6 Ways You Can Fix Alan Wake 2 Not Launching on a Windows PC

Alan Wake 2 is a great Windows PC game, but it still has technical startup hiccups like any other. For instance, this is what one player reported on Reddit, “Game won’t launch. It just starts the .exe but doesn’t do anything, just crashes.” Other players also report Alan Wake 2 throws up variable error messages when it doesn’t start. This is how you can fix Alan Wake 2 not launching on a Windows PC.

Delete the AlanWake2 Folder

One way to fix Alan Wake 2 not launching, which many players confirm works, is to delete the AlanWake2 folder. However, note that applying this possible fix will erase saved game data. This is how you can delete the AlanWake2 folder:

1. First, bring up File Explorer by clicking its pinned shortcut on the taskbar.
2. Go to the Users\<user folder>\AppData\Local\Remedy folder.
3. Right-click the AlanWake2 folder to select Delete.

The AlanWake2 folder

Allow Alan Wake 2 Through Windows Defender Firewall

Players also confirm that adding Alan Wake 2 to Windows Defender Firewall’s allowed list has fixed the game not starting on their PCs. Applying this possible fix will ensure the firewall cannot block it in any way. This page on Microsoft’s site tells you how users can add apps to the allowed list. Select to add the AlanWake 2 EXE file to the allowed list and the Public/Private checkboxes.

The Allowed apps

Set a -nomemcheck Launch Parameter

Setting a -nomemcheck launch parameter can fix Alan Wake 2 from not launching. This possible fix is more specifically confirmed for fixing physical memory error messages. You can set a -nomemcheck launch parameter for Alan Wake 2 in Epic Games Launcher like this:

1. Open Epic Games Launcher and the Library tab within it.
2. Click the three-dot button for Alan Wake 2 and select Manage.
3. Next, turn on the Launch Options setting.
4. Input the -nomemcheck command into Launch Options.
   
   

   The -nomemcheck launch options

Verify Game Files

Epic Games includes an option for verifying game files. This option will scan for corrupted game files that might be causing Alan Wake 2 startup issues. Then, the verification scan will repair any corrupted files detected. To apply this possible solution, go through the steps on this Epic Games Launcher page.

Set Alan Wake 2 to Run in Admin Mode

Games can sometimes fail to start when they don’t have sufficient administrator rights. Setting Alan Wake 2 to start with admin privileges will enable it to access all files and services it needs. This is how you can permanently set Alan Wake 2 to start with administrator rights:

1. First, open the Program Files > Epic Games > AlanWake2 folder in File Explorer.
2. Click the AlanWake2 file with the mouse’s right button to select Properties and Compatibility.
3. Select Run this program as an administrator, which is the option for admin permissions.
4. Click Apply to save the settings selected for Alan Wake 2.
   
   

   The Run this program as an administrator option

5. Select OK to finish.
6. As an optional step, you can also try launching the game outside of Epic by double-clicking the AlanWake2 EXE file in its folder.

Update Graphical Drivers

Some players have been able to fix Alan Wake 2 not launching by updating graphics drivers for their GPUs. This particular fix can be especially effective for resolving infinite loading startup issues. KeenGamer’s guide to updating graphical drivers tells you how players can apply this possible fix.

The NVIDIA graphics driver

Other Possible Ways to Fix Alan Wake 2 Not Launching

If Alan Wake 2 still doesn’t launch after applying the possible fixes above, more troubleshooting methods might get it started. Try applying these extra fixes:

• Turn off overlay features in software like Discord, GeForce Experience, and AMD Radeon.
• Configure a clean boot on your PC, as outlined in this Microsoft guide.
• Reinstall the Epic Games Launcher. You’ll also need to reinstall Alan Wake 2 and other games installed with that launcher software when applying this potential fix.
• Temporarily disable antivirus tools installed on your PC (Microsoft Defender or third-party alternatives) before starting Alan Wake 2.

I hope one of those troubleshooting methods fixes Alan Wake 2 from not launching on your PC. Nothing is guaranteed to work, but the possible resolutions discussed above have kick-started Alan Wake 2 for some players. If more possible fixes are needed, you can send a support ticket to the Alan Wake 2 help service by clicking Contact Us on this Epic page.