Many players have reported that Palword doesn’t start on their PCs. For instance, one player’s Steam forum post says, “Palworld not launching… Is there anyone else experiencing no startup, only for it to crash back to a non-playing state in their Steam?” Yes, there have certainly been many more players who’ve needed to fix Palworld not starting. This is how you can fix Palworld not launching on Windows PCs.
Run Palworld With Administrator Rights
Some GamePass users have confirmed that running the game with admin rights can fix Palworld not launching. However, this potential fix can also work for Steam users. Game Pass users can apply this troubleshooting method by setting up a desktop shortcut for Palworld like this:
- First, open your Xbox app.
- Click the menu button for Palworld on the Game Pass tab to select Manage.
The Manage option in the Xbox app
- Next, click Create Desktop Shortcut on the General tab.
- Right-click the Palworld game desktop shortcut and select Run as administrator.
Steam users can apply this fix by opening Steam > steamapps > common > Palworld folder path in File Explorer. Right-click the Palworld.exe game file to select Properties > Compatibility > Run this program as administrator. Click Apply and OK to save the administrator option selected.
Clear the Cache Files for Palworld
Clearing Palworld’s cache files has worked for some players. Applying this fix might erase corrupted cache data. These are the steps for clearing Palworld’s cache files:
- Activate the Run dialog with the Windows logo key + R hotkey to access it.
- Enter %localappdata% inside Run.
- Right-click the Pal subfolder in the Local directory to select Delete.
The Pal folder
Disable Fullscreen Optimizations for Palworld
Disabling fullscreen optimizations is another confirmed way to fix Palword not launching on Windows PCs. This game, like all others, has fullscreen optimizations enabled by default. Steam users can turn off fullscreen optimization for that game like this:
- Press the Windows logo + E hotkey and go to the Steam > steamapps > common > Palworld directory path.
- Right-click the Palworld file and select Properties > Compatibility > Disable fullscreen optimizations.
The Disable fullscreen optimizations
- Select Apply > OK to set the compatibility options.
Set An Antivirus Exception for the Palworld Game File
Players have said on Reddit and the Steam forum that they fixed Palword not launching by setting an antivirus exception for the game’s file. Antivirus software, such as AVG and Avast, can stop the game from starting by flagging (quarantining) its files. If you’ve installed third-party antivirus, try adding the Palworld game file (or entire folder) to that software’s exclusion list.
Run Palworld in Windows 8 Compatibility Mode
Players who’ve set the game to run in Windows 8 compatibility mode confirm that it can fix Palworld not launching. Applying this fix sets Windows 11/10 to mimic the Win 8 platform for running the game. This is how you can run Palworld in Windows 8 compatibility mode:
- Open the installation folder for Palworld in File Explorer.
- Click the Palworld EXE file with the right button on your mouse to select Properties > Compatibility.
- Select Windows 8 on the Run this program in compatibility mode drop-down menu.
The Run this program in compatibility mode for option
- To save selected settings, click the window’s Apply and OK buttons.
Set Automatic Options for Xbox Services
Some players have needed to set automatic start settings for Xbox services to fix Palworld not launching. This potential solution will more likely work for Game Pass players who utilize the Xbox app. Try setting automatic options for Xbox services like this:
- Open Run and input services.msc inside it.
- Click OK to view the Services app.
- Scroll down to the Xbox services.
- Right-click an Xbox service, like Xbox Accessory Management Service, to select Properties.
- Select Automatic for the Startup type setting.
An Xbox service window
- Click the service’s Start button (if stopped).
- Press the service window’s Apply > OK buttons.
- Repeat the steps above for all other Xbox services in the Services window.
Reinstall Palworld
Reinstall Palworld as a last resort resolution. Applying this troubleshooting method can repair or restore game files. You can reinstall Palworld like this:
Steam
- Start Steam to select Library within that software’s window.
- Right-click Palworld and select Manage > Uninstall. Click on Uninstall again when prompted.
The Uninstall option in Steam
- To reinstall, click the Palworld game in your Steam library and select Install.
Xbox App
- Bring up the Xbox app and click My Library.
- Click Palworld with the right mouse button to select Manage.
- Select the Uninstall Game option.
The Uninstall Game option
- Then, select the Install option for Palworld in the Xbox app.
The ways to fix Palworld not launching covered above are some of the most widely confirmed troubleshooting methods for kick-starting that game. They are fixes players have tried applying and confirmed can work. You can also try asking the game’s support service for more potential fixes from this contact form page.
