DS4Windows crashes

[KainXVIII]

Describe the bug
Sometimes DS4Windows crashes during use (while playing the game), sometimes even when you not using Dualshock 4 at all.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
Just use DS4Windows

Screenshots and Logs

ds4windows_log_20250201.1.txt
appcrash.zip

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• Controller Make and Model: Sony DS4 v.2 (CUH-ZCT2U)
• OS: Windows 10 Pro 22H2
• DS4Windows Version 3.9.9

PS - i don't remember any crashes in DS4Windows from ryochan..

[schmaldeo]

Some people have been experiencing occasional crashes since 3.9.2 (the version that started using native Win32 APIs to communicate with the controller). I am closely investigating the issue and will likely be releasing a patch in near future.

[foss-lover34]

i get crashes when switching profiles no controller emulation into a profile with controller emulation

[HamousOnWheels]

Here to report the same random crashes as OP. Same controller, OS, version. Can happen in any game, while pressing or not pressing any buttons. Input will freeze momentarily before crash and sometimes the game too, followed by disconnection sound. Happens in bluetooth mode, not sure about wired. Logs will throw up a variety of errors:

ds4windows_log_20250527.0.txt
ds4windows_log_20250514.0.txt
ds4windows_log_20250511.0.txt

[wojtulace]

Yeah, I also have it crashing randomly. I made a workaround so that it restarts itself automatically when detecting a .NET crash.

[foss-lover34]

wow this is awesome can you share how to do it?

…

On Sat, Jun 28, 2025 at 1:51 AM wojtulace ***@***.***> wrote: *wojtulace* left a comment (schmaldeo/DS4Windows#65) <#65 (comment)> Yeah, I also have it crashing randomly. I made a workaround so that it restarts itself automatically by detecting .NET crash in the eventvwr. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#65 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BM6OZJYOYJOENUZCF2S5XML3FXKIVAVCNFSM6AAAAABWJMZJIGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTAMJUGY3DMOBQGI> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[wojtulace]

My fix is for random crashes, but you crash when switching a profile. Nevertheless, we can still try.

First, press Win+R and type Eventvwr. Then go to 'Windows logs > Application' and find an error with its source being .NET Runtime. Copy its EventID (if you don't have that error we have a different type of crash, but you can still try finding yours, maybe with a different ID).

Next, create a new .txt file and paste:

@echo off
timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
taskkill /F /IM DS4Windows.exe >nul 2>&1
timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
start "" "C:\Programs\DS4Windows\DS4Windows.exe" (YOU NEED TO CHANGE IT TO YOUR PATH)

Save is as a .bat file in a place easy to remember.

Finally, press Win+R and type Taskschd. Choose 'Create/Make a new task...'. Give it a name like 'Restart DS4' and in the Triggers tab, create a new one. In the new window, select Begin/Start task->On event, write the EventID that you've copied, and choose .Net Runtime as a source. Return to the main window, and in the Actions tab, make a new action. Now, simply navigate to your .bat script and save. Save again and ensure that the task is active and present.