Problem with a save due to 'openal32.dll'

[PopoPopo]

Hello everyone, I'm encounting an issue with a save. While using World Edit, the game crashed when I clicked paint tool and chisel tool. First I've removed my mods.

I've read the crash report, and seen that the problem was related to openal32.dll module. I've gone to the folder and rename the file that was renamed OpenAL32.dll, then restarted my save, but it keeps crashing.

No problemo: I've renamed it like before, yet the save keeps crashing. Funny thing is, it is not crashing with other saves.

Can someone guide me please ? Here is the crash report (I've removed username for security issues).

>>

Running on 64 bit Windows 10.0.18362.0 with 32717 MB RAM
Game Version: v1.20.10 (Stable)
10/05/2025 16:35:12: Critical error occurred
Loaded Mods: game@1.20.10, creative@1.20.10, survival@1.20.10
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
   at Vintagestory.Client.NoObf.SystemHighlightBlocks.OnRenderFrame3DTransparent(Single deltaTime) in VintagestoryLib\Client\Systems\Render\HighlightBlocks.cs:line 421
   at Vintagestory.API.Client.DummyRenderer.OnRenderFrame(Single deltaTime, EnumRenderStage stage) in VintagestoryApi\Client\API\IClientEventAPI.cs:line 83
   at Vintagestory.Client.NoObf.ClientEventManager.TriggerRenderStage(EnumRenderStage stage, Single dt) in VintagestoryLib\Client\Util\ClientEventManager.cs:line 202
   at Vintagestory.Client.NoObf.ClientMain.TriggerRenderStage(EnumRenderStage stage, Single dt) in VintagestoryLib\Client\ClientMain.cs:line 816
   at Vintagestory.Client.NoObf.ClientMain.MainRenderLoop(Single dt) in VintagestoryLib\Client\ClientMain.cs:line 928
   at Vintagestory.Client.NoObf.ClientMain.MainGameLoop(Single deltaTime) in VintagestoryLib\Client\ClientMain.cs:line 740
   at Vintagestory.Client.GuiScreenRunningGame.RenderToPrimary(Single dt) in VintagestoryLib\Client\MainMenu\Screens\GuiScreenRunningGame.cs:line 170
   at Vintagestory.Client.ScreenManager.Render(Single dt) in VintagestoryLib\Client\ScreenManager.cs:line 695
   at Vintagestory.Client.ScreenManager.OnNewFrame(Single dt) in VintagestoryLib\Client\ScreenManager.cs:line 670
   at Vintagestory.Client.NoObf.ClientPlatformWindows.window_RenderFrame(FrameEventArgs e) in VintagestoryLib\Client\ClientPlatform\GameWindow.cs:line 88
   at OpenTK.Windowing.Desktop.GameWindow.Run()
   at Vintagestory.Client.ClientProgram.Start(ClientProgramArgs args, String[] rawArgs) in VintagestoryLib\Client\ClientProgram.cs:line 334
   at Vintagestory.Client.ClientProgram.<>c__DisplayClass10_0.<.ctor>b__1() in VintagestoryLib\Client\ClientProgram.cs:line 130
   at Vintagestory.ClientNative.CrashReporter.Start(ThreadStart start) in VintagestoryLib\Client\ClientPlatform\ClientNative\CrashReporter.cs:line 93

Event Log entries for Vintagestory.exe, the latest 3
==================================
{ TimeGenerated = 10/05/2025 16:29:02, Site = , Source = Application Error, Message = Nom de l’application défaillante Vintagestory.exe, version : 1.20.10.0, horodatage : 0x66470000
Nom du module défaillant : openal32.dll, version : 1.23.0.0, horodatage : 0x63dd31ad
Code d’exception : 0x40000015
Décalage d’erreur : 0x00000000000df046
ID du processus défaillant : 0x53f0
Heure de début de l’application défaillante : 0x01dbc1b6fb96312f
Chemin d’accès de l’application défaillante : C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Roaming\Vintagestory\Vintagestory.exe
Chemin d’accès du module défaillant: C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Roaming\Vintagestory\Lib\openal32.dll
ID de rapport : 72a64733-b121-441e-9c12-446f97dfbdbc
Nom complet du package défaillant :
ID de l’application relative au package défaillant :  }

[PopoPopo]

Welcome back, I've solved my issue. As I suspected, my World Edit was messed up, thus I had to clean it.

To help anyone who might be in the same situation as me, here's what I did:

1. uninstall the game + manually delete your \VintageStory and \VintageStoryData in your Roaming folder. Don't forget to keep your save somewhere on your pc!

2. download back your game, and put your save back in your \VintageStoryData\Saves folder.

3. run your save in repair mode.

4. try the command /gamemode survival. You must be close to the floor if you don't want to die from fall damage.

5. if it works, good news! Now write the command /op xxx, where xxx is a name (eg. /op Popo). I can't explain why, but it seems that it has cleaned my World Edit. -> check https://wiki.vintagestory.at/index.php?title=List_of_server_commands#/op for info.

6. now, the command /gamemode creative should works fine.

If it's not working for you, I'm so sorry.

And for every one, let this be a reminder of doing backups and saving your works from time to time.

[BGTheReformer]

Your post is the top result on google, so that's why I am adding this info here despite this post being a year old:

I found that I just had to restart my PC to fix this issue. Openal32 is apparently an audio thing. I started my game today with my headset unplugged. I plugged it back in at some point to go do something else, then closed Vintage story after having plugged my headset in. I tried to open VS later and kept crashing on world load no matter what I did. I restarted my PC with my headset plugged in, entered repair mode to be safe, and the game worked fine again.

TL;DR Restart your PC first with your headset plugged in before you pursue any of the other steps in this post.
Be sure to also backup your game after you finish playing for the day.