Steam Games Won't Start

Steam is among the biggest and most popular digital distribution platforms for video games. It offers a host of useful features that allow users to stay connected with the communities surrounding a certain game, arrange their purchases in easy-to-navigate libraries, and even stream while they are playing. It is not uncommon for issues to arise, however, leaving users scrambling to find a solution. One of the worst things to happen is if a particular game bought through Steam now refuses to start. Several potential fixes for this issue are outlined below so check if any of them will manage to successfully fix the problem.

The first thing to do is to verify the integrity of the game's files. Doing so compares the files stored on your computer system with the latest version that is available on Steam's servers. If any mismatch is discovered, the difference will be fixed by downloading and replacing the missing or corrupted files. To start the process open Steam and go to your Library. Select the game that refuses to start, right-click it, and choose 'Properties' from the available options. In the window that opens, go to the 'Local Files' tab and click on the 'Verify integrity of game files…' button. Wait for the process to complete, restart your PC just in case, and try to launch the game.

If you are encountering a problem with an older game, then try running it in Compatibility Mode. This is a software mechanism capable of emulating older Windows versions that may allow otherwise incompatible software to work properly. To start the chosen game in Compatibility Mode, go to your Steam's installation folder. The default location is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam. Once inside, open the 'steam apps' folder followed by the 'Common' folder. Here you will see a list of all installed Steam games. Navigate to the one you are having issues with, right-click it and select 'Properties.' In the new window, open the 'Compatibility' tab. From the drop-down menu under the 'Compatibility mode' section select an older Windows version that you would wish to try. To save the changes, click on 'Apply' and then 'OK.' Try to launch the game.

If the issue still persists, check for new drivers for your GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). New driver versions often contain bug fixes and performance optimizations that might fix the problem.