Troubleshooting Wolf3D
General problems and solutions in running Wolfenstein 3D.
If you can't find the solution to your particular problem, consider joining the Wolf3D.net Discord, or posting on the DieHard Wolfers Message Board for help.
Error Messages
"This app can't run on your PC"
If you receive this error on Windows 10, you may be trying to run a version of the Wolf3D engine that runs on DOS. This happens because modern operating systems no longer come bundled with DOS, which is required to play many older games.
Solutions
Download DosBox, which emulates DOS for running programs. Click here to learn how to set up DosBox for Wolf3D.
Alternatively, there are a variety of source ports available that allow the game to run without emulation, with varying degrees of changes.
Gameplay Issues
There are black bars on the sides of my game
This is due to the restricted aspect ratios of older games. If this is truly an issue for you, ECWolf and LZWolf provide widescreen resolution support.
Dead bodies, ammo and other items are disappearing on the screen
If you're running a mod, there's a chance you're exceeding the maximum number of objects that can be displayed.
Solution
If it's your own mod, consider editing and limiting the number of objects on your map.
The menu, borders and other art are mixed up
Image by Serpens, from The Wolfenstein 3D Wiki.
This can happen because you are using game files that aren't compatible with the exe being used.
Wolfenstein 3D has had multiple versions come out over the years, some with differences in their VGAGRAPH files. As such, when the game tries to look for these images in certain places in the files, it gets confused and displays the wrong things.
Solution
If you can't bear to try to push through playing without a HUD, there are two optiosn readily available to solve the problem.
Wolf3D community member NY00123 has recreated most official versions of the game's source code, so it is possible to compile the required exe.
ECWolf and LZWolf are capable of adapting to the files of the game, and should also solve this issue.
Sound Issues
Enemies and sound effects sound like distorted bleep bloops
This may be because your game has PC Speaker Sounds enabled.
Solution
From the Main Menu of Wolfenstein 3D, go to Options→Sound Options, then under Sound Effects choose an option other than PC Speaker (Adlib/Sound Blaster, typically).