7 Ways to Fix Overwatch 2 Not Launching on a Windows PC

Overwatch 2 is an exciting multiplayer shoot ‘em up when you can play it. However, some players can’t play Overwatch 2 because it doesn’t start for them. Sometimes that game can get stuck on loading with a widely reported “Playing now” error. Other times the Battle.net app shows a “Game is Running” message, but the game doesn’t start. Players can’t play Overwatch 2 regardless of how it crashes at launch. These are some ways you can fix Overwatch 2 not launching on a Windows PC.

Run Battlenet’s Repair Tool

Overwatch 2’s Battlenet gaming client has a repair option for games. That is a troubleshooting option for verifying missing or corrupted game files. Utilizing the repair option will probably fix Overwatch 2 not launching in some cases, but it’s not a guaranteed solution for all startup issues. This Battle.net page includes instructions for utilizing the repair tool.

The Scan and Repair option in Battle.net

Disable Fullscreen Optimization for Overwatch 2

Some Overwatch 2 players confirm disabling fullscreen optimization can fix the game not starting. So, that possible resolution for fixing Overwatch 2 not launching is worth trying. This is how you can disable fullscreen optimization for Overwatch 2.

1. Open Overwatch 2’s installation directory within File Explorer.
2. Right-click the Overwatch EXE file to start the game and click Properties.
3. Select the Disable full-screen optimization checkbox.
   
   

   The Disable fullscreen optimization checkbox

4. You can also select the Run this program as an administrator setting as an optional extra.
5. Click Apply and OK to set the full-screen optimization setting.

Clear Battle.net Cache Data

Clearing Battle.net cache data is a potential resolution players confirm can fix Overwatch 2’s “Playing now” error. Clearing cache data could also potentially fix other Overwatch 2 startup issues as well. You can clear Battle.net cache data like this.

1. First, make sure Battle.net and Overwatch 2 aren’t running in the background via Task Manager.
2. Open the C:\ProgramData folder in File Explorer.
3. Right-click the Battle.net data folder and select Delete.
   
   

   The ProgramData folder

Change the Overwatch Region

Game servers can cause some Overwatch 2 launch issues. So, changing your server region can sometimes fix Overwatch 2 not launching. Try changing the region for Overwatch 2 in Battle.net like this.

1. Bring up the Battle.net client software.
2. Click All Games and select Overwatch 2 from them.
3. Next, click the world icon button just above the Play option.
4. Select a different region on the menu.
   
   

   Region options for Overwatch 2

5. Click Play to see if the game launches.

Reset Overwatch 2’s In-Game Settings

It could be the case that some of the Overwatch 2 settings selected aren’t compatible with your PC’s graphics card or VDU (visual display unit). Even though Overwatch 2 doesn’t start, you can still address this potential cause by resetting in-game options via Battle.net. Check out this Battle.net support page for instructions about resetting in-game settings with Overwatch 2’s game client software.

Disable Antivirus Software

Lots of players have said they needed to disable antivirus shields to fix Overwatch 2 not launching. If you’ve got a third-party antivirus tool installed on your PC, right-click on its system tray icon and select to disable its shield from its context menu. Then try launching Overwatch 2 with your antivirus shield to see if that makes a difference.

Should disabling your antivirus software work, you have two options. Uninstalling the antivirus software will ensure it can never cause further Overwatch 2 launch issues. Or add the Overwatch 2 game to your antivirus software’s exclusion list.

If you haven’t installed third-party antivirus software, try disabling Windows Security’s Defender antivirus. Follow the instructions on this Microsoft support page to turn off Windows Security’s real-time antivirus shield.

The Real-time protection option

Disable Unneeded Startup Apps and Services

The Disable option in Task Manager

Disabling unneeded startup software and services will ensure they can’t interfere (conflict) with Overwatch 2. This can fix Overwatch 2 not launching if another program or service is conflicting with it. You can apply this potential solution by setting Windows to clean boot, which will stop all third-party startup items and services from automatically starting with Windows. This Microsoft help page provides full instructions for how you can clean-boot your PC.

Other Possible Ways to Fix Overwatch 2 Not Launching

There are other ways you can feasibly fix Overwatch 2 not launching going beyond the several potential resolutions above. Try applying these possible fixes for kick-starting Overwatch 2 if the ones above aren’t enough for you.

• Disable enabled overlay features in software like Discord, GeForce Experience, and Steam.
• Reinstall the Overwatch 2 game.
• Install the latest graphics driver for your PC’s GPU.
• Temporarily turn off Microsoft Defender Firewall, or alternative third-party firewalls, before launching Overwatch 2. This page on the Microsoft site includes instructions for turning off the built-in Windows firewall.

I hope those troubleshooting methods help you fix Overwatch 2 not launching. They’re probably not going to work for all players, but there’s a pretty good chance one of them will kick-start your Overwatch 2 game.