Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting and Common Issues with Universal Pokémon Randomizer

Users of the Universal Pokémon Randomizer (UPR) may experience a number of common issues. To assist in resolving these issues, please see the expanded and detailed troubleshooting guide provided below.

1. Launcher Issues

Launcher Does Not Open

Solution:

If you are having trouble opening the application, move the randomizer folder to a different directory (such as Desktop or Documents).
Make sure your antivirus software is not blocking the application.
To grant elevated permissions, right-click on the launcher and select “Run as Administrator.”

Java Association

Solution:

If the.jar file appears with an incorrect program (such as WinRAR), associate it with Java. To ensure proper association, right-click the file, select “Open with,” and then choose Java, followed by “Always use this app.”

Command Prompt Errors

Solution:

If you receive an error message stating that ‘java’ is not recognized, check your Java installation and reinstall it from the official website.
Check that your Java environment variables are set correctly.

Invalid Initial Heap Size

Solution: If this problem occurs, it is most likely due to using a 32-bit version of Java. To resolve the issue, install the 64-bit version of Java from the official website.

2. Game File Recognition Problems

Blank Game File List

Solution:

Make sure your game file is in a compatible format (.gba,.nds). Check for any problems with file permissions.
Move the game files to a folder without restricted permissions.

Drag-and-Drop Failures

Solution:

Check the randomizer’s permissions to access the directory that contains your game files. Alternatively, instead of dragging and dropping, click the “Open Game File” button.

3. File Permissions

Unable to Access Jarfile

Solution:

Restrictive file permissions may cause this error. Place the randomizer in a more accessible location (such as Desktop or Documents), and ensure that write permissions are enabled for your user account.

Illegal Characters in Path

Solution:

If the file path includes special characters such as !, @, or #, it may cause problems. Rename folders in the path to remove any non-alphanumeric characters.

4. Compatibility Issues

Incompatibility with specific games

Solution:

Modified games, such as Drayano’s hacks, may not function properly with the randomizer due to differences in internal structures from the base game. To ensure compatibility, use unmodified base game files.

Game-Specific Issues

Solution:
If you are having trouble with a specific game, check online forums or the UPR website to see if there are any known issues with that title.

5. Pokémon-Specific Issues

Evolving Pokémon Issues

Solution:

If Pokémon such as Haunter do not evolve as expected, check that the evolution rules are correctly set in the randomizer.
Some Pokémon may require special evolution conditions, such as trading, so keep an eye on these settings.

Pokémon Move Set Glitches

Solution:

If Pokémon are missing moves or their movesets appear to be incorrect, check your move randomization settings. Sometimes randomizing move sets results in invalid move combinations.

6. Item and Shop Issues

Shop Item Price Glitch

Solution:

When the Balance Shop Item Prices setting is used, prices for items greater than 9,999 PokéDollars may appear incorrect. This is purely a visual issue and has no bearing on the actual price.
To view the correct price of an item, select it and press A.

Items in Backpack Missing or Glitched

Solution:

Items that are randomly generated may occasionally be missing or glitched. Check that you have selected valid item settings for randomization, and re-randomize if the problem persists.

7. Save File and Progress Issues

Unable to Save Game Progress

Solution:

If you are unable to save your progress in the randomized game, check your emulator’s settings to ensure that it is properly set up to handle saves.
If the folder you are saving to has permissions restrictions, you may encounter save file issues.

Corrupted Save Files

Solution:

If the game is not properly shut down, save files can become corrupted. Make sure you are using a compatible emulator version and do not force quit while the game is saving.

8. Randomization Errors

Randomized Pokémon with Invalid Stats

Solution:

If a randomized Pokémon appears with invalid stats (for example, negative HP or Defense), make sure the randomizer settings are set correctly to maintain valid stat ranges.
This error can occur when certain randomized values fall outside of acceptable ranges.

Static Pokémon Not Randomized

Solution:

If gift Pokémon or static Pokémon (such as Legendary Pokémon) are not being randomized, make sure the “Randomize Static Pokémon” option is selected.

9. Evolution and Leveling Issues

Evolving Pokémon Under Incorrect Conditions

Solution:

Pokémon may fail to evolve if their randomized evolution method does not meet the required conditions. Check the evolution settings for compatibility.
If you use a randomized method, such as trade evolution, make sure the emulator supports this feature.

10. Emulator Compatibility Issues

Incompatible Emulator

Solution:

Check that the emulator you are using is compatible with the type of file you are playing (for example, GameBoy Advance files for GBA games).
To achieve the best performance, use popular emulators such as VBA–M for GBA games and Desmume for NDS games.

Game Runs Too Slow or Experiences Lag

Solution:

If your randomized game is running too slowly, try lowering the emulator’s graphics settings or adjusting the frame skip to improve performance.

11. File Corruption

Game File Is Corrupted

Solution:

If the game file is corrupted or does not load, make sure it was properly downloaded or extracted. Try getting a new, clean version of the game file and trying again.

12. Pokémon Sprite Issues

Pokémon Sprites Not Displaying

Solution:

If Pokémon sprites are not showing up properly, make sure the randomization settings do not conflict with the sprite files.
Certain emulators may not support custom sprite formats. Try updating your emulator or switching to another one.

13. Script and Dialogue Issues

Text Boxes Not Displaying Correctly

Solution:

Some text may not display properly if the randomizer interferes with the game’s scripting system. If this happens, disable randomizer settings such as “Fastest Text” and “Double Speed“.

14. Generation-Specific Bugs

Gen 4 and Gen 5 Roaming Pokémon Bugs

Solution:

In Gen 4 and Gen 5 games, roaming Pokémon may act strangely after being randomized (for example, wild Pokémon of the same species are treated as roaming Pokémon).
If this issue arises, reset the roaming Pokémon by battling the Elite Four again or reloading the game.

15. Troubleshooting Advanced Settings

Advanced Randomization Settings Causing Crashes

Solution:

Some advanced settings, such as randomizing game mechanics (e.g., weather patterns, time of day effects), may result in crashes or instability.
Try deselecting advanced randomization options or simplifying the settings to see which one is causing problems.

Need More Assistance?

Check out the full FAQ for solutions to any issues not listed here.

Troubleshooting