Football Manager 2024 is the best footie management simulator that some players can’t play because of startup bugs. For instance, this is what a player said on the Sports Interactive forum, “When I try to launch FM24, it goes to stop but then goes back to play and nothing happens.” Other players report that error messages pop up when they try to start FM24. This is how to fix Football Manager 2024 not launching on Windows PCs.
Verify the Football Manager 2024 Files
Verifying the Football Manager 2024 game files is a straightforward potential fix to apply. Selecting the Verify option in Steam or Epic Games will scan the game’s files and repair corrupted ones. These Steam support and Epic Games pages provide instructions for verifying game files with the alternative client software.
The Verify option
Disable Compatibility Mode For Steam
SEGA recommends that players disable compatibility mode for Steam to fix Football Manager 2024 not launching. This Steam page for disabling compatibility mode tells you how users can apply this possible fix. I recommend unselecting the Run this program in compatibility mode option for FM24 first, as some players have confirmed it has worked for them. If that’s not enough, try unselecting all other checkboxes on the Compatibility tab.
The Compatibility tab and options
You can also try applying the same potential fix for Epic Games Launcher. Open your Epic Games Launcher folder and then right-click the EpicGamesLauncher.exe file to select Properties > Compatibility. Then, unselect the compatibility settings from there.
Disable or Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus Software
A few players confirm that removing third-party antivirus apps can fix Football Manager 2024 not launching. Is there a third-party antivirus program on your PC? If so, try right-clicking the antivirus tool’s system tray icon and selecting an option for disabling its shield. However, uninstalling the antivirus software, with a method on this Microsoft page, will ensure it can’t interfere with FM24.
Rename the Football Manager 2024 Folder
Renaming the FM24 folder is one of the widely confirmed ways to fix Football Manager 2024 not launching. Changing that folder’s name will refresh the data in it. This is how you can rename the Football Manager 2024 folder:
- Bring up File Explorer and go to the Documents > Sports Interactive folder.
- Right-click the Football Manager 2024 folder to select Rename.
The Rename option
- Enter Football Manager 2024.old in the text box and press Return.
Move the Preferences and Caches Folders
SEGA advises players to move the Preferences and Caches folders for FM24 out of the Football Manager 2024 folder to fix the game getting stuck on loading. Applying this possible fix will regenerate new Preferences and Caches folders and reset settings. Move the Preferences and Caches folders like this:
- Click the File Explorer taskbar icon and go to the C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2024 folder.
- Next, click the Preferences folder and hold the mouse button to drag that directory onto the desktop area.
The Preferences and Caches folders
- Repeat the previous step to move the Caches folder onto the desktop.
Clear Steam’s Download Cache
Clearing the Steam download is another possible way to fix Football Manager 2024 that’s worked for some FM24 players. Steam recreates cached data after applying this possible fix. You can clear Steam’s download cache by going through the steps on this support page.
Reinstall FM24
Finally, try reinstalling your FM24 game if it still doesn’t start after trying everything above. If cloud save is enabled, you won’t lose game saves by applying this possible resolution. You can reinstall Football Manager 2024 like this:
Steam
- Run Steam to select Library inside the client software.
- Right-click Football Manager 2024 to select the Manage > Uninstall context menu options.
- Click Uninstall to remove.
The Uninstall option in Steam
- Press the Install button for your uninstalled FM24 game in Steam to reinstall it.
Epic Games
- Start your Epic Game Client to view its Library tab.
- Next, click FM24’s … menu button to select Uninstall twice.
The Uninstall option in Epic Games
- To reinstall, click the thumbnail image for Football Manager 2024 and select Install.
Applying the troubleshooting methods above will often fix Football Manager 2024 not launching on Windows PCs. However, there aren’t any guaranteed ways to fix FM24 launching. If you still need more resolutions for FM24 not starting, you can send a support ticket to the game’s help service from this Sports Interactive page.
