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Start by updating Moon Sweepers through Steam, then restart Steam and verify the game files if a crash, black screen, or launch error remains. The game’s 1.0.3–1.0.5 patches added save repair, changed the Windows graphics default to DirectX 11 to address AMD crashes, and fixed a controller-axis problem that could make the player run forward. If a save seems damaged, let the game try its automatic recovery before touching the backup files.
Moon Sweepers, from DragDrop Games, launched on Steam on October 23, 2026. Its launch-period fixes are tied to specific patches, so updating is the first troubleshooting step—not a guarantee that every crash or performance problem is resolved. The guidance below reflects the official Steam store and DragDrop Games patch information available through October 29, 2026.
What should I try first if Moon Sweepers crashes or will not launch?
Let Steam install the latest game update, verify the installation, and restart Steam. Use the symptom-specific steps below before changing graphics settings or modifying save files. Updating matters because the fixes are version-specific: patch 1.0.3 added save recovery and reported performance improvements, patch 1.0.4 changed the Windows DirectX default and fixed startup problems with older Proton versions, and patch 1.0.5 fixed a controller input-state problem.
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- Open the game’s Steam library page, select the gear icon, then choose Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files. Wait for verification to finish.
- Exit and restart Steam, then launch the game again.
- If the problem is on Windows with an AMD GPU, leave the game on its DirectX 11 default rather than forcing DirectX 12.
- If the game is running on Linux or Steam Deck, update it and try a current Proton configuration before changing several compatibility settings at once.
These steps give you a clean first pass without changing multiple variables. If the game works after verification, there is no reason to add launch options or alter save files. If it does not, identify when the failure happens: before the game window appears, on a black screen after launch, while loading a save, or during an active session. The timing is useful because the official fixes address different kinds of problems.
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File verification and a Steam restart are general steps recommended for black screens, freezes, and the message “Moon Sweepers requires Steam to run.” Patch notes do not say that these steps or the updates fix every instance of those errors. If the problem continues, note the exact error text, operating system, GPU, Proton version if applicable, and whether the failure occurs at launch or during play. The developer said after launch that remaining crashes and performance problems were still priorities.
Why does Moon Sweepers crash on an AMD graphics card?
For Windows systems, patch 1.0.4 made DirectX 11 the default to prevent AMD GPU crashes. That is the recommended starting point, but it is not a promise that every AMD-related crash is resolved. In particular, do not assume that switching to DirectX 12 is the first or best AMD fix: it overrides the default that the developer selected for this reason.
DirectX 12 remains available as an intentional override. To try it, open the game’s Steam Properties > General and add -force-d3d12 under Launch Options. If you are troubleshooting an AMD crash, remove that option and return to the default DirectX 11 path first. Change one setting at a time so you can tell whether the symptom changes. If the crash only happens after switching APIs, record which option was active and return to the default for comparison.
The patch information supports a specific conclusion: DirectX 11 is the official Windows default introduced to prevent AMD GPU crashes. It does not establish that every crash is caused by the graphics API, nor does it promise that every AMD configuration is fixed. If the same crash continues with the default, preserve the exact error message and note the GPU, Windows environment, and whether the failure is immediate or occurs after playing for a while. That information makes a report more useful than simply saying the game crashes.
How do I fix a black screen, freeze, or Steam launch error?
Update the game, verify its files, and restart Steam before treating a generic black screen or freeze as a known fixed bug. The official patch information identifies particular fixes, but does not establish that every launch failure has the same cause. In particular, the message “Moon Sweepers requires Steam to run” is listed among the general troubleshooting cases; it should not be mistaken for a symptom the patches explicitly promise to eliminate.
Patch 1.0.4 specifically fixed startup problems with older Proton versions. If you play through Linux or Steam Deck, update the game and use a current Proton configuration before assuming that an older Proton build is supported. Avoid changing several compatibility settings at once: if the result changes, you otherwise will not know which change mattered. The Steam store’s compatibility label for Steam Deck is Unknown, so these fixes do not establish a universal Deck compatibility or performance guarantee.
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For a crash during play rather than at startup, note what was happening immediately beforehand. For example, patch 1.0.4 fixed freezing when switching tools while many robots were working, but the patch note describes a particular scenario, not all freezes. If the issue occurs while switching tools with a large number of robots active, include those conditions in a report. If the screen goes black before you reach a save or the main game, describe that instead; it is a different failure point.
If the error persists after file verification, record whether it appears before the game window opens, on a black screen after launch, or later during a session. Include the exact message and your system details when reporting it; those distinctions help separate a launch failure from a gameplay crash. For Linux or Deck, include the Proton version. For Windows, include the GPU vendor and model if known. Do not treat a version-specific fix as proof that unrelated launch symptoms are resolved.
What should I do if a save is missing, corrupted, or will not load?
Update the game and start it again before copying, replacing, or deleting save files. The game’s recovery process checks for damage on startup, and manually rolling back a save can make matters worse. In particular, a save that appears corrupted is not necessarily gone: patch 1.0.3 addressed cases where heavily cleaned bases appeared corrupted or failed to load even though the underlying save files were intact.
Patch 1.0.3 added automatic repair for damaged saves and checks a save before replacing its previous version. Patch 1.0.4 describes the recovery system and local backups in more detail:
- Each save slot can keep up to five full backups.
- The game takes a backup about one minute into a session, then about every 30 minutes.
- After a crash, the next launch checks save files and repairs damaged files. The game reports when a save or part of one has been recovered.
- The backups are stored outside Steam Cloud in
C:Users[user-name]AppDataLocalLowDragDropGamesMoonSweepersBackups. Replace[user-name]with the Windows account name.
The interval and count have practical implications. A backup is not described as being made at every save or every time you make a change; the stated schedule is about one minute into each session and every 30 minutes thereafter, with up to five full backups per slot. The patch information does not promise that every possible recent action will be represented in a backup. Start the game and allow its recovery check to run before deciding that a manual restore is needed.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11After allowing automatic recovery to run, you can inspect or copy the backup folder if a save is still unavailable. Preserve a copy before attempting any manual restoration, and avoid opening a version 1.0.4 save with an older game version: saves made in 1.0.4 cannot be opened by older versions. A downgrade is therefore not a safe way to test whether a save will load. If a save remains missing, report the slot and what the game said during its recovery check rather than immediately replacing the files.
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Steam Cloud and local backups are separate considerations. The Steam listing says the game supports Steam Cloud, but the patch notes say the rotating backups are stored outside Steam Cloud. They do not say the five local copies are uploaded or can be restored through Cloud synchronization. Do not assume a Cloud copy contains those backup generations, and do not delete the local Backups folder while trying to resolve a save problem.
Why is my controller not working or making my character move forward?
The Steam listing identifies Xbox controllers, PlayStation controllers, and Steam Input API support, and labels the game “Full Controller Support.” Patch 1.0.5 fixed an input-state problem where an off-centre controller, joystick, wheel, or pedal axis could cause continuous forward movement or make keyboard and mouse input seem ignored. That symptom can look like a stuck movement key even when the input is coming from a controller axis.
- Update Moon Sweepers so the 1.0.5 fix is installed.
- Disconnect extra controllers, wheels, pedals, and other HID devices, leaving only the device you want to use.
- Reconnect that controller, check that its sticks and other axes rest at centre, and test with Steam Input.
- If the issue continues, try a known-good PC-compatible Xbox controller as a diagnostic comparison. This can help isolate a device or input issue; it is not a remedy for graphics crashes or save corruption.
Steam’s “Full Controller Support” label and the explicit listing of Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam Input are useful compatibility indicators, but they do not mean every device, mapping, or combination of connected peripherals is guaranteed to behave identically. The patch’s off-centre-axis fix is especially relevant when the character moves without a command, or when keyboard and mouse input seem ignored while an additional joystick, wheel, or pedal is connected.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhen reporting a remaining problem, identify the device type and whether the issue is detection, movement from a stuck axis, ignored input, or incorrect button mapping. Those are different symptoms and should not be treated as one general controller failure. If disconnecting extra devices changes the behavior, mention which category of peripheral was attached. If testing a known-good PC-compatible Xbox controller changes nothing, report that too; it helps show whether the problem follows one device or persists across devices.
Does Moon Sweepers work on Steam Deck?
The Steam store currently lists Steam Deck compatibility as Unknown, not Verified. That label means the store snapshot does not provide a Verified guarantee. It is not a statement that the game cannot run. Patch 1.0.4 fixed startup problems with older Proton versions, so an updated game and current Proton configuration are sensible first steps, but the patch does not establish a universal Deck performance result.
If startup fails on Deck or Linux, update the game first and avoid treating an older Proton build as a known-supported configuration. Then use the same basic sequence as other Steam launch problems: verify the game files and restart Steam. If the failure remains, record the Proton version and whether it happens before launch, at a black screen, or while loading a save. Do not change several compatibility settings at once, and do not infer from one successful launch that every system or performance situation is covered.
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Are the performance and gameplay fixes proof that all issues are resolved?
No. The patch notes describe particular changes, not a guarantee that every system or save will now work without problems.
DragDrop Games said patch 1.0.3 produced up to about 20% higher frame rates in its own tests, especially on large bases. That is a developer-reported, version-specific result, not a guarantee for every configuration. It is most relevant if performance slows on a large base; it does not establish a percentage improvement for every player or every system. Patch 1.0.4 also fixed freezing when switching tools while many robots were working, falling through the Moon—including after teleporting—and several automation and placement issues. If one of those symptoms continues on an updated game, capture the conditions that reproduce it rather than assuming the patch covers every instance.
When comparing possible fixes, keep the symptom and environment together. A Windows/AMD crash points first to the official DirectX 11 default; a Linux or Deck startup issue makes the Proton version relevant; a save that fails after a crash calls for the built-in recovery check; and forward movement or ignored keyboard input calls for checking controller axes and attached HID devices. These are not interchangeable fixes. State whether the problem is repeatable and whether it occurs in a new world or only with a particular save, if you can establish that safely without overwriting or deleting the affected save.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does Moon Sweepers cost, and where should I get updates?
The official Steam listing showed a regular price of $8.99 and an introductory price of $7.64 through October 30, 2026, in the store snapshot accessed October 29. Prices and promotions can change, so check the live listing rather than relying on that temporary offer. Steam is also the relevant place to let the game update and verify the installation for the steps above.
That snapshot recorded 1,408 English reviews, with 80% positive sentiment. Review counts and ratings are volatile and do not predict whether a particular crash, controller, or save issue will affect your system. They are context about the launch-period listing, not a substitute for matching your symptom to the patch that addresses it. DragDrop Games also said after launch, “We know there’s still plenty of work ahead and we’re committed to making Moon Sweepers the game we all want it to be.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling Moon Sweepers delete my save?
The official patch information does not establish what the uninstall process preserves on every system. Before uninstalling or resetting anything, copy the local backup folder to a separate safe location and avoid deleting it while troubleshooting. Let the game’s automatic recovery run first if you are dealing with a damaged save.
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Can Steam Cloud restore the five local save backups?
The Steam listing says the game supports Steam Cloud, but the patch information places its five rotating backups outside Steam Cloud. It does not say that those local backups are uploaded or can be restored through Cloud synchronization.
Can I move a Moon Sweepers save back to an older version of the game?
A save created in version 1.0.4 cannot be opened by an older game version. Keep the game updated rather than downgrading to try to load a newer save.
Where are Moon Sweepers save backups on Windows?
The version 1.0.4 patch information gives this path: C:Users[user-name]AppDataLocalLowDragDropGamesMoonSweepersBackups. Replace [user-name] with your Windows account name. Let the game run its automatic recovery check before attempting to restore a copy manually.
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Why does my character keep moving forward when I am not touching the controls?
Patch 1.0.5 fixed an input-state bug involving an off-centre controller, joystick, wheel, or pedal axis. Update the game, disconnect extra HID devices, and check that the intended controller’s axes rest at centre. If it continues, report the device type and whether the movement is still present with other devices disconnected.
Does Moon Sweepers officially support PlayStation and Xbox controllers?
The Steam listing says “Full Controller Support” and identifies Xbox Controllers, PlayStation Controllers, and Steam Input API support. A known-good PC-compatible Xbox controller can be an optional diagnostic comparison if a controller problem persists; it is not a fix for crashes or save corruption.
Is Moon Sweepers Steam Deck Verified?
The Steam store snapshot lists compatibility as Unknown, not Verified. Patch 1.0.4 fixed startup issues with older Proton versions, but that does not establish a universal Steam Deck compatibility or performance guarantee.
What should I include in a crash or controller bug report?
For a crash, include the exact error text, operating system, GPU, Proton version if applicable, and whether the failure happens at launch or during a session. For controller trouble, include the device type and whether the symptom is failure to detect it, stuck movement, ignored input, or incorrect button mapping.
The Bottom Line
Update Moon Sweepers before changing settings or save files. Use the Windows DirectX 11 default for AMD troubleshooting, let automatic save recovery run before inspecting backups, and check connected controller axes if movement or input is stuck. Steam Deck compatibility remains Unknown, and persistent problems should be reported with the exact symptom and system details.
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