6 Ways to Fix Arc Raiders Not Launching on a Windows PC

Arc Raiders has received rave reviews since its October 30 launch, but some players can’t play it because it doesn’t start on their PCs. A player said this: “Arc Raiders Steam won’t start… Hi all… When I launch the game, it gets stuck in the loading screen and stops working.” Arc Raider gets stuck on loading for some players, but also throws up error messages for others. This is how you can fix Arc Raiders not launching on Windows PCs.

Verify the Arc Raiders Game Files

First, try the tried-and-true troubleshooting method of verifying the game files. Although that doesn’t work for everybody, some players confirm that running a verification scan can fix Arc Raiders not launching. This page on the Steam site provides details for how players can run verification scans for games.

The Verify integrity of game files button

Disable Hardware Acceleration

Disabling hardware acceleration in Windows is a potential way to fix Arc Raiders not launching, which some players confirm has worked for them. That setting can sometimes cause driver conflicts for games when enabled. These are the steps for disabling hardware acceleration in Windows.

1. Activate the file-finder tool in Windows by clicking on the taskbar Search box or magnifier glass button.
2. Enter graphics settings into the Search box.
3. Click Graphics settings in your search results.
4. Then, click on Advanced graphics settings.
5. Turn off the Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling option.

The Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling option

Set a DirectX 11 Launch Option for Arc Raiders

One of the most widely confirmed ways to fix Arc Raiders not launching is to set a DirectX 11 launch option for the game. DirectX 12 can have compatibility issues with some GPUs, and this potential resolution will ensure the game utilizes the DX11 API. These are the steps for setting a DirectX 11 launch option:

1. Start the Steam launcher software and click Library inside it.
2. Right-click the Arc Raiders game in Steam’s sidebar to select Properties.
3. Then, input a -dx11 (for DirectX 11) parameter within the launch text box.
4. If the game doesn’t start with the -dx11 parameter, try entering -dx12 (for DirectX 12) in the launch box instead.

The -dx11 launch option

Run Arc Raiders With Administrator Rights

Another confirmed way to fix Arc Raiders not starting is to configure the game to run with administrative rights. Applying this possible remedy will give the game more extended rights for accessing folders and files. You can run Arc Raiders with admin rights like this:

1. First, go into the Library tab in your Steam software.
2. Click the Arc Raiders game with your mouse’s right button to select Properties.
3. Select the Installed Files tab.
4. Click Browse to open an Arc Raiders folder.
5. Next, open the PioneerGame > Binaries > Win64 folder.
6. Right-click the PioneerGame.exe file to select Properties and Compatibility.
7. To give Arc Raiders elevated privileges, select Run this program as an administrator.
   
   

   The Compatibility tab

8. Next, select Disable fullscreen optimizations.
9. To finish, click Apply to save the compatibility option as configured.
10. Select OK to close the PioneerGame.exe window.

Reinstall EasyAntiCheat

If EasyAntiCheat doesn’t work, then Arc Raiders won’t start. Reinstalling EasyAntiCheat is the best way to repair the anti-cheat software for the game. You can reinstall EasyAntiCheat for Arc Raider like this:

1. Open the Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > Arc Raiders > Installers folder in File Explorer.
2. Right-click the Uninstall_EasyAntiCheat file to select Run as administrator.
   
   

   The Uninstall_EasyAntiCheat file

3. Click Install_EasyAntiCheat with the right button and select Run as administrator.

Set Edge as the Default Browser

A few players also confirm that setting Edge as the default browser in Windows can fix Arc Raiders not launching. So, that might be worth trying if you’ve changed your default browser to an alternative like Chrome or Firefox. These are the steps for setting Edge as the default browser.

1. Activate your file finder tool by clicking on the Search box or button on the taskbar.
2. Then, input default apps.
3. Click Default apps in the search results.
4. Type Edge in the Search apps box.
5. Click on Microsoft Edge.
   
   

   Make Microsoft Edge your default browser option

6. Press the Set default button for the Make Microsoft Edge your default browser option.

Other Possible Ways to Fix Arc Raiders Not Launching

If Arc Raiders still doesn’t start after applying all the resolutions above, some alternative troubleshooting methods might work for some players. Try applying these extra potential fixes as well:

• Disable the overlay features in software like Steam, Discord, and GeForce Experience.
• Install the latest graphical driver for your graphics card with a method included in this KeenGamer post.
• Reinstall your Arc Raiders game.
• Add the Arc Raiders game to the Windows Security or third-party antivirus exclusion lists.

The above resolutions are more widely confirmed ways to fix Arc Raiders when it doesn’t start. So, try applying all the ways to fix Arc Raiders not launching above before sending a support ticket to the game’s help service. If there aren’t enough, you can send a ticket to the game’s technical support service from this ARC page.

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