How to Fix Hunt: Showdown 1896 Not Launching on a Windows PC

Hunt: Showdown 1896 is a popular extraction shooter, but some players can’t play because of startup issues. One player’s Reddit post says, “Go to open the game [Showdown 1896], and the mini opening screen pops up, says ‘initializing’ blue bar across the bottom loads, then the game just…shuts down.” This is how you can fix Hunt: Showdown 1896 not launching on PCs.

1. Run the Game With Admin Rights

Run HuntGame.exe as an administrator from the install folder to give the executable elevated Windows permissions:

1. Open File Explorer and the Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > Hunt Showdown 1896 > bin > win x64 folder.
2. Right-click the HuntGame EXE file and select Properties > Compatibility.
3. Select Run this program as an administrator by clicking on the checkbox with that label.
   
   

   The Compatibility tab

4. To apply settings, click on Apply.
5. Select OK to exit the properties window.
6. Double-click the HuntGame EXE file to run it.

The HuntGame file

2. Set a -DX11 Launch Option

For older GPUs, force the game to use the DirectX 11 launch option. That launch parameter configures the game to bypass Direct12 by utilizing the Direct11 API. You can set a -DX11 launch parameter like this:

1. Open Steam and click Library in its tab bar.
2. Right-click the Hunt: Showdown 1896 game in the sidebar to select Properties.
3. Type -dx11 in the launch options text box on the General tab.
   
   

   The -dx11 launch option

4. If the game still doesn’t start, you can also try setting a -dx12 parameter for Hunt: Showdown 1896.

3. Verify the Showdown 1896 Game Files

Verify the game files through Steam to repair corrupted or missing installation files: 1. Open Steam and select Library. 2. Right-click Hunt: Showdown 1896 and select Properties. 3. Open Installed Files. 4. Select Verify integrity of game files. Steam scans the installation and replaces any damaged files it detects. This page on Steam’s website also provides guidelines for verifying game files. 

The Verify integrity button

4. Update Your Graphics Driver

Hunt: Showdown 1896 is based on a CryEngine platform for which some players might need to upgrade graphics drivers. Updating graphics drivers can fix Hunt: Showdown 1896 not launching by eliminating potential GPU compatibility conflicts. Our guide to updating graphical drivers provides guidelines for applying this troubleshooting method.

The NVIDIA graphics driver page

5. Delete the USER Folder to Reset Settings

Misconfigured game settings are a potential cause for Showdown 1896 not starting. Deleting the USER folder resets the game’s local settings to default. This is how you can erase the USER folder:

1. Press the Windows logo + E hotkey to activate File Explorer.
2. Open the Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > Hunt: Showdown 1896 folder directory path.
3. Right-click the USER folder and select Delete.

The USER folder

6. Reinstall Hunt: Showdown 1896 on SSD

If the main fixes do not get the game past startup, run through these quick secondary checks before contacting support:

1. Open Steam and go to Library.
2. Right-click Hunt: Showdown 1896 and select Manage > Uninstall.
3. Select Uninstall again to remove the game. 
   
   

   The Uninstall option

4. Select Hunt: Showdown 1896 in your Library and click Install.
5. Choose an SSD install location.
6. Click Install to reinstall the game.

7. Other Ways to Fix Hunt: Showdown 1896 Not Launching

If the game still doesn’t start, there might be more potential ways to kick-start Showdown 1896 beyond those above. Try applying these additional ways to fix Hunt: Showdown 1896 not launching:

• Add the Hunt: Showdown 1896 game folder to antivirus exclusion lists.
• Unplug unneeded peripheral devices, such as gamepads, connected to your PC before starting the game.
• Set a dedicated high-performance GPU for Hunt: Showdown 1896 if your PC has a couple of graphics cards.
• Turn off overlays in software like Steam, NVIDIA app, Discord, and AMD Software: Adrenalin.

If none of these fixes get the game launching, open the official Hunt support page and select Please log in for support to request help with your specific startup issue.