If you’re on PC, you’ve probably looked into using mods after getting through the main game, especially if you feel certain features are missing, like a New Game Plus mode. Like most modders, you’re likely using a Mod Manager—a tool that helps you organize and choose which mods you want to load each time you launch the game. If Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t launching when you use your Mod Manager, keep reading for some straightforward fixes. If BG3 won’t launch, you’re definitely not alone. Many players have run into this, often unsure what’s going wrong. Here are some common causes and ways you can fix them:
1. Incompatible Mod Files
This is one of the most likely causes, since we’re working with mods. Try launching the game with just one mod enabled at a time, and go through each mod to see which one might be the problem. You should also try running the game with no mods loaded (vanilla settings) to check if a mod has changed a critical game file. For many users, the culprit was the Achievement Enabler mod—but this mod has since been updated to fix the issue. Since there are so many mods for BG3, it’s important to double-check that any mods you download are up to date and compatible with your current version of the game. Outdated or incompatible mods can easily cause launching issues.
2. Launching the Game as Admin
It might seem like running the game as an administrator is the safest bet, but in this case, that can actually be what’s causing your launch issues. When you use a mod manager, it often skips the “Run as admin” prompt, which can block the game from opening properly. You can easily turn off this setting using these steps:
3. Old Mod Settings Being Applied
Don’t worry if you accidentally installed a bad mod—it’s a common experience for modders. However, some mods can cause bigger problems by changing important game files, which sometimes can only be fixed by reinstalling the game. If you still can’t launch the game even after deleting a mod, old mod settings might be causing the issue. Mod settings are often stored in separate files in a few different locations. You need to find a file named “modsettings.lsx” in the following locations. Use the Run command (Windows + R) to quickly get to these folders: When you press Enter, File Explorer should open. Use the search function to quickly find the “modsettings.lsx” file and delete it. Then, try launching the game again using your mod manager.
4. Corrupted Game Files
Many users have fixed this issue by verifying their game files. Some mods, especially if they’re not up to date, can accidentally remove or alter important game files and make the game unstable.
5. Game Folder and Files Are in a Read-Only State
This one isn’t very common, but it does happen. If you’ve recently updated BG3, the update may have accidentally set your game folders and files to read-only. When this happens, the game can’t accept new mods because it can’t change any files—making it impossible to get things running right.
