How to Fix Starfield Error 0xc000001d on Windows 11 (Complete Guide)

Launching Starfield only to be greeted by the 0xc000001d error code can be extremely frustrating—especially when you’re ready to dive into Bethesda’s massive space RPG. This issue typically prevents the game from starting at all and affects both Xbox Game Pass and Steam versions on Windows PCs.

The good news? In most cases, this error is fixable. It’s often linked to CPU instruction support (AVX), corrupted cache or save data, outdated drivers, or system-level conflicts. Below is a complete, step-by-step guide covering all proven fixes to help you get Starfield running smoothly again.

What Causes Starfield Error Code 0xc000001d?

Before jumping into solutions, it helps to understand what usually triggers this error:

• AVX (Advanced Vector Extensions) disabled or unsupported
• Corrupted game cache or save files
• Outdated GPU drivers
• GPU cache conflicts
• Background apps or antivirus interference
• Permission or system instability issues

Let’s go through the fixes, starting with the most critical one.

Enable AVX (Advanced Vector Extensions)

Starfield requires AVX instruction support. If AVX is disabled at the system level—or restricted by BIOS settings—the game will fail to launch and throw the 0xc000001d error.

Enable AVX via Command Prompt

1. Open the Start Menu, type cmd
2. Right-click Command Prompt → Run as administrator
3. Enter the following command and press Enter:

bcdedit /set xsavedisable 0

4. Restart your PC

Enable AVX in BIOS / UEFI (If Needed)

If the error persists, AVX may be disabled in BIOS:

1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (F2, F10, DEL, or ESC)
2. Go to Advanced, CPU Configuration, or Overclocking
3. Locate AVX, AVX Instructions, or Advanced Vector Extensions
4. Set it to Enabled
5. Save changes and exit

After rebooting, try launching Starfield again.

Reset Starfield Save and Configuration Data

Corrupted save or config files are a common cause of startup errors.

Delete Game Save Data

1. Open File Explorer
2. Paste the following path into the address bar:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\BethesdaSoftworks.ProjectGold_3275kfvn8vcwc\SystemAppData\wgs\

3. Delete all files and folders inside the wgs directory

Clean the Installation Folder (Game Pass)

1. Navigate to:

C:\XboxGames\Starfield\Content

2. Delete everything except the DATA folder
3. Make sure Starfield.exe is removed

Verify and Repair the Game

1. Open the Xbox app
2. Go to Starfield
3. Click the three dots → Manage
4. Open the Files tab
5. Select Verify and repair

Once complete, launch the game again.

Update Your Graphics Card Drivers

Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers can prevent Starfield from initializing correctly.

Update via Device Manager

1- Right-click Start → Device Manager

2- Expand Display adapters

3- Right-click your GPU → Update driver

4- Choose Search automatically for drivers

5- Restart after installation

Manual Driver Downloads (Recommended)

For best results, download directly from the manufacturer:

• NVIDIA GeForce drivers
• AMD Radeon drivers
• Intel Arc / UHD drivers

Delete GPU Cache Files

Corrupted shader or DirectX cache files can cause launch failures.

Clear GPU Cache

1. Press Windows + R
2. Enter the path matching your GPU:

AMD

%LOCALAPPDATA%\AMD\DxCache

NVIDIA

%LOCALAPPDATA%\NVIDIA\DxCache

3. Delete all files inside the folder

Clear Starfield Cache

1. Press Windows + R
2. Enter:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Starfield\

3. Delete pipeline.cache
4. Restart your PC

Close Background Apps and Overlays

Background programs can conflict with Starfield or consume critical system resources.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. End unnecessary tasks (browsers, launchers, overlays)
3. Temporarily disable:
   • Antivirus real-time protection
   • GPU overlays (GeForce Experience, Discord, Xbox Game Bar)
4. Restart your PC before launching the game

Run Starfield as Administrator

Permission issues can prevent the game from accessing required system resources.

1. Locate Starfield.exe
2. Right-click → Run as administrator

Make It Permanent

1. Right-click Starfield.exe → Properties
2. Open the Compatibility tab
3. Check Run this program as an administrator
4. Click OK

Disable GPU Overclocking

GPU overclocks can cause instability in demanding games like Starfield.

1. Open your overclocking tool (MSI Afterburner, ASUS GPU Tweak, etc.)
2. Reset all values to default
3. Apply and close the software
4. Relaunch the game

Keep Starfield Fully Updated

Bethesda regularly releases patches that fix launch bugs and hardware compatibility issues.

1. Open Xbox app or Steam
2. Go to your game library
3. Check for Starfield updates
4. Install any available patches

Restart Your PC

Never underestimate this step. A full reboot clears:

• Stuck background processes
• Driver conflicts
• Memory and cache issues

Restart, then launch Starfield before opening other apps.

Reinstall Starfield (Last Resort)

If all else fails, a clean reinstall may be necessary.

1. Uninstall Starfield from Xbox app or Steam
2. Manually delete leftover game folders
3. Restart your PC
4. Reinstall the game

Some users report better stability when installing via Steam instead of Xbox Game Pass.

Contact Bethesda Support

If the error persists after all fixes, Bethesda support can help diagnose hardware-specific issues.

Official support portal:
Bethesda Support

Conclusion

The 0xc000001d error in Starfield is usually caused by AVX-related CPU settings, corrupted cache files, or driver conflicts—not by faulty hardware. By enabling AVX, cleaning cache data, updating drivers, and stabilizing your system, most players can resolve the issue and get back into the game.

Once fixed, Starfield runs reliably on supported Windows systems, letting you focus on exploration, combat, and storytelling—without launch errors standing in your way.