---
title: Troubleshooting
description: Frequent problems with games in Empo, what causes them, and how to collect logs for a bug report.
sidebar:
  icon: wrench
---

## Empo cannot start a different game

This is a known limitation, and not a defect in the game. Force-close Empo from the app
switcher, and open it again. [`multi-session.md`](https://github.com/mateo-m/empo-app/blob/main/ios/Empo/docs/multi-session.md) explains why.

## The game does not start

Try these steps in order:

1. **Check the engine**

    Empo runs RPG Maker XP, VX, and VX Ace games, modern mkxp-z forks, and PSDK games.
    Other engines, such as RPG Maker MV and MZ, do not run.

2. **Check for an RTP warning**

    If the game asks for a Run-Time Package, Empo warns you before it starts. Empo cannot install
    an RTP yet. Import a version of the game that ships its own assets.

3. **Turn off the postload scripts**

    Open the settings for the game, and turn off **Postload scripts** under Engine. Some games
    conflict with the compatibility scripts that Empo adds.

4. **Turn on JoiPlay compatibility**

    Games that were packaged for JoiPlay sometimes expect its behavior. The option is under
    Engine.

5. **Collect the logs**

    Turn on **Debug logs**, start the game again, and attach the log to an issue.

## The game starts, but assets are missing

The game probably calls a Windows DLL. Empo emulates the frequent Win32 APIs with
`win32_wrap.rb`, but a game that goes past that set can fail to load some files. Encrypted
archives from third-party tools have the same effect.

Report the game. A compatibility report with the title and the version helps.

## No music, or no sound

Check the volume of the device and the silent switch first. If the game is still silent, turn on
**Debug logs**, play until the music should start, and attach the log to an issue. The log names
each audio file that the engine opens.

## A movie does not play

Empo plays Ogg/Theora movies only. The engine skips MP4 and other formats without a message. A
game with an MP4 opening runs, but the opening stays blank.

## The text is too small to read

Open the settings for the game. Under Display, raise **Font scale**. **Solid fonts** helps when
the text renders faint over a bright background.

## The game runs slowly

- Turn on **Frame skip** under Performance.
- Turn off **Smooth scaling** under Display.
- Close the other apps.

Battle scenes and large maps cost the most. Older devices show it first.

## My saves are gone

Empo keeps saves inside the folder of the game, so an app update never removes them.

A defect in versions before v0.6.1 renamed the save files of some games. Empo v0.6.1 and newer
restore the newest save for each affected game at launch, and show a **Saves recovered** sheet.
The renamed copies stay in the folder of the game as backups. You can reach them in the Files
app, under **On My iPhone → Empo**.

:::warning
Do not delete Empo to fix a problem. iOS removes the app sandbox with the app, and your games
and saves go with it.
:::

## A card in the library looks broken

Go to **Settings → Advanced**, and turn on **Delete broken imports**. Empo deletes the folders
that a failed import left behind.

## Report a problem

If none of the steps above helps, collect the logs and report the game. [Community and
support](/community) lists what a report needs and where to send it.