Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a great open-world RPG, when you can play it. However, some players can’t play AC Odyssey when there are startup issues. For example, a player said this, “I’m having an issue with both AC Origins and AC Odyssey on Steam, when I install these two particular games and try to launch them, they simply do not open.” This is how to fix Assassin’s Creed Odyssey not launching on Windows PCs.
Verify the Integrity of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
A verification scan checks for corrupted game files and repairs any detected. A few players confirm that verifying AC Odyssey has fixed it not starting on their PCs. You can do that by going through the instructions on the Steam verify and Epic Games pages.
The Verify integrity of game files option
Add Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to Windows Security’s Exclusions
Players confirm adding the AC Odyssey game folder to Windows Security exclusions can sometimes fix Assassin’s Creed Odyssey not launching. That antivirus can prevent the game from creating necessary folders and starting when not added to its exclusions. This is how you can add AC Odyssey to the Windows Security exclusions:
- Double-click the Windows Security system tray icon.
- Next, click Virus & threat protection and Manage settings.
- Click Add or remove exclusions in Windows Security.
- Press the Add an exclusion button to select the Folder option.
The Folder option
- Choose the AssassinsCreedOdyssey installation folder and click Select Folder.
Update Visual C++ Redistributable Files
Updating Visual C++ Redistributable files might be necessary for some players who need to fix Assassin’s Creed Odyssey not launching. Applying this potential fix can restore or repair the required runtime components. You can update Visual C++ runtime components like this:
- First, open this Microsoft Visual C++ page.
- Download the 64-bit and 32-bit Visual Studio 2015-2022 packages by clicking the X64 and X86 links.
The Visual C++ 2015-2022 download links
- Open your folder that includes the downloaded Visual C++ installer files.
- Double-click the 64-bit Visual C++ file to run it.
- Select I agree and the Install options.
The Visual C++ installer
- Click the Close option to exit.
- Repeat the previous three steps for the 32-bit Visual C++ package downloaded.
Install DirectX Runtime Components
A missing or outmoded DirectX runtime component is a potential cause for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey not launching. You can remedy this potential cause by installing DirectX runtime components with the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer. This is how you can run that installer package:
- Bring up this DirectX Microsoft page.
- Click Download to save the installer file.
The DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer download page
- Double-click the dxwebsetup.exe file for the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
- Select the I accept checkbox and the Next option.
- If you don’t want Bing software, deselect the Install the Bing Bar checkbox.
- Click Next to proceed.
Remove the Windows 11 24H2 Update
If you’ve recently installed the Windows 11 24H2 update, try rolling back to the previous build version. Windows 11 24H2 is known to have compatibility issues with Assassin’s Creed games. However, note that you can only select to roll back a Windows build update for about 10 days after upgrading. This Microsoft page tells you how to roll back to a Windows 11 version.
The Recovery options in Windows
Reinstall Ubisoft Connect
Reinstalling Ubisoft Connect is another player-confirmed way to fix Assassin’s Creed Odyssey not launching. If you haven’t already installed Ubisoft Connect, then try downloading and installing that software. This Ubisoft page explains how you can install or reinstall Ubisoft Connect.
The Programs and Features Control Panel applet
Other Possible Ways to Fix Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Not Launching on a Windows PC
Those troubleshooting methods aren’t necessarily the only ways to fix Assassin’s Creed Odyssey not launching (but are more widely confirmed to work). If you need further potential fixes, try applying these additional troubleshooting methods:
- Execute the System File Checker command as covered on this MS help page.
- Select to run Assassin’s Creed Odyssey in compatibility mode for Windows 7 or 8.
- Download and install the latest, compatible driver for your graphics card with one of the methods in this KeenGamer article.
- Apply the clean boot troubleshooting method for deactivating unnecessary background apps and services.
- Configure AC Odyssey to run with administrator rights via the Compatibility tab.
There isn’t a guaranteed way to fix Assassin’s Creed Odyssey not launching, but the troubleshooting methods above are worth trying. If AC Odyssey still doesn’t start, you can ask the Ubisoft help service for more possible fixes. Click Contact Us on this help page to send a support ticket to Ubisoft.
