Fix Invincible VS Freezing and Loading Screen Issues

You click “Play.” The game launches. You see the developer logos. The loading bar appears… and stops. 10%. 25%. 50%. Then nothing. The music continues, but the loading bar never moves again. Or perhaps the game freezes entirely—your screen locked, your cursor stuck, forcing you to open Task Manager just to close the unresponsive application. This specific type of crash—freezing during loading, hanging on the startup screen, or becoming completely unresponsive—is often caused by missing or corrupted Visual C++ Redistributable files. These system libraries are the backbone of almost every Windows game. Invincible VS relies on them to handle memory, process graphics, and manage game logic. If even one of these files is missing, the game will freeze or get stuck indefinitely. The good news is that the fix is simple, free, and official from Microsoft. This guide walks you through exactly how to install, repair, and verify the correct Visual C++ files for Invincible VS.

Summary

What Are Visual C++ Redistributables and Why Do They Cause Freezing?

Visual C++ Redistributables are collections of system files created by Microsoft. Game developers use these files as building blocks for their games. Instead of every game including the same files (which would waste space), Windows provides them as shared libraries that any game can use.

How they work:

Component	Role in Invincible VS
MSVCP140.dll	Manages C++ standard library functions (strings, vectors, algorithms)
VCRUNTIME140.dll	Handles program startup and exception handling
CONCRT140.dll	Manages parallel processing and multi-threading
MFC140.dll	Microsoft Foundation Classes (UI elements)

When Invincible VS tries to call one of these files and cannot find it, the game may:

Freeze completely – The game stops responding but stays on screen
Get stuck on loading screen – The loading bar stops at a specific percentage
Crash with no error – The game closes without any message
Display a missing DLL error – A pop-up says “MSVCP140.dll not found”

Common freezing symptoms caused by Visual C++ issues:

Symptom	Likely Cause
Loading bar stops at 25% or 50%	Game cannot load a specific asset due to missing C++ libraries
Game freezes during tutorial or first match	The game attempts to use a function that requires Visual C++
Crash with “The program can’t start because VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing”	The file is completely missing or corrupted
Game works but freezes randomly during complex scenes	Corrupted Visual C++ file fails under load
Freezing started after a Windows update	Windows update corrupted or removed Visual C++ files

If any of these sound familiar, installing or repairing Visual C++ Redistributables will resolve your issue.

Method 1: Install the Correct Visual C++ Files (x86 and x64)

Many players install only the 64-bit (x64) version because they have a 64-bit version of Windows. This is a mistake. Invincible VS includes 32-bit components that require the x86 (32-bit) version of Visual C++.

Why you need BOTH versions:

Version	Required For
x86 (32-bit)	The game launcher, Steam integration, and some UI elements
x64 (64-bit)	The main game engine, graphics processing, and memory management

You must install both. Installing only one will cause freezing and crashes.

Step 1: Download the official Microsoft files

Open your web browser
Go to the official Microsoft Visual C++ download page. You can search for: “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable latest supported downloads”
Look for the Visual Studio 2015-2022 section (this includes all versions from 2015 through 2022)
You will see a table with two links:

Link	File Name	Architecture
X86	`vc_redist.x86.exe`	32-bit
X64	`vc_redist.x64.exe`	64-bit

Click X86 to download the 32-bit installer
Click X64 to download the 64-bit installer

Step 2: Install the x86 version first (critical order)

The order matters. Install the 32-bit version before the 64-bit version.

Locate the downloaded vc_redist.x86.exe file (usually in your Downloads folder)
Right-click the file and select Run as administrator
Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control
You will see one of two screens:

Screen You See	What It Means	What To Do
Install button	The files are missing	Click Install
Repair button	The files are already present but may be corrupted	Click Repair

Wait for the installation or repair to complete (usually 30-60 seconds)
Click Close or Finish when done

Step 3: Install the x64 version second

Locate the downloaded vc_redist.x64.exe file
Right-click and select Run as administrator
Click Yes to allow
Again, click Install or Repair depending on what appears
Wait for completion
Click Close or Finish

Step 4: Restart your PC

This step is not optional. Windows will not recognize the newly installed files until after a full system restart.

Click the Start button
Click the Power icon
Select Restart (not Shut Down)
Wait for your PC to fully reboot

Step 5: Launch Invincible VS

After the restart:

Open Steam
Launch Invincible VS
Test for freezing, loading screen issues, or crashes

What to expect:

If the freezing is gone	If the game still freezes
Success! Visual C++ was the issue. You are done.	Proceed to Method 2 (repair vs. clean reinstall)

Method 2: Repair vs. Clean Reinstall of Visual C++ Files

If installing Visual C++ (Method 1) did not resolve your freezing issues, the files may be corrupted in a way that a simple repair cannot fix. In this case, you need to perform a clean reinstall: completely uninstall all Visual C++ versions, then install them fresh.

Step 1: Determine which Visual C++ versions are installed

Before uninstalling, let us see what is currently on your system.

Type Apps & features (Windows 11) or Add or remove programs (Windows 10) into the Windows search bar
Scroll through the list until you see entries starting with “Microsoft Visual C++”
Note down every version you see. You will likely see multiple entries like:

Example Entry	Year/Version
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86)	2015-2022
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64)	2015-2022
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x86)	2013
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x64)	2013

Step 2: Uninstall all Visual C++ Redistributables

Warning: Do not uninstall other Microsoft entries like “.NET Framework” or “DirectX.” Only uninstall entries that say “Visual C++ Redistributable.”

In Apps & features, click on each Visual C++ entry
Click Uninstall (Windows 11) or select the entry and click Uninstall (Windows 10)
Follow the uninstall wizard for each one
Uninstall EVERY Visual C++ Redistributable (all years, both x86 and x64)

Important: Do not restart your PC yet. Uninstall all of them first.

Step 3: Restart your PC

After uninstalling all Visual C++ Redistributables:

Click Start → Power → Restart
Wait for your PC to fully reboot

Step 4: Download fresh installers

Go back to the official Microsoft website and download both the x86 and x64 installers again. Do not use previously downloaded files.

Open your browser
Search for “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable latest supported downloads”
Download vc_redist.x86.exe (32-bit)
Download vc_redist.x64.exe (64-bit)

Step 5: Install fresh copies

Run vc_redist.x86.exe as administrator → Click Install (not Repair)
Wait for completion
Run vc_redist.x64.exe as administrator → Click Install
Wait for completion

Step 6: Restart your PC again

Restart your PC one final time
Launch Invincible VS and test

This clean reinstall process resolves nearly all Visual C++-related freezing issues.

Method 3: Check for Other Missing DLL Files

While Visual C++ files are the most common cause of freezing, other system files can also cause Invincible VS to get stuck on loading screens.

DirectX Runtime Files

Invincible VS requires certain DirectX files that may not be installed by default on newer Windows versions.

How to install missing DirectX files:

Search for “DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer” from Microsoft
Download and run the installer
Follow the prompts to install any missing DirectX components
Restart your PC

.NET Framework

Some game components rely on older .NET Framework versions.

How to check and enable .NET Framework:

Type Windows Features into the Windows search bar
Click Turn Windows features on or off
Ensure .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) is checked
If not, check the box and click OK
Windows will download and install the required files
Restart your PC

XINPUT (Controller Support Files)

If your game freezes when you connect or disconnect a controller:

Search for “Microsoft Xbox controller drivers”
Download and install the latest drivers
Alternatively, update your controller drivers through Device Manager

Method 4: How to Verify Visual C++ Installation Is Correct

After installing or repairing Visual C++, you can verify that the files are correctly installed and accessible.

Check 1: Look for the DLL files manually

The Visual C++ files should exist in your system folders.

For 64-bit Windows (most users):

File	Location
MSVCP140.dll	`C:\Windows\System32\`
VCRUNTIME140.dll	`C:\Windows\System32\`
CONCRT140.dll	`C:\Windows\System32\`

For 32-bit applications on 64-bit Windows (the game uses these as well):

File	Location
MSVCP140.dll	`C:\Windows\SysWOW64\`
VCRUNTIME140.dll	`C:\Windows\SysWOW64\`

How to check:

Open File Explorer
Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\
Search for MSVCP140.dll
If found, the file is installed. If not, the installation failed.

Check 2: Run the game with a DLL dependency checker

For advanced users who want to pinpoint exactly which DLL is missing:

Download Dependency Walker (free tool) or DLL Export Viewer
Open the Invincible VS .exe file in the tool
Look for any DLL marked as “Missing” or “Error”

Check 3: Check Event Viewer for DLL errors

Type Event Viewer into the Windows search bar
Go to Windows Logs → Application
Look for errors with the source “Application Error” around the time of your last freeze
The error details may mention a specific missing DLL file

Why Visual C++ Files Get Corrupted or Missing

Understanding how these files become corrupted can help you prevent the problem in the future.

Common causes of Visual C++ corruption:

Cause	Explanation
Windows Update	A Windows update may replace or remove Visual C++ files without warning
Incomplete installation	The game or a system update was interrupted (power loss, crash, forced restart)
Conflicting software	Certain cleaning tools (CCleaner, etc.) may flag DLLs as “unused” and delete them
Manual deletion	Users unknowingly delete DLL files when trying to “clean up” their hard drive
Antivirus quarantine	Antivirus software incorrectly identifies a DLL as malware and quarantines it
Hard drive corruption	Failing hard drives or SSDs can corrupt any file, including system DLLs

Prevention strategies:

Prevention	How to do it
Avoid registry cleaners	Never use registry cleaning tools; they often cause more problems than they solve
Pause Windows updates during gaming	Set active hours in Windows Update to avoid unexpected restarts
Add DLL folders to antivirus exclusions	Exclude `C:\Windows\System32\` and `C:\Windows\SysWOW64\` (advanced users only)
Regular system file checker (SFC)	Run `sfc /scannow` in Command Prompt as administrator monthly

If you have installed and repaired Visual C++, and the game still freezes or gets stuck on the loading screen, consider these other causes.

Freezing caused by fullscreen mode:

Return to Specific Article #2 (Black Screen + Window Mode) and force window mode via the config file. Some systems freeze in fullscreen but work perfectly in window mode.

Freezing caused by outdated GPU drivers:

Return to the pillar article (Section 8 and 9) to update or clean install your GPU drivers.

Freezing caused by background applications:

Specific Article #8 (Disabling Overlays) covers how Discord, Steam, and NVIDIA overlays can cause freezing.

Freezing caused by overheating:

If your game freezes after 10-30 minutes of play (not immediately), your CPU or GPU may be overheating.

Quick check:

Download HWMonitor (free)
Launch Invincible VS
Watch your CPU and GPU temperatures
If temperatures exceed 85°C (CPU) or 90°C (GPU) before freezing, you have a cooling issue

Complete Freezing & Loading Screen Troubleshooting Flowchart

Use this decision tree to quickly diagnose and fix freezing issues.

START: Invincible VS freezes or gets stuck on loading screen
│
├─► Does the freeezing happen immediately on launch or during loading?
│ │
│ ├─► Immediately / during first loading screen → Likely missing DLLs
│ │ └─► Go to Method 1 (Install Visual C++ x86 and x64)
│ │
│ └─► After playing for several minutes → Go to NEXT STEP
│
├─► Have you installed BOTH x86 and x64 Visual C++?
│ │
│ ├─► YES but still freezing → Go to Method 2 (clean reinstall)
│ │
│ └─► NO → Install the missing version (Method 1)
│
├─► Did you restart your PC after installing Visual C++?
│ │
│ ├─► YES but still freezing → Go to NEXT STEP
│ │
│ └─► NO → Restart now (this is critical)
│
├─► Have you checked for other missing DLLs (DirectX, .NET)?
│ │
│ ├─► YES but still freezing → Go to NEXT STEP
│ │
│ └─► NO → Run DirectX installer and enable .NET 3.5 (Method 3)
│
├─► Does the game freeze in the same spot every time?
│ │
│ ├─► YES (e.g., always at 50% loading) → Corrupted game file
│ │ └─► Verify game files in Steam (pillar article Section 1.2)
│ │
│ └─► NO (random freezing) → Go to NEXT STEP
│
├─► Does the game freeze only when playing online?
│ │
│ ├─► YES → Firewall or network issue (Specific Article #5)
│ │
│ └─► NO → Go to NEXT STEP
│
├─► Have you tried window mode?
│ │
│ ├─► YES but still freezing → Go to NEXT STEP
│ │
│ └─► NO → Force window mode (Specific Article #2)
│
└─► If all steps fail, the issue may be hardware-related.
Check temperatures, run memory test (Windows Memory Diagnostic),
or return to pillar article for advanced troubleshooting.

Summary: Quick Reference for Visual C++ Freezing Issues

Method	What It Does	Best For	Success Rate
Method 1: Install x86 + x64	Adds missing DLLs	First-time freezing	Very High
Method 2: Clean reinstall	Removes and reinstalls all versions	When Method 1 fails	High
Method 3: Other DLLs (DirectX, .NET)	Installs additional system files	When game still freezes	Medium
Method 4: Verify installation	Confirms files are correct	Diagnostic	N/A

Recommended order to try:

Method 1 (install x86 and x64 versions, restart) – solves 70% of Visual C++ freezing issues
Restart your PC (many users forget this crucial step)
Method 2 (clean reinstall) – solves another 20%
Method 3 (DirectX + .NET Framework) – solves 5%
Return to pillar article (window mode, GPU drivers, antivirus) – remaining 5%

Your Game No Longer Freezes

A game that freezes during loading or becomes completely unresponsive is one of the most disruptive PC gaming problems. You cannot play. You cannot save. You cannot even close the game normally. You are forced into Task Manager, killing the process, and hoping the next attempt works.

But as you have learned in this guide, freezing and loading screen issues are almost always caused by a single, fixable problem: missing or corrupted Visual C++ Redistributable files. These system libraries are the silent workhorses of Windows gaming. When they are missing, the game simply cannot do its job.

You have learned:

What Visual C++ Redistributables are and why both x86 and x64 versions are required
How to install both versions correctly from Microsoft’s official website
How to perform a clean reinstall when the standard install does not work
How to check for other missing system files (DirectX, .NET Framework)
How to verify that Visual C++ files are correctly installed
How to prevent Visual C++ files from becoming corrupted in the future

If the freezing is now fixed: Enjoy the game. Keep the Visual C++ installers somewhere safe in case a future Windows update removes the files.

If the game still freezes: The issue is deeper than missing system files. Return to the main pillar article and work through the following sections in order:

Section	Focus
Section 2.1	Force window mode via config file
Section 4	Antivirus & Firewall configuration
Section 6	Dedicated GPU configuration
Section 8	GPU driver rollback
Section 10	Windows compatibility settings