Image: Arrowhead Game Studios
The highly-anticipated sequel to Helldivers has finally been released on PC. However, the launch has been met with some issues, particularly for PC players. In this article, we’ll explore the problem of Helldivers 2 not launching on Steam and how you can fix it.
How to fix Helldivers 2 not launching on Steam
Many PC players were excited to start their Helldivers 2 journey, only to encounter a frustrating issue – a black screen shortly before the game closes unexpectedly, rendering it unplayable. This has, understandably, led to some negative reviews and refunds from disgruntled players.
Related: Does Helldivers 2 have a campaign?
While this problem is being looked into by the developers, there are a few solutions you can try to resolve this issue.
Helldivers 2 not launching on Steam – Windows 11 fix
If you’re on Windows 11 and encountering a black screen on startup, there might be an issue with your Steam’s input settings. You can try fixing this by following these steps:
- Open Steam and go to your “Library”
- Right-click on Helldivers 2 and go to “Properties”
- Navigate to the “Controller” tab and click on the drop-down menu
- Select “Disable Steam Input”
Following these steps should resolve the issue for Windows 11 users. If you’re on a different Windows version and still experiencing the problem, there are other troubleshooting steps to consider.
Update graphics drivers
One of the initial things you can do is to ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date. For Nvidia users, you can check the GeForce Experience application or the official website to see if your graphics card needs an update.
Once you’ve obtained the update, go ahead and install it. A restart might be necessary to complete the installation. After this, attempt to launch Helldivers 2 to check if the problem has been resolved.
Related: Does Helldivers 2 have a couch co-op mode?
Run Helldivers 2 as administrator
If the previous solution didn’t work, you can try running Helldivers 2 as an administrator. This can be done by navigating to your Steam Library, right-clicking Helldivers 2, and selecting “Browse Local Files.”
From the local files, locate the .exe application for Helldivers 2, right-click it, and choose “Launch as Administrator.” By doing so, you’re giving priority to the application which might help bypass the issue.
If none of these methods work for you, it’s likely that you’ll need to wait for further updates or patches from the developers. Resolving the Helldivers 2 not launching on Steam issue can be a complex problem, and multiple attempts might be needed. We keep our fingers crossed that you’ll soon be able to enjoy the game without further hindrances.