Despite the confusing file name, this error is rarely about a corrupted texture file. Instead, it is almost always a Permissions Issue.
Total War games (especially the older titles running on the Warscape engine) attempt to read or write to a specific localization file in your AppData folder. If Windows security permissions have changed, or if the file is "Read-Only," the game fails to access it and assumes the file is missing, causing an immediate crash.
If you are trying to launch a Total War game (typically Total War: Shogun 2, Empire, or Napoleon) and are greeted by a crash-to-desktop (CTD) accompanied by an error message regarding "localization dx11.txt", you aren't alone.
This is a classic error that has plagued players for years, particularly after moving the game to a new hard drive, reinstalling Windows, or verifying game files via Steam.
Here is exactly what causes this error and how to fix it.
If you receive "Access Denied" errors when the game tries to write to the localization folder, Windows Registry permissions may be blocking it.
Warning: Incorrectly editing the registry can break Windows. Proceed only if you are confident.
After this, uninstall and reinstall the Total War game.
This error is almost always fixable without reinstalling Windows. Start with verifying game files — that resolves 90% of cases.
If you are seeing an error regarding localization_dx11.txt in (commonly Total War: Rome II or
), it usually means the game is failing to find or read its text database files. This often happens after a crash, a mod conflict, or a corrupted update. txt" error: 1. Delete the "The Creative Assembly" AppData Folder
This is the most common fix. The game stores temporary scripts and preferences in a hidden folder that can become corrupted. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard. Type %appdata% and hit Enter. Find the The Creative Assembly folder.
Open it and find the folder named after your specific game (e.g., Rome2 or ).
Delete the following sub-folders: logs, scripts, and fx_cache.
Note: You can delete the entire game folder within "The Creative Assembly" directory, but back up your save_games folder first if you want to keep your progress. 2. Verify Integrity of Game Files
Steam can automatically find and replace the missing .txt file. Open your Steam Library. Right-click on your Total War game and select Properties. Go to the Installed Files tab.
Click Verify integrity of game files... and wait for Steam to redownload any missing data. 3. Check for Language Settings
Sometimes the game looks for a localization file that doesn't match your Steam settings.
In the same Properties menu in Steam, go to the Language tab.
Switch the language to something else (e.g., French), let it download a small update, then switch it back to English. This forces the game to rebuild the localization files. 4. Disable Outdated Mods
The localization_dx11.txt error is frequently caused by outdated mods that overwrite the game's text database. Open the Total War Launcher. Go to the Mod Manager. Uncheck all mods and try to launch the game. localization dx11.txt missing total war
If the game works, re-enable mods one by one to find the culprit. 5. Update DirectX and GPU Drivers
Since the error mentions "DX11," it can sometimes be a handshake issue between the game and your graphics API.
Ensure your drivers are current via NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Software.
Manually run the DirectX redistributable found in your game's installation folder (usually under _CommonRedist\DirectX).
The "Localization dx11.txt missing" error in Total War: Shogun 2 is typically resolved by deleting the corrupted Shogun2 folder within the The Creative Assembly directory in %appdata%. Alternative solutions include verifying game file integrity on Steam, updating graphics drivers, or manually installing redistributable files from the game folder. Detailed troubleshooting steps and community solutions can be found on TWCenter. FAll of the samurai *Localization dx11.txt missing!
Fix: "localization dx11.txt missing" Error in Total War Games
If you are trying to launch a classic title like Total War: Shogun 2 or Rome II and getting hit with a crash and the error message "localization dx11.txt missing," you are not alone. This frustrating error typically points to corrupted cache files or a breakdown in how the game communicates with DirectX 11.
Here is a step-by-step guide to clearing this error and getting back to the battlefield. 1. Clear Your AppData Cache (The Most Effective Fix)
The most common cause of this "missing file" error isn't actually a missing file; it's a corrupted cache folder in your system's hidden directories. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type %appdata% and hit Enter. Navigate to The Creative Assembly folder. Open the folder for the specific game (e.g., Shogun2).
Delete these specific folders (don't worry, the game will recreate them): avatar fx_cache ui_cache
scripts (Optional: rename this to scripts_old first to keep your settings). Restart the game. 2. Verify Game File Integrity
If the cache isn't the issue, Steam might have missed a file during installation or an update. Right-click the game in your Steam Library. Select Properties > Installed Files (or Local Files).
The "Localization dx11.txt missing" error is a common launch issue in Total War: SHOGUN 2
. It typically occurs when the game's launcher fails to initialize specific configuration files or when local app data becomes corrupted. 🛠️ Core Fixes Verify Integrity of Game Files: Right-click Total War: SHOGUN 2 in your Steam Library.
Select Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.
This will force Steam to re-download any missing .txt or configuration files. Clear the AppData Folder:
Navigate to: C:\Users\[Your Name]\AppData\Roaming\The Creative Assembly\Shogun2.
Delete everything in this folder except for the save_games directory.
The game will recreate these files (including the missing localization scripts) upon the next launch. Run as Administrator: Go to the game's installation folder. Right-click Shogun2.exe.
Select Properties > Compatibility > Run this program as an administrator. ⚙️ Alternative Solutions Despite the confusing file name, this error is
Switch to DirectX 9: Some users report that the error only triggers when trying to run on DX11. Launching the game in DirectX 9 mode first, then switching back to DX11 in the in-game menu, can sometimes bypass the initial check.
Update DirectX & C++ Redistributables: Ensure your system has the latest DirectX End-User Runtimes and Visual C++ Redistributable packages, as the "dx11.txt" file relies on these libraries to initialize correctly.
Disable Mods: If you have any mods installed, they may be conflicting with the current game version. Disable all mods in the Total War Launcher before trying to launch. If you'd like, I can help you:
Find the exact download links for the required DirectX runtimes
Walk through finding the hidden AppData folder if you can't see it
Troubleshoot black screen crashes that often happen after fixing this error Which of these sounds most helpful? Localization dx11 txt missing. - SHOGUN 2 - Steam Community
How to Fix "localization_dx11.txt Missing" in Total War Games
The "localization_dx11.txt" error is a notorious headache for Total War fans, particularly those playing Shogun 2, Rome II, or Attila. This error typically triggers a "Total War has stopped working" message or a crash to desktop (CTD) immediately upon launching the game through Steam.
Despite its name, this issue rarely involves a single missing text file. Instead, it is usually a symptom of a deeper conflict between the game engine, your local user data, or your mod library. Quick Fixes for localization_dx11.txt
If you are looking for an immediate solution, try these steps in order. 1. Verify Game Files
This is the most common fix for any missing file error in Steam. Open your Steam Library. Right-click on your Total War title. Select Properties > Installed Files. Click Verify integrity of game files.
Steam will scan and redownload any corrupted or missing files. 2. Clear the AppData Folder
The game often crashes because of "zombie" settings files that don't get deleted when you uninstall or update the game. Press Windows Key + R. Type %appdata% and hit Enter. Navigate to The Creative Assembly folder. Find the folder named after your game (e.g., "Shogun2"). Rename this folder to something like "Shogun2_Old."
Launch the game. The engine will generate a fresh, clean folder. 3. Check Mod Compatibility Outdated mods are the #1 cause of localization errors. Open the Total War Launcher. Go to the Mod Manager. Uncheck all mods and try launching the "Vanilla" game.
If the game works, re-enable mods one by one to find the culprit. Why This Error Happens
Understanding the "why" helps prevent it from happening again after a major Windows update or game patch. Language Mismatches
The game looks for localization_dx11.txt to determine which language strings to load for DirectX 11 features. If your Steam language setting (e.g., French) doesn't match the localized files in your data folder, the game panics and shuts down. Corrupted Scripts
The preferences.script.txt file inside your AppData folder might be trying to force a resolution or graphics setting that your monitor or GPU no longer supports. Resetting the AppData folder (as mentioned above) fixes this instantly. DirectX and Redistributables
Since the error specifically mentions "DX11," it can stem from a handshake failure between the game and your DirectX drivers.
Navigate to your game's installation folder: SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\GameName\redist. Manually run the DXSETUP.exe found in the DirectX folder. Advanced Troubleshooting After this, uninstall and reinstall the Total War game
If the basics didn't work, the problem might be rooted in your Windows environment. Run as Administrator
Right-click your game's .exe file in the installation folder, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check Run this program as an administrator. This ensures the game has permission to write the missing .txt file if it needs to. Check for Bitdefender or Antimalware Interference
Certain antivirus programs (notably Bitdefender) block Total War games from accessing the "Documents" or "AppData" folders. This prevents the game from reading its own localization files. Add the game's folder to your antivirus Exclusion List. Reinstall the Game (The Nuclear Option)
If all else fails, a clean install is necessary. However, you must manually delete the AppData folder and the Steam installation folder after uninstalling to ensure no "poisoned" files remain behind for the new installation to find.
💡 Pro Tip: Always disable "Cloud Saves" temporarily while troubleshooting to prevent Steam from syncing corrupted settings back onto your machine.
If you’d like to narrow down which specific Total War title you're having trouble with: Share the specific game name
List any overhaul mods you use (like DarthMod or Divide et Impera)
Steam can fix missing files automatically.
Note: This will take 5–15 minutes. Do not interrupt it.
This forces Steam to check for missing or corrupted files and re-download them.
If you're still experiencing trouble, providing more details about your game (such as the title in the Total War series you're playing) and your system specifications can help narrow down more specific solutions.
Here is the "proper piece" (solution) to resolve this issue.
Check the following:
The "Localization dx11.txt missing" error in games (most commonly
) typically indicates a corrupt game cache or missing DirectX components. You can resolve this by following these steps: 1. Verify Game Integrity (Standard Fix)
This is the most reliable way to restore missing text or configuration files: Steam Library Right-click on the specific Total War game (e.g., Total War: SHOGUN 2 ) and select Properties Navigate to the Installed Files Local Files ) tab and click Verify integrity of game files . Steam will automatically re-download any missing Microsoft Learn 2. Clear Corrupt AppData Folders
Corrupted UI or script caches often cause this specific error message: , and press Enter. The Creative Assembly folder and navigate to the folder for your game (e.g., Locate the folder and delete the user.script.txt
file (if it exists), as old mod scripts can cause conflicts. Alternatively, some users find success by deleting the
folders within the game's AppData directory to force a clean UI reload. 3. Reinstall DirectX Redistributables Since the error specifically mentions , your DirectX installation may be damaged: Go to the game's installation folder (usually Steam\steamapps\common\[Game Name]\redist Look for a folder named and run the DXSETUP.exe file as an administrator. You may also need to reinstall the (Visual C++) packages found in the same 4. Switch to DirectX 9 (Workaround)
If you cannot get the DX11 version to launch, you can try forcing the game to use DX9: When launching , select the option instead of DirectX 11 in the pop-up menu. For other titles, you can try adding Launch Options in the Steam Properties menu. for your operating system version?