Dota 2 remains one of the most widely played Steam games 10 years after its release. Yet, some players can’t play Dota 2 because that game doesn’t start on their PCs. For example, one D2 player said this on Reddit, “Whenever I start the game, Steam just shows that Dota 2 is ‘running’ and then the app just doesn’t open.” Other players report Dota 2 crashing shortly after the loading screen or showing a black screen. This is how you may be able to fix Dota 2 not launching on Windows 11/10 PCs.
Verify Dota 2
To verify a game means to scan its files and repair any corrupted ones. Steam has a Verify troubleshooting option with which you can scan any game. Try repairing Dota 2’s files by following the instructions on Steam’s game verification guide page.
The Verify integrity option in Steam
Set a High Launch Command for Dota 2
Some players have confirmed setting a -high launch parameter for D2 can fix Dota 2 not launching. You can apply this possible solution by entering that parameter into Steam’s Launch Options box as follows.
- Open the Steam gaming client to go into that app’s Library tab.
- Right-click Dota 2 in the game sidebar to select Properties.
- Click in the Launch Options box on the General tab.
The Launch Options text box in Steam
- Input -high -windowed in the Launch Options box.
D2 players have also confirmed -autoconfig and –prewarm launch parameters can fix Dota 2 when it’s not starting. Steam support also recommends inputting the -autoconfig launch command for resolving Dota 2 startup issues. So, try entering those alternative parameters into the Launch Options box for D2 if the -high one doesn’t work for you.
Clear Steam’s Download Cache
Steam has a download cache that can cause gaming startup issues to arise when it includes corrupted data. So, clearing that cache can sometimes fix Steam games not launching. These are the steps for clearing Steam’s download cache.
- Run the Steam app.
- Click on the Steam menu to select its Settings option.
- Select Downloads to access the Clear Download Cache option.
- Press the Clear Download Cache button, and click OK to confirm.
The Clear Download Cache in Steam
Manually Update Windows 11/10
D2 players have said in Reddit posts that they were able to fix Dota 2 not launching by updating Windows 11/10. Updating Windows will install all available patches that can fix bugs and issues. Sometimes they also add new features to the Windows as well. This Microsoft support webpage tells you how users can check for and install available Windows updates.
The Check for updates button
Add Dota 2 to Windows Defender Firewall’s Allowed List
Windows Defender Firewall will block Dota 2 from establishing a connection if that game isn’t allowed through it. So, make sure Dota 2 is on the Windows Defender Firewall’s allowed list and permitted through it. You can access that firewall and add Dota 2 to it as outlined on this Microsoft help webpage. Add the EXE file for running Dota 2 to that firewall and select the Private/Public checkboxes for the game on the allowed list.
Windows Defender Firewall’s allowed list
Disable Third-Party Security Apps
D2 players have reported third-party antivirus utilities such as Norton flagging Dota 2, preventing that game from launching. These are usually false positive flags that arise when antivirus apps misidentify legitimate files to be malware. So, some players have needed to disable, remove, or reconfigure antivirus software to fix Dota 2 not launching.
If there’s a third-party antivirus tool on your PC, disable that app by clicking its system tray icons with the right mouse button to select an option for turning off its antivirus protection. You might also need to restore a quarantined Dota 2 EXE file. The best way to ensure a third-party antivirus package isn’t blocking Dota 2 from starting is to uninstall the security app.
Disable shield options for Avast Antivirus
Update Your Graphics Driver
Steam recommends players update graphics card drivers to fix general gaming issues. If your PC has an old graphics card driver on it, that’s certainly something you should try to fix Dota 2 not launching. These are the steps for manually updating a graphical driver.
- Press the Windows logo + S key combination, enter a dxdiag search phrase, and click the matching dxdiag app in the results. You can then see graphics card details for your PC by clicking Display in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool that opens.
- Go to the NVIDIA or AMD page for downloading graphics card drivers.
- Select the graphics card model shown on the Display tab within the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and click Submit or Search.
The NVIDIA driver download page
- Click on the button or option for downloading the required driver for your PC’s graphics card.
The Download option for a NVIDIA driver
- Open a File Explorer window by right-clicking Start and selecting the shortcut for that tool.
- Navigate to the folder that includes the video card driver you selected to download.
Double-click the downloaded NVIDIA/AMD driver package to open its setup window. You can then select to install the downloaded driver from there.
Select to restart your PC after installing the latest driver.
Other Possible Ways to Fix Dota 2 Not Launching on a Windows PC
The seven resolutions outlined above are more likely to fix Dota 2 not starting but aren’t guaranteed for all players. These are other ways you might be able to fix Dota 2 not launching.
- Reinstall the Dota 2 game.
- Set Windows 11 or 10 to clean boot, as outlined within this Microsoft webpage, and restart your PC.
- Configure Dota 2 to always run as an administrator via the Compatibility tab.
- Select to run Dota 2 in compatibility mode for Windows 8.
I hope one of those possible resolutions kick-starts Dota 2 on your PC. They are troubleshooting methods that have worked for players who’ve needed to fix Dota 2 not launching. However, this doesn’t mean they’ll work for everyone, and you can contact the D2 support team by submitting a ticket from this Valve page if more potential fixes are needed.
