7 Ways to Fix Elder Scrolls Online Not Launching on Windows PCs

Some players can’t play Elder Scrolls Online because of startup issues affecting that game or its launcher. For example, one ESO player said this on Steam’s forum, “I installed the game, and when I try to launch it, it starts an Install prompt which loads up to 100% and then just closes without any error or notice and won’t even open the ESO launcher.” Many players report the ESO launcher doesn’t open, but others say they can’t start the game with the launcher. This is how you can fix Elder Scrolls Online not launching on Windows 11/10 PCs.

Close Background Apps in the System Tray

ESO players confirm that closing background apps interfering with the game can fix Elder Scrolls Online not launching. To do that, try closing all unneeded third-party apps shown in the system tray area by right-clicking them and selecting Exit or equivalent option. Some users may need to click a small up arrow on the taskbar by the Windows 11/10 taskbar clock to see system tray apps. These are some of the apps users say they’ve closed to fix ESO not starting:

• RivaTuner
• Overwolf
• MSI Afterburner
• NVIDIA Settings (GeForce Experience and control panel)

Program icons in the system tray

However, there are other ways you can disable unneeded background apps. For example, clean booting Windows 11/10 will prevent many programs and services from automatically starting. Microsoft’s clean boot page provides instructions for how users can apply that troubleshooting method to remove apps and services from the Windows startup.

Extract the Launcher Folder

Another confirmed way to fix Elder Scrolls Online not launching is to extract the Launcher folder into the game’s installation directory. This is primarily a resolution for fixing the EOS launcher not starting from Stream. To apply this potential resolution, download and install the freely available 7-Zip extraction utility. You can extract the Launcher folder with 7-Zip like this.

1. Open the Temp folder by pressing the Windows logo + R hotkey, entering %temp%, and clicking OK.
2. Next, look for a group of numerical folders, such as I1487064677, like those shown in the snapshot directly below.
   
   

   The Temp folder

3. Click any one of those numerical folders to open the Install Data > Disk 1 > InstData subfolders.
4. Right-click the Resource1.zip file and select Open with.
   
   

   The Resource1.zip archive

5. Click Choose another app and select 7-Zip.
6. Open the Project_DIR > src_path folders in the Resource1 archive within 7-Zip.
7. Select the Launcher folder and click Extract.
8. Click the … button to extract the Launcher folder to the desktop.
9. Move the extracted Launcher folder on the desktop into the Zinimax Online folder for Elder Scrolls by dragging and dropping it. Steam users can find the Zinimax folder at the SteamLibrary > steamapps > common directory path.
   
   

   The Zenimax folder

10. Double-click the Bethestada.net_Launcher.exe file in the Launcher folder.

Install DirectX Components

Elder Scrolls Online launch issues can occur when required DirectX components are missing for that game. You can install missing components with the DirectX setup wizard in the Zenimax Online folder like this.

1. First, click the taskbar shortcut to open File Explorer (the folder library icon).
2. Open ESO’s Zenimax installation folder. If installed with Steam, that folder will probably be at this default path: SteamLibrary > steamapps > common > Zenimax Online.
3. Open the _CommonRedist > DirectX > June2010 subfolders in the Zenimax Online directory.
   
   

   The DXSETUP file

4. Double-click the DXSETUP file in the June2010 folder.
5. Click I accept within the DirectX setup wizard window.
6. Press Next to initiate the installation of components.
   
   

   The DirectX setup window

Repair Visual C++ Packages

Corrupted or missing Visual C++ packages required by the game can also cause ESO startup issues. Some players might be able to fix Elder Strolls Online not launching by repairing or installing such packages. This is how you can repair Visual C++ packages required for the game.

1. Open the Zenimax Online installation directory for Elder Scrolls Online.
2. Click the _CommonRedist > vcredist > 2010 subfolders.
3. Double-click the vcredist_x64 file in the 2010 subfolders.
4. Select the Repair or Install option and click Next.
   
   

   The vcredist_x64 file

5. Repeat the previous two steps for the vcredist_x86 file.

Delete the ProgramData Folder

Elder Scrolls Online can fail start because of Corrupted data in the ProgramData folder. Deleting that folder will clear its data and could fix ElderScrolls Online not launching for some players. These are the steps for deleting the ProgramData folder.

1. Go to the Zinimax Online installation folder for the game.
2. Open the Launcher subfolder from there.
3. Right-click the ProgramData folder and select Delete.

Add Elder Scrolls Online to Windows Defender Firewall’s Allowed List

Adding ESO to Windows Defender Firewall’s allowed list can fix Elder Scrolls Online not launching, as confirmed by players. You can add Elder Scrolls Online to that firewall as instructed on this Microsoft WDF help page. Select to add the eso64.exe and Bethesda.net_Launcher.exe files to that firewall and select the Public/Private checkboxes for them.

The allowed list for Windows Defender Firewall

Apply a Network Reset

Resetting your PC’s network settings can fix connection issues affecting ESO’s startup. Doing this will restore network settings to default and reinstall adapters. These are the steps for applying a network reset.

1. Click the search box on the Start menu or taskbar.
2. Enter network reset into the search box and click the matching search result.
3. Click Reset now to apply.
   
   

   The Reset now button

4. Select Yes to give your confirmation.

Other Possible Ways to Fix Elder Scrolls Online Not Launching

If ESO still doesn’t launch after applying the troubleshooting methods above, there are other things you can try to kick-start the game. These are some additional ways you might be able to fix Elder Scrolls Online not launching.

• If you can access the ESO launcher, try selecting its Repair option as covered on this Elder Scrolls help page.
• Update the graphical driver for your video display card.
• Set Steam and the ESO game to run with administrator rights.
• Clear Steam’s download cache, which this help page provides instructions for.

Those potential resolutions will likely fix Elder Scrolls Online not launching on many players’ PCs. They are resolutions that can fix the game or its launcher not starting. You can also submit a support ticket to ESO’s help service if more potential fixes are required by following the instructions on the Elder Scrolls page.