7 Ways to Fix Forza Motorsport Not Launching on a Windows PC

Forza Motorsport is the eighth installment in its series, that’s had some rave reviews. However, some players can’t play this racing game on PCs because of startup issues. A player said this on Reddit, “Forza Motorsport Crashes Starting Up the Game… Just like the title states, after the newest update, the game immediately crashes after starting up on PC Steam.” This is how you can fix Forza Motorsport not launching on Windows PCs.

Set Forza Motorsport to Run in Admin Mode

A few players who’ve needed to fix Forza Motorsport not launching confirm they fixed it by setting the game to run with admin rights. This potential fix is more applicable to Steam players who can access the game’s installation folder. Steam players can set Forza Motorsport to run with elevated privileges like this:

1. Go into File Explorer and open the Steam\steamapps\common\Forza Motorsport directory.
2. Right-click the forza_steamworks_release_final.exe file to select Properties.
3. Select Compatibility > Run this program as an administrator within the window that opens.
   
   

   The Run this program as an administrator option

4. Click Apply > OK to set what options you’ve selected.

Run Forza Motorsport in Compatibility Mode

Running Forza Motorsport in compatibility mode has also fixed the game not launching for some players. Players confirm that selecting the Windows 8 compatibility option worked for them. This is how you can run Forza Motorsport in compatibility mode.

1. Go through the first two steps of the previous resolution.
2. Select Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 8 inside that option’s drop-down menu.
   
   

   The Run this program in compatibility mode for checkbox

3. Save the options you’ve selected by clicking Apply and OK.

Verify or Repair the Game

Verifying games is often a recommended troubleshooting method for startup issues because applying this potential fix can sometimes repair corrupted files. It’s also easy to apply this resolution, as Steam includes an option for verifying. You can verify Forza Motorsport with Steam, as covered on this help page.

The Verify integrity option

If you’ve installed Forza Motorsport from the Microsoft Store, you can try repairing the app with Settings. Settings includes Repair and Reset options for troubleshooting installed apps. You can select those options for Forza Motorsport by going through the steps on this Microsoft page.

Repair System Files

Corrupted Windows files can also be a cause for Forza Motorsport not starting. To address this potential cause, try running the System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management tools. You can apply this possible fix by executing commands for those tools as covered on this Microsoft help page.

The sfc /scannow command

Disable the Nahimic Service

Many FM players have confirmed that disabling the Nahimic Service can fix Forza Motorsport not launching. Nahimic is an audio enhancement driver that users can disable. You can disable the Nahimic Service via MSConfig like this:

1. To activate the Run dialog, simultaneously press the Windows logo and R buttons on your keyboard.
2. Enter the msconfig command into Run and press Return.
3. Select Services > Hide all Microsoft services within the System Configuration window.
   
   

   The System Configuration window

4. Unselect the checkbox for the Nahimic service.
5. Select Apply to set the new service setting.
6. Press OK to exit System Configuration.
7. Restart Windows to finish applying this potential fix.

Update Graphics Drivers

FM players have confirmed that updating graphical drivers can sometimes resolve the issue of Forza Motorsport not launching. If you haven’t updated your graphics driver in a while, then this potential solution could be worth trying. Check out our guide to updating graphical drivers for details about how to apply this possible fix.

The NVIDIA driver download page

Reset Windows

Resetting Windows is a drastic potential resolution that’s worked for some players looking for a way to fix Forza Motorsport not launching. I recommend trying all other possible fixes first because applying this potential resolution will remove all software you’ve installed (including Steam and games) when resetting Windows to default settings. This Microsoft page provides step-by-step guidelines for how to reset Windows.

The Recovery tab

Other Possible Ways to Fix Forza Motorsport Not Launching

The possible fixes above are more widely confirmed to fix Forza Motorsport not launching. However, these extra potential fixes might also get that game started for some players:

• Turn off overlays in Steam, Discord, and GeForce Experience.
• If you have installed the MS Store version of Forza Motorsport, try resetting Microsoft Store by entering wsreset.exe in Run or the Windows search box.
• Disable startup third-party apps and services with the clean-boot troubleshooting method covered on this Microsoft website page.
• Add Forza Motorsport to the exclusion list for Windows Security or third-party antivirus alternatives.

Applying the troubleshooting methods discussed in this guide will probably fix Forza Motorsport not launching for the majority of FM players. We don’t promise guaranteed fixes, but the resolutions above have worked for many players. You can also send a support ticket to the game’s help service for further assistance by clicking the Create a Ticket button on this Forza page.