If you are reading this, you have likely experienced a uniquely frustrating ritual: You open the Hello Neighbor Mod Kit (whether on Steam, Epic Games, or via a standalone launcher), the loading bar fills smoothly to 44%, creeps to 45%... and then stops. The music might keep playing, the cursor might still move, but the screen is frozen. You wait five minutes, ten minutes, an hour. Nothing.
You are not alone. The "45% freeze" is arguably the most infamous bug in the Hello Neighbor modding community. For years, creators and players trying to build their own stealth horror levels have been stopped dead by this specific loading threshold.
But why does it happen, and more importantly, how do you fix it?
This comprehensive guide will explain the technical reasons behind the crash and provide a step-by-step roadmap to get you back into the editor.
hello_neighbor_config.json) for any conflicting settings.-debug or -console).The 45% stuck loading in Hello Neighbor Mod Kit is a frustrating but fixable issue. It’s not a game-breaking bug for most users – around 80% can solve it with file verification + cache clearing. However, beginners may find it intimidating due to needing to delete local files.
Rating as a software stability issue:
🔧 Fixability: 8/10
😤 User frustration level: High (due to lack of in-game error message)
📌 Recommendation: Try verification first – if still stuck, clear cache. Avoid reinstalling until last step.
If you’re a modder, keep regular backups of your projects before testing. If you’re just playing custom levels, consider using the base Hello Neighbor game instead, which rarely has this issue.
In almost every case, being stuck at 45% is not a crash; it is the Unreal Engine compiling shaders in the background.
Why 45%? This is the specific point where the engine begins loading and compiling core shaders.
How long? Depending on your CPU, this can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours. Verification: Open your Task Manager (
) and look for processes named "ShaderCompileWorker.exe". If you see them using high CPU, the mod kit is working—just be patient. 2. Verify Hardware Compatibility
The Mod Kit is much more demanding than the actual game. If your system doesn't meet the requirements, the editor may never finish loading. [Solved] Unreal Editor loading stuck at 45% - C++
When the Hello Neighbor Mod Kit (built on Unreal Engine 4) appears stuck at 45% during loading, it is usually not a crash but a heavy background process. Primary Cause: Shader Compilation
The 45% mark is the specific point where the engine begins compiling shaders. This is a critical process that translates graphics code for your specific hardware.
Waiting is Required: Depending on your hardware (CPU and RAM), this can take anywhere from 5 minutes to several hours.
First Launch/Updates: This happens most frequently during the first launch after installation or after a major engine update.
Resource Usage: Your CPU usage may spike to 100% while this happens as "Shader Compile Workers" run in the background. Recommended Fixes & Solutions
If you have waited more than an hour without progress, try the following steps:
Monitor Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. Look for processes named ShaderCompileWorker.exe. If these are active and using CPU power, the Mod Kit is still working and you should let it continue.
Verify Hardware Specs: Systems without a dedicated GPU or with less than 8GB of RAM may struggle to complete this process at all.
Check Your Firewall: Sometimes firewalls block the engine's initialization processes. Try temporarily turning off your firewall or adding the Mod Kit as an exception.
Disable XGE (Advanced): If you have "Incredibuild" or "XGE" installed, it can sometimes stall the process. You can manually disable it by editing ConsoleVariables.ini in your Unreal Engine config folder and setting r.XGEShaderCompile = 0.
Delete Save Files: If the kit has worked before but is now stuck, navigate to your Mod Kit directory (Hello Neighbor/Saved/SaveGames) and delete existing save files that might be corrupted or causing loading issues. hello neighbor mod kit stuck at 45
Install Latest Unreal Engine: Ensure you have the latest version of the Unreal Engine installed via the Epic Games Launcher, as some users reported this resolved stuck installs.
How long has the loading screen been at 45% on your current attempt? How to fix Unreal Engine 4.18.1 stuck at Initializing 45%
To fix the Hello Neighbor Mod Kit getting stuck at 45% on the loading screen, the most common solution is to simply wait it out.
This behavior is completely normal for the software. Below is a complete article explaining exactly why this happens and how to troubleshoot it if the freeze is permanent. 🛠️ How to Fix Hello Neighbor Mod Kit Stuck at 45%
If you have downloaded the Hello Neighbor Mod Kit to start creating custom maps and gameplay, you will likely encounter a frustrating hurdle: the loading screen freezes at exactly 45%.
This is one of the most common issues reported by creators in the community. Fortunately, it is usually not a bug or a broken installation. 🧠 Why Does it Freeze at 45%?
The Hello Neighbor Mod Kit is built on Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4. In Unreal Engine, 45% is the exact point where the software begins compiling shaders.
Shaders are the code programs that tell the engine how to render surfaces, lighting, and shadows. Because the Mod Kit contains a massive library of game assets, textures, and lighting data, there are thousands of shaders that need to be processed the very first time you launch the editor. 🚦 Step-by-Step Troubleshooting 1. Give it Time (The Primary Solution)
The absolute best solution is patience. Depending on your computer's processing power, the initial shader compilation can take anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour.
The fix: Leave the Mod Kit open and do not click on the window (which might prompt Windows to say the program is "Not Responding").
The good news: This massive wait time typically only happens during the very first launch or after a massive update. Future launches will be much faster. 2. Verify System Activity via Task Manager
If you want to make sure your computer hasn't actually crashed, you can check your hardware activity: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Windows Task Manager. Look at your CPU usage percentage.
If the CPU usage is spiked at 90% to 100%, or if you see several background processes called ShaderCompileWorker, the editor is working perfectly. It is utilizing your processor to build the assets. Do not close it! 3. Check Dedicated GPU Requirements
Unreal Engine 4 is a heavy development environment. If your computer relies solely on integrated graphics (common in non-gaming laptops) instead of a dedicated graphics card (like NVIDIA or AMD), the editor may genuinely fail to load past this point.
Ensure your PC meets the basic system requirements to run game development software. 4. Clear Your Cache & Reinstall (Last Resort)
If you have waited for several hours and the Task Manager shows 0% CPU activity pointing to a hard freeze, you may need to clear out corrupt files: Back up any mod files you have already started. Uninstall the Mod Kit.
Press Windows Key + R, type %localappdata%, and delete any saved Unreal Engine or Hello Neighbor Mod Kit folders to clear broken cache files. Reinstall the kit and try launching again. Updated Modkit freezes at 45% loading (SOLVED)
The most frequent cause is shader compilation. When you launch the Mod Kit for the first time or after an update, the engine must compile thousands of shaders to render graphics correctly.
The "Stuck" Illusion: The progress bar often stops at 45% because that is the point where the engine initializes the renderer and begins heavy shader work. Verification: Open your Task Manager (
). If you see multiple processes named "ShaderCompileWorker," the engine is not frozen; it is working in the background.
Solution: Simply wait. Depending on your CPU speed, this can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours. 2. Disable XGE Shader Compilation
If waiting doesn't work or takes an unreasonable amount of time, you may need to disable the XGE (Incredibuild) shader compilation, which can sometimes stall the process if not configured correctly. Hello Neighbor Mod Kit Stuck at 45%
Navigate to: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\UE_4.XX\Engine\Config\ConsoleVariables.ini (Note: The version folder may vary). Edit: Find the line ; r.XGEShaderCompile = 0.
Action: Remove the semicolon (;) so it reads r.XGEShaderCompile = 0 and save the file. Restart: Relaunch the Mod Kit. 3. Check System Requirements and Firewall
If the Mod Kit never progresses beyond 45% even after hours of waiting, check your hardware and security settings:
GPU Requirements: Computers without a dedicated GPU often fail to load the editor entirely.
Firewall/Antivirus: Security software may block the editor from creating temporary files. Try temporarily disabling your firewall or adding an exception for the Epic Games Launcher and the Mod Kit.
Clear Save Data: Occasionally, corrupted playtest data can cause hangs. Navigate to the Mod Kit folder, then to HelloNeighbor > Saved > SaveGames and delete the files inside.
For a visual explanation of why Unreal Engine projects often stall during the loading process: 03:42 Unreal Engine 100% CPU use, STUCK at 39, 45, 75, 95% FIX Luciano Jacomeli YouTube• Jan 29, 2022
Are you seeing any specific error messages or crash reports when the loading screen closes? [Solved] Unreal Editor loading stuck at 45% - C++
When the Hello Neighbor Mod Kit gets stuck at 45% during loading, it is almost always compiling shaders
. This is a normal part of how the underlying Unreal Engine 4 works, especially during the first launch after installation or after an update. Unreal Engine Immediate Solutions Wait it out
: Depending on your PC's hardware, this process can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. Check Task Manager Ctrl + Shift + Esc and look for "ShaderCompileWorker"
processes. If they are active and using your CPU, the program has not crashed—it is just working through a large amount of data. Fix Firewall issues
: Sometimes a firewall can block the initial setup. On Windows, you may need to temporarily turn off Windows Firewall
or ensure the Epic Games Launcher and Mod Kit have permission to run. Unreal Engine Troubleshooting Steps Clear Save Data
: If the kit continues to freeze on subsequent launches, navigate to the folder with the mod kit, then go to Hello Neighbor -> Saved -> SaveGames delete the files Verify Hardware
: The Mod Kit requires a dedicated GPU to run effectively. If you are using integrated graphics (common on older laptops), it may hang indefinitely or perform very poorly. Disable XGE
: If you are familiar with config files, some users find that disabling the XGE shader compilation in the engine's configuration can resolve persistent 45% hangs. Unreal Engine How long has the loading bar been sitting at 45% for you? Updated Modkit freezes at 45% loading (SOLVED)
If your Hello Neighbor Mod Kit is stuck at 45%, the primary fix is simply to wait. This is a common behavior of the Unreal Engine 4 editor when it is compiling shaders for the first time. ⚙️ Why it stops at 45%
Shader Compilation: This is the stage where the engine processes all the lighting and textures.
Initial Launch: The first time you open the kit, it must compile thousands of shaders. Subsequent launches will be much faster.
CPU Intensity: This process uses a large amount of your computer's processing power. You can verify this by checking your Task Manager for "Shader Compile Worker" processes. 🛠️ Troubleshooting Steps
If the kit has been stuck for several hours without progress, try these steps: 1. Just Wait (The "Patience" Fix) If you haven't updated in months: Go to
Depending on your computer's speed, this can take anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour.
Do not close the program unless it is marked as "Not Responding" for a very long period.
Avoid running other heavy programs in the background to speed up the process. 2. Check Hardware Requirements
If you have waited for 3+ hours and nothing has happened, your hardware might be the issue.
Dedicated GPU: Ensure you are not running on integrated graphics.
Storage: Move the mod kit to an SSD if possible; it significantly improves loading times. 3. Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated drivers can cause shader compilation to fail or hang. Check your GPU manufacturer's site for the latest version: NVIDIA Drivers AMD Drivers 4. Firewall & Internet Issues
Sometimes the engine hangs while trying to verify files online. Try disconnecting from the internet and launching the kit.
Ensure the Epic Games Launcher and the Mod Kit have permissions through your Windows Firewall. 📂 Advanced Fix: Clearing Cache
If the loading is truly broken, you can try clearing the local save data:
Navigate to your mod kit folder (usually in Epic Games\HelloNeighborModKit). Go to HelloNeighbor > Saved.
Delete the DerivedDataCache folder. This forces the engine to restart the compilation process cleanly. If you'd like to proceed, let me know: What are your PC specs (specifically your CPU and GPU)? How long has it been stuck at 45%? Is this your first time opening the Mod Kit? [PC] The game crashes at start – Hello Neighbor Support
Troubleshooting Guide: Hello Neighbor Mod Kit Stuck at 45% - A Comprehensive Solution
The popular stealth-horror game Hello Neighbor has gained a massive following worldwide, and its modding community has been actively creating new and exciting content. The Hello Neighbor Mod Kit, a toolset designed to facilitate mod creation, has been a game-changer for enthusiasts looking to put their creative spin on the game. However, some users have been experiencing a frustrating issue: the Hello Neighbor Mod Kit getting stuck at 45% during installation or loading. If you're one of those users, worry not – this article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
Understanding the Issue
The "Hello Neighbor Mod Kit stuck at 45%" error is a common problem reported by users on various online forums, including Reddit, Steam, and the game's official support channels. The issue seems to occur randomly, and users have reported experiencing it on different platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
When the Mod Kit gets stuck at 45%, users are usually unable to proceed with the installation or loading process. The progress bar freezes, and the game may or may not display an error message. In some cases, users have reported that the game crashes or closes unexpectedly.
Possible Causes of the Issue
After analyzing user reports and feedback, several possible causes of the issue have been identified:
Troubleshooting Steps
To resolve the "Hello Neighbor Mod Kit stuck at 45%" issue, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Check for Corrupted Mod Kit Files: If you've downloaded the Mod Kit from a site like NexusMods, check if there are any known issues in the comments or description. Try redownloading the files.
Mod Kit Compatibility: Ensure the Mod Kit version is compatible with your game version. Mismatches can cause installation issues.