Dune is back with Dune: Awakening, but some players can’t get that game started on their Windows PCs. For example, one player said on Reddit, “Ok, so I bought the game (Dune Awakening), and have tried to get it to launch over more than 100 times and cannot get it to work.” Dune: Awakening may or may not show error messages when it doesn’t launch, but players can’t play it because of general startup issues. This is how you can fix Dune: Awakening not launching on a Windows PC.
Verify the Dune: Awakening Game
First, try verifying the Dune Awakening game, which is the standard troubleshooting method for fixing game startup issues. The verification scan checks if there are any corrupted or missing files and applies appropriate repairs. To apply a verification scan, check out the instructions on this Steam page.
The Verify integrity of game files option
Reinstall Battleye
It has been confirmed by players that reinstalling Battleye can fix Dune: Awakening not launching. Or you might need to install Battleye if not installed. This is how you can reinstall Battleye:
- Open File Explorer to go to a steamapps > common > DuneAwakening > DuneSandbox > Binaries > Win64 > BattlEye directory (folder) path.
- Right-click the Uninstall_BattlEye file to select Run as administrator.
The Uninstall_BattlEye file
- Then, right-click the Install_BattlEye file and select Run as administrator.
- If this doesn’t work, try running the Uninstall_BattlEye file again. However, don’t run the Install_BattleEye file. Open the preceding Win64 folder that includes the BattlEye subfolder. Then, right-click the DuneSandbox_BE.exe file to select Run as administrator.
Set a Launch Parameter for Bypassing the Launcher
Setting a launch parameter for bypassing the game’s Funcom launcher can also fix Dune Awakening not launching, as confirmed by players who’ve applied it. This confirmed troubleshooting method highlights the launcher software for the game can cause startup issues. Try setting a Steam launch parameter for Dune: Awakening like this:
- Right-click your Steam software shortcut to select Run this program as administrator.
- Select the Library in Steam.
- Click Dune: Awakening in the sidebar with the right mouse button to select Properties.
- Input this parameter in the launch box: <PATH TO GAME>\ConanSandbox\Binaries\Win64\ConanSandbox_BE.exe” -BattlEye %command%. Replace <PATH TO GAME> with your actual installation directory for the game, like this: C:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\DuneAwakening\DuneSandbox\Binaries\Win64\DuneSandbox_BE.exe” -nosplash -BattlEye %command%.
Steam launch options
Clear the Steam Cache
A few users have said they got Dune: Awakening running by clearing Steam’s cache. This is an easy potential fix you can apply via the Steam software. To do so, go through the steps outlined on this Steam cache page.
The Clear Cache option
Install the 576.66 Nvidia Display Driver
NVIDIA released the 576.66 display driver hotfix to resolve Dune: Awakening crashing issues. Some players have said installing that hotfix driver can also fix Dune: Awakening not launching. You can download this hotfix driver for installation by clicking the click here link on this NVIDIA page. Admittedly, I’m not entirely sure if this driver is widely compatible with all NVIDIA graphics cards. So, I recommend double-checking if that driver hotfix will be compatible with your graphics card.
The Hotfix Display Driver version page
Alternatively, you can try updating the AMD or NVIDIA driver for your PC’s graphics card. You can do this with AMD or NVIDIA driver update software or by manually downloading a driver for your GPU from their websites. Our guide for updating GPU drivers covers the different methods for applying this potential fix.
Turn Off Overclocking
Have you applied any kind of GPU or CPU overclocking on your PC? If so, try turning off that overclocking by restoring the default system settings for your processor and graphics card. You can undo overclocking by restoring default settings via the BIOS or the software with which you applied it.
Other Possible Ways to Fix Dune: Awakening Not Launching on a Windows PC
First, try applying the troubleshooting methods outlined above to fix Dune: Awakening not launching. If the game still doesn’t start, some of these additional potential resolutions might be worth a shot:
- Set the Dune: Awakening EXE file to run with administrator rights.
- Click More in the Dune: Awakening launcher to select Reset Game Settings.
- Add the DuneAwakening game folder to antivirus exclusion lists.
- Uninstall and reinstall Dune: Awakening with Steam.
Try applying the ways to fix Dune: Awakening not launching covered here before contacting the game’s support service. Those resolutions have worked for some Dune: Awakening players who’ve needed to kick-start that game. You can send a support ticket to Funcom from this Contact Us page to ask for potential resolutions.
