Forza Horizon 4 is a popular racing game some players can’t play when it doesn’t start on their Windows PCs. For example, a player said this about Horizon 4 not launching on Reddit, “Forza Horizon 4 PC won’t launch through Steam… I can’t launch the game without it crashing on the mini splash screen thing.” The Horizon 4 game can fail to launch in different ways for various reasons. This is how you can fix Forza Horizon 4 not launching on Windows PCs.
Delete the TargetHardwareProfiler.dll File
Many players say they were able to fix Forza Horizon 4 not launching by erasing the TargetHardwareProfiler.dll file. This potential fix is more specifically for the Steam version of Horizon 4 because you’ll need to access the game’s installation folder to apply it. Steam players can delete the TargetHardwareProfiler.dll like this.
- Run Steam to click on its Library tab.
- Right-click Forza Horizon 4 in the sidebar to select Manage > Browse for local files.
- Click the TargetHardwareProfiler.dll file in the ForzaHorizon4 folder, which opens with the right mouse button to select Delete.
The TargetHardwareProfiler.dll file
Turn Off Bluetooth
Players confirm turning off Bluetooth can sometimes fix Forza Horizon 4 not launching. Note that turning off Bluetooth will disable any Bluetooth devices connected to your PC. This Microsoft page about disabling Bluetooth tells you how to apply this possible fix.
The Bluetooth option
Add Forza Horizon 4 to Antivirus Exclusions
Adding Forza Horizon 4 to antivirus exclusion lists is another potential fix for Horizon 4 not starting players confirmed to have worked for them. Applying this possible solution will exclude Horizon 4 from antivirus shields that can flag files for that game. Add the whole Horizon 4 installation folder to the Windows Security exclusion list as instructed on this Microsoft help page. Alternatively, add that game folder to the exception list for any third-party security app on your PC.
The Add an exclusion button
Uninstall the AMD Adrenalin Software
Is AMD Adrenalin installed on your Windows PC? If so, try uninstalling that software from your PC, which is a potential resolution that’s worked for some players who’ve needed to fix Forza Horizon 4 not launching. You can remove AMD Adrenalin via the Apps & features part of Settings, as outlined on this Microsoft support page.
The Library tab in MS Store
Disable Development Mode
Disabling development mode is an official resolution from the Forza Support Team confirmed to work by some Horizon 4 players. To disable that mode, you’ll need to execute a PowerShell command like this.
- To find PowerShell, press the Windows logo + S key. Then, input a PowerShell search phrase into the text box.
- Right-click Windows PowerShell to start that app by selecting Run as administrator.
- Copy this long command by selecting its text and pressing Ctrl + C: Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}.
The PowerShell command for disabling development mode.
- Click inside the PowerShell window and press Ctrl + V hotkey to paste the command in. Press Enter to execute the command for disabling development mode.
- Exit PowerShell and restart Windows.
Disable or Uninstall Conflicting Background Apps
Forza support confirms at least 14 third-party software packages (not including security apps) can cause Horizon 4 startup issues. It is recommended to either disable those apps from running in the background or uninstall them to fix Forza 4 not launching. These are the apps that can cause Horizon 4 software conflict:
- MSI Afterburner
- Sonic Audio
- Nahimic (sound driver)
- MacType
- Xsplit
- OBS
- EVGA Precision
- Logitech G Hub
- Warsaw Banking App
- WeMod
- Interception (driver)
- SeeThroughWindows
- Wallpaper Engine
- A-Volute Sound studio
The System Configuration window
Applying a clean boot will likely disable most of those apps from automatically starting with Windows. The clean boot troubleshooting method disables all third-party startup apps and services, which often resolves software conflicts. This Microsoft help page includes instructions for applying the clean boot troubleshooting method.
Reinstall Forza Horizon 4
Reinstall Forza Horizon 4 if the game still doesn’t start after trying other potential solutions. Reinstalling this racing game will refresh its files. You can reinstall the Horizon 4 game via Steam or MS Store like this.
Steam
- Run Steam and select Library within that software’s tab bar.
- Right-click your Forza Horizon 4 game to select Manage > Uninstall.
Steam’s Uninstall option
- Press Uninstall again when asked to confirm.
- Go back into the Library tab, select Horizon 4, and click Install.
- Press Install again to finish.
MS Store
- Uninstall the Horizon 4 MS Store app via Apps & features in Settings.
- Open the Microsoft Store app on your PC.
- Click Library to view previously installed apps.
The Library tab in MS Store
- Press the download option for Forza Horizon 4.
Other Possible Ways to Fix Forza Horizon 4 Not Launching
If Forza Horizon 4 still isn’t starting on your PC, there are other troubleshooting methods you can try. Some of these additional possible fixes might also kick-start that game.
- Reset the Microsoft Store you installed Forza Horizon 4 from there by entering and executing the WSRESET command in the Windows search tool.
- Disable overlay features in software like Discord, GeForce Experience, and Steam.
- Make sure the date and time are set correctly on your PC (for your native time) if you’ve installed Horizon 4 via MS Store. To do this, turn on the Set time zone automatically option if it is disabled.
- Install a new graphical driver for your PC’s GPU with a method covered in our guide to updating graphics drivers.
The potential resolutions above will probably fix Forza Horizon 4 not launching on most players’ PCs. They are some of the most widely confirmed ways to fix that game when it doesn’t start. If you need more fixes, click the Create a ticket on this Forza Support page to contact the game’s help service.
