Escape from Tarkov is one of the best extraction shooter games that doesn’t start on some players’ PCs. For example, this is what one Tarkov player said, “I downloaded Tarkov on Steam, but every time I try to play it, the launcher pops up saying the files are corrupted.” Even Battlestate has conceded that Tarkov has some bugs that need addressing. This is how you can fix Escape from Tarkov not launching on Windows PCs.
Verify the Escape From Tarkov Game Files
First, run a verification (repair) scan for the Escape from Tarkov game. That’s quite a routine troubleshooting method for repairing corrupted game files, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. If your Tarkov game has corrupted or missing files, then applying this troubleshooting method might work. You can run a verification scan for Tarkov as instructed on this Steam support page.
The Verify integrity of game files option
Download, Install, and Run the Battlestate Game Launcher
Many players confirm that downloading, installing, and running the Battlestate Game Launcher can fix Escape from Tarkov not launching. Applying this potential fix will reinstall that launcher, which can resolve file corruption and permission issues. So, try downloading and installing the Battlestate Game Launcher like this:
- First, open this Escape from Tarkov page.
- Click the user profile option there.
- Select the Log in option.
- Input your email and password and click Log In.
- Click the Settings button in your profile.
- Next, click on Downloadable content.
- Press the Download option for the Battlestate Games Launcher.
The Download option for Escape from Tarkov
- Open the folder containing the downloaded Battlestate Games Launcher file.
- Then, double-click the BsgLauncher.exe file to run it.
- Go through the setup wizard steps to install the launcher. Select the Launch Battlestate Games Launcher, and click the Finish button.
The Battlestate Games Launcher setup wizard
- The launcher will then automatically start. Log in to the Battlestate Games Launcher with the same account you signed into on the website.
- Then, start your Steam software and try launching the game from there.
Clear the Download Cache for Steam
Clearing Steam’s download cache has worked for some users who’ve needed to fix Escape from Tarkov not launching. Applying this troubleshooting method might erase corrupted data that’s interfering with the game’s startup. This page on the Steam site tells you how users can select the Clear Cache option to apply this potential fix.
The Clear Cache option
Temporarily Disable Antivirus Shields
Some antivirus shields can prevent Escape from Tarkov from starting by wrongly flagging that game. To ensure this can’t happen, try temporarily disabling whatever antivirus software you have installed. This Microsoft page explains how you can turn off the Real-time protection setting for the pre-installed Windows antivirus. If you have a third-party utility, right-click its system tray icon and select a disable option for it from there.
The Real-time protection option
Note that I don’t recommend leaving your antivirus permanently disabled if this potential fix works. Turn the antivirus software back on after playing Escape from Tarkov. Or add a Tarkov game installation folder exclusion to your antivirus software.
Disable NVIDIA Smooth Motion
The Battlestate developers recommend that players disable NVIDIA Smooth Motion to fix Escape from Tarkov not launching. That feature can conflict with Tarkov’s game engine or anti-cheat system. This is how you can disable NVIDIA Smooth Motion:
- Open the NVIDIA App on your PC. If you don’t have that app, you can download it from here.
- Next, select the Global Settings tab.
- Select Off for the Smooth Motion option.
The Smooth Motion option
Run Escape From Tarkov With Admin Rights
Games sometimes don’t start because they don’t have sufficient system permissions. To address that possible cause, try setting Escape from Tarkov to start with admin rights. These are the steps for running Escape from Tarkov with administrator rights:
- Open the C:\Program Files\Escape_From_Tarkov installation folder for the game.
- Click the Escape_From_Tarkov.exe with the mouse’s right button to select Properties > Compatibility.
- Select Run this program as an administrator to enable that setting.
The Compatibility tab
- Then, click on Apply and OK to set the options as selected.
- Double-click the Escape_From_Tarkov.exe file to launch the game.
Apply a Clean Boot
Finally, try clean booting your PC to fix Escape from Tarkov not launching. Applying this troubleshooting method might disable a third-party app or service that’s conflicting with the game. The Microsoft guide on this page tells you how users can clean boot Windows PCs.
The Services tab in the System Configuration window
Other Possible Ways to Fix Escape From Tarkov Not Launching
If Escape from Tarkov doesn’t start after applying all potential fixes above, there are more troubleshooting methods you can try. These are some more potential fixes for that game not starting:
- Erase the Local.ini and Shared.ini files in the Documents > Escape from Tarkov folder.
- Select the Borderless Display mode option within the Settings tab of Tarkov’s launcher.
- Erase the Logs folder at this location: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Battlestate GamesBsg\BsgLauncher\Logs.
- Reinstall the Escape from Tarkov game.
- Update the system drivers on your PC with freeware software like Driver Booster.
I hope those potential remedies fix Escape from Tarkov not launching on your PC. Although not necessarily guaranteed to work for everybody, some players have fixed Tarkov not launching by applying those troubleshooting methods. If you need to ask somebody for more potential fixes, contact the game’s help service at su*****@**************es.com.
