Players on Reddit report that Elite Dangerous crashes immediately after selecting the game mode, closing during the loading screen with the spinning ship. The issue affects users even with high-end PCs running Windows 11 Pro, despite attempts to fix it by disabling overlays, closing other apps, and adjusting graphics settings. Training missions load without problems, suggesting the crash is linked to the main game client or launcher compatibility. This problem may prevent new and returning players from accessing the full game experience as of late October 2026.
- Crashes occur during main game loading screen, not training missions.
- Troubleshooting steps like disabling overlays have not resolved the issue.