You may receive the following errors or symptoms with the data.p4k file:
- Caught in a Verify loop of a bad data.p4k file. You may see the following error or "red buttons of death".
- The data.p4k file is over 40GB but still says it's corrupt or in error
- The data.p4k file never seems to work
Some of the following options can help:
- What is data.p4k?
- Why does it get corrupted or go bad?
- Configure network and check with ISP
- Modify the Launcher for slower or throttled connections
- Option 1: Delete and reinstall
- Option 2: Replace data.p4k
- Data.p4k stops at 4k
What is data.p4k?
This is a compressed file type of game assets. The one mega file (usually over 40GB) includes multiple small, medium, and large files in it. When you install, update, or verify game files, you download a Manifest which lists all files and info that should be in data.p4k. The Launcher compares the manifest against your existing data.p4k file.
If files are missing, corrupt, or out of date compared to files on our game servers, the Launcher begins downloading and installing an updated data.p4k file.
Why does it get corrupted or go bad?
The file is made up of small to medium to large files that download in that order. For a fast, dependable network connection, downloading data.p4k may be fine from beginning to end.
But the file may not fully download or have problems for the following:
- Slower connections
- Unstable or low bandwidth wifi
- Internet Service Provider (ISP) throttles connections when downloading a large file or over a threshold file size per second
- Older routers or outdated router firmware
- Blocked ports, you need the following permitted via router/firewall: TCP 8000 - 8020 and UDP 64090 - 64110
The earlier files are smaller and can download quickly. But the last files in the final 10% are much larger and can seem to slow in download. Some ISPs will throttle these files, or the amount of data being downloaded.
Symptoms of a corrupted or incomplete data.p4k:
- Click Launch Game. Runs fine. Next launch, receive multiple errors "Failed to verify".
- Click Launch Game. Red box displays with "Star Citizen has stopped running unexpectedly" and requires Verify.
Configure network and check with ISP
Many players experience issues completing the data.p4k install or verify due to network issues. Typically, these are due to configuration issues. The following information and options can help!
Check your files and OS
- For Windows version N or KN, make sure you have the latest Media Pack for Windows. If you have Windows home or pro in the US, you do not need this pack.
- Check and run any pending Windows updates.
- Make sure you have the following Microsoft .NET Framework install. You do need both of these:
- Make sure you have the latest video card driver: Nvidia and AMD.
Whitelist .exes:
- Ensure our files are whitelisted in your firewall and anti-virus software: RSI Launcher.exe and StarCitizen.exe.
- Some players have had to change their anti-virus software. We've seen issues with Avast, Panda, and a few others.
- If you continue having issues, you may want to disable or uninstall your anti-virus or Windows Firewall.
Check Ports:
Ensure TCP 8000 - 8020 UDP 64090 - 64110 ports are permitted out/opened in your firewall/router.
- This article can help for adding ports to a router.
- You may need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to also have them update and check your ports for your account. Some players were able to get this solved with their help. Ask your ISP to open ports TCP 8000 - 8020 and UDP 64090 - 64110 for your service. You may want to also ask for whitelisting for the domain robertsspaceindustries.com and all subdomains.
Try using a VPN:
Some users may need to create and play from a VPN. If VPN works, but not opening ports locally, you need to contact your ISP to have ports opened.
Modify the Launcher for slower or throttled connections
If you have a slow Internet connection, we have some options to help in the Launcher. These settings reduce the amount of connections (Concurrent downloads) made from your computer to the network, and the amount of data transmitted per connection per second (Download speed).
- Open and login to your Launcher.
- Click Settings.
- To reduce the number of connections, click the drop -down for Concurrent Downloads. Choose a lower amount, like 15 or 10 to start.
- To reduce the amount of data transferred per connection, click the drop-down for Download Speed Limit (see above screen shot) and choose a lower amount. We recommend midrange or lower MB/s. The lowest KB/s may not show significant improvement.
- Setting the options saves changes.
Option 1: Delete and reinstall
To fully remove all files, delete the game and Launcher, and reinstall, see the following:
Option 2: Replace data.p4k
You can rename the existing data.p4k pack and force the download of the file:
- Locate the file data.p4k in (install drive)\Program Files\Roberts Space Industries\StarCitizen\LIVE.
- Rename the file to data.p4k.backup.
- Open the Launcher.
- Click Settings > Verify.
- Complete the verification and try launching. This may force update the files.
Tried everything here with no change?
If none of the previous steps showed any results, gather your game and system information files and then place a support ticket.