So, you’re all set to dive into the dark, dangerous, and thrilling world of Dark Souls 3, but… nothing happens. You click Play, and the game just won’t launch. Ugh! Don’t worry, we’re here to help you fix this—and fast. Let’s get your sword-swinging adventure back on track.
Why Won’t Dark Souls 3 Launch?
There can be many reasons. It could be something with your PC, graphics card, or even those pesky background programs. The good news is, most fixes are simple!
Quick Fixes to Try First
Before diving deep, let’s do a few basic checks:
- Restart your PC. Seriously, this works more than you think.
- Verify game files through Steam. Corrupt or missing files can cause issues.
- Make sure Windows is up to date. Updates fix lots of hidden problems.
If it still doesn’t work, don’t worry. Let’s dig deeper.
1. Run Dark Souls 3 as Administrator
This gives the game more permissions and helps it launch smoothly.
- Go to the folder where Dark Souls 3 is installed.
- Right-click on DarkSoulsIII.exe.
- Select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply and then OK.
Now try launching the game again.
2. Turn Off Overlay Apps
Apps like Discord, GeForce Experience, or Steam Overlay can mess with the game.
- Open each app and turn off their in-game overlays.
- For Steam: Go to Properties > uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.
Try launching the game After turning overlays off.
3. Update Your Graphics Drivers
If your drivers are too old, the game might fail to launch.
Visit your GPU brand’s website (NVIDIA, AMD or Intel) and download the latest drivers. After updating, restart your PC, then try launching the game again.
4. Install DirectX and Visual C++ Files
Sometimes Dark Souls 3 needs certain Microsoft files to run. Here’s what to do:
- Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables.
- Install the correct version of DirectX (usually DirectX 11).
You can find these on Microsoft’s official website. Just download and install them. It’s quick!
5. Disable Antivirus or Add Game to Safe List
Some antivirus programs are too aggressive and block the game from starting. Temporarily disable your antivirus and try launching the game. Or, add DarkSoulsIII.exe to the exception list of your antivirus.
6. Use Compatibility Mode
Older games sometimes work better with older Windows modes.
- Right-click on DarkSoulsIII.exe.
- Click Properties > Compatibility tab.
- Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: and choose Windows 7 or 8.
- Click Apply and close the window.
- Try launching the game again.
7. Reinstall the Game (Last-Resort)
If nothing else worked, try uninstalling and reinstalling Dark Souls 3.
- Open your Steam library.
- Right-click Dark Souls 3, then select Uninstall.
- After that, reinstall it from Steam.
This can clear out corrupt files that the verify process might have missed.
Bonus Tip: Check Game Logs
If you’re still stuck, look into the game’s crash logs. They’re usually in the AppData folder under /DarkSoulsIII. It might give clues about what’s going wrong.
You’re Ready to Git Gud!
Once you get past this launch issue, you’ll be dodging, rolling, and slashing through Lothric in no time.
Still stuck? Consider reaching out to the community on Reddit or Steam forums. Some heroes there might have faced and fixed the same problem you’re dealing with.
Now get out there, Ashen One. Your fate awaits!
