i9-14900KF - Can't even Launch Unreal Engine 5 games

[Cramsalot]

The issue with 13th/14th gen Intel chips and Unreal Engine 5 has been known for about a year now. In November of 2024 my motherboard manufacturer released their updated BIOS to help address the issue. However, I'm still unable to even launch games that use UE5. 

After launching an UE5 game, I'll get the black screen like the game is going to start then it just disappears and nothing else happens. Sometimes games will show me the initial splash screen/epilepsy warning, but then it just closes without errors. 

Most people who report similar issues are reporting instability/crashing. But I'm not even getting that far.  

I've performed the BIOS update and edited power/voltage settings based on recommendations I found in an article from Intel on the issue (I can't find the article now). But nothing seems to make a difference. 

I'm curious if it could be a damaged CPU or something else. Any suggestions or direction would be much appreciated. 

Here are my system specs:

OS Name	Microsoft Windows 11 Home
Version	10.0.26100 Build 26100
Other OS Description 	Not Available
OS Manufacturer	Microsoft Corporation
System Name	*****
System Manufacturer	ASUS
System Model	System Product Name
System Type	x64-based PC
System SKU	SKU
Processor	Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-14900KF, 3200 Mhz, 24 Core(s), 32 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date	American Megatrends Inc. 1801, 11/30/2024
SMBIOS Version	3.5
Embedded Controller Version	255.255
BIOS Mode	UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer	ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
BaseBoard Product	ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI II
BaseBoard Version	Rev 1.xx
Platform Role	Desktop
Secure Boot State	On
PCR7 Configuration	Elevation Required to View
Windows Directory	C:\WINDOWS
System Directory	C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device	\Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale	United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer	Version = "10.0.26100.1"
User Name	*****\*****
Time Zone	Pacific Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM)	48.0 GB
Total Physical Memory	47.8 GB
Available Physical Memory	30.3 GB
Total Virtual Memory	50.8 GB
Available Virtual Memory	29.8 GB
Page File Space	3.00 GB
Page File	C:\pagefile.sys
Kernel DMA Protection	Off
Virtualization-based security	Running
Virtualization-based security Required Security Properties	Base Virtualization Support
Virtualization-based security Available Security Properties	Base Virtualization Support, Secure Boot, DMA Protection, UEFI Code Readonly, SMM Security Mitigations 1.0, Mode Based Execution Control, APIC Virtualization
Virtualization-based security Services Configured	Hypervisor enforced Code Integrity
Virtualization-based security Services Running	Hypervisor enforced Code Integrity
App Control for Business policy	Enforced
App Control for Business user mode policy	Off
Automatic Device Encryption Support	Elevation Required to View
A hypervisor has been detected. Features required for Hyper-V will not be displayed.	

[Earl_Intel]

Hello Cramsalot,

Thank you for posting in the communities!

I'm sorry to learn that you are experiencing issues with your system. Rest assured that I will try my best to assist you on this.

To further troubleshoot the issue, you can try following these steps below:

• Update Windows*. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
• Check for overheating issues. Make sure the thermal solution is compatible and installed properly. Refer to troubleshooting overheating issues.
• Start the system in minimal configuration. Minimal configuration: motherboard, processor, power supply unit, and one DRAM module.
• Check the power supply to ensure it is suitable for your self-built system.
• Check for memory issues:
  • Try to have a sufficient amount of memory in your build system.
  • Try different memory sticks.
  • Make sure the memory is seated well.
• Try another motherboard if possible.
• Run CPU stress test for Windows* and Linux*.
  • For Windows use the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool and run Burn-in Test.
  • For Linux, look up available stress tests for Linux.
• Try to get a fresh image of the operating system.

Source link: Troubleshooting Tips for Random System Crashes on an Intel® Boxed...

Let me know if you will still encounter the same issues after trying the troubleshooting.

Best regards,

Earl E.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Cramsalot]

Hello Earl,

Thank you for the suggestions!

I'm working my way down the list. But am out of time for the day.  Below are the steps I've completed so far and their outcomes. I'll follow-up tomorrow once I've finished the last two. 

• Update Windows*. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
  • It shows that I am fully up to date.
    
    
• Check for overheating issues. Make sure the thermal solution is compatible and installed properly.
  • My CPU temps are normal. The thermal solution is compatible and properly installed.
    
    
• Start the system in minimal configuration. Minimal configuration: motherboard, processor, power supply unit, and one DRAM module.
  • Rebooting Windows with the bare minimum, as suggested, did not help. The games still cannot launch.
    
    
• Check the power supply to ensure it is suitable for your self-built system.
  • The power supply is working properly and is able to provide more power than the system requires.
    
    
• Check for memory issues:
  • Try to have a sufficient amount of memory in your build system.
    
    • The system has significantly more ram than required
  • Try different memory sticks.
    • I've tested multiple different sticks of RAM across multiple RAM slots. No effect on launching UE5 games.
  • Make sure the memory is seated well.
    
    • Memory was properly seated for all tests.
      
      
• Try another motherboard if possible.
  • I do not own two motherboards so this test has gone undone.
    
    

Again, I'll reply soon once I have a chance to do the final two tests (running the diag tool and formatting). 

Thank you again.

[Warbs]

I'm sorry to post here but just to share something that is the same with the poster also.

I have i7 14th gen, mobo B760 GAMING X AX DDR4. The only affected is with games or apps with unreal engines (ALL OF THE GAMES WITH UE5. Other games with high end requirements such as Baldur's Gate 3, Kuro games, Hoyo games do not have any problems, it runs really well with high resos. I read that i need to update the bios but i am scared that it may fried up my cpu. Is there really no definite fix?  

[Earl_Intel]

Hi Cramsalot,

Thank you for trying out the troubleshooting.

Kindly give us an update once you finish the troubleshooting so that I can determine the best course of action to resolve this issue.

Hello Warbs,

Thank you for sharing your concerns with us about the problems you're having with your system.

For us to further assist you on this, please create a new thread regarding your concern so that we can prioritize your inquiry.

Best regards,

Earl E.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Cramsalot]

Hello Earl,

I've completed the final two steps and have found a resolution!

• Run CPU stress test for Windows* and Linux*.
  • For Windows use the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool and run Burn-in Test.
    • All items show a green PASS. (Screenshot attached)
      
      
• Try to get a fresh image of the operating system.
  
  • After formatting, I am now able to run UE5 games!!!

Thank you again, I truly appreciate your help.

[Earl_Intel]

Hi Cramsalot,

Thank you for sharing this update with us.

I'm happy to hear that the issue is now resolved after formatting the OS.

I will document the troubleshooting that we have performed that resolved the issue.

Since the issue is now resolved, I will now close this inquiry, if ever the issue persists or if you have other concerns, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Earl E.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Mrboof100]

Hey, I scoured the internet for this exact problem and finally stopped having this issue after I underclocked my CPU by about 2 units (can’t remember what they actually are called). If you download a tool to underclock your cpu, try it out!