6 Ways to Fix Geometry Dash Not Launching on a Windows PC

Geometry Dash is a popular rhythm platformer game that some players report doesn’t start on their Windows PCs. For instance, this is what one such player said about GD not starting: “On Steam, when I launch Geometry Dash, it says running for a few seconds, but then it just stops. The application doesn’t even show that it’s running.” Sometimes Geometry Dash might also show error messages when it doesn’t start. This is how you can fix Geometry Dash not launching on Windows PCs.

Verify the Geometry Dash Game Files

First, try scanning for corrupted or missing Geometry Dash files. If there are corrupted game files, the verification scan will repair them. You can repair corrupted game files by selecting the Verify option in Steam, as instructed on this help page.

The Verify option in Steam

Install or Repair Visual C++ Redistributable Packs

Players confirm that repairing or installing the Visual C++ Redistributable packages can fix Geometry Dash not launching. Applying this potential fix might repair or restore corrupted or missing DLL files for the game, such as VCRUNTIME140.dll and VCRUNTIME140.dll. This is how you can install/repair Visual C++ runtime libraries:

1. First, open this Microsoft page for Visual C++ Redistributable packs.
2. Click on the X64 and X86 Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable v14 download links.
   
   

   Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable v14 download links

3. Next, double-click the VC_redist.x64.exe file in the folder it downloaded.
4. Select I agree within the Microsoft Visual C++ v4 Redistributable window.
5. Click on the Install or Repair button.
   
   

   The Microsoft Visual C++ v4 Redistributable window

6. Repeat the previous three steps for the VC_redist.x86 file downloaded.

Delete the CCGameManager.dat and CCLocalLevels.dat Files

One of the most widely confirmed ways to fix Geometry Dash not launching is to erase the CCGameManager.dat and CCLocalLevels.dat files. Geometry Dash will recreate those files when you start it. Note that erasing those files also resets local progress, but the most important thing is that the game starts. This is how you can erase the CCGameManager.dat and CCLocalLevels.dat files.

1. Click the Start menu button with the mouse’s right button and select Run.
2. Enter %localappdata% into Run and click OK.
3. Open the GeometryDash data folder. 
4. Next, hold the Ctrl key and select the CCGameManager.dat and CCLocalLevels.dat files.
   
   

   The GeometryDash data folder

5. Right-click to select Explorer’s Delete option.

Run Geometry Dash in Compatibility Mode

Running GD in compatibility mode is another way to fix Geometry Dash not launching, that’s worked for some players. Applying this troubleshooting method will set the game to run as it would on an older Windows platform. You can run the Geometry Dash game in compatibility mode as follows:

1. First, open the Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > Geometry Dash installation folder for the game in Explorer.
2. Right-click the GeometryDash.exe file to select Properties.
3. Click on the Compatibility tab.
4. Select Run this program in compatibility mode and Windows 8 or 7 in the drop-down menu for that setting.
   
   

   The compatibility mode option

5. Click Apply to set the compatibility settings and OK to close.

Add Geometry Dash to Windows Security’s Exclusion List

To ensure Microsoft Defender Antivirus doesn’t flag the game, add Geometry Dash to Windows Security’s exclusion list. The Exclusions section on this Microsoft page provides instructions for adding exclusions to that list. Add the Steam\steamapps\common\Geometry Dash and Steam folders to that exclusion list.

The exclusion settings in Windows Security

Reinstall Geometry Dash

Finally, try reinstalling the Geometry Dash game. Reinstalling the game might replace corrupted game files. These are the steps for reinstalling Geometry Dash:

1. Open Steam and click Library to view that tab.
2. Right-click the Geometry Dash game to select Manage and Uninstall.
3. Click Uninstall again to confirm removal.
   
   

   The Uninstall option in Steam

4. Next, click Install for the Geometry Dash game in the Library tab.
5. Select Install to reinstall Geometry Dash.

Other Ways to Fix Geometry Dash Not Launching

There are more potential ways to fix Geometry Dash not launching beyond those troubleshooting methods. If the game still doesn’t start, try applying these extra potential resolutions:

• Delete all Geometry Dash mods from the Geode folder.
• Run the Geometry Dash game as an administrator.
• Apply the graphics driver update troubleshooting method as covered in this KD guide.
• Run Geometry Dash from its installation folder by double-clicking the GeometryDash.exe file.

I hope you fix Geometry Dash not launching with one of the troubleshooting methods above. Those troubleshooting methods are among the most widely confirmed ways to kick-start that game. You can also ask the RobTop game developer support service for more potential fixes at su*****@*********es.com.