How to Fix the “game_steam_ship.exe error bo6” in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – A Beginner’s Guide (2025)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (BO6) is here, but some players are encountering the frustrating “game_steam_ship.exe error bo6” that prevents them from enjoying the game. This error can manifest in several ways, including crashes on startup, freezes, or the game simply failing to launch. This guide will walk you through the most effective solutions to fix this error, even if you’re not a computer expert. We will be covering fixes for Windows users.

Understanding the game_steam_ship.exe error bo6

What is the Error?

The game_steam_ship.exe error bo6 is an error specifically related to the Steam version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. The “game_steam_ship.exe” file is a crucial component of how Steam launches and manages the game. When this error occurs, it indicates a problem with this executable file or its interaction with your system. The “bo6” likely refers to Black Ops 6, helping to identify the specific game affected.

Common Symptoms

  • Game Crash on Startup: The most common symptom is that BO6 crashes immediately after launching, often without displaying any error message beyond the “game_steam_ship.exe error bo6” notification.
  • Failure to Launch: The game might not start at all, with the error appearing as soon as you try to launch it from Steam or your desktop.
  • Black Screen: You might encounter a black screen upon launch, which then either crashes or remains stuck indefinitely.
  • Error Message Pop-up: In some cases, a pop-up window may appear, explicitly mentioning the “game_steam_ship.exe error bo6” or a related error code.

game_steam_ship.exe error bo6

Common Causes of the game_steam_ship.exe error bo6

Several factors can contribute to this error. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward a successful fix:

  1. Conflicting Software: Certain software, especially remapping tools like reWASD, and SnapKey are known to conflict with anti-cheat systems used in many games, including BO6.
  2. Corrupted or Missing Game Files: Essential game files, including “randgrid.sys” or files within the “Players” folder in your Documents, might be corrupted or missing, preventing the game from launching correctly. [More on Reddit]
  3. Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause compatibility issues with the game, leading to crashes and errors.
  4. System File Issues: Problems with your operating system’s files can interfere with the game’s ability to run properly.
  5. Antivirus/Firewall Interference: Sometimes, overly aggressive antivirus or firewall settings can block the game’s executable or related processes.
  6. Incorrect Game Settings: Certain in-game settings, particularly related to the intro video or launch options, might be causing conflicts.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide to Fix game_steam_ship.exe error bo6

Solution 1: Uninstall Remapping Software

This is often the most effective solution, as highlighted in your provided example.

  1. Identify Remapping Software: Check your installed programs for any software that allows you to remap keyboard or controller inputs. Common culprits include reWASD, SnapKey, and others.
  2. Uninstall the Software: Go to your Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac) and uninstall the identified remapping software.
  3. Clean Up Leftover Files: Some software leaves behind residual files. Search for and delete any folders or files related to the uninstalled software in locations like Program Files, Program Files (x86), AppData, and Documents.
  4. Restart Your Computer: A restart ensures that all changes take effect.
  5. Try Launching BO6: See if the error is resolved.

Solution 2: Verify Game File Integrity

Steam has a built-in feature to verify the integrity of game files, which can fix issues caused by corrupted or missing files.

  1. Open Steam: Launch the Steam client.
  2. Go to Your Library: Click on “Library” at the top.
  3. Right-Click on BO6: Find Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in your game list, right-click on it.
  4. Select “Properties”: Choose “Properties” from the context menu.
  5. Go to “Local Files”: Click on the “Local Files” tab.
  6. Click “Verify integrity of game files…”: Steam will scan your game files and automatically download/replace any missing or corrupted files.
  7. Wait for the Process to Complete: This might take some time, depending on the game’s size and your internet speed.
  8. Relaunch the Game: Try launching BO6 again.

Solution 3: Locate and Copy Missing “randgrid.sys” File

This solution addresses a specific issue where the “randgrid.sys” file might be missing from a particular directory.

  1. Open the “bootstrapper” File:
    • Navigate to your Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 installation folder. The default location is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Call of Duty HQ or a similar path.
    • Find a text file named “bootstrapper” (it might be a .txt or similar format) and open it with a text editor like Notepad.
  2. Identify the Error Message: Look for a line in the “bootstrapper” file that says something like: “Failed to open ??\[Path to a folder]\randgrid.sys.” This indicates that the “randgrid.sys” file is missing from the specified path.
  3. Locate “randgrid.sys”: Find the file named “randgrid.sys” within your Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 installation folder.
  4. Copy the File: Right-click on “randgrid.sys,” select “Copy.”
  5. Navigate to the Missing Location: Go to the folder path indicated in the error message from the “bootstrapper” file.
  6. Paste the File: Right-click in an empty space within that folder and select “Paste.”
  7. Relaunch the Game: Try launching BO6.

Solution 4: Delete the “Players” Folder

This solution involves deleting a folder that contains game settings, which can sometimes become corrupted.

Warning: This will reset your in-game settings.

  1. Open File Explorer: Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Navigate to Your Documents Folder: Go to your “Documents” folder. The default path is usually C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents or C:\Users\[Your Username]\OneDrive\Documents.
  3. Find the “Call of Duty” Folder: Locate a folder named “Call of Duty.”
  4. Delete the “Players” Folder: Open the “Call of Duty” folder and find another folder inside it called “Players.” Delete the entire “Players” folder.
  5. Relaunch BO6: The game should recreate the “Players” folder with default settings.

Solution 5: Modify Intro Video Settings

This solution addresses potential conflicts related to the game’s intro video.

  1. Navigate to the “Players” Folder: Follow steps 1-3 from Solution 4 to locate the “Players” folder within your “Call of Duty” folder in “Documents.”
  2. Open the Settings Files: Inside the “Players” folder, you should find three files:
    • s.1.0.cod24.txt
    • s.1.0.cod24.txt0
    • s.1.0.cod24.txt1
  3. Edit the “s.1.0.cod24.txt” File:
    • Open s.1.0.cod24.txt with a text editor like Notepad.
    • Press Ctrl + F to open the “Find” function and search for “Interface.”
    • Find the lines related to intro videos:
      // Skip introduction movie that plays when game is started
      SkipIntro@1;17649;48403 = false
      
      // Controls if the season video plays or not
      SkipSeasonIntroVideo@0;57752;48403 = false
      
      // Whether or not we show the season video when the player logs in the second time after seeing it once
      SkipSeasonVideo@0;57752;20945 = true
      
    • Carefully change false to true for SkipIntro and SkipSeasonIntroVideo.
    • Save the file.
  4. (Optional) Repeat for Other Files: You can experiment with modifying the other two .txt files similarly if the error persists.
  5. Relaunch the Game: Try launching BO6.

game_steam_ship.exe error bo6 fixed

Solution 6: Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are a common cause of game crashes and errors.

  1. Identify Your Graphics Card: Find out the make and model of your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT).
  2. Visit the Manufacturer’s Website: Go to the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
  3. Find the Latest Drivers: Locate the driver download section and find the latest drivers for your specific graphics card model and operating system.
  4. Download and Install: Download the driver installer and run it. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the new drivers.
  5. Restart Your Computer: A restart is often required after updating drivers.

Solution 7: Run the Game as an Administrator

Running the game with administrator privileges can sometimes resolve permission-related issues.

  1. Locate the Game’s Executable: Find the main executable file for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (usually named something like bo6.exe or BlackOps6.exe). This is typically in the installation folder.
    • Steam: Right-click on BO6 in your Steam library > Properties > Local Files > Browse.
  2. Right-Click and Run as Administrator: Right-click on the executable file and select “Run as administrator.”

Solution 8: Disable Antivirus/Firewall Temporarily

Sometimes, your antivirus or firewall might mistakenly block the game.

  1. Disable Antivirus: Temporarily disable your antivirus software. The process varies depending on your antivirus program.
  2. Disable Firewall: Temporarily disable your firewall.
    • Windows: Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
  3. Test the Game: Try launching BO6.
  4. Important: If this solves the problem, add an exception for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to your antivirus and firewall settings instead of permanently disabling them.

Important Note: Only disable your antivirus and firewall temporarily for testing. Re-enable them immediately afterward to protect your system.

Solution 9: Run BO6 in DirectX 11 Mode

Some users have reported that running the game in DirectX 11 mode can resolve compatibility issues.

  1. Steam:
    • Right-click on BO6 in your Steam library.
    • Select “Properties.”
    • In the “General” tab, find the “Launch Options” field.
    • Enter -dx11 or -d3d11 in the launch options.
  2. Battle.net:
    • Open the Battle.net launcher.
    • Select Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
    • Click on “Options” below the game title.
    • Select “Game Settings.”
    • Check the box for “Additional command line arguments.”
    • Enter -dx11 or -d3d11 in the field.

Solution 10: Run the Game in Safe Mode

This is a more advanced troubleshooting step that can help identify if background processes are interfering with the game.

Instructions for running in safe mode will vary depending on your operating system and game launcher.

Solution 11: Reinstall the Game

If all else fails, a clean reinstallation can often fix underlying issues.

  1. Uninstall the Game:
    • Steam: Right-click on BO6 in your library > Manage > Uninstall.
    • Battle.net: Select the game, click “Options,” and choose “Uninstall.”
  2. Delete Leftover Files: After uninstalling, manually delete any remaining game files in the installation directory and in your Documents folder (where the “Players” folder was located).
  3. Reinstall the Game: Download and reinstall the game from your chosen platform (Steam or Battle.net).

Extra Solution: Adjust RendererWorkerCount in Config Files

BO6’s threading settings can cause instability on high-core CPUs:

  1. Navigate to Documents/Call of Duty/players.
  2. Open options.3.cod22.cst in Notepad.
  3. Locate RendererWorkerCount and set it to half your CPU’s thread count (e.g., 8 for a 16-thread CPU).
  4. Save the file and relaunch the game.

Pro Tip: Experiment with values between 4–16 for optimal performance.

More: Disable CPU Power-Saving Features in BIOS

Many crashes stem from CPU power management settings conflicting with BO6’s resource demands. This fix is critical for ASUS motherboard users but applies broadly:

  1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS (typically via Delete or F2).
  2. Navigate to Advanced Mode → CPU Configuration → CPU Power Management Control.
  3. Disable all power-saving options:
    • SpeedStep
    • Speed Shift Technology
    • CPU C-State
    • Dual Tau Boost 1.

Result: Stabilizes CPU performance, preventing sudden crashes during gameplay.

Troubleshooting Specific Error Codes

Error Code Fix
0x887A0005 Disable overclocking/XMP
0x00001338 Reinstall DirectX and Visual C++
0x554a0002 Enable XMP Low Latency

Prevention Tips

  • Keep Drivers Updated: Regularly update your graphics drivers and other system drivers.
  • Maintain Your Operating System: Install the latest Windows updates.
  • Avoid Remapping Software: If you play games with anti-cheat systems, avoid using remapping software or uninstall them when not needed.
  • Verify Game Files Periodically: Use the “Verify integrity of game files” option on Steam occasionally to check for and fix corrupted files.
  • Monitor Your System: Keep an eye on your system’s resource usage and temperature to identify potential hardware issues early on.

Expert Recommendations

  • “Before making any significant changes to your system, create a system restore point. This allows you to revert to a previous state if something goes wrong.” – Sarah Johnson, IT Specialist.
  • “If you’re not comfortable making changes to system files or settings, seek help from a more experienced user or contact the game’s official support channels.” – David Lee, Tech Support Engineer.
  • “The game_steam_ship.exe file is a critical part of how Steam interacts with the game. If this file is constantly throwing errors even after you have tried to fix them, it may be a sign of a larger issue. I would suggest checking that all your drivers are up to date, your operating system is not corrupted, and that you don’t have any malware.” – Allenনার্থ, PC Gamer

FAQ

Q: Why does BO6 crash after every match?

A: Disable Weather Grid Volumes in graphics settings 7.

Q: How to fix game_steam_ship.exe on i9-14900K?

A: Underclock to 4.8GHz and disable CPU C-State in BIOS 17.

Q: Can high textures cause crashes?

A: Yes—set Texture Quality to Normal and limit VRAM to 70%

1. What if I don’t see any error message, but the game still crashes?

The solutions related to remapping software, corrupted files, driver updates, and antivirus/firewall interference might still be relevant even without a specific error message.

2. I’m on a console (Xbox or PlayStation). Can I still get the “game_steam_ship.exe error bo6”?

No, this specific error is related to the Steam version on PC. Consoles have their own set of potential errors and troubleshooting steps.

3. Will deleting the “Players” folder delete my game progress?

It will reset your in-game settings, but your core game progress (campaign completion, multiplayer stats) is usually saved separately, often on the cloud. However, it is best to back up this folder before deleting it just in case.

4. Where can I find the official support channels for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6?

You can find support resources on the official Activision website, the Blizzard Battle.net website (if applicable), and the Steam support pages.

5. My game still won’t launch even after trying all these steps. What should I do?

If none of the steps in this guide have worked for you, then it is time to contact Activision support. They will be able to give you more specific advice based on your particular situation.

Also Read: 

Conclusion

The game_steam_ship.exe error bo6 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 can be a frustrating problem, but it’s often fixable with the right troubleshooting steps. By systematically working through the solutions outlined in this guide, you should be able to identify the cause and get back to playing the game.

Remember to keep your system and drivers updated, be cautious of conflicting software, and don’t hesitate to seek help from official support channels if needed. Bookmark our site for more help, Happy gaming!

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