Bug 514028

Summary:	Crash on Startup
Product:	[Applications] digikam	Reporter:	Matthew <matthew.usevitch>
Component:	Bundle-Windows	Assignee:	Digikam Developers <digikam-bugs-null>
Status:	REPORTED ---
Severity:	crash	CC:	caulier.gilles
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	8.8.0
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Microsoft Windows
OS:	Microsoft Windows
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:
Attachments:	Screenshot of frozen screen prior to crash

Description Matthew 2026-01-01 03:50:04 UTC

Created attachment 188124 [details]
Screenshot of frozen screen prior to crash

SUMMARY
Digikam crashes on startup for me similar to what was reported on Bug #497832. This bug has persisted on my computer for a year - I have not once been able to successfully open digikam without crashing despite uninstalling/reinstalling multiple times with multiple versions (8.4.0 - 8.8.0). I previously had used it without issues, but at some point it started crashing - I am not sure when / why.

On trying to open digikam, I am met with a blank window with only a small box with the text "Size 142" as if a window is being resized. Occasionally there is another window prompting a startup action, such as the screenshot below, but I am unable to interact with it. The program freezes and then crashes within 10-15 seconds.

I am wondering if there is a faulty file or dll that is referenced by digikam that is causing the crash since it persists across multiple versions after uninstall / reinstall. The error logs always reference the Qt6gui.dll file, but I'm not sure if that is the main issue (see error log below). Any help would be appreciated - would love to be able to use digikam again.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Windows: 11 Home
Digikam 8.8 (but happens regardless of version)
Qt Version: Qt6 6.9.1.0

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Here is the Error Log from Windows:
Faulting application name: digikam.exe, version: 8.8.0.0, time stamp: 0x68f24ad7
Faulting module name: Qt6Gui.dll, version: 6.9.1.0, time stamp: 0x68a46162
Exception code: 0xc000041d
Fault offset: 0x00000000000f322c
Faulting process id: 0x6214
Faulting application start time: 0x1DC7ACFAA5B6CA0
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files\digiKam\digikam.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Program Files\digiKam\Qt6Gui.dll
Report Id: 704a1390-393c-4e28-b743-49bc74e0f280
Faulting package full name: 
Faulting package-relative application ID:

Comment 1 caulier.gilles 2026-01-01 04:24:50 UTC

Hi and happy new year.

It's probably rely to the QtWebEngine (Chromium Qt component) and the GPU driver incompatibility.

See this FAQ for details: https://www.digikam.org/documentation/faq/#digikam-freezes-at-startup-with-or-without-main-window

Best regards

Gilles Caulier

Comment 2 Matthew 2026-01-01 05:11:11 UTC

(In reply to caulier.gilles from comment #1)
> Hi and happy new year.
> 
> It's probably rely to the QtWebEngine (Chromium Qt component) and the GPU
> driver incompatibility.
> 
> See this FAQ for details:
> https://www.digikam.org/documentation/faq/#digikam-freezes-at-startup-with-
> or-without-main-window
> 
> Best regards
> 
> Gilles Caulier

Happy New Year to you too! Thanks for the response. I tried to follow the instructions, but unfortunately there is no digikam_systemrc file in my digikam AppData folder... does this need to be recreated somehow?

Matthew

Comment 3 caulier.gilles 2026-01-01 05:35:01 UTC

If you never touch system settings from digiKam config dialog, it's possible.

Go to this setup dialog, change the first option (at top level), and try again.

https://docs.digikam.org/en/setup_application/miscs_settings.html#system-settings

Gilles Caulier

Comment 4 caulier.gilles 2026-01-04 08:04:07 UTC

Matthew

Do you seen my last comment?

Gilles Caulier

Comment 5 Matthew 2026-01-04 18:04:34 UTC

Thanks for the comment! Is there a way to change those settings if digikam is not running? It freezes on startup, so there is no way for me to access the menu bar to change the settings.

Matthew

Comment 6 caulier.gilles 2026-01-04 21:04:58 UTC

yes. Add the new variable to the Windows settings as explained here :

https://www.digikam.org/contribute/#windows-host

... section "If digiKam does not start"...

Gilles

Comment 7 Matthew 2026-01-04 21:38:17 UTC

Ok I ran digikam with DebugView and have the output. Like you guessed, the last command before crashing had to do with the GPU. Is there any other information that would be helpful for me to share from the output?

[21868] Failed to create D3D11 swapchain: COM error 0x887a0005: The GPU device instance has been suspended. Use GetDeviceRemovedReason to determine the appropriate action. (Width=1920 Height=991 Format=28 SampleCount=1 BufferCount=2 Scaling=1 SwapEffect=4 Stereo=0)
[21868] Failed to create swapchain for window flushed with an RHI-enabled backingstore