How to Fix ‘FATAL: Metro Exodus’ Error On Windows?

Several Windows users have been reaching us with questions after they brought the Metro Exodus game from Steam and are unable to play it. Most affected users are reporting that the game crashes with the “FATAL: Metro Exodus – A crash has been detected by BugTrap” immediately after the initial loading screen. The vast majority of users that are encountering this issue are well over the minimum system requirements when it comes to their system hardware. The issue is not exclusive to Windows 10 as it’s also encountered on Windows 7 and Windows 8.

What’s causing the “FATAL: Metro Exodus” error on Windows?

We investigated this particular issue by looking at various user reports and by trying out the different repair strategies that are recommended by other affected users that also encountered this problem. As it turns out, several different scenarios might lead to the apparition of this issue. Here are several culprits that might be responsible for this error message:

If you’re currently encountering this issue and you’re looking for a fix capable of allowing you to play Metro Exodus without interruption, this article will point you towards several different troubleshooting strategies. Down below, you’ll find instructions to several repair strategies that other affected users have successfully used to resolve the “FATAL: Metro Exodus – A crash has been detected by BugTrap”

To remain as efficient as possible, we advise you to follow the potential fixes below in the same order that we ordered them in (via efficiency and difficulty). Eventually, you should stumble upon a fix that will be effective in resolving the issue according to the scenario in which you’re encountering the issue in.

Let’s begin!

Method 1: Verifying cache integrity (Steam only)

As it turns out, one culprit that might trigger this particular crash is an inconsistency with the game files of Metro Exodus. Several affected users that were also struggling to resolve this error message have reported that the issue was resolved after they verified the integrity of the file cache via the Steam Menu.

This will not apply to every user since you can only follow the instructions below if you got the game via Steam. If you purchased the game from Epic store, skip directly to the next method below.

Here’s a quick guide on verifying the file cache integrity of Metro Exodus:

1. Open your Steam client and go straight to the Library tab from the list of available options. Next, right-click on Metro Exodus from the list of available games and choose Properties from the newly appeared context menu.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Properties screen of Metro Exodus, go to the Local Files tab and click on Verify Integrity of the Game File.

   

3. Wait until the process is complete, then restart your Steam client, launch the game again and see if the inconsistency has been fixed.

If you’re still encountering the “FATAL: Metro Exodus – A crash has been detected by BugTrap” error, move down to the next method below.

Method 2: Removing Intro Callers (if applicable)

As it turns out, this particular issue can occur due to an inconsistency having to do with some intro callers that are crashing the game whenever the intro screen, the credit or the legal agreement screens are displayed. Upon investigating the issue, it turns out that this particular issue only occurs with Nvidia GPUs with users that are actively using Ansel as the default way to record in-game footage.

Several affected users that were also encountering this issue have reported that the issue was resolved once they removed 3 files from the main game folder (credits.webm, intro.webm and legal.webm) and disable the NVCamera of Nvidia Ansel.

If this scenario is applicable (you’re using Answer with an Nvidia GPU when encountering the error), follow the instructions below to remove the 3 intro callers causing the issue and disable the NVCameraCOnfiguration:

Note: Keep in mind that this fix will allow you to play Metro Exodus while recording the gameplay with Ansel. But if you’re looking to eliminate the conflict, you can simply uninstall Ansel and migrate to a similar utility that supports Nvidia GPUs.

1. Make sure that every instance of Metro Exodus is completely closed.
2. Navigate to the default location of your Metro Exodus game installation. Once you get there, look for the following 3 files:

   credits.webm
   intro.webm
   legal.webm

3. Once all 3 files are selected, right-click on one of them and choose Delete from the newly appeared context menu.

   

4. Once the 3 files have been dealt with, navigate to the following location to adjust the NV Camera Configuration settings:

   C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\ Ansel\Tools\NVCameraConfiguration.exe

   Note: This is the default location of Ansel. But if you installed it in a custom location, navigate there instead.

5. Double-click on NVCameraConfiguration.exe and go down to Ansel Status. Once you’re there, change the status to Disable and click Save.

   

6. Start the game again and see if the crash is resolved.

If you’re still encountering the “FATAL: Metro Exodus – A crash has been detected by BugTrap” the error a short time after you launch the game, move down to the next method below.

Method 3: Using a Different DirectX version

As a lot of affected users are reporting, this particular issue is often confirmed to occur due to an inconsistency having to do with DirectX 12. The developers of Metro Exodus have patched this problem several times now, but some users are still encountering these types of crashes with certain PC configurations.

This problem is typically reported to occur on PCs that use two GPUs (SLI or CrossFire).

Once cure-all for all problems related to DirectX 12 is to simply make the switch to Direct X 11. If the problem ix DirectX related, the crash with occur after the settings menu (when the game-world is generated), so you can easily access the game settings and make the switch to DirectX12.

Sure, there will be a downgrade in graphics since you won’t be able to use the latest lighting technology, but at least you’ll be able to play the game.

If this scenario is applicable, here’s a quick guide on adjusting the game settings so that it uses DirectX 11 instead of DirectX 12:

1. Open the Metro: Exodus and wait for the initials screen to pass. Once you see the starting menu, select Options.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Options menu, select the Video category from the list of available entries.

   

3. Inside the Video Options menu, move down to the bottom of the screen and adjust the DirectX to DX 11 and save the new configuration.

   

   Note: If you’re already using DirectX 12, change the setting to DirectX 11.

4. Restart the game and start the game to see if the issue is still occurring. If the same “FATAL: Metro Exodus – A crash has been detected by BugTrap” error is still appearing, move down to the next method below.

Method 4: Uninstall GeForce Experience (if applicable)

As several affected users are reporting, this particular issue can also occur due to an overlay issue caused by GeForce Experience. According to various user reports, you might experience the “FATAL: Metro Exodus – A crash has been detected by BugTrap” error due to the fact that Metro Exodus doesn’t play well with applications that insist on having overlays on the screen -which GeForce Experience insists on doing.

If you’re using GeForce Experience, chances are you will be able to resolve the issue by uninstalling the utility using Programs and Features. Here’s a quick guide on doing this:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, inside the text box, type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter to open up the Programs and Features screen.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Programs and Features window, scroll down through the list of applications and locate Nvidia Experience. After you manage to locate the listing, right-click on it and choose Uninstall from the newly appeared context menu.

   

3. On the next screen, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation, then restart your computer.
4. Once the next startup sequence is complete, launch the game again and see if the issue is now resolved.

In the event that the “FATAL: Metro Exodus – A crash has been detected by BugTrap” error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.

Method 5: Uninstall ROCCAT Mouse Driver (if applicable)

If you’re using a mouse that is actively using the Roccat driver, it’s very likely that the startup crash you’re encountering when trying to play Metro Exodus is caused by a driver inconsistency.

Several Windows 10 users that we’re encountering the “FATAL: Metro Exodus – A crash has been detected by BugTrap” error have reported that they managed to get it resolved by using the Settings menu to uninstall the Roccat mouse driver. As it turns out, the generic drivers that will be used instead will not produce the same error message.

Here’s a quick guide on uninstalling the conflicting Roccat Mouse drivers:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “ms-settings:appsfeatures” inside the text box and press Enter to open up Apps & Features tab of the Settings app.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Apps & features tab, scroll down to the right-hand section and locate the ROCCAT Kone XTD Mouse Driver. When you see it, right-click on it and choose Uninstall from the newly appeared context menu.

   

3. Confirm by clicking Uninstall once again, then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
4. Once the process is complete, restart your computer and see if the issue is resolved at the next system startup.