6 Ways You Can Fix Path of Exile Not Launching on Windows PCs

Although POE 2 is out now, many players are still playing the original Path of Exile. However, Path of Exile doesn’t always start for some players. For example, a POE player’s Reddit post said this: “I have been trying to play Path of Exile after a three-month break for about two weeks, but can’t play. When I try to run the game my mouse will get a spin wheel for two seconds and then nothing, not even an error.” This is how you can fix Path of Exile not launching on Windows PCs.

Set a DirectX 12 Launch Option

One confirmed way to fix Path of Exile not launching is to set a DirectX 12 launch option. Applying this fix sets the game to run with the DirectX 12 API. You can set a DirectX launch option in Steam like this:

1. Run your Steam software and go into its Library tab.
2. Right-click the Path of Exile game to select Properties.
3. Input -dx12 in the launch options box within the General tab.
4. If that doesn’t work, try setting alternative -dx12 or -vulkan launch parameters for Path of Exile instead.

The launch options in Steam

Rename the Repository Folder

Renaming the Repository folder is a potential solution some players confirm can fix Path of Exile not launching. You can rename the Repository folder like this:

1. First, press the Windows logo + S hotkey, input cmd, and select Run as an administrator for the Command Prompt.
2. Execute the net stop winmgmt command.
   
   

   The net stop winmgmt command

3. Next, bring up File Explorer and go to the C: > Windows > System32 > wbem folder.
4. Right-click the Repository folder and select Rename.
5. Change the folder’s name to Repository.old.
   
   

   The renamed Repository.old folder

6. Return to the Command Prompt to enter and execute the net start winmgmt command.
7. Try running Path of Exile.

Delete the Production_Config.ini File

Deleting the production_config.ini file has worked for some players who’ve needed to fix Path of Exile not launching. Production_config.ini is a configuration file for the Path of Exile game. This is how you can erase that configuration file:

1. Use the Windows logo + E keyboard shortcut to access File Explorer.
2. Go to the C:\users\<user profile folder>\documents\my games\Path of Exile directory path.
3. Right-click the production_config.ini file and select Delete.

Update Your Graphics Card’s Driver

If your graphics card’s driver is outmoded, updating it could be a viable potential solution for Path of Exile not starting. This is because old GPU drivers aren’t always compatible with newer game features. If you’re not sure how to apply this possible fix, check out KeenGamer’s guide for updating graphics drivers.

The NVIDIA graphics driver page

Unplug Headphones Before Starting Path of Exile

Unplugging headphones before sounds like an unusual potential fix for Path of Exile not starting. However, some players say they have been able to fix Path of Exile not launching by doing just that. Have you been trying to play Path of Exile with headphones? If so, try unplugging the headphones from your PC before starting the game.

Close Voicemeter Banana

Voicemeter Banana is an audio mixer software players that confirm conflicts with Path of Exile. Do you have that software installed on your PC? If you do, try closing Voicemeter via Task Manager like this:

1. Right-click an area of the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Look for Voicemeter in Task Manager’s Processes tab.
   
   

   The Processes tab

3. Select the Voicemeter process and click End task to close it.
4. In addition, check if Voicementer is enabled on the Startup tab. If so, select that app and click End task.
5. Try starting Voicemeter again.

Other Possible Ways to Fix Path of Exile Not Launching

The potential solutions above are more widely confirmed troubleshooting methods that can fix Path of Exile not launching. However, try applying these additional potential fixes if the game still doesn’t start:

• Verify the Path of Exile files as outlined on these Steam support and Epic Games pages.
• Set the Path of Exile game to run with administrator rights.
• Add the Path of Exile game folder to anti-virus exclusion lists (third-party or Windows Security).
• Apply the Windows clean boot troubleshooting method before starting Path of Exile.
• Reinstall the Path of Exile game.

The potential ways to fix Path of Exile not launching covered above have worked for many players. So, there’s quite a good chance that those possible fixes will kick-start POE on your Windows PC. However, nothing is guaranteed, and you can ask for more potential resolutions by posting on Path of Exile’s technical support forum.

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