How to Fix Oblivion Remastered Crashing on PC

If Oblivion Remastered crashes during startup, while loading a save, or mid-game, it’s often due to rendering pipeline conflicts. These crashes are typically caused by:

• Mismatched upscaler files (e.g., sl.pcl.dll or nvngx_dlss.dll)
• Overlay injectors like Discord, Steam, MSI Afterburner, ReShade, or ENB
• Driver or runtime mismatches between DirectX, Streamline, and GPU software
• Windows permissions or antivirus interference that blocks game initialization

These issues disrupt the game’s rendering chain, leading to crashes, failed launches, or instability. The fixes below address these root causes to help stabilize your experience.

1. Delete or Rename sl.pcl.dll (NVIDIA DLSS File)

The sl.pcl.dll file is part of NVIDIA’s DLSS framework. However, on certain systems, especially those with older or incompatible drivers, it can cause crashes during startup or when loading. Renaming or deleting this file disables DLSS and may resolve the problem.

Note: Disabling this file also disables DLSS features like upscaling and frame generation until restored.

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to:

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Oblivion

3. Locate sl.pcl.dll.
4. Right-click → Rename to sl.pcl_backup.dll.
   
5. Alternatively, select the file and press Delete.
   
6. Launch the game and verify if it still crashes.

2. Run the Game as Administrator

Without admin rights, Oblivion Remastered might be restricted from accessing essential directories or files, resulting in startup or save-related crashes. Giving it elevated privileges helps resolve permission-based issues.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Go to the game’s install directory.
3. Right-click Oblivion.exe → select Properties.
   
4. In the Compatibility tab, enable Run this program as an administrator.
5. Click Apply → OK.
   
6. Relaunch the game and check if it runs smoothly.

3. Disable Overlay Applications (Discord, Steam, NVIDIA, AMD)

Overlay programs hook into game processes, and while helpful, they often interfere with rendering and memory usage. Disabling them is a reliable crash prevention method.

1. In Steam:
   • Right-click the game → Properties
     
   • In General, uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay.
     
2. In Discord:
   • Settings → Game Overlay → Disable it.
     
3. In GeForce Experience:
   • Click the gear icon → Under General, turn off In-Game Overlay.
     

4. Update or Roll Back GPU Drivers

Oblivion Remastered relies heavily on the GPU stack. Outdated drivers can miss critical game support, while newer ones might cause regressions. Depending on your situation, updating or rolling back could fix instability.

To Update Drivers:

1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
   
2. Expand Display adapters → Right-click your GPU → Update driver.
   
3. Select Search automatically and follow prompts.
   
4. Restart your PC and relaunch the game.

To Roll Back Drivers:

1. Open Device Manager again.
2. Expand Display adapters → Right-click GPU → Properties.
   
3. Under the Driver tab, click Roll Back Driver (if enabled).
   
4. Reboot and test again.

5. Delete the Win64 Folder

If crashes persist even after removing sl.pcl.dll, the issue may stem from the Win64 folder which stores secondary game binaries. These files can become corrupt or outdated. Deleting them allows the game to reinitialize fresh copies.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to:

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Oblivion

3. Open the Win64 folder.
4. Press Ctrl + A → Right-click → Delete.
   
5. Relaunch the game and test again.