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Steam Games Won’t Launch: We Found All the Solutions
Missing executables and directory files can cause Steam errors.
9 min. read
Updated onJuly 11, 2024
updated onJuly 11, 2024
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Steamis the most popular digital distribution platform for PC games, and millions of active users use it. Unfortunately, many reported that their Steam game won’t launch as often as it should. So, is there anything that you can do to fix this?
This is a big problem since you won’t be able to access any of theSteamgames you bought, but if you notice that a Steam game won’t launch, there are a few things you can do.
Many Windows users play Steam games regularly, but sometimes issues with Steam can occur. Some users report they cannot play any game on Steam, while others struggle with a missing executable error. Here’s how to fix these problems:
What can I do if the Steam games are not launching?
1. Move your installed games to a different location
2. Update your graphics card drivers
According to users, you might be able to fix this problem simply by updating your graphics carddrivers.
Yourdriversare a key component, and if there are any problems with them, theSteamgames might be unable to run.
To fix the problem, we’ll help youto update graphics carddriversfor Windows 11. To do that, you need to find the model of your graphics card and download the latestdriversfor it from the manufacturer’s website. If you are not running Windows 11 yet, check out how toupdate your graphic card drivers in Windows 10.
If this method is time-consuming, we recommend a reliable driver updater tool to scan your device for malfunctioning or missing drivers and update them with the newest driver options from an extensive database.
⇒Get PC HelpSoft Driver Updater
3. Delete/move GameOverlayRenderer64.dll file
According to users, sometimes specific files can cause issues with Steam games and prevent them from launching. However, you can fix this issue simply by removing a problematic file.
In most cases, the problematic file is GameOverlayRenderer64.dll, which you need to remove to fix the problem.
Alternatively, you can move the file to a different location, which will give the same results. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, but it works according to users, so be sure to try it out.
4. Check your antivirus software
In some cases,Steamgames can’t launch due to your antivirus software. To fix that problem, make sure that the game you’re trying to run and the entire Steam directory are added to your antivirus’s list of exclusions.
In addition, you can try disabling certain antivirus features or entirely disabling the antivirus and see if that helps.
Sometimes, you might have to completely uninstall yourantivirusto fix the problem withSteamgames.
5. Upgrade Rivatuner Statistics Server
IfSteamgames fail to launch on your Windows 10 PC, the issue might be related to third-party applications.
Many users claim that Rivatuner Statistics Server was the problem, but it was resolved after updating it.
In case you don’t know, this application is a part ofMSI Afterburnersoftware, and by updating the Afterburner software you’ll update Rivatuner Statistics Server as well.
This is a long-term solution, so if you’re having this problem, be sure to try it out.
6. Check for problematic applications
Users say that sometimes third-party applications cause this and othererrorsto appear. If you’re having issues withSteamgames, the culprit might be a third-party application.
Users reported that Razer Synapse caused this issue to appear. To fix the problem, it’s advised to turn the application off before starting thegame.
However, you can still use the software if you start it after starting yourgame. Logitech Joystick Utility is another application that can cause the problem, so you might have to disable it.
In some cases, the only way to fix the problem is to remove the problematic application.
There are several ways to do that, and the best one is to use an uninstaller software since it will remove all files and registry entries associated with the problematic application.
Once you remove the problematic application withreliable uninstaller software, the issue should be completely resolved.
7. Install the necessary Visual C++ components
If certainSteamgames won’t run, the problem might be the missing Visual C++ components. You might get arunning install script Microsoft VC Redistributable errormessage.
Most games require Visual C++ Redistributables to run and to fix the problem you need to install the missing Visual C++ components.
This is relatively simple to do. Go to the game’s installation directory and look for the _CommonRedistvcredistfolder.
Once you are inside thevcredistdirectory, you’ll see two setup files. Run them both to install the necessary components.
After the necessary components are installed, the game should start without any issues.
8. Verify the integrity of game files
After the verification process is finished, try to run the game again.
According to users, if Steam games won’t launch, you can fix the problem by verifying the integrity of game files.
Your files can get corrupted, which can cause issues with the game. However, you can fix the problem simply by verifying the integrity of game files.
9. Run the game in Compatibility mode
You can fix the problems with certain Steam games simply by running them in Compatibility mode.
In case you’re not familiar, by using Compatibility mode you can fix various issues with older games and run them on your PC.
Although this feature is intended for older games, it can also work well with newer games as well. After doing that, try to start the game again and check if the problem is resolved.
10. If your Steam games are not starting, start from scratch
11. Check if Steam is Down
12. Clear the HTML Cache
13. Check if the Game Runs in Windowed Mode
14. Disable Overclocking
15. Check if Steam is Running in Compatibility Mode
16. Check if the Game is Blocked by Antivirus or Firewall
17. Delete clientregistry.blob
18. Rename the GameOverlayRenderer64.dll File
19. End all Steam Tasks Using Task Manager
20. Restart Your Computer
21. Clear Download Cache
22. Reset the Game’s Configuration
23. Steam Game Not Downloading? Try Changing the Download Region
24. Update Your Operating System
25. Disable Third-Party Apps and Services That Might Interfere with Steam
26. Run the Game in Compatibility Mode for Older Games
27. Update Your Windows
As drastic as this measure sounds, if there is something fundamentally wrong with your Steam library, the only way to fix Steam games not starting is to start over.
By reinstalling everything, you ensure that you are running the latest version of the Steam client, that all your games are installed in the correct folders, and that the latest patches are applied.
We hope that this solution has been helpful to you, but if you need more information, we have also covered what to do when you’reunable to run Steam games on Windows 11, so make sure that you check it out.
Also, for more suggestions or other questions, feel free to access the comments section below.
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
