Windows 11 · Windows

Fix Steam Game Won’t Launch in Windows 11

Original source date

Answer

Ensure your Windows 11 version is up to date. Search for Update in your start menu search to open your Check for Updates system settings window. Click on Check for Updates, Download, or Install now. After downloading the latest update, restart your PC. Re-open your Steam launcher and navigate to your library. Right-click the game that is not launching properly and select Properties.

Update Windows OS

Ensure your Windows 11 version is up to date. Search for Update in your start menu search to open your Check for Updates system settings window. Click on Check for Updates, Download, or Install now. After downloading the latest update, restart your PC.

Windows Settings > Windows Update
Windows Settings > Windows Update

Verify Integrity of Game Files

Re-open your Steam launcher and navigate to your library. Right-click the game that is not launching properly and select Properties.

Steam library > Right-click Game > Properties
Steam library > Right-click Game > Properties

On this window, navigate to the Local Files tab and select Verify Integrity of Ga…

On this window, navigate to the Local Files tab and select Verify Integrity of Game Files. This will redownload and replace any missing or corrupted game files and can help launch the game when this process is done.

Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files
Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files

Close VPN & Other Applications on your PC

If the problem persists, open up your Task Manager by searching for it in your start menu search. In the Processes tab, end processes from running which may interfere with Steam and prevent Steam games from launching properly.

Task Manager > Processes > End Task
Task Manager > Processes > End Task

Preview this list with all of the programs and processes which may interfere with…

Preview this list with all of the programs and processes which may interfere with Steam and it’s games.

Preview this list with all of the programs and processes which may interfere with…
Preview this list with all of the programs and processes which may interfere with…

Game’s System Requirements

Check the game’s system requirements, as they may not launch if your PC is just at or below the game's system requirements. Search for the game you’re trying to launch in your Steam launcher. On the game’s page, scroll down, and preview the minimum and recommended system requirements for the game.

Steam Game System Requirements
Steam Game System Requirements

Reinstall Steam Game

In case nothing helped you out, ensure to reinstall the Steam game. To do so, navigate to your Steam library. Right-click the game you wish to uninstall and select Uninstall under Manage. This will take a few seconds to uninstall the game from your system, and you will be able to redownload the game from here.

Steam Library > Right-Click Game > Manage > Uninstall
Steam Library > Right-Click Game > Manage > Uninstall

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • If the current interface differs, compare it with the recorded video walkthrough.