If all else fails:
RetroArch/info/epsxe_libretro.infoIn many troubleshooting guides and the official RetroArch/libretro documentation, the sections are numbered. Section 316 typically refers to the BIOS (System Files) Requirements.
The "ePSXe core stopped" error is almost always caused by the emulator being unable to locate or verify the necessary PlayStation BIOS files.
The ePSXe core (and the more popular Beetle PSX core) requires a genuine BIOS dump from a PlayStation 1 console to function correctly. Without these files, the core initializes, fails the system check, and stops.
You’ve just downloaded your favorite PlayStation 1 ROM—Final Fantasy VII, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, or Metal Gear Solid. You load up RetroArch, select the "ePSXe" core, and hit "Load Content." Instead of the iconic Sony boot screen, you are greeted by a cryptic, frustrating message:
"ePSXe core stopped – check the section 316."
Your heart sinks. The game doesn’t launch. The screen freezes. You close RetroArch, reopen it, try again—same result. You search forums, but the advice is scattered.
This error is one of the most common yet misunderstood issues in the PlayStation emulation scene. Despite its alarming wording, "Section 316" is not a mysterious hardware fault or a virus. It is a specific error code related to core compatibility, BIOS configuration, and file access permissions.
In this article, we will dissect the error message, explain what "Section 316" actually means, and provide a step-by-step guide to fixing it permanently.
A misconfiguration can be cleared by resetting the core’s options:
