Big Box Crashing in Version 13.23? Here’s What You Need to Know

[uberrr]

On 8/23/2025 at 4:23 PM, faeran said:

Update to the beta and see if it helps. I hope you mean when you say you changed to WMP, you mean Windows Media Player.

After the update, if you are still experiencing the issue, follow the steps to provide an Event Viewer .NET crash log.

Can you update to the beta and see if that helps in your situation. If not, send us another Event Viewer log, however, the logs you sent is missing the actual .NET error log (looks like you sent the other 2 only), so don't forget to include the .NET error crash report which should be very near these other 2.

I updated to the beta and BigBox still won't launch. And yes, I meant Windows Media Player. I can't seem to find a relevant entry on event viewer regarding this issue though, I don't think it's being logged for some reason. (Maybe because I have to manually terminate bigbox and an error doesn't pop up)

[faeran]

1 hour ago, uberrr said:

I updated to the beta and BigBox still won't launch. And yes, I meant Windows Media Player. I can't seem to find a relevant entry on event viewer regarding this issue though, I don't think it's being logged for some reason. (Maybe because I have to manually terminate bigbox and an error doesn't pop up)

Sounds like a different issue. One troubleshooting step you can take is use the 13.24 beta 1 installer, most likely found under your LaunchBox\Updates folder, and install a different copy of LaunchBox in some other temp location. Load it up with a few games and see if Big Box works for you. That will determine whether you have an application issue or a Data config issue.

[Heartless1Riku]

I am having a similar issue with launchbox that goes away if I remove the music folder from the lb root. When browsing and selecting titles with auto play music enabled in launchbox it will crash every time after going through a few titles with noticeable audio stutter and crackling when the music first kicks in. I have wmp enabled but I think the crash has more to do with music playback being bugged. Also effects big box as I am guessing the custom menu sounds are creating the same audio playback issue and crashing the system.

Edit: To add to this I have noticed that platform videos are stuttering in Big Box mode which ruins the subtle animations of the videos when cycling though platforms. I have attached videos comparing 18.12 (Top Video) and 18.24 (Bottom Video) with 18.24 displaying stuttering on the startup video along with platform videos that does not go away regardless if using WMP or FFmpeg. Same stuttering is present when cycling through games which removes transition effects when scrolling through games and letting the videos play.

Edited August 27 by Heartless1Riku

[N1ghtkawk]

Confirmed, the beta fixed my issue.

RTX 3060.

Thanks so much guys, love the screensaver, especially in Theatre mode!!!

 

Oh, and switching to WMP did not resolve the issue for me. And I made sure it was there and could run. Dot 24 beta is the way.

Edited August 27 by N1ghtkawk

[ItsInmansFault]

I installed the beta last night and the crashes stopped for a short time, and then started again the next time I tried to change the theme. The main time I experience crashes is when browsing themes or changing a theme. Just found this forum while at work so I can't provide any logs, but can later today if necessary. System specs below:

Dell XPS 15
i9-12900hk
32gb DDR4
rtx3050ti 4gb gddr6

Edited Thursday at 01:57 PM by ItsInmansFault

[trueanimus]

On 8/23/2025 at 1:14 PM, uberrr said:

Hello,

My video playback is set to WMP in the BigBoxSettings.xml file. I have removed my startup video and don't use background music, but when I try to launch BigBox it just never starts, no error or anything. I've left it alone for a few hours but it still wont start. In order to get back into LB I have to open task manager and end BigBox manually

same was happening to me but im running an RTX 3060 card and tried the new beta, fixed the issue of launching bigbox, but thestartup videos no longer play.

[PiperCalls]

Just updated from 13.19 to 13.23 and LB is fine but BB will not launch...getting the splash logo & have to close BB in task manager. Troubleshooting steps tried...

- removed BB startup video

- manually changed to Default theme in BigBoxSettings.xml

- manually changed BigBoxSettings.xml video playback engine to WMP

- updated to beta

...still a no-go, just sticks on BB logo and have to task mgr kill it.

One weird thing I saw after updating was the BigBoxSettings.xml still had VLC as the default video engine...thought it was de-listed?

Specs:

i7-11th gen

RTX3070

32GB

LB at C:\Launchbox (SSD)

...gonna revert back to 13.19, restore a backup & pray now...