Borderlands 4 has arrived on Windows PCs in September 2025. However, some players can’t play this latest instalment of the series because it doesn’t start on their PCs. For example, one B4 player reported this, “To be brief, my friend was unable to launch the game (Borderlands 4), clicked Play on Steam, three seconds later just stopped, no crash, no popup or new window, just refused to launch.” This is how you can fix Borderlands 4 not launching on Windows PCs.
Verify Borderlands 4 Game Files
First, run a verification scan for Borderlands 4 to check if there are any missing or corrupted files for the game. If there are, applying this potential resolution will probably repair those files and fix Borderlands 4 not launching. To apply this possible solution, check out the guidelines on these Steam help and Epic Games pages.
The Verify option in Steam
Disable Run in Compatibility Mode for Steam or Epic Games
Some players say they needed to turn off compatibility mode for Steam to fix Borderlands 4 not launching. Have you set Steam or Epic to run in a compatibility mode for an older Windows platform? If so, try disabling compatibility mode like this:
- Right-click your Steam or Epic Games desktop shortcut icon to select Properties.
- Click the Compatibility tab to access that tab’s settings.
- Unselect the Run this program in compatibility mode option if selected.
- Also, select the checkbox labeled Run this program as an administrator.
The Compatibility tab
- To save selected settings, click on Apply.
- Then, select OK to close out of the properties window.
Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus Software
Players confirm that uninstalling third-party antivirus software (such as Comodo AV) can fix Borderlands 4 not launching. Yes, you can try temporarily turning off such antivirus tools before starting B4. However, uninstalling is a more surefire way to ensure third-party security apps don’t conflict with Borderlands 4 starting. Try uninstalling any third-party antivirus package on your PC via Settings or Programs and Features, as outlined on this Microsoft Windows page.
The Programs and Features Control Panel applet
Set Borderlands 4 to Run With Admin Rights
The Borderlands 4 help service recommends players try running B4 with admin rights to fix the game not starting. Doing this gives the game elevated system rights so it can access all folders it needs. This is how you can configure Borderlands 4 to run as an administrator:
- Open the installation for Borderlands 4 in File Explorer. For example, the default Steam folder path for Borderlands 4 is: C:\Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > Borderlands 4.
- Then, open a Oak > Binaries > Win64 subfolder within the Borderlands 4 installation folder.
- Right-click the Borderlands4.exe file to select Properties > Compatibility > Run this program as an administrator.
- To finish, click Apply and then OK.
Update Your Graphics Drivers
Borderlands 4 is a new game for which some players may need to update their graphical drivers to resolve startup issues and other bugs. If your graphics card’s driver needs updating, install the latest compatible driver for it. Our guide for updating graphical drivers tells you about the different ways you can apply this possible fix.
The NVIIDA driver page
Edit the BIOSReleaseDate String in the Registry
Some B4 players have been able to fix Borderlands 4 not launching by editing the date for the BIOSReleaseDate registry string. That is a slightly more technical fix to apply than others here, and you can back up the registry beforehand, if you prefer, as instructed on this Microsoft page. Edit the BIOSReleaseDate string as follows:
- To find the Registry Editor, enter a regedit keyword within the Windows 11 search box on the taskbar or Start menu.
- Next, click the Registry Editor search result.
- Go to the Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\HardwareConfig\Current registry key location.
The Current registry key
- Double-click the BIOSReleaseDate string.
- Clear the Value data box.
- Then, input 12/07/2023 within the Value data box.
The Edit String window
- Click the Edit String window’s OK button.
An alternative way to apply this possible fix is to execute a PowerShell command that fixes the BIOSReleaseDate date format. If you prefer to do it that way, check out this Shadow PC page that provides guidelines for applying the same resolution with PowerShell.
Set a 100 GB Shader Cache Size (NVIDIA Fix)
Setting a 100 GB shader cache size is another player-confirmed way to fix Borderlands 4 not launching. This potential fix is primarily for players with NVIDIA GPUs. You can set a 100 GB shader cache size with the NVIDIA Control Panel like this:
- Right-click the Windows 11 desktop and select Show more options > NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Click Manage 3D settings in the left sidebar.
- Next, click Shader Cache Size on the Global Settings tab.
The Shader Cache Size option
- Select 100 GB from the drop-down menu.
- Press the Apply button to save NVIDIA settings.
Other Possible Ways to Fix Borderlands 4 Not Launching
First, try applying the potential resolutions discussed above. If they’re not enough, some of these additional troubleshooting methods might be worth trying:
- Turn off enabled overlay features in Steam, GeForce Experience, and Discord.
- Add the Borderlands 4 EXE file to the allowed list for Windows Defender Firewall.
- Select a High Performance option for Borderlands 4 in System > Display > Graphics within the Settings app.
- Erase the Borderlands 4 data folders from the C:\Users\<user folder>\Documents\My Games and C:\Users \<user folder>\Saved Games directory paths. Note that erasing the Borderlands 4 folder from Saved Games also deletes saved game progress.
So, try applying those potential resolutions when Borderlands 4 doesn’t start. Those potential remedies are among the most widely confirmed ways to fix Borderlands 4 not launching at the moment. If you need more troubleshooting guidance, try submitting a request from this Borderlands page.
