City Transport Simulator 2026 can fail to launch or get stuck during loading due to Windows Security restrictions, corrupted system files such as a missing OpenCL.dll, or hardware boot loops caused by connected steering wheels on consoles. Applying verified player workarounds and matching the game's strict system requirements resolves the majority of startup failures on PC and PlayStation 5.
PC Startup and Loading Screen Fixes
Player reports on the official Steam Community forums identify several specific software conflicts that cause startup failures, error prompts stating "something went wrong," or infinite loading hangs.
Adjust Windows Security Rules
Players have documented that Windows Security can flag or block core executable files for City Transport Simulator 2026 following game updates.
- Open Windows Settings and navigate to Privacy & Security > Windows Security.
- Select Virus & threat protection, then check Protection history to see if recent actions blocked CTS2026 files.
- Add City Transport Simulator 2026 to the allowed apps list or create an exclusion for the game's Steam installation directory.
Restore Missing OpenCL.dll via GPU Driver Clean Install
In community troubleshooting logs, players discovered that registry tools or duplicate-file cleaner utilities (such as CCleaner) removed OpenCL.dll, causing the game to throw launch errors, fail to load scenarios, or suffer severe stuttering. Affected players confirmed that performing a clean reinstallation of their graphics drivers (such as NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready drivers) restores the required OpenCL system files and resolves the loading failure.
Verify Integrity of Game Files on Steam
If the executable crashes when launching a route or booting from Steam:
- Right-click City Transport Simulator 2026 in your Steam Library.
- Select Properties, then go to the Installed Files tab.
- Click "Verify integrity of game files" to redownload any corrupt or missing assets identified by the client.
PC System Requirements Check
City Transport Simulator 2026 runs on DirectX 12 and requires dedicated graphics hardware with at least 8 GB of VRAM. Attempting to run the title below the minimum hardware thresholds can lead to crashes during initial initialization.
| Requirement | Minimum Specification | Recommended Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 | 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 / Intel Core i5-10400F (2.9 GHz+) | 8-core CPU from 3.6 GHz |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT (8 GB VRAM) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (11 GB VRAM) |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 20 GB available space | 20 GB available space |
PlayStation 5 Thrustmaster Wheel Boot Loop Workaround
On PlayStation 5, having a steering wheel connected prior to launching the title can cause a game-breaking initialization bug. Tested specifically on Thrustmaster hardware (such as the Thrustmaster T128), booting the game with the wheel already plugged into the console triggers an endless save/load screen loop that prevents the game from reaching the main menu.
How to Bypass the Wheel Loading Loop
- Unplug the USB cable of your Thrustmaster wheel from the PS5 console.
- Launch City Transport Simulator 2026.
- Wait until the game passes the initial loading sequence and reaches the main menu.
- Plug the Thrustmaster steering wheel into the PS5. The game will recognize the peripheral (often mapped under profiles such as Thrustmaster T-GT) and allow normal operation.
Patch 2026.0.3 Stability Updates
Developer ViewApp has deployed patches to resolve launch and route-loading crashes across platforms. In update version 2026.0.3, the team restructured map assets around the Torijama alley area, which directly fixed associated crashes on console platforms. The update also corrected route selection bugs for trips scheduled after 11:00 p.m. Keeping your game updated through Steam or PlayStation Network prevents these known crash scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does City Transport Simulator 2026 enter an infinite save loop on PS5?
This issue occurs on PS5 when certain steering wheels, such as the Thrustmaster T128, are connected via USB before starting the game. Disconnecting the wheel, starting the game with a controller, and plugging the wheel in after the main menu loads bypasses the loop.
What should I do if the game reports a missing DLL error on PC?
If cleaning software or security tools deleted OpenCL.dll, perform a clean reinstall of your graphics card drivers (NVIDIA or AMD) and verify your Steam game files to restore missing dependencies.
Does City Transport Simulator 2026 run on DirectX 11?
No. Official Steam specifications state that City Transport Simulator 2026 requires DirectX Version 12 and an 8 GB VRAM graphics card (GTX 1070 / RX 6600 XT or higher).
