DayZ is a popular post-apocalyptic survival game for which variable startup issues can arise. One player described a DayZ startup issue on Reddit like this: “DayZ simply won’t launch. I click launch, and the game is about to launch for a few seconds. Then it stops, and nothing happens.” DayZ can fail to start with or without showing error messages on Windows PCs, and players can’t play that game as a result. This is how you can fix DayZ not launching on a Windows PC.
Verify the DayZ Game Files
Verifying game files has worked for some players who’ve needed to fix DayZ not launching. Steam has a Verify integrity troubleshooting option for repairing corrupted game files. Open this Steam help page to read instructions on how to select the Verify option.
The Verify integrity option
Run DayZ as an Administrator
Running DayZ with admin rights could be worth a try. Selecting an administrator option for DayZ will give the game more thorough Windows system access and permissions. These are the steps for running DayZ as an administrator.
- Right-click Start to select File Explorer and go to the Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > DayZ folder location.
- Next, right-click the DayZ_x64 file to select its Properties option and the Compatibility tab.
- Add a checkmark to the Run this program as an administrator box by selecting that setting.
- Click Apply to save the new settings and OK to close.
The Compatibility tab
- Repeat the previous three steps for all DayZ EXE (application files) in the game directory.
- Then double the DayZ_x64 file to try starting the game from its installation folder.
Delete the DayZ Folder
Players confirm erasing the DayZ data folder can fix the game not starting. Erasing this folder will delete saved settings. You can delete the DayZ folder like this.
- Go into File Explorer to bring up the C:\Users\mav_u\Documents folder path.
- Next, click the DayZ folder to select it.
- Select Delete within Explorer’s command bar or Home tab.
The DayZ folder
Set a Launch Parameter for DayZ
Setting a -nocharmenu launch parameter is a widely confirmed way to fix DayZ not launching. Each game has launch parameters you can configure via the Steam gaming client. This is how you can set a -nocharmenu launch configuration for DayZ.
- Open Steam to enter its Library tab.
- Right-click DayZ in the left sidebar and select Properties.
- Input -nocharmenu inside the Launch Options box on the General tab.
The -nocharmenu launch option
Add DayZ to Windows Security’s Exclusions
Creating a Windows Security (Microsoft Defender) antivirus exclusion for the game is another possible way to fix DayZ not launching some players say has worked for them. To do that, go through the steps within this Microsoft help page. Select to add the DayZ game folder to that antivirus shield’s exclusion list.
If you have installed a third-party antivirus, you’ll need to add DayZ to that app’s exclusion list. Open the exclusion list within your third-party antivirus utility. Select to add DayZ’s game folder to that exception list from there.
The Add an exclusion button
Install Available Windows Updates
Updating Windows 11/10 has also worked for some players who have needed to fix DayZ not launching. Installing all available Windows updates on your PC can sometimes resolve gaming bugs and potential compatibility issues. This Microsoft guide page provides instructions for how users can check for and install Windows updates.
The Windows Update tab in Windows 10
Reinstall DayZ
A reinstallation of DayZ will refresh its files and update the game. If other potential resolutions don’t fix DayZ not launching, reinstalling the game is something you should try. These are the steps for reinstalling DayZ with Steam.
- Run Steam and click Library to see your games.
- Click DayZ in the sidebar with your mouse’s right button to select Manage and Uninstall.
- Select Uninstall again to confirm removal.
The Uninstall option in Steam
- To reinstall, click DayZ in the Library sidebar and press Install.
- Select Install to proceed with reinstallation.
Other Possible Ways to Fix DayZ Not Launching
There are potentially many other ways you can fix DayZ not launching beyond those troubleshooting methods discussed above. These extra troubleshooting methods could also be worth a try:
- Disable overlay features in software like Steam, Discord, and GeForce Experience by unselecting options for them.
- Update your PC’s graphics driver by installing the latest one available for your GPU.
- Add DayZ to the allowed app list for the Windows firewall and other third-party alternatives.
- Set a -dx12 or –dx11 launch option for DayZ via Steam.
- Reinstall BattleEye by double-clicking the Uninstall_BattlEye and Install_BattlEye files in the Steam > steamapps > common > DayZ > BattlEye folder.
I hope one of the potential solutions above fixes the DayZ game not starting on your Windows PC. Those resolutions are some of the more widely confirmed ways to fix DayZ not launching. If you need more potential solutions, try clicking the Contact Form button on this Bohemia page to get in touch with the support service for DayZ.
