Add the entire Mod Kit install folder and %LocalAppData%\HelloNeighborModKit to your AV’s exclusion list.
The Mod Kit relies on Microsoft Visual C++ libraries. If they are missing or corrupt, the asset compiler at 45% will fail.
This sounds insulting, but it isn't. The Hello Neighbor Mod Kit is notoriously inefficient at first launch. On a hard drive (HDD) or a lower-end SSD, the shader compilation at 45% can take 10 to 15 minutes. Many players quit at 60 seconds. Let it sit for a full 15 minutes. If it hasn't moved by then, proceed.
If this is happening immediately upon launching the Editor or a specific map, your downloaded Mod Kit files might be incomplete.
The "Stuck at 45%" error is a known behavior within the Epic Games Launcher environment regarding large Unreal Engine deployments. It is rarely a hardware failure. In 90% of documented cases, Solution B (Reinstalling to a new directory) resolves the issue, as it forces the launcher to generate a fresh manifest file rather than attempting to repair the corrupted one causing the stall.
Hello Neighbor Mod Kit getting stuck at during initialization is a common occurrence and, in most cases, is not a crash but a necessary background process Unreal Engine The Most Likely Cause: Shader Compilation
The Mod Kit is built on Unreal Engine 4 (UE4). When you launch it for the first time, or after an update, the engine must compile thousands of shaders. Unreal Engine
This is the specific point in the loading sequence where the engine begins loading and compiling core shaders. The Solution:
Just wait. Depending on your CPU and RAM, this can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour . You can confirm it is working by opening Task Manager
(Ctrl + Alt + Delete) and looking for "ShaderCompileWorker.exe" processes running in the background. Unreal Engine Other Potential Fixes
If you have waited for several hours and the progress has not moved, try these alternative troubleshooting steps: How to fix Unreal Engine 4.18.1 stuck at Initializing 45%
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% hello neighbor mod kit stuck 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)
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 Add the entire Mod Kit install folder and
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
The Hello Neighbor Mod Kit appearing "stuck" at 45% during the loading screen is a common occurrence caused by the Unreal Engine 4 backend compiling shaders for the first time
. While it looks frozen, the engine is actually processing a massive amount of visual data in the background. Unreal Engine Why it Stops at 45% In many Unreal Engine projects, including this mod kit,
is the specific threshold where the editor initiates shader compilation. Shader Compilation
: The software is translating graphics code into a format your specific video card can understand.
: This process is highly demanding on your processor. You can verify it is still working by opening Task Manager
(Ctrl+Shift+Esc); you should see "ShaderCompileWorker" processes active and high CPU usage. First-Time Load The most common fix
: This extreme delay typically only happens during the very first launch after installation or after a major update. Unreal Engine Expected Wait Times
Wait times vary wildly based on your hardware specifications: High-End PCs (e.g., 512GB+ SSD, modern CPU) : May load in 5–10 minutes Mid-Range PCs : Can take between 50 minutes and 5 hours Lower-End Systems
: Users have reported it taking significantly longer, sometimes appearing to hang for hours. Unreal Engine Recommended Solutions The "Wait it Out" Method
: The most effective solution is simply to let the program run. Do not close the window, as this resets the compilation progress. Check for Crashes
: If the loading screen disappears or an error message pops up, it has actually crashed. If it remains at 45% with a spinning icon or high CPU usage, it is still working. Firewall Permissions
: Ensure your firewall isn't blocking the editor or the shader workers. Some users found success by giving the Unreal Editor full permissions. Hardware Limitations
: If you do not have a dedicated GPU, the editor may fail to launch entirely or perform so poorly that it effectively stays frozen. Unreal Engine
Has the loading screen been at 45% for more than 5 hours, or do you see any specific error messages?
If it gets stuck at 45% specifically during "Compiling Shaders":
The most common fix. The Mod Kit stores temporary files that often corrupt during a bad shutdown.
Investigation into similar Unreal Engine mod kit installations points to three primary root causes: