Fixing DOOM BFA Compilation Errors

Nov 9, 2025 by Admin 35 views

Hey guys! So, you've gone and cloned the latest DOOM BFA (version 1.4.0) repository, fired up Visual Studio 2022, pointed it to the neo folder, selected your 64-bit Windows build, and hit compile on DoomBFA.sln. Then BAM! You're greeted with a whole mess of LNK2001 errors, specifically pointing to issues with OpenAL32.lib. Don't sweat it, we've all been there! This article is all about diving deep into those pesky compilation errors and getting your DOOM BFA project up and running smoothly.

Understanding the LNK2001 Error: The Dreaded Unresolved External Symbol

Alright, let's talk about what's actually happening when you see those LNK2001 errors. This is a classic linker error, and it basically means the compiler did its job just fine – it turned all your C++ code into object files. However, when the linker (the guy who stitches all those object files together to create your final executable) tried to put everything together, it found that some of the functions or variables that your code called or referenced were never actually defined or provided. Think of it like this: you've got a recipe that calls for a specific spice, but that spice is nowhere to be found in your pantry. The linker is essentially saying, "I know you need some_function() from OpenAL32.lib, but I can't find the actual code for it anywhere!"

In your specific case, the errors are repeatedly pointing to the fmt::v11::report_error and fmt::v11::vformat functions within OpenAL32.lib. This suggests that the version of the OpenAL library you're linking against is either incomplete, corrupted, or was compiled with different settings than the rest of your DOOM BFA project. The fmt library is a popular C++ formatting library, and it seems like the OpenAL library is trying to use it, but the linker can't find the necessary pieces of fmt that OpenAL expects.

Why Does This Happen with Libraries?

Libraries, like OpenAL32.lib, are collections of pre-compiled code that you can use in your projects without having to write it all yourself. They typically come in two forms: static libraries (.lib files in Windows) and dynamic link libraries (DLLs). When you link against a library, the linker needs to find the definitions of the functions and variables that your code is calling from that library. If the library is missing, misconfigured, or if there's a mismatch in how it was compiled (like different C++ runtime library settings, compiler versions, or even different versions of the fmt library itself), you'll run into these unresolved external symbol errors.

It's a bit like trying to assemble furniture with missing instructions or parts. You've got all the pieces of the chair, but if the leg is missing, it's not going anywhere. The LNK2001 error is the linker telling you it's missing a crucial piece. The sheer number of these errors related to fmt::v11 in OpenAL32.lib indicates a pretty significant disconnect between how OpenAL was built and what your project is expecting.

Troubleshooting Steps: Let's Get This Fixed!

Now that we understand the problem, let's roll up our sleeves and try to fix it. Here are a few things you can try, starting with the most likely culprits:

1. Ensure OpenAL is Properly Installed and Configured

The most common reason for these errors is that the OpenAL SDK or its libraries are not correctly set up on your system, or the project is not referencing the right files.

Download and Install OpenAL SDK: If you haven't already, download the latest OpenAL SDK from the official OpenAL Soft website (https://openal-soft.org/). Make sure you install it in a standard location (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenAL 1.1 SDK).
Verify Library Paths: In Visual Studio, go to your project's properties (Right-click on DoomBFA project in Solution Explorer -> Properties). Navigate to Configuration Properties -> VC++ Directories. Ensure that the Library Directories include the path to the libs folder of your OpenAL installation (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenAL 1.1 SDK\libs\Win64). Also, check Configuration Properties -> Linker -> Input -> Additional Dependencies and make sure OpenAL32.lib is listed there. Sometimes, you might need to specify the debug or release version explicitly depending on your build configuration.
Check Include Paths: Similarly, in VC++ Directories, ensure the Include Directories point to the include folder of your OpenAL installation (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenAL 1.1 SDK\include).

2. Check the CMake Configuration and Build Process

Since you mentioned using CMake and Visual Studio, there might be an issue with how CMake is generating the project files or how it's configured to find dependencies.

Re-run CMake: Delete your existing build directory (the neo\build or similar folder where CMake output goes) and re-run CMake. Ensure that CMake correctly finds your OpenAL installation. You might need to set specific cache variables if CMake isn't detecting it automatically. Look for variables like OPENAL_LIBRARY and OPENAL_INCLUDE_DIR and make sure they are pointing to the correct paths. You can often do this through the CMake GUI or by passing them as command-line arguments when configuring.
CMakeLists.txt: If you have access to the neo/CMakeLists.txt file, double-check how it handles OpenAL. Look for find_package(OpenAL REQUIRED) or similar lines. Sometimes, projects require manual configuration if the find_package module isn't working as expected.

3. Investigate the `fmt` Library Dependency

The errors specifically mention fmt::v11. This suggests that the OpenAL library you are linking against was built using a specific version of the fmt library, and your main DOOM BFA project might be using a different version or not linking it correctly.

Check fmt in the Repository: Does the DOOM BFA repository itself include the fmt library (often as a submodule or a vendored dependency)? If so, ensure that this version of fmt is correctly integrated into the build process. Sometimes, you need to build fmt as a separate static library first and then link it to both your main project and the OpenAL library if they both depend on it.
External fmt Version: If you have fmt installed globally on your system, there might be a version conflict. Try to ensure that the fmt version used by OpenAL is the one expected. It might be necessary to build OpenAL from source within the DOOM BFA build environment to guarantee compatibility. Some projects even bundle the necessary libraries (like fmt) directly within their own source tree to avoid these kinds of issues.

4. Clean and Rebuild

It sounds basic, but sometimes Visual Studio's build cache can get confused.

Clean Solution: In Visual Studio, go to Build -> Clean Solution. This will remove all previously compiled files.
Rebuild Solution: After cleaning, go to Build -> Rebuild Solution. This forces a complete recompilation and relinking of everything.

5. Check Compiler and Linker Settings

Subtle differences in compiler settings between different components can sometimes cause linking issues, especially with how standard libraries or external dependencies are handled.

Runtime Library: Ensure that all projects within your solution are using the same C++ Runtime Library setting. Go to Project Properties -> C/C++ -> Code Generation -> Runtime Library. Common options are /MD (Multi-threaded DLL), /MT (Multi-threaded), /MDd (Debug Multi-threaded DLL), and /MTd (Debug Multi-threaded). They should all be consistent. A mismatch here can lead to all sorts of weird errors.
Enabling/Disabling Specific Features: Sometimes, libraries are compiled with specific features enabled or disabled. If OpenAL was built with certain preprocessor definitions related to fmt that your project isn't aware of, it could cause this. This is less common but worth considering if other steps fail.

The Specific `fmt::v11::report_error` and `fmt::v11::vformat` Errors

These errors are the most telling. The fmt library is a modern, header-only library (or can be built as a static/shared library). The fact that OpenAL32.lib is trying to use fmt::v11 functions and failing to find them means one of the following is likely happening:

OpenAL32.lib was compiled with a version of fmt that isn't available or compatible with your build environment. This is the most probable cause. The fmt library itself might have been compiled separately, and its object files or a static library version weren't included in the linking step for OpenAL32.lib when it was compiled. Or, if fmt is header-only, the necessary headers weren't available during the compilation of OpenAL.
Your project's build system is expecting a different version of fmt than what OpenAL32.lib was built with. This can happen if you have multiple versions of fmt on your system or if the repository structure for DOOM BFA is set up to use a specific fmt version that isn't correctly picked up by the OpenAL build process.
There's an issue with the OpenAL32.lib file itself. Perhaps it's an incomplete build or a version that's not compatible with the fmt library version it expects.

Potential Solutions Tailored to `fmt` Errors:

Bundle fmt: If the DOOM BFA repository has a way to include fmt as a submodule or vendored library, make sure it's enabled and properly integrated. Often, you'll need to add fmt to your CMakeLists.txt or Visual Studio project to be built alongside everything else.
Build OpenAL from Source: The most robust solution is often to build the OpenAL library from its source code as part of your DOOM BFA build process. This ensures that it's compiled with the exact same compiler settings, C++ runtime library, and dependencies (including fmt) as your main project. Check the DOOM BFA documentation or CMakeLists.txt for instructions on how to do this. You might need to find the OpenAL source code, add it to your CMake project, and configure it to build as a static library.
Check OpenAL's Dependencies: Review the OpenAL source or build instructions to see which version of fmt it requires. Then, ensure that version is available and correctly linked in your DOOM BFA build environment.

The Grand Finale: Facing the LNK1120

The fatal error LNK1120: unresolved external symbols: 13 is the final nail in the coffin, summing up all the individual LNK2001 errors. It means the linker gave up because it couldn't resolve all the necessary symbols. Fixing the underlying LNK2001 errors will, in turn, resolve this LNK1120 error. The key is to track down why those symbols are unresolved. It almost always boils down to missing library files, incorrect path configurations, or dependency version mismatches.

Keep at it, modders! Debugging build issues can be frustrating, but by systematically working through these steps, you'll be able to squash these compilation errors and get back to enjoying and contributing to the amazing world of DOOM BFA. Good luck!