7 Ways You Can Fix Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Not Launching on a Windows PC

Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains one of the most beloved RPGs for Windows even though it’s quite an old game. However, reports of Witcher 3 startup issues have increased since that game’s 2022 next-gen update. For example, one user said this on Steam’s forum, “After installing the Next-Gen Update, Witcher 3 isn’t starting at all on my computer anymore.” Thus, some players can’t enjoy the updated Witcher 3 because it doesn’t start. These are some ways players can fix Witcher 3: Wild Hunt not launching on Windows 11/10 PCs.

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Verify Witcher 3’s Files

To verify Witcher 3 means to scan and maybe repair some of its game files. You can apply this troubleshooting method by selecting options in Steam, Epic Games Launcher, and GOG Galaxy that verify game files. Check out these pages for details about how you can verify game files with those gaming clients:

• Verify Witcher 3 with Steam
• Verify Witcher 3 with Epic Games
• Verify Witcher 3 with GOG Galaxy

The Verify option in Epic Games Launcher

Adjust Compatibility Settings for Witcher 3

Players confirm selecting options to run Witcher 3 in compatibility mode with admin rights can fix that game when it doesn’t start. This will enable the game to run with full system access and within an emulated older Windows environment. You can set the compatibility settings for Witcher 3 as follows.
Click on the taskbar shortcut for accessing File Explorer and open the TheWitcher 3 installation folder.

1. Open the bin and x64 subfolders within Witcher 3’s installation directory.
2. Click the Witcher 3.exe file with the right button on your mouse to select Properties.
3. Next, press the Change settings for all users button on the Compatibility tab.
4. Click Run this program in compatibility mode to activate that setting’s drop-down menu.
5. Select Windows 7 on the drop-down menu.
   
   

   The Run this program as an administrator checkbox

6. Click Run this program as an administrator to add a checkmark to that checkbox.
7. Select Apply > OK within the Compatibility for all users tab.
8. Click OK to exit the primary properties window.

Install Visual C++ Redistributable Packages

Updating Visual C++ Redistributable packages is a widely confirmed way to fix Witcher 3: Wild Hunt not launching. This potential solution is especially widely confirmed to fix Witcher 3 not starting when it throws up the error code 0xc000007b or missing DLL messages. So, try updating Visual C++ Redistributable packages on your PC with the following steps.

1. Run Edge to open this Microsoft Visual C++ page.
2. Click the download links for the X64 and X86 Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable package versions.
   
   

   The Visual C++ 2015-2022 download links

3. View downloaded files by simultaneously pressing Ctrl + J within Edge.
4. Click VC_redist.x64 to open the 64-bit Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable window.
5. First, select I agree to activate the Install option.
   
   

   The Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 window

6. Press Install to update Visual C++ runtimes.
7. Select Close to exit.
8. Next, double-click the file for the downloaded 32-bit Visual C++ 2015-2022 package and select I agree > Install.
9. Repeat the steps above to download and install the Visual Studio 2013 and 2012 Visual C++ Redistributable packages.
10. Restart your PC when you’ve updated the 2012-2022 Visual C++ Redistributable packages on your PC.

Delete the Patch0 Folder

Many players also say erasing the patch0 folder can fix Witcher 3: Wild Hunt not launching on Windows 11/10 PCs. This is how you can delete the patch0 folder.

1. Navigate to the TheWitcher 3 game installation folder within File Explorer.
2. Open the Content subfolder within Witcher 3’s installation folder.
3. Right-click patch0 and select Delete.
   
   

   The Delete context menu option

4. Verify Witcher 3’s files after erasing the patch0 folder.

Disable Overlays in Software Packages

Some overlays don’t mix well with Witcher 3 and can cause crashing issues. CD Projekt Red has previously released hotfixes to address some overlay issues. However, it’s best to completely disable overlays in software packages installed on your PC to ensure they’re not causing any Witcher 3 issues. Disable overlays in these software packages:

• Steam
• GeForce Experience
• MSI Afterburner
• Fraps
• Riva Tuner
• Discord
• Uplay
• The Windows 11/10 Game Bar

The In-Game Overlay option

Disable or Uninstall Trusteer Rapport Endpoint Protection

Some players confirm on forums that disabling or removing the Trusteer Rapport Endpoint Protection software can fix Witcher 3: Wild Hunt not launching. Trusteer Endpoint is a security app that can conflict with Witcher 3 because it uses one of the DLLs (USER32.DLL) required for Witcher 3. If Trusteer Endpoint is on your PC, try uninstalling that software as follows.

1. Hold the Windows logo keyboard key and press R to start Run.
2. Enter appwiz.cpl into the Run command dialog and hit Enter.
3. Select Trusteer Rapport Endpoint Protection in Programs and Features.
4. Click Uninstall/Change to remove Trusteer.
   
   

   The Programs and Features Control Panel applet

5. Alternatively, you can try disabling Trusteer Endpoint Protection. To do that, go into Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Select Trusteer processes in the Process tab and click End task.

Apply a Clean Boot

The MSConfig tool

Clean booting can stop potential software conflicts arising with Witcher 3. Performing a clean boot will disable most third-party apps and services from starting with Windows 11/10. To apply this possible fix for Witcher 3 not starting, check out this Microsoft page about clean booting. Try playing Witcher 3: Wild Hunt after clean booting your PC.

Other Potential Ways to Fix Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Not Launching

Aside from the methods above, there are other possible ways to fix Witcher 3: Wild Hunt not launching. Try applying these troubleshooting methods if Witcher 3 still doesn’t start:

• Clean install a new driver for your desktop’s or laptop’s graphics card. This means uninstalling the current graphics driver and downloading and installing the latest NVIDIA/AMD driver.
• Reinstall Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with your gaming client.
• Scan and repair system files as outlined on this Microsoft SFC page.
• Temporarily disable antivirus utilities and firewalls on your PC before starting Witcher 3.

The troubleshooting methods in this guide are among the more widely player-confirmed ways to fix Witcher 3: Wild Hunt not launching So, there’s a pretty good chance one of the above potential solutions will kick-start Witcher 3 on your PC. You can also send a message to Witcher 3’s support service via this CD Projekt Red page for more potential resolutions.