7 Ways to Fix The Division 2 Not Launching on a Windows PC

The Division 2 is a popular tactical shooter game for Windows PC, but it is also renowned for its bugs and technical issues. Some players report that The Division 2 doesn’t start when they try to play it. For example, this is what one D2 player reported on Reddit, “The Division 2 will not launch, and I’m met with ‘Oh no it crashed’ every single time. ” This is how you can fix The Division 2 not launching on Windows PCs.

Run The Division 2 as an Administrator

Running TD 2 as an administrator is a way to fix The Division 2 not launching for some players, as it worked for them. Applying this possible fix ensures the game has the required read/write privileges. You can run The Division 2 with elevated rights like this:

1. First, go to this folder location in Explorer: C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\games\Tom Clancy’s The Division 2.
2. Right-click on the TheDivision2.exe file there to select Properties.
3. Select Run this program as an administrator inside the Compatibility tab that opens.
   
   

   The Run this program as an administrator option

4. Click Apply to save the configured settings.
5. Select OK to close the properties window for The Division 2.
6. Double-click the TheDivision2.exe file in its folder to start the game.

Set Compatibility Mode for The Division 2

If setting The Division 2 to run with admin rights doesn’t work for you, try setting the game to start in compatibility mode. This potential resolution might work better for players with older PCs and Windows platforms, such as Windows 8. These are the steps for setting compatibility mode for The Division 2:

1. Go through steps one and two of the preceding potential resolution.
2. Then, select the checkbox for Run this program in compatibility mode in the Compatibility tab.
3. Choose Windows 8 in the drop-down menu.
   
   

   The Run this program in compatibility mode option

4. Click Apply, then OK.

Run the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

Running the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer is a potential way to fix The Division 2 not launching, as it might restore corrupted or missing DirectX runtime files. The DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer will ensure that all the necessary and required DirectX components are on your PC. You can run the that DirectX installer like this:

1. Open this Microsoft page for the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
2. Click the Download option there.
3. Open the folder containing the downloaded dxwebsetup.exe file.
4. Double-click the dxwebsetup.exe file.
5. Click on the I accept radio button.
   
   

   The DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

6. Select Next to proceed.
7. If you don’t want a Bing Bar, unselect the checkbox for that software.
8. Click Next to install.

Disable the Ubisoft Connect Overlay

Many players confirm that disabling the Ubisoft Connect overlay can fix The Division 2 not launching. That overlay can cause conflicts with Division 2’s anticheat software. This Ubisoft support page tells you how players can disable that overlay.

The overlay setting in Ubisoft Connect

Try Starting the Game With the TheDivision2Launcher.exe File

Some players confirm that starting Division 2 with its TheDivision2Launcher.exe file can fix the game not starting. You can find that file in the Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 installation folder for The Division 2. Then, double-click the TheDivision2Launcher file.

TheDivision2 EXE file

Verify The Division 2’s Game Files

If The Division 2 has corrupted files, which might be why it doesn’t start for some players, running a verification scan will probably repair them. Steam and the Ubisoft Connect launcher include verification troubleshooting options. You can run a verification scan for The Division 2 by going through the steps on these Steam or Ubisoft Connect pages.

The Verify integrity of game files option

Reinstall Ubisoft Connect and The Division 2

Reinstalling Ubisoft Connect and The Division 2 is another player-confirmed way to fix The Division 2 not launching. Applying this possible fix will update the game, repair files, and ensure all required components are installed. This support page tells you how players can reinstall the Ubisoft Connect software. Select to uninstall The Division 2 with Ubisoft Connect, then reinstall the game thereafter.

The Programs and Features Control Panel applet

Other Possible Ways to Fix The Division 2 Not Launching

There are other alternative ways that might kick-start The Division 2, not launching beyond those above. If Division 2 still doesn’t start, try applying these troubleshooting methods:

• Disable overlay features in apps like Steam, GeForce Experience, Discord, and AMD. Then, close those background apps before you try to start the game.
• Update the graphical driver for your PC’s GPU, as covered in this KeenGamer article.
• Set Ubisoft Connect to run with administrator rights, and try starting the game from there rather than Steam.
• Download and install the latest X64 Visual C++ Redistributables for Visual Studio 2017-2026 from this Microsoft page.

I hope you fix The Division 2 not launching on your PC with one of the troubleshooting methods above. They are more widely confirmed potential resolutions for kick-starting Division 2 that have worked for other players. If you need more ways to fix the game not starting, click Contact Us on this Ubisoft help page.

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