Black Myth: Wukong has had rave reviews since its release, but some players can’t play this compelling action RPG because of startup issues. For example, a player’s Reddit post described a Black Myth startup issue like this, “I open Steam> select Black Myth: Wukong > the game icon pops up in the taskbar > it closes.” Other players have reported a black screen startup issue for that game. Players can’t play Black Myth irrespective of how it fails to launch. This is how you can fix Black Myth: Wukong not launching on Windows 11/10 PCs.
Verify Black Myth’s Game Files
Start your troubleshooting by verifying Black Myth’s game files. This is a recommended potential solution for game startup issues because verifying can repair corrupted or missing game files. Go through the steps in Steam’s verification guide to scan Black Myth: Wukong. This help page includes verification instructions for Epic users.
The Verify integrity of game files option
Set a DirectX 11 Launch Option
Players have confirmed that setting a DirectX 11 launch option can fix Black Myth: Wukong not launching. You can also try setting a DirectX 12 launch option if DX11 doesn’t work. This is how to set DirectX launch options for Black Myth via Steam.
- Start up Steam and go inside its Library tab.
- Right-click Black Myth: Wukong (in the sidebar) to select Properties.
- Input -dx11 inside Launch Options on the General tab.
- Try starting Black Myth with the -dx11 launch option set for it.
The -dx11 launch option
- If the game still doesn’t start, try inputting -dx12 (for DirectX 12) in the Launch Options box for Black Myth.
Epic Games users can apply this potential resolution by clicking the user profile button > Settings. Click Black Myth: Wukong to expand options for that game and select Additional Command Line Arguments. Then input –d3d11 in the command line box.
Start Black Myth’s Launcher With Admin Rights From its Folder
Some players have kick-started Black Myth: Wukong by running the game’s launcher with admin rights from its installation folder. This will give Black Myth full system rights to access what it needs. So, try setting the b1.exe file to run with elevated privileges like this.
- Press the Windows logo + E hotkey for Explorer and navigate to a Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > BlackMythWukong folder path.
- Right-click the b1 file and select Properties.
- Select Compatibility and Run this program as an administrator setting on that tab.
The Run this program as an administrator option
- To save the selected admin option, select Apply > OK.
- Double-click the b1 file you’ve set to run with admin rights.
If that doesn’t work, try setting b1-Win64-Shipping to run as an administrator by repeating the instructions above for that file. You can find that file in the Steam > steamapps > common > BlackMythWukong > b1 > Binaries > Win64 folder. Then double-click b1-Win64-Shipping to start the game.
The b1-Win64-Shipping file
Set Black Myth to Run in Compatibility Mode
Another confirmed way to fix Black Myth: Wukong not launching is to set the game to run in compatibility mode. The game has a compatibility mode option you can select when starting it from Steam. Select the Play Black Myth: Wukong (Compatibility Mode) option after clicking Play.
The Compatibility Mode option in Steam
If you don’t see that pop-up option, right-click Black Myth: Wukong in Steam and select Properties. Click the drop-down menu on the General tab to select Black Myth: Wukong (Compatibility Mode).
Alternatively, you can set compatibility mode for the b1.exe file. To do that, open the BlackMythWukong installation folder and right-click the b1 file to select Properties. Select Compatibility, the Run this program in compatibility mode checkbox, and Windows 7 on the drop-down menu. Click Apply to save selected options and OK to exit.
Select Power Saver Mode
Some players who’ve needed to to fix Black Myth: Wukong not launching say selecting Power saver mode has worked for them. Power saver is an energy-saving Control Panel setting that reduces PC performance. This is how you can select that setting.
- Press the Windows logo key + R, type powercfg.cpl in Run, and click OK.
- Select Power saver if you can see that option. If you can’t see that option, create a new power-saving plan by going through the next steps.
- Click Create a power plan.
- Select the Power saver radio button.
The Power saver radio button
- Press Next to continue.
- Click Create to add the plan.
- Select the plan power-saving plan you’ve just created.
Clear Steam’s Download Cache
Clearing Steam’s download cache can sometimes fix games not starting with Valve’s client software. Applying this potential fix will eradicate junk data and enable Steam to recreate a fresh downloads cache. Steam’s Clear download cache page tells you how to apply this solution.
The Clear Cache option
Disable Third-Party Antivirus
Players have confirmed third-party antivirus/malware software flags have prevented Black Myth: Wukong from launching on their PCs. Malwarebytes and Avira antivirus are two security apps confirmed to do this. However, other third-party antivirus apps can also flag legitimate software much the same.
Is there a third-party antivirus app on your PC? If so, try temporarily disabling its antivirus shield before running Black Myth. To do this, click the antivirus logo in the system tray with the right mouse button to select a setting for turning off or disabling the antivirus shield.
The Malwarebytes antivirus options
If this works, you’ll know your antivirus app is causing the startup issue. Uninstalling the antivirus software will ensure it can’t ever interfere with Black Myth. Alternatively, add the Black Myth game to its exclusion list if you prefer not to uninstall the security app.
Other Possible Ways to Fix Black Myth: Wukong Not Launching
There are more potential fixes you can try applying to fix Black Myth: Wukong not launching. If that game still doesn’t start, try these extra possible resolutions.
- If your PC has two GPUs, make sure your dedicated NVIDIA/AMD graphics card is set for Black Myth.
- Disable overlays in Steam, GeForce Experience, Discord, and other background apps.
- Download and install the latest driver for your GPU (graphical processing unit).
- Reinstall Black Myth on another drive or partition if possible. For example, reinstall it on the C: drive if the game is installed on an external D: drive.
There’s a good chance one of the troubleshooting methods above will fix Black Myth: Wukong not launching on your PC. Nothing is guaranteed, but some of the potential fixes covered here are confirmed to work by many players. If further potential fixes are needed, try sending a message to the **@*********om.cn email address cited on the player support page for Black Myth.
