPU settings, and clear shader caches.
How Do You Fix We Were Here Tomorrow Crashing?
Start by verifying your installation, updating your graphics driver, and making sure the game uses your dedicated graphics card. These checks apply to crashes at launch, during cutscenes, and during regular gameplay.
- Check your hardware against the minimum requirements. Make sure you are using a dedicated graphics card rather than integrated graphics. On a laptop, select the dedicated card for the game in Windows app settings. Having a dedicated GPU installed does not mean the game has selected it.
- Update your graphics driver. Install the driver for your GPU before moving to more involved fixes. If crashes persist in the demo after a normal update, follow the clean installation steps in the next section.
- Verify the game files through Steam or Epic. Broken game files can cause startup problems, so check the installation before changing several graphics settings.
- Check your system clock. Set the time correctly for your timezone.
- Remove possible interference. Unplug unnecessary USB devices and disable overlays or other software that might interfere with the game. You can also try starting the game as administrator.
If the Game Opens to a Black Screen or Immediately Closes
Check the Windows media components and DirectX installation, then try a frame rate cap. A startup black screen can be related to missing media components, GPU specifications, or broken game files.
- On Windows N, install the Windows Media Feature Pack for your Windows version. The game needs it to play certain videos. Missing or outdated Microsoft Media Foundation components are another reason to check the matching Media Feature Pack.
- Make sure DirectX is up to date for your operating system. Then try an alternative DirectX launch option using the instructions below.
- Cap the frame rate to 60 FPS in your GPU control panel. Some players have reported that this helped with the startup black screen. Treat it as a troubleshooting attempt rather than a guaranteed fix.
- If you use Nvidia, disable “Optimize for Computer Performance.” For this startup symptom, also open “Manage 3D settings” and set “Vertical Sync” to “Use the 3D application setting.”
How to Try the DirectX Launch Options
You can try -force-d3d12 for startup black screens or immediate shutdowns, or -force-d3d11 when troubleshooting other recurring crashes.
- Right-click the game in your Steam library and open Properties.
- Open General and find the launch options field at the bottom.
- Enter the option you want to try, then launch the game.
- Remove the option if it does not help before trying the other one.
For Epic, open the game's launcher settings from your library, choose Manage, and use the launch options field at the bottom.
Try one DirectX option at a time. Remove an unsuccessful option rather than leaving it in place while adding another.
If It Crashes During Cutscenes or Gameplay
Try turning off VSync in the game settings and your GPU control panel. This is a separate troubleshooting attempt from the Nvidia application-controlled VSync setting used for startup black screens above. If you can reach the settings menu, make the change there before testing the game again.
If the game stays open but you cannot communicate with your partner, also check your network. Public campus or library networks can block the voice servers. For questions about playing together across platforms, see We Were Here Tomorrow cross play.
How Do You Fix We Were Here Tomorrow Demo Crashing?
For recurring demo crashes, disable overlays, perform a clean GPU driver installation, restore default GPU settings, and clear shader caches. Start with the general checks above, then work through these demo-specific steps.
If you need help finding the demo rather than repairing its installation, go to We Were Here Tomorrow demo download and availability.
- Turn off overlays before launching. Discord, Steam, and MSI Afterburner can add overlays that interfere with Unity. Close overlay software or disable its overlay before starting the demo.
- Perform a clean GPU driver installation. Download the driver for your card from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, then select the installer's clean installation option. Old or broken drivers can continue causing problems after a normal update, which is why reinstalling cleanly is a separate step.
- Restore default GPU settings. Undo GPU overclocking and reset changes in the GPU control panel. On laptops, check that Unity uses the dedicated GPU, especially when the laptop is unplugged.
- Clear shader caches. Corrupted shaders can cause repeated crashes. Delete the applicable cache folders listed below.
%LOCALAPPDATA%\AMD\DxCache
%LOCALAPPDATA%\AMD\DxcCache
%LOCALAPPDATA%\AMD\VkCache
%LOCALAPPDATA%\AMD\GLCache
%LOCALAPPDATA%\AMD\DX9Cache
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Intel\ShaderCache
%LOCALAPPDATA%\NVIDIA\DXCache
%LOCALAPPDATA%\D3DSCache
%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Steam\steamapps\shadercache
Keep cache deletion to the listed folders. Do not delete the parent AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, or Steam folders.
- Install operating system updates. These can address issues involving components such as DirectX.
- Check Windows system files. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following commands individually:
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Restart your computer after applying these changes. Then launch the demo again to see whether the crash still occurs.
Once the game runs, continue with the We Were Here Tomorrow walkthrough for help with your next puzzle.
FAQ
Check that the game uses your dedicated GPU, update its driver, and verify the installation through Steam or Epic. Also compare your hardware with the minimum requirements before trying the more involved fixes.
Check Windows media components, update DirectX, and try a 60 FPS cap in your GPU control panel. On Windows N, install the matching Media Feature Pack; you can also test -force-d3d12 in Steam launch options and remove it if it does not help.
Try a clean driver installation, since a normal update can leave driver problems unresolved. Disable overlays, undo GPU overclocking, clear the listed shader caches, and restart your computer after applying changes.