Common Crash Causes

Sometimes when testing a custom track, the game will fail at times to render the track, causing the console to freeze, usually at a black screen. Here is a list of common problems that can cause Mario Kart Wii to crash.

Initial Loading

If your track doesn't load at all, here are some common causes:

Required Files

A custom track requires these files to run:

• course.kmp
  
• course.kcl
  
• course_model.brres
  
• map_model.brres
  
• vrcorn_model.brres (unnecessary if you are playing on Dolphin, but required on a real Wii)
  
• Any object files for objects used in course.kmp
  

KMP

• First thing to try is to remove objects from your KMP that you won't need for your track.
  
  • Some of them require specific track slots, files, or KCL settings. If you don't need them, get rid of them.

• Your KMP has an object listed that does not exist in your SZS.
  
  • Copy the missing files from another track that has them, more likely an official track. Some objects require more than just .brres file(s)!

• You used an object that requires a route, but one wasn't defined for it OR a route was defined that doesn't exist.
  
  • Check your KMP for any objects that require routes and add a route for them. If a route exists, set it in the object's settings. If not, create a new route for it, then set it in the object's settings.

• You have too many objects.
  
  • Try to reduce the number of objects to be below 200 or place your track on the "SNES Ghost Valley 2" slot - that slot supports more objects.

• An object has invalid settings.
  
  • This doesn't always cause a crash but it certainly can contribute. Look at settings from other tracks for these objects if you are not sure how to set them.

• An object has an invalid ID.
  
  • You have told the game to load something that isn't even a real object. Either remove this object, set its ID to 00, or change it to something else.

• You have an object that requires solid ground in an area where there is no solidity.
  
  • Objects like Thwomps require solid ground beneath them. Move them onto the track or remove them from your KMP.

• You have two STGI entries.
  
  • Remove one, as it will both save on space and may stop any conflicts that occur by having course settings set twice.

KCL

Check for:

• Proper KCL flags
  
• Two-sided faces
  
• Model complexity
  
• That it's properly generated (You can check using Wiimm's SZS Tools)

Other

• You have a BRRES for an object but it still doesn't load.
  
  • Make sure the brres isn't corrupted or modified. Also be sure you have anything else required by the object, like effects.
    
    • Also be sure any custom content inside the BRRES is the correct version.

• Your file size is very big.
  
  • Remove files that aren't used by the track.

• Your map model is missing required bones.
  
  • Your map_model requires bones named "posLD" and "posRU" to position the map. Without them, the game can crash.

• Your track doesn't load if replacing certain original tracks.
  
  • Be sure you didn't replace tracks of Special Slots.

• Something else may cause the crash.
  
  • Remove other custom content (characters, Common.szs, etc) and try again.

Mid-Race

These are usually a combination of problems.

• Game crashes when trying to enter a cannon
  
  • Be sure your cannon trigger in your KCL matches the cannon ID in your KMP.

• Game crashes/lags shortly after starting, with flashing colors/geometry
  
  • This usually happens with a corrupt BRRES, likely a corrupt CHR0 animation. Try replacing the BRRES.

• Game crashes touching a certain object / part of the track
  
  • This could be a lot of things, ranging from bad KCL, to missing files, to bad KMP, depending on the situation.

• Game crashes when watching intro cameras in VS/Grand Prix
  
  • Your CAME is setup improperly. One of your values are set to something that's impossible
  • Your "Next Camera" is set to a camera that doesn't exist

• Game works in Time Trials but not in VS/Grand Prix
  
  • Your "First Camera" is probably wrong.
    
  • You have a corrupt object that is only set to appear in VS. Check your KMP.

• Game crashes when a player or computer driver gets an item from an item box with special settings.
  • The reason for this crash is hard to detect because you don't know the get-time for the computer players.
  • Remove the special settings of all item boxes for human and computer players (2 different settings).