How to Fix Steam Games Not Launching (Windows 10/11)

If your Steam games not launching or opening after 'Preparing to launch,' follow this troubleshooting guide and learn eight solid ways to address this common error.

Steam is one of the most popular platforms for purchasing and playing video games on PC. However, some players reported that Steam games won't run after preparing to launch. There are several reasons why Steam games may fail to launch properly, including corrupted game files, outdated graphics drivers, conflicting software, insufficient system resources, or antivirus programs/firewall interference.

Luckily, EaseUS will introduce multiple tested and workable solutions to help you fix the "Steam games not launching" issue.

How to Fix Steam Games Not Launching

Before taking these actions, you can restart your computer, run the Steam games as an administrator, or reinstall this crashing game. If the "Steam games not launching" issue isn't resolved, you can try the six solutions below to fix it.

Way 1. Check the Game's System Requirements

To successfully launch Steam games on your PC, your computer and hardware must meet the minimum PC requirements. Force to run the Steam game with low-end hardware and devices may cause a crashing or not launching problem. In this case, you can download a compatible game version or upgrade your device by changing high-performance RAM and SSD. Furthermore, you can contact Steam and get a refund.

Way 2. Verify Game Files Integrity

If the game files are corrupted or missing, users may experience crashing while playing Steam games. Thankfully, Steam has a built-in feature that allows you to verify the integrity of game files, which can automatically fix corrupted game files and look for missing files. Here is a comprehensive tutorial:

Warning: Don't run this game file verification process for multiple games simultaneously.

Step 1. Open Steam and navigate to the "Library" tab. Right-click on the game that won't launch and choose "Properties."

Step 2. Click "Verify Integrity of Game Files" under the "Installed Files" menu on the left.

Step 3. Wait patiently since this process will take a couple of minutes.

You will see the "all files are successfully validated" message if everything is good on your game file. After verifying the integrity of the installed game files, restart the game. If this doesn't work, try the next fix. 

Way 3. Update the Graphic Driver

Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can cause game crashes. Thus, users need to update their graphics drivers to the latest version from the manufacturer's website:

• AMD
• Intel
• NVIDIA

Or you can run the "Update Driver" process in Device Manager if your driver comes with executable files. Learn how to do it:

• Hit the Windows Start button and type Device Manager. 
• Click Open to launch it.
• Right-click your graphics card in the Display Adapters tab and select Update Driver.

However, updating the graphic driver may be too professional and difficult for most users. Don't worry. EaseUS Driverhandy will make this process simple and quick. It can automatically detect and help users update to the latest graphic driver version with one click:

Step 1. Install and launch EaseUS DriverHandy, then click "Scan."

Step 2. Locate the outdated drivers automatically and select "Update."

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Way 4. Repair Corrupted System File

If your game files and the graphic driver is doing well and the game keeps crashing, you may try to check and repair corrupted system files. To do this, you can run the sfc /scannow in Command Prompt. This is complicated and time-consuming. Luckily, EaseUS Partition Master Professional can simplify this process by detecting the issue and repairing the missing or corrupted system files:

Download and follow this:

Step 1. Open EaseUS Partition Master on your computer. Then, locate the disk, right-click the partition you want to check, and choose "Advanced" > "Check File System".

Step 2. In the Check File System window, keep the "Try to fix errors if found" option selected and click "Start".

Step 3. The software will begin checking your partition file system on your disk. When it completes, click "Finish".

Below are some helpful features of EaseUS Partition Master that are related to the Steam games not launching issue:

• Fix Valorant keeps crashing
• Solve Starfield keeps crashing
• Fix Roblox keeps crashing

Besides these, EaseUS Partition Master can resolve many popular games' crashing and freezing issues.

Way 5. Ensure Your Antivirus or Security Software Not Blocking Steam Games

Some applications running on your PC, such as antivirus programs, Security Applications, and Windows Defender Firewall, might negatively affect the performance of Steam games or the Steam client. Thus, turn off these antivirus/firewalls and white list the Steam game to prevent interference.

Way 6. Update the Windows System

If the problem is not resolved yet, you can visit Microsoft support and fully update the Windows.

Conclusion

In conclusion, encountering issues with Steam games not launching can be frustrating. Following the six troubleshooting methods outlined in this guide can increase your chances of successfully launching your games on Steam. Remember to approach each step methodically and patiently, as fixing the issue may require trial and error. EaseUS Partition Master stands out due to its easy-to-operate steps and user-friendly interface. With persistence and the right approach, you'll soon be back to enjoying your favorite games on Steam without any launch issues. Happy gaming!

FAQs on How to Fix Steam Games Not Launching

In this FAQ part, you will learn more information related to the Steam games not launching:

1. Why are my games not launching on Steam?

Many different hardware and software configurations among users can make it difficult to diagnose why games don't launch. Here are some common causes: corrupted game files, outdated graphics drivers/Windows system, and antivirus programs or firewall settings can sometimes interfere.

2. How do I fix Steam games crashing on startup?

To fix Steam games crashing on startup, you can refer to the following ways:

• Verify game files: This will check for and repair any corrupted game files causing the crash.
• Update graphics drivers: Outdated graphics drivers will lead to the game crashing.
• Adjust in-game settings: Lowering graphics settings or disabling certain features in the game can help prevent crashes.
• Close the background program and run the game as an administrator: This can sometimes resolve compatibility issues that cause crashes.
• Reinstall the game: If all else fails, try uninstalling and reinstalling the game to see if that resolves the crashing issue.

3. How do I fix Steam stuck on loading?

If your Steam client is stuck on loading or not responding, there are several steps you can take to try and resolve the issue:

• Restart Steam
• Check your internet connection
• Clear Steam cache
• Disable Steam Beta participation
• Verify Steam files' integrity
• Disable antivirus/firewall
• Reinstall Steam