REFramework Not Working? Complete Developer Guide to Fix Crashes, Fails, and Load Errors

Picture of Sarfaraz Ahamed
Sarfaraz Ahamed

If you’ve launched your favorite Capcom title and found that REFramework is not working, crashing on startup, or failing to load its menu — you’re not alone.

REFramework, developed by praydog, powers mods, scripting, and even full VR support across games built on Capcom’s RE Engine, such as:

  • Dragon’s Dogma 2 (DD2)
  • Monster Hunter Rise (MHR)
  • Monster Hunter Wilds (MHW)
  • Devil May Cry 5 (DMC5)
  • and the Resident Evil Remakes

When REFramework suddenly stops working, it’s usually due to version mismatches, corrupted files, or conflicts with other injectors.
This comprehensive developer-authored guide breaks down every cause and fix for the “REFramework not working” issue — for all RE Engine games.

🔗 Official Links:

1. Why REFramework Stops Working After Game Updates

The most common cause of REFramework failing to load is a game update breaking compatibility.
Capcom frequently updates RE Engine games, altering internal code and memory structures that REFramework depends on to hook into the engine.

Symptoms

  • Game crashes instantly on launch
  • Black screen or stuck loading
  • REFramework menu (Insert key) doesn’t appear

Fix

  1. Delete the old REFramework files:
    Remove dinput8.dll and the entire reframework folder from your game directory.
  2. Download the latest version:
    Get the newest Stable or Nightly build from reframework.dev/download-reframework.
  3. Reinstall cleanly:
    Copy dinput8.dll into your game’s root folder (where the .exe file is located).
  4. Launch the game:
    REFramework should now load correctly.

🧠 Pro Tip:
Use the Nightly version after any game update — it’s updated daily and ensures instant compatibility before the next Stable build is published.

2. Common Causes When REFramework Is Not Working

If updating didn’t fix the problem, another program or setting is likely preventing the framework from loading.

A. Conflicting Hooks or Overlay Software

Since REFramework injects itself into the game’s DirectX pipeline, other injectors or overlays can block it or cause a crash.

SoftwareAction Required
Steam, Discord, Nvidia, Xbox overlaysDisable all overlays temporarily and relaunch.
MSI Afterburner / RivaTunerClose both completely. Their overlays conflict with the REFramework hook.
ReShade, Special K, ENB, etc.Remove or rename their DLLs. If you must use both, rename REFramework’s DLL to dxgi.dll and chain-load.
Antivirus / Windows DefenderAdd your game folder and dinput8.dll to exceptions — some antivirus programs falsely block injected DLLs.

B. File Placement or Corruption

Incorrect file structure is another frequent cause of REFramework not working.

IssueFix
Wrong directoryPlace dinput8.dll and the reframework folder next to your game’s main .exe (e.g., DD2.exe, re8.exe).
Damaged installIn Steam → Properties → Installed Files → Verify Integrity.
Shader cache corruptionDelete the shader cache (e.g., shader.cache or similar). It will rebuild automatically.

C. System or Admin Conflicts

Certain Windows settings or background services can block REFramework’s injection.

IssueSolution
Fullscreen optimizationDisable “Fullscreen Optimizations” under the game’s .exe → Properties → Compatibility.
Admin privilegesRun Steam and your game as Administrator.
Background softwareTemporarily disable Razer Synapse, Citrix, Logitech G Hub, or RGB control apps.
HDR / VR rendering bugsDisable HDR in Windows and the game before launching REFramework VR.

3. Game-Specific Fixes for REFramework Not Working

Each RE Engine game has its own quirks. Below are the most common game-specific scenarios.

🧩 Dragon’s Dogma 2 (DD2)

  • Symptom: Game launches without input or REFramework fails to load.
  • Fix: Delete dinput8.dll and reframework, then reinstall the newest Nightly build. This resolves input loss and framework initialization issues.

🧩 Monster Hunter Wilds

  • Symptom 1: Crash at startup or infinite black screen.
    Fix: Delete shader.cache from the game directory.
  • Symptom 2: Crashes after a few minutes.
    Fix: Remove all .pak mods and Lua scripts temporarily. Test REFramework alone, then reintroduce mods individually.

🧩 Monster Hunter Rise / Devil May Cry 5

  • Symptom: REFramework used to work but now fails silently.
  • Fix: Perform a clean boot (disable all non-Microsoft services) and ensure no background overlay software is running.

4. Generating a Log When REFramework Still Doesn’t Work

If REFramework still won’t start, the built-in logging system can help identify the problem.

  1. Go to your game folder.
  2. Locate the file: re2_framework_log.txt
  3. Open it and look for lines like:
    • Failed to hook
    • Exception occurred
    • Initialization aborted

These lines pinpoint the failure stage and can be shared with the community for faster assistance.

5. Final Checklist to Fix “REFramework Not Working”

✅ Update REFramework to the latest build (Download Here)
✅ Delete old DLLs and the reframework folder
✅ Disable overlays and injector conflicts
✅ Verify integrity and clear shader cache
✅ Run your game as Administrator
✅ Use Nightly builds after Capcom pushes a new patch

Conclusion

When you encounter REFramework not working, it’s rarely a permanent issue — just a mismatch or conflict.
With clean installation, updated files, and proper system configuration, you can restore full REFramework functionality in minutes.

For continuous updates, documentation, and troubleshooting resources:

  • Related Article​
  • Helpfull Guids