Interference from third-party software aside, other contributing factors may include missing game files, absent redistributable components, and outdated device drivers.
1. Run Cyberpunk 2077 as an Administrator
DLL files are crucial for games as they contain instructions for proper game operation. If Cyberpunk 2077 is unable to access these files, it will not launch unless the game is configured to run with administrator permissions.
2. Allow Cyberpunk 2077 through Windows Firewall Settings
Configure Windows Defender Firewall to permit Cyberpunk 2077, thereby ensuring the firewall does not prevent the game from launching.
3. Launch the Game Directly from the Executable File
You can start Cyberpunk 2077 directly from the executable file, which can be particularly helpful if it doesn’t launch from a desktop shortcut or the Steam app.
4. Verify the Integrity of Game Files
Corrupted or missing game files can prevent Cyberpunk 2077 from launching. To fix this, verify the integrity of the game files to replace damaged files or retrieve any missing ones.
5. Move the Game to an SSD
A solid-state drive (SSD) is recommended for optimal performance of Cyberpunk 2077, which requires at least 70GB of disk space. If the game is installed on a hard disk drive (HDD), transferring it to an SSD may improve functionality due to the faster read/write speeds of SSDs.
6. Download and Install Microsoft Visual C++
Game crashes or launch failures are often caused by missing or incorrectly located Microsoft Visual C++ DLL files. It is advisable to download and install the latest version of Microsoft Visual C++ redistributables.
7. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Fullscreen optimizations, which combine the benefits of Full-Screen Exclusive (FSE) mode and borderless windowed mode, can sometimes collide with a game’s built-in optimizations, leading to crashes or launching problems. Disabling Windows’ fullscreen optimizations might solve the issue:
8. Clean Install Your Graphics Driver
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers often cause games to fail to launch. To address this, perform a clean installation of the graphics driver using an application like DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller), which removes drivers along with their registry entries.
9. Update Windows
Cyberpunk 2077 might also resist launching due to outdated device drivers or if your version of Windows is incompatible. The game requires Windows 10 version 1909 or later; hence, updating Windows is crucial.
10. Temporarily Disable Windows Defender Firewall or Third-Party Antivirus
Sometimes, Cyberpunk 2077 encounters launch issues due to the Windows Defender Firewall or third-party antivirus applications. Temporarily disabling them can be a potential workaround. Remember to reactivate the firewall and antivirus protections after troubleshooting.
10.1 Windows Defender Firewall
To turn off Windows Defender:
10.2 Third-Party Antivirus Software
To disable antivirus software: If none of these methods resolve the issue, consider reinstalling the game as a last resort. Although it is unlikely that the problem persists after the application of the aforementioned procedures, reinstalling is sometimes a necessary final step.
