Elite Dangerous Guide

An Elite [ODYSSEY UPDATE!] Troubleshooter & Gameplay Introduction for Elite Dangerous

An Elite [ODYSSEY UPDATE!] Troubleshooter & Gameplay Introduction

Overview

Elite Dangerous {Keybinds} [Links] |Menus|[PLAY DEMO / LOGIN LOOP – SOLUTION](Comment issue+solution for improvements)

Checklist

Press Ctrl+f and enter keyword top right to search the guide.

———————————————————————-

Main solution:
Create your fdev account through the webpage(not launcher), and link with steam there:
[link] (partner keys)
-do remember to log in with steam on the launcher afterwards. 😉
Registration can take a while, so read the manual or watch some tuts.

Click play nothing happens (blue > gray > blue):
Top right of launcher, click “Options > Select language… > English/System > Accept”.
Restart launcher and it should work.
If you’re still not able to play, you need to update MS C++ (2015 redist x86/x64) and .net (4.8).

Elite Launcher scaling issue:
Rightclick edlaunch.exe in the game folder – Select Properties
Select Compatibility Tab > Change high DPI settings
Check the box “Use this setting to fix scaling problems…”
In the list “Use the DPI that’s set for my main display when” set it to “I open this program”
In the “High DPI scaling override box ” select the check box and set to “System”
Click OK, OK

GAME NOT STARTING:
Elite can take a long time to start up due to net & shaders, so make sure you’re not just being impatient. 😉
ON first launch, launcher needs to update, then close & restart steam+launcher.

Horizons/Odyssey blankscreen/infinite loading:
First restart your PC to make sure that it’s not a driver hang.
gamedir/steamlib Elite DangerousProductselite-dangerous-odyssey-64OptionDefaults
Back up and delete the files in that folder, and then start the launcher.
Launcher – Options – Enable Virtual Cache – remove checkmark.
Restart launcher.
Launcher – Options – Validate Game Files.
Start the game.

Login/Verification loop:
Input the code, close launcher and restart steam.

Menus slow/hang:
Sometimes the routing takes a while to catch up, and it can seem like the game is stopped.
Waiting a bit for the menu will usually route the connection, improving the session.

Neverending “Preparing…”:
Update your graphics driver, or do a rollback. WHQL is usually a good option.
(Use DDU)

Odyssey not showing:
If on steam, relink your steam and frontier account and restart the launcher.
That should make Odyssey show up. (sync can take a while so be patient)

“Potato” quality / Frequent crashing:
Make sure your GPU&VRAM are up to spec (elite really dislikes misconfigured hardware)
Remove any and all .xml tweaks; consider a configuration file purge next.
Verify & validate game files after to re-dl.

PLAY DEMO:
Info: [link]
(you may need to go to [link], and input your Steam keys which you can find by right-clicking ED in your Library; Manage – Keys)

Purchase/Redeem:
Enter the verification code to activate your account, close launcher, and restart steam.
(this is after creating an account as stated above)

Update required:
Make sure you are using the correct email/account to log in. (it happens, don’t laugh =)
Rightclick edlaunch.exe in the main game folder and run as administrator, and check for game updates on the top right “Options”. You should be able to run the game normally after that.

VR:
On Foot VR in Elite Dangerous Odyssey:
Running wired reportedly gives 90fps.
The camera suite / free camera enables 3D VR on-foot. (motion controllers work too)
(Credits: SPACER NINE NINE/Pouncing Fox)
-make sure to set your keybinds so there are no overlaps between camera and on-foot, or you risk your camera flying off in the middle of a firefight. (video is before patch5; camera is now fixed)

General:
Go to webpage and relink, log out top right of launcher, restart steam & log back in.
(again, authentication can sometimes take a while, so be patient)

———————————————————————-

Any other issue, go through this list:

#1: Reset/Replug your modem/router; control your antivirus &/or firewall.
#2: Restart/Relog
#3: Re-link

Install / update issue
Rightclick Elite in steam – Properties – Verify Game Files
Rightclick Elite in steam – Properties – Odyssey dlc selected
Steam – Settings – Downloads – Clear download cache
Steam – Settings – Downloads – Download Region

Elite Launcher – top right – Options:

  • Check For Game Updates
  • Validate Game Files

Connection / update issue
Ingame Options – Network <- make sure settings are correct. Restart after changing.
(IF your ISP supports IPv6, disable IPv4 ingame network, and enable IPv6, you can also enable portforwarding[customersupport.frontier.co.uk] there if you have a static IP)
Flushing your DNS cache can sometimes help: winkey+r, write: ipconfig /flushdns, press enter

Elite Launcher – top right – Options:

  • (Uncheck)Enable Virtual cache <- this can fix slow download/working…/updating launcher.
  • Log out / machine <- restart steam and make sure to log in w steam on launcher.

Configuration / Graphics issue

  • (press) windowskey+r, %localappdata%, enter
    Frontier DevelopmentsElite DangerousOptions <-backup/purge as needed.
———————————————————————-

Over the years, there are periods where the website and/or authentication infrastructure is under maintenance, so if it isn’t working, assume that. Give it time.

_______________________________________________________________
Issue unresolvable: search the forums, both steam & official; send a ticket to support:
[link]
(login/use search, top right of page)
_______________________________________________________________

Advanced Troubleshooter

There is a specific way to make the game work outside of steam.
(look towards the end of this section if you want to do that)
Do not mistake fdev for frontier .com

FDEV webpages needs ad/cookieblockers turned off to work. (recaptcha/login loop)
Elite uses p2p, and not all ISPs fully supports this. (upnp/connectivity)
Elite does not like misconfigured RAM. (check your BIOS settings)

<Steam launcher FAQ> <READ THIS FIRST!

General advice:
Userbenchmark[www.userbenchmark.com] is a really good tool for finding bottlenecks and can generally help with optimizing performance. (highly recommended)

Common issues:

  • IF you bought the game after april ’19 (HumbleBundle may be excepted),
    you won’t have a key and need to get the verification code after setting up your fdev acc.
    For some players, clicking “log out machine”(top right – Options) on the launcher, and then restarting launcher+steam+vercode has enabled the “steam launch button”.

  • “AMD Ryzen CPU 16 core”:
    (take note that this is not an elite-only suggestion; you may have to tweak the settings)
    The amount of processors can bork some games which might boot to a black screen or hang.
    To do this, download the AMD Ryzen overclocking tool called “Ryzen Master”.
    Once in the program, check the options such as “Legacy Compatibility Mode” or others.
    You may have to restart the PC after making changes.
    NB. Search the net for instructions on how to use the program properly before applying!!

  • “DISC WRITE ERROR”:
    Originally posted by Crowmire:
    Go to Steam/logs/content_log.txt and open that file in notepad. See if theres error note on a file on a bottom. If yes, delete that file. This way I was able to re-install the game.

  • “HORIZONS/ODYSSEY MISSING”:
    Go to the frontier webpage and relink steam.
    Log out of the launcher(top right – options), restart steam, and log back in.
    (If it doesn’t work, send a ticket to support and/or check the steam launcher FAQ)

  • “OLD “ORANGE LAUNCHER”/LOG IN”:
    This can happen on a windows update to older .net versions.
    Open/edit: EDLaunch.exe.config in main game dir and swap lines:
    <startup>
    <supportedRuntime version=”v2.0.50727″/>
    <supportedRuntime version=”v4.0″/>
    </startup>
    to
    <startup>
    <supportedRuntime version=”v4.0″/>
    <supportedRuntime version=”v2.0.50727″/>
    </startup>

  • “CAN’T CONNECT / COLOUR+SHIPNAME”:
    Make sure you have selected the correct network/settings ingame – Options – Network

    Advanced:
    Open the CMD prompt as administrator, type the below, and do not skip the reboots.

    ipconfig /flushdns
    netsh winsock reset
    — reboot —
    netsh int ip reset
    — reboot —
    nbtstat -R
    — reboot —

  • “MULTICREW/WING DISCONNECTS/ORANGE SIDEWINDER”:
    DMZ your router/modem after a reset; maybe port forward too. Find a way to see if your ISP even supports p2p in the first place bc without that, clients will only have limited connection to each other. (NAT[SYMMETRIC] || NAT[STRICT] you can find more information on the net)
    Set your router and/or modem to “Symmetric”.

  • “SHIP STUCK IN SPACE / ORANGE SIDEWINDER”:
    1. Unlink steam account on the frontier website.
    2. Start the game in Horizons.
    3. Fly to the nearest station and exit the game.
    4. Re-link with steam back and go into Odyssey.

  • “UNHANDLED EXCEPTION/NUMBERED ERROR”:
    Disable or uninstall old Microsoft .NET framework and install the most current .NET framework, as well as updated MS VB C++ Redist (4.5 & 2015-19 x86/x64, respectively)
    -you may have to apply the edits to EDLaunch.exe.config mentioned above.
    Remember to restart pc after doing this, and check for game updates on the launcher.

  • “VPN PROBLEM”:
    steamappscommonElite DangerousProductselite-dangerous
    Delete “AppConfig .xml/AppConfigLocal .xml” file(s) and Rightclick game in steam – Properties – Local files – Verify integrity of game files.
    (this will redownload AppConfig(s) .xml; check ingame – Options – Network)

  • “CONTROLLER/KEYBOARD ISSUE”:
    Select/copy-rename your preset as per the instructions above, and make sure you have turned off the steam controller overlay. (this applies to some keyboards too!)
    (right click Elite in steam – Properties – Controller – Disabled/Off)

  • “KEYBINDS ISSUE”:
    Ingame – Options – Controls – Presets – set a few keys, so the name says “custom/personal”.
    winkey+r, %localappdata%, enter (folder is hidden by default, so may ask permission)
    Frontier DevelopmentsElite DangerousOptionsBindings
    copy Custom.X.0.binds -> *coolname*.X.0.binds. (and edit name inside file too w notepad)
    Select the *coolname* preset ingame – Options – Controls – Presets(use this from now on)

  • “FRAMERATE ISSUE”:
    Disable Crossfire/SLI in driverHQ(if you are not using it) & turn off any exotic hooks/overlays.
    -this includes, and is not limited to: discord overlay, rivatuner, nvidia ansel etc.
    (there are some specific settings that will make crossfire/SLI run as intended if you are running it; need to search the net (AFR compatible/stock profile))
    Example thread: [link]
    Graphics Settings walkthrough by Exigeous: [link]

    Advanced:
    Make a backup of your keybinds. (Frontier DevelopmentsElite DangerousOptionsBindings)
    Disconnect all USB. (except keyboard and mouse of course)
    Do a clean boot [link], and play the game in SOLO.
    Exit the game.
    Restore all services you deactivated, and re-connect your USB.
    Do a normal reboot and you shouldn’t have issues anymore.
    Restore your keybinds if needed.

    ————————————————————————————————-

    This part only applies if you have a key for the game, as otherwise it will be bound to steam.

    IF you don’t want to launch the game via steam, you need to enter your information on the fd account page, after creating an account there.
    (first log out machine (launcher – options))
    (you don’t need to unlink from steam; link enables steam wallet for arx on webpage)
    You then need to get the activation email, and make sure you don’t close the browser OR launcher while activating/logging in via the ED-launcher.
    Enter your login/pass from the frontier development page into the launcher.
    (to be perfectly sure, you can log out from the fd webpage after activating, so the launcher doesn’t see you as logged/logging in two places at the same time)

    That should set you up for just launching Elite via its’ launcher without steam.
    (to be sure it works, close steam and run the launcher)

Bonusinfo for those who read this far:
Alt+F10 saves an extreme hi-res screenshot in pictures (have to be in solo mode)
Ctrl+Alt+G turns off the hud completely (try it on-foot for that no-HUD mode)


    List of Elite Dangerous discords(important)
    [link]

    Support FAQ(also important)
    [link]

    Can’t get it to work at all?
    [link]

eop

If this troubleshooter helped you, feel free to give a rating so others can see it.

cheers

Basic Introduction

Playing Elite: Dangerous
Select Elite Dangerous or EH/EO on launcher(s) to play. (VR if you use that)
Use Q/E+WASD/arrow keys to navigate menus and space to select. Reference[troynt.github.io]
It is a really, really good idea to read the Manual[www.elitedangerous.com]

The rest of this guide assumes you have done the ingame tutorial & training missions, or at least some of them, as they are important for learning the gameplay basics.
(Main game menu > Continue > Training)

  • 1. Most important:
    (extremely essential)

    • Don’t fly what you can’t rebuy.
      (Codex -> Pilots’ handbook)

    • “Target next system in route”.
      (the most important keybind in the game)

    • The grind is a state of mind.
      (get a wing, go have fun)
  • 2. Secondary:
    (Outfitting basics)

    • Numbers: (CLASS) are 1 to 8, with 1 being the smallest; 8 the biggest.
      (not all ships can fit the same amount or sizes; check the ship builder link below)

    • Letters: (RATE) are E to A, with E being the worst; A the best.
      (there are exceptions, like I, G, F; Integrated, Gimballed, Fixed, etc)

    • D(rated)-modules weigh the least, so are useful when jumping long distances.
      (except FSD; you always want an A-rated FSD asap)

    • B(rated)-modules have the highest integrity(module hitpoints), and are for combat.
      (they also weigh the most, so are next to useless for travelling long distances)

    • Engineering: If you want to PVP, and be (somewhat) safe in open, you will need to engineer, and that is going to take a bit of work. So be selective about what you upgrade, and try to always collects as many materials as you can from planets & moons(volcanic), Unknown Signal Sources, Mission Rewards etc. |Engineers|[munkjensen.net]
  • 3. Thertiary:
    (good to know)

    • Fuel; get a fuel scoop for [ABFGKMO]-stars!
    • Heatsinks; learn how and when to use them properly! |Heat|[elite-dangerous.fandom.com]
    • High-wake / Low-wake; knowing the difference can save your ship!
    • Scanning(target & look at) ships while travelling around will often give you data.
    • Combining data courier missions + small cargo missions is a good way to start out.
    • Fuel scoops have NO mass, so always try getting the biggest A/B-rated you want to fit.
    • Travelling and “honking” (firing the discovery scanner) when jumping into new systems, will give you exploration data to sell. |Universal Cartographics|[elite-dangerous.fandom.com]
    • To get combat practice, go to “Resource Site (low)”, let the syssecs start the fight and then go in for the kill; easy money, and easy practice. |Contacts|[elite-dangerous.fandom.com]
    • Beacons, Tourist beacons, sattellites etc, requires you to jump in at their location and select(target) the grey icon on your radar. Point your ship at it, and wait for it to say “system information updated” etc. |Missions|[elite-dangerous.fandom.com]
    • Aerobatics. Everything in elite has a sweet spot: ships, SRVs, gravity wells & orbits.
      When fighting, boost-flipping is the #1 thing to learn, followed by Flight Assist off.
      Use CQC to practice FA OFF without fear of rebuys.
      Here is an .

    • Places worth visiting:
      Carmichael Point
      Dav’s Hope
      Pleiades


    Nota bene: use “Help”, “Codex” & “Pilots Handbook” ingame to get more information!
    (listen to news/things from the Codex ingame: Select & click -> “Add to Playlist”)
    Many things in ED has sub-menus when selected & clicked!

    Follow the greens, fly in the blue & remember your limpets!

    Fly safe CMDR! o7

Odyssey on-foot

‘

As EO is a bit different from rest of Elite, it gets it’s own section.

Do the tutorial, and pay attention to what the instructor is saying.

(quite a lot of things are explained, and are very useful)

Generally, on-foot plays a bit like OG thief/deus ex.
There are three types of hangars at stations:
Ship, taxi & frontline. Use the signs overhead.
The apex service is quite useful in some cases; especially short-distance missions where you don’t want to lose your ship etc.
Bringing your ship / SRV is only recommended once you know what you are doing.
If you get downed doing something you shouldn’t, you will have to take a long trip back!!

Pay intense attention to all mission details before taking them, and plan ahead!!
(does it give you clearance level, items, how many enemies, threat level, is it clandestine or outright suspicious: fetching an illegal item is still illegal, even if the mission doesn’t say so!)

For the fullon assault type go to a system with conflict and find Frontline Solutions.

The NPCs in stations often offer the option to haggle for the payment, and gives differing rewards, as well as ditto missions.

Quick-list:

  • Sneak, scout, scan, turn off defenses & alarms.
    (this will prevent reinforcements, unless the settlement is powered back up)

  • Enemies can be incredibly dangerous, bc they can in some instances oneshot you.
    Consider the SRV a brittle minitank; it can do some missions easy, others it will be dust.

  • Using ships to take out enemy patrols is generally not advised, as the ship is a giant target.
    Smaller ships can be effective in some instances, and takes practice.

  • Ground shields works like in space; thermal to take them down fast; then kinetic or plasma.
  • Do what you can to learn about the different armaments and tools at your disposal.
  • There are rare, upgraded equipment pieces to be bought, so scout around at shops.
  • Equipment can be upgraded with levels+mods.
    -the mats for this is scattered in various places, both missions(Sort: Materials) & POIs.

  • Exobiology is it’s own part, you can also scavenge signals on planets.
    -you need to get the artemis suit, and collect the right amount of samples for a full item.
    (this usually requires three different samples, and can be a bit tricky due to distances on planets; you need a DSS ship module (Detailed Surface Scanner) to scan planets from orbit)
    Use the scan overlay to get an impression of types / biomes.
    -some plants only grow in the dark, or in certain temperatures.
    (polar caps, tundras, dark valleys, equator, etc)

  • Use your ship or your SRV as your luggage: boarding will transfer loot to it.
    -you can ofc also grab supplies from there without boarding.
    (transfer menu on the right side (Internal Panel {4} when in cockpit))

  • Carrying illegal items, weapon at the ready and other sensible things will of course not sit well with settlement residents. Be extremely mindful of guard patrol patterns, and if they want to scan you. (there is an issue where guards will scan from other levels; move to them or stand still)


Familiarize yourself with layouts and terminals; it can make or break a mission.
(make ample use of the compass marker(s) you can put on things by clicking them in the terminal)

Walk, don’t run or jetpack until you are 100% on patterns.
The innermost ring on the minimap is where NPCs are in range.

The overcharge + crouch, is used for stealth takedowns.
(only works when shields are not up; ie not alert)

That’s it for the basic guide for now; suggestions are welcome.

.

Protips & Links

© 2025 Steam Solo • Made by
SteamSolo.com