PC Game Not Launching: Choose the Next Check

For Windows PC Aniimo doing nothing after Start, briefly opening then closing, or crashing during play on Steam or the official launcher.

For the PC/Steam retail version closing at launch, during loading, while hunting or during shader preparation. Distinguish a game closing without an error from the whole PC restarting. Do not apply Steam or Windows file operations to PS5 or Xbox.

For the message “Game version does not match host”. Connection drops and Javelin launch errors use separate guides.

For Overwatch 2 on PC closing with “Your rendering device has been lost” or an equivalent localized message.

For a PC warning about anti-cheat or security-software conflicts when entering the lobby. A connection failure without that warning or an account restriction is a different symptom.

For PC Apex launches blocked by a message explicitly naming EA Javelin Anticheat. A lone r5apex.exe error or a match disconnection has a separate guide.

For a PC message that explicitly says VAN: RESTRICTION: 5. Other RESTRICTION numbers and VAN9005 need their own checks.

For VALORANT on Windows showing VAN9005 or a message requiring TPM 2.0 and UEFI-compliant firmware for VBS.

For the PC/Steam game crashing during hunts or on the next session after you have already verified files or changed settings. Initial launch and shader-preparation checks remain in the main crash guide.

For VAN9003 or a Secure Boot requirement shown by VALORANT on a Windows PC. Match the complete error to the actual state instead of deciding from the Windows version alone.

For VAN9001 or a TPM 2.0 requirement shown by VALORANT on a Windows PC. A not-found message alone does not prove that a TPM is physically absent.

For r5apex.exe errors or a failed Apex Legends launch on PC. The executable name alone does not identify the cause; distinguish launcher loading, a game crash and a different error code.

For Apex on PC closing after launch or during play with an Apex_crash.txt reference. Pre-launch r5apex.exe errors and connection failures need different checks.

For a PC where Epic Games Launcher says Running but no Fortnite window or error code appears. A window that opens black is a different symptom.

For Battlefield 6 on PC showing EA Javelin anticheat encountered an error (94). Use separate guidance for an explicit Secure Boot message or another error number.

For Battlefield 6 still requesting Secure Boot after you enabled it in BIOS, or remaining blocked while Windows reports On. Compare the actual states before toggling settings.

For VALORANT on PC that will not open after Play, or shows System/Critical Error or Failed to Launch without a VAN number. VAN9003 and VAN9001 have dedicated guides.

For the Windows Steam client failing to launch, crashing at the title screen or failing only on an existing world after a 1.0-series update. Do not apply these client paths to PalServer.

For the Windows Steam version returning to Play, showing a white screen, failing at the publisher logo or failing after mods or display changes.

For the PC/Steam version failing to start, closing at launch or during loading, or displaying corrupted graphics. Use the symptom table to choose the next check.

For finding a report after a PC crash and preparing the information Capcom needs to investigate it.

For checking the required NVIDIA or AMD driver, finding your installed version, and deciding what to try when updating does not resolve a problem.

For startup shader compilation ending in a crash or decompression error. The same symptom does not establish the same cause on every CPU.

For startup failures, freezing or DLSS-related crashes on EA app, Steam or Epic.

For the PC/Steam version failing to start, closing at launch, getting stuck loading or crashing in flight. These are source-based checks, not fixes verified on our own gaming PC.

For Steam full-game or demo launch failures, crashes, long initial loading or crowded-battle stutter.

For crashes, sudden FPS drops, crackling or delayed audio, controller reconnection problems and blocked quests.

For a PC security-requirement warning, blocked online modes, repeated attestation prompts or a request to verify a phone number.

For launch failures, immediate crashes, prolonged loading, missing textures or online errors on Steam and Xbox on PC.

For demo launch problems and preparation for full-game save transfer, bonus collection and appearance items.

For a black screen at launch, immediate crashes, an unresponsive controller or missing Midnight Edition extras.

For a launch failure, immediate crash, DirectX 12 error, controller problem or missing Deluxe extras on Steam.

Prerelease preparation for future launch failures, long loads or low FPS. First check release availability; a locked preload is not evidence of a broken installation.

For the Steam, GOG and Epic versions on Windows: nothing happens after you press Play, the game closes after REDlauncher, or it drops to the desktop while playing.

For the Steam and GOG versions on Windows: nothing happens after you click Play in the launcher, the game closes around the logo, or it stopped launching after a patch.

Arrowhead’s official steps for when nProtect GameGuard shows error 114 and the game does not start (Steam version).

WB Games (Portkey Games) support steps for when the Steam version closes at launch, crashes to the desktop or freezes while loading.