Stopped 3.16 - Epsxe Core

Overview

The ePSXe core in RetroArch is a port of the famous standalone PlayStation 1 emulator ePSXe. When users see epsxe core stopped 3.16, it usually means:

• The core crashed immediately or shortly after loading a game.
• The version string “3.16” refers to the core’s internal version or the RetroArch shader/gfx pipeline version at time of compilation.

Important: The ePSXe core is deprecated and no longer maintained in RetroArch. It has been replaced by SwanStation (a libretro fork of DuckStation) and the Beetle PSX cores.

Step-by-Step Fixes for "epsxe core stopped 3.16"

Follow these solutions in order, from most common to most technical. epsxe core stopped 3.16

2. Add the Correct BIOS Files

Even with the ePSXe core, missing or incorrect BIOS is the #1 cause of “core stopped.” You need one of these BIOS files (case-sensitive):

• scph5500.bin (Japan)
• scph5501.bin (USA)
• scph5502.bin (Europe)

Place them here:

• RetroArch → Settings → Directory → System/BIOS → put files in that folder.

Checksums (verify with a hash tool):

• scph5501.bin MD5: 8dd7d5296a650fac7319bce665a6a53c

Note: We cannot provide BIOS files due to copyright. Dump them from your own PS1 console. Overview The ePSXe core in RetroArch is a

1. BIOS Incompatibility

ePSXe requires a PlayStation BIOS file to function. With version 3.16, the emulator became stricter about BIOS verification.

• The Issue: If you are using an incorrect, corrupted, or region-mismatched BIOS file (e.g., using a Japanese BIOS for a US game), the core may initialize but fail to load the game, resulting in a "stopped" state.
• The Fix: Ensure you have the correct BIOS files (typically SCPH1001.BIN for US, SCPH1000.BIN for Japan, or SCPH1002.BIN for Europe) placed in the correct /bios directory.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

| Issue | Solution | |--------|----------| | “Core stopped” immediately | Switch to SwanStation core | | Black screen then crash | Add BIOS files to system folder | | Worked before updating RA | Roll back to RetroArch 1.9.0 or use SwanStation | | Android 12+ | Grant storage permissions + use SwanStation | The core crashed immediately or shortly after loading a game

Still stuck? Visit the RetroArch subreddit or the Libretro forums with your device specs and log file (RetroArch → Settings → Logging → Verbose logging on).

Top 5 Causes of the Error

Before diving into fixes, you need to diagnose the root cause. Here are the most frequent culprits:

1. Missing or Incorrect BIOS Files – The PS1 requires BIOS files (like scph1001.bin). Without the correct, case-sensitive, and checksum-verified BIOS, the core will crash.
2. Corrupted Core Installation – The PCSX-ReARMed core file itself might be damaged or outdated.
3. Incompatible ROM Format – Trying to run a .ecm, .7z, or badly converted .bin/.cue file can trigger the crash.
4. Video Driver Conflicts – On ARM devices (especially Raspberry Pi), the wrong video driver (like gl instead of dispmanx or glcore) can cause immediate failure.
5. Threaded Rendering or Overclock Issues – Some settings in retroarch.cfg related to threading or GPU accuracy are incompatible with the core.