Verify your PC Specs/Post this Problem on the Support forum:
Be sure that your PC is good to go for C:S. I'm not saying that it isn't, I read where you said that it was ok. But we want to ensure that we clear out potential problems as it seems odd that the game map would lock up in that manner. I've had PC's lock up like this when there is a memory problem and I can't click on say an internet link, but I can still close the window itself.
I'm not saying your PC has an issue, but it's good to be certain. There's a thread available on the main forum to check it out. Also post this problem on the Support Forum, along with your full PC specs, and anything else they might need so they (and hopefully a certified support dev) can see it and help you out. If you are uncertain just read any stickies or just ask for help.
Now, let's continue.
Verify your Game Cache File on Steam:
Right click on the game in your library, click on "Properties" select the "Local Files" tab and then click on "Verify Integrity of Game Cache" See if anything needs is re-downloaded and try to reload your save game like you normally would. If the game works, great! If not, keep going down the list.
If you are using mods:
1.) Leave everything as it is, and load the
earliest save game file you have for that city. If the problem persists, you possibly have a corrupted save file BUT continue to follow these steps to see if the game is otherwise salvageable. Outside of a corrupted save game file, it is possible that a mod(s)/asset(s) are causing the problem.
2.) Turn all of the mods off, leave the assets on for now, and reload your
latest saved game. If the games plays normally, then it is possible that a mod is broken or is conflicting with another mod you are using. Try turning each one back on, one at a time, to find out which is causing the problem. If each one can load separately without the problem returning, it is possible there is a conflict between two (or more) of them. Check out the link below or the workshop page/discussions to find out if there are known conflicts, or just load them two at a time but testing all of them that way could quickly become very time consuming depending on how many you have.
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...l-mods-and-compatibility-between-them.845608/
3.) If the problem continues after turning off all the mods, then turn off any assets you have downloaded as well, and repeat the process in step 2 again to locate the problematic asset(s).
4.) If the problem persists after turning off the mods, but goes away after turning off all the assets, try the process from step 2 again but this time load the mods and turn off all the assets. If this works, then figure out which asset(s) is causing the issue.
5.) However, If the saved game locks up after step 3, then load the
earliest save file you have and repeat the process beginning at step 2. If the problem occurs again, it is possible that the save file is already corrupted or the problem has already been set in motion at your earliest save point (See Below for further info).
6.) Ensure all of your mods are turned off and try to start a brand new game (infinite money/unlocks) and build a random grid city. Let it run and see if the game fails. If the problem returns with the base game, the install itself might be broken and you'll possibly need to re-install. (Or there could be an issue with your PC - If you want to, before re-installing head over the support forum and share your save game without mods etc. Maybe see if anyone else can run it. Or just re-install and see if the problem persists)
7.) However, If the vanilla game works without an issue, then either your save game became corrupted (see below) or a mod or asset is the culprit and unfortunately the problem may take awhile to resurface (if it ever does) if you simply reload all your mods and start over. So before you begin a new city, use the link above and ensure any mod you have is compatible with the others you want. I would suggest playing the game without any mods for awhile, who knows you may have just come across a hiccup in the game that unfortunately snagged your save. But it wouldn't hurt to try vanilla for awhile just to be sure. But that's up to you.
If you are not using mods:
Go back to the earliest save game you have available. If the game runs correctly, then continue to play and see if the problem occurs again. If it doesn't, it is possible that something simply broke during play. I would suggest going to the Support Forum and sharing your problematic save game file and anything else they might need so they can take a look at it for future reference. If you don't know what they need, or how to do it, just read any available stickies or ask for help.
If the problem returns, it is possible that the save file is already corrupted/heading towards the problem at your earliest save point. (See Below)
Try starting a new city and see if it will run without an issue, unfortunately it's possible something just broke in your game.
If the save file is possibly corrupted:
Based on a cursory read of the Support Forum there doesn't seem to be a fix for this. But post your problem, full PC specs, and any other information they need as requested in the Support Forum and see if they can help you out. However as you have loaded mods, it will be more difficult to figure out the problem, unless it has been reported before by a mod user. (On that note go check out the mod's workshop page for info from the author/players)
If none of the above works:
Delete everything related to C:S (Save your city's file for later) and re-install fresh. Start a new game and see if it plays. If it plays normally over time and you aren't using mods you can try to reload your save game and see if it is broken. If it is you'll just need to start a new city, unfortunately.
If it works and you were using mods, check the compatibility list and slowly load your favorite mods and assets. Start with the mods though as they are the most likely to cause the issue. Play with each mod separately for awhile before loading the next one to see if the issue reoccurs. If it doesn't reoccur, great! You just got snagged with a bug on that run, bad luck, but hopefully it won't happen in the future. Be sure to use multiple save files for your city, don't just overwrite the same one, so you have a chance to revert to a non-broken save if it does happen again.
If the game does not work correctly after a fresh install, with no mods, then it is likely there is an incompatibility with your PC somewhere. Post it in the Support Forums - see what they say and if they can help.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
