DOOM: The Dark Ages is an exciting new FPS shooter, but some players can’t start that game on their PCs. A player said this about Dark Ages not starting in a Reddit post: “Doom: The Dark Ages Not Opening… I have the game through Xbox Game Pass, and when I try opening it, it doesn’t appear whatsoever.” When that game doesn’t start, some players might seek a refund if they can do so. This is how you can fix DOOM: The Dark Ages not launching on a Windows PC.
Repair the DOOM: The Dark Ages Files
The Bethesda support service recommends players try repairing the DOOM game files. Battle.net, Steam, and the Xbox apps all include options for repairing game files. These Bethesda pages provide instructions for selecting those repair options:
The Verify integrity of game files option
Restore Global NVIDIA Control Panel Settings
It has been confirmed by some players that restoring global NVIDIA Control Panel settings can fix DOOM: The Dark Ages not launching. Applying this fix restores the 3D settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel settings to their defaults. This is how you can restore those settings:
- Right-click any part of the desktop wallpaper to select a NVIDIA Control Panel option.
- Next, click Manage 3D settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Select the Restore option.
The NVIDIA graphics driver download page
- Click Yes when asked to confirm your selected option.
Add a Custom Launch Option
Another confirmed way to fix DOOM: The Dark Ages not launching is to add a custom launch option for that game. That rather long-winded parameter sets DOOM to skip the intro video and start with a custom 1280 x 720 resolution. You can set the required custom launch parameter for DOOM: The Dark Ages like this:
- Open Steam to click on Library within that software.
- Click the DOOM game on the side with the mouse’s right button and select Properties.
- Then, input this parameter in the launch options text box: +com_skipIntroVideo 1 +r_mode -1 +r_customWidth 1280 +r_customHeight 720 +r_fullscreen 0.
The custom launch parameter for Doom
Delete the Amd-ffx File
Some Xbox Game Pass players have been able to fix DOOM: The Dark Ages not launching by erasing the Amd-ffx file. Applying this possible fix disables the AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution feature. Thus, it’s more relevant for Xbox Game Pass players with AMD graphics cards. If that sounds like you, try applying this potential fix as follows:
- Access File Explorer with the Windows logo + E hotkey.
- Go to the C:\XboxGames\DOOM-The Dark Ages\Content\amd-ffx folder path.
- Right-click the amd-ffx file to select Delete.
Turn Off Steam’s Overlay
If you’ve installed DOOM: The Dark Ages with Steam, try disabling the overlay feature in Valve’s gaming client. Doing that will ensure Steam’s overlay can’t conflict with DOOM in any way. This Steam Community Overlay page tells you how users can access the required setting for turning off that feature.
The Enable the Steam Overlay option
Set DOOM: The Dark Ages to Run With Admin Rights
Setting DOOM: The Dark Ages to run with administrator rights gives the game full system privileges. That is another troubleshooting method Bethesda recommends for fixing Dark Ages when it doesn’t start. This Bethesda page provides instructions for running DOOM with elevated admin rights.
The Run this program as administrator option
Apply a Graphics Card Driver Update
It might be necessary for some players to apply a graphics card driver update or use the troubleshooting method to fix DOOM: The Dark Ages not launching. Bethesda says players must update graphical drivers to at least AMD driver version 25.5.1 or NVIDIA driver version 576.40 for the DOOM game. So, try installing a new AMD or NVIDIA driver for your GPU with any method in this KeenGamer guide.
The NVIDIA graphics driver download page
Other Possible Ways to Fix DOOM: The Dark Ages Not Launching
If DOOM: The Dark Ages still doesn’t start, there are more possible ways to fix it beyond those above. Try applying these extra possible fixes for the DOOM Dark Ages game not starting:
- Disable the NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay.
- Add the DOOM Dark Ages installation folder to your antivirus tool’s exclusion list.
- Set a -dx11 or -dx12 Steam launch option for DOOM: The Dark Ages.
- Reinstall your DOOM Dark Ages Game.
There might not be a guaranteed way to fix DOOM: The Dark Ages not launching. Yet, the potential resolutions covered here have started that DOOM game for some players. So, try applying those possible fixes before sending a support ticket to the game’s Bethesda help service.
