Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a new game that doesn’t start on some players’ Windows PCs. For example, a Reddit post reported Black Ops 6 not starting like this, “Black Ops 6 won’t launch… When I press play on Steam, the game won’t launch.” Players can’t play Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 because of all kinds of startup issues, irrespective of how the game crashes at launch. This is how you can fix Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 not launching on Windows 11/10 PCs.
Scan and Repair the Black Ops 6 Game Files
First, try scanning and repairing the BO6 game files, which has worked for some players who have needed to fix Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 not launching. Steam and Battle.net include Verify integrity and Scan and Repair options you can select to fix corrupted game files. Check out these Battle.net help and Steam support pages.
The Verify integrity option in Steam
Run a System File Checker Scan
Some players have said they were able to fix Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 not launching by running System File Checker scans. System File Checker is a tool you can run with the Command Prompt that repairs corrupted Windows files detected. This utility can resolve gaming issues by repairing system files required for games. You can execute the SFC command as instructed on this Microsoft help page.
The System File Checker command
Disable the Nahimic Service
Players confirm disabling the Nahimic service can fix Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 not launching on Windows PC. Nahimic is audio enhancement software that can seemingly conflict with Black Ops 6. This is how you can disable the Nahimic service with the System Configuration tool.
- Activate Run on your PC by pressing the Windows logo key and E.
- Next, click Services to view that tab.
- Select the checkbox with the Hide all Microsoft services label.
- Unselect the Nahimic service checkbox.
The Services tab
- Click Apply > OK to save the new MSConfig settings.
- Select Restart when prompted to do that.
Install Optional Windows 11/10 Updates
It has been confirmed by some BO6 players that installing optional updates can fix Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 not launching. These can include driver and feature updates for Windows 11/10. So, try installing optional Windows updates like this.
- First, press the Windows logo + S key combination to access the file search tool.
- Type in Windows updates, and click Check for updates.
- Click View Optional updates in Windows 10 Settings. Or click Advanced options > Optional updates in Windows 11.
Select the checkboxes for optional updates.
The View optional updates option
- Click Download and Install to finish.
The optional updates settings
Disable the Steam Overlay
The Steam overlay can be problematic for some games. Disabling that feature could fix Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 not launching on your PC if enabled. This is how you can disable the Steam overlay.
- Run the Steam gaming client.
- Click Steam > Settings to access an options window.
- Next, click In-Game within the Steam Settings window.
- Unselect the Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game option.
The Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game option
Disable Antivirus Before Playing Black Ops 6
Temporarily disabling antivirus shields is a potential fix for Black Ops 6 not starting that’s worked for some players. If you don’t have a third-party security app, try temporarily disabling Microsoft Defender in Windows Security, as covered on this Microsoft web page, before starting Black Ops 6. However, you should re-enable your antivirus shield even if this potential solution works.
The Real-time protection option
Players with third-party antivirus tools will need to disable their shields. Most third-party antivirus apps have context menu options for turning off their shields. Right-click the system tray icon for whatever security app is installed on your PC and select an option for disabling its antivirus shield.
Uninstall FACEIT Anti-Cheat
Many players have also been able to fix Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 not launching by uninstalling FACEIT. Is FACEIT installed on your PC? If it is, try uninstalling that software to ensure it cannot block BO6 starting. This Microsoft page tells you how users can remove that app and others via the Programs and Features applet in the Control Panel.
The Programs and Features Control Panel applet
Other Possible Ways to Fix Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Not Launching
If Black Ops 6 still doesn’t start applying the troubleshooting methods above, there are other possible solutions. These additional potential fixes for BO6 not launching might also be worth a try:
- Set Black Ops 6 to run as an administrator with fullscreen optimizations disabled.
- Uninstall the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat software if installed on your PC. However, note that doing this could affect other games.
- Reinstall the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 game.
- Delete the Players folder within the Documents > Call of Duty directory path.
- Turn Bluetooth off as covered within this Microsoft page.
- Install the latest driver available for your PC’s graphics card. Our guide to updating GPU drivers includes instructions for applying this potential fix.
The troubleshooting methods above are player-confirmed ways to fix Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 not launching on Windows PCs. So, try applying those potential fixes before requesting a refund or contacting BO6’s support service. You can send a support ticket about this gaming issue to the Activision help service from this page.
