WAVE: Client Crash on Windows

Applies to: All WAVE

Issue Summary

Some users on Windows 10 and Windows 11 are experiencing issues with the WAVE client, including crashes or the application not opening at all. These problems often occur shortly after launching the client or when working with layouts that include multiple items. In some cases, users have also reported memory leaks or slow performance.

The underlying issue is related to OpenGL support. Many modern graphics drivers, especially those for Intel integrated GPUs and some NVIDIA GPUs, do not fully support OpenGL on Windows. As a result, the default graphics rendering option used by the Wave client (OpenGL) can lead to crashes and instability.

Resolution

To solve this:

1. Install NVIDIA driver version 32.0.15.5639, which has been tested and is known to work reliably in many cases. However, results can vary depending on the specific hardware configuration of your system.
   
   
2. Alternatively, force WAVE to use Direct X rather than Open GL.
   
   
3. Run the bat script at the bottom of this article.
   
   
4. Select option 1.
   
   
   
   
5. Restart the WAVE client.
   
   
6. Confirm Direct X is being used in the About section by pressing F1 on the keyboard when WAVE client is open.