Bus Simulator 18 Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026)

Quick Fix for Bus Simulator 18 Crashes & Black Screen: Over 90% of startup crashes, black screens, and missing DLL errors in Bus Simulator 18 (2021.05.27) are resolved by installing both vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe, restoring quarantined loader DLLs in Windows Security, and running the game executable as Administrator.

→ Download Clean Verified Build of Bus Simulator 18 (2021.05.27)

Common Bus Simulator 18 Errors & Proven Solutions

Quick Game Overview & Verification Verified 100% Working

Bus Simulator 18 Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix is a PC game for Windows. This tested release features v2026 with an estimated download size of 3.84 GB. Pre-installed, DRM-free, verified clean, and ready to play offline with full gamepad support.

Platform
Windows
Build / Version
v2026
Download Size
3.84 GB
File Integrity
SHA-256 Passed
Issue / Error MessageRoot CauseStep-by-Step Fix
Crash on Startup / Silent ExitMissing Visual C++ Runtime or Admin privilegesInstall VC++ 2015–2022 (x86 & x64) and enable Run this program as an administrator in Properties → Compatibility.
Missing MSVCP140.dll / VCRUNTIME140.dllCorrupted Microsoft C++ runtime librariesReinstall the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package and reboot your PC.
missing steam_api64.dll / emp.dllWindows Defender quarantined the offline loaderOpen Windows Security → Protection History, restore the quarantined file, and whitelist the game folder.
Black Screen with Audio PlayingFullscreen resolution or overlay conflictPress Alt + Enter to switch to windowed mode, disable Discord/GeForce overlays, and update GPU drivers.
Controller Not WorkingSteam Input or XInput device priorityAdd Bus Simulator 18 as a Non-Steam Game and enable Steam Input for Xbox/PlayStation/Switch Pro controllers.

Related Guides: Main Download Page | Installation Guide | System Requirements

About Bus Simulator 18

Step into the life of a bus driver and immerse yourself in the bustling urban environment of Bus Simulator 18, where every route presents a unique challenge. This simulation game allows you to navigate a sprawling cityscape, driving one of eight meticulously crafted buses from renowned manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and IVECO. The gameplay revolves around transporting passengers safely and on time, all while dealing with realistic obstacles like traffic, weather changes, and passenger demands.

With both single-player and real-time multiplayer modes, you can tackle 12 diverse districts either solo or alongside friends, enhancing the experience with shared bus service management. The game also boasts extensive modding support, allowing you to create custom routes, design your own buses, and share your creations with the community. If you’re looking for a detailed and engaging simulation, this title is perfect for fans of transport management games and anyone eager to experience the daily grind of urban public transport.

Bus Simulator Free Download

Key Features & Highlights

  • Full Pre-Installed Release: Ready to play immediately upon extraction—no third-party setup or installer required.
  • All Latest Updates & Patches: Fully updated to the latest build with performance optimizations, bug fixes, and bonus content.
  • Dynamic PC Games Gameplay: Deep progression systems, responsive mechanics, and varied difficulty curves.
  • High-Fidelity Audio & Visuals: Polished textures, smooth framerates, and rich sound design optimized for modern PC hardware.
  • Verified Clean & Safe: 100% verified files free from bloatware, spyware, or intrusive background processes.

Instructions

  • Click the Download button below and you will be redirected to UploadHaven.
  • Wait 5 seconds and click on the blue ‘download now’ button. We recommend using a download manager for faster download speeds. (You can use FDM which is free here, or any other download manager).
  • Once the game is finished downloading, right click the .zip file and click on “Extract to Bus Simulator 18 v2021.05.27 & ALL DLC.zip” (To do this you will need 7-Zip, which you can get here, or you can use the built in windows extractor).
  • Double click inside the Bus Simulator 18 v2021.05.27 & ALL DLC folder and run the setup application. Accept the EULA, and install the game. Then, launch the game through the desktop shortcut.

Bus Simulator 18 Free Download (v2021.05.27 & ALL DLC)


Bus Simulator 18 (v2021.05.27 & ALL DLC)
Size: 3.84 GB

 

Reminder: This download is completely free and won't cost you a penny. However, If you love the game and want to purchase it, you can support the developers by doing so here.

System Requirements

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-Bit
  • Processor: Intel Core i3 with 3.3 GHz or AMD Phenom II X4 with 3.2 GHz
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 (1GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon R7 360 (2GB VRAM) or higher
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 6500 MB available space

Screenshots

Bus Simulator PC Screenshot

Bus Simulator Gameplay Screenshot

Bus Simulator 18 – Technical Overview & Release Details

Bus Simulator 18 (2021.05.27) is available on GOG Unlocked as a verified, complete release in the PC Games catalog. Every archive hosted in our repository is checked for file integrity so players can download, configure, and launch Bus Simulator 18 without missing assets, corrupted packages, or unnecessary third-party launchers. Whether you are archiving a classic release or testing performance on modern hardware and handheld devices, the specifications and setup instructions below cover everything required for a smooth installation.

System Requirements & Compatibility Matrix

Before downloading Bus Simulator 18, review the hardware and platform compatibility table below to confirm your setup meets the recommended specifications:

System ComponentMinimum PC Requirements (1080p Low/Med)Recommended PC Requirements (1080p/1440p High)
Operating SystemWindows 10 (64-bit)Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64-bit) / SteamOS
Processor (CPU)Intel Core i3 / AMD Ryzen 3 Dual-Core (2.8 GHz+)Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 Quad-Core (3.4 GHz+)
Memory (RAM)8 GB RAM16 GB Dual-Channel RAM
Graphics Card (GPU)DirectX 11 / Vulkan Compatible (2 GB VRAM)NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 / AMD RX 5600 XT (6 GB+ VRAM)
Release FormatOfficial GOG Offline Backup Installer (DRM-Free Setup)2021.05.27 (3.84 GB)

How to Install & Configure Bus Simulator 18 (2021.05.27)

Follow this step-by-step checklist to install and verify Bus Simulator 18 without common extraction or startup errors:

  1. Download the Full Release: Use the verified direct download links below to grab the Bus Simulator 18 (2021.05.27) archive.
  2. Extract or Run Setup: Extract the archive to a dedicated games folder using 7-Zip or WinRAR (avoid installing inside restricted system folders like C:\Program Files).
  3. Verify Dependencies: If prompted on first launch, install the bundled DirectX, Visual C++ Redistributables, and .NET runtime packages located in the _CommonRedist folder.
  4. Launch as Administrator: Right-click the main game executable and choose Run as administrator so local save files and configuration profiles write cleanly.

Troubleshooting & Optimization Tips

  • Archive Extraction Errors: Always use the latest 64-bit build of 7-Zip or WinRAR and ensure your destination drive has at least 2x the archive size in free space during unpacking.
  • Missing DLL or Black Screen on Launch: Install both vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe, update your GPU drivers, and add the game folder to your Windows Defender exclusion list so real-time scanning does not quarantine game binaries.
  • Controller & Steam Deck Compatibility: Bus Simulator 18 can be added as a Non-Steam Game using Proton GE on SteamOS/Linux, with Steam Input enabled for automatic gamepad mapping.

Frequently Asked Questions & Setup Guide

Q: How do I fix Bus Simulator 18 crashing on startup or showing a black screen?
Update your GPU drivers, install both x64 and x86 Visual C++ Redistributables, whitelist the game folder in Windows Security so game DLLs are not quarantined, and run the game executable as Administrator.

Q: How do I fix missing MSVCP140.dll or VCRUNTIME140_1.dll in Bus Simulator 18?
Install the official Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable bundle (both vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe) and DirectX End-User Runtimes.

Q: Why is my Xbox or PlayStation controller not detected in Bus Simulator 18?
Connect your controller before launching the game, disable conflicting third-party input wrappers, or launch via Steam Input / DS4Windows for automatic XInput translation.