How To Fix Returnal That Won’t Launch on PC After Installation

Returnal is an action-packed third-person shooter game. It features a rogue-like gameplay style, where players take on the role of Selene, an astronaut who crash-lands on a mysterious alien planet. As Selene, players must navigate the planet’s dangerous terrain, battle against hordes of deadly alien creatures, and unravel the mysteries of the planet’s past.

While the game has received critical acclaim for its fast-paced gameplay, stunning visuals, and immersive storyline, some players have reported experiencing issues with the game not launching on their PC. 

These issues can be frustrating, especially for players who are eager to dive into the world of Returnal. However, there are several troubleshooting steps that players can take to identify and fix the issue. 

In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes of Returnal not launching on your PC and provide step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and fix the issue. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a new player to the world of Returnal, this guide will help you get the game up and running smoothly on your PC.

Possible Causes

Before diving into the possible causes of Returnal not launching on PC after installation, it is essential to understand that this issue can be caused by various factors. These factors can range from outdated drivers to corrupted game files.

In this section, we will explore some of the most common causes of this issue and provide you with troubleshooting procedures to fix the problem in the proceeding section below.

Here are the possible causes why Returnal won’t launch after installation:

• Outdated Drivers: If you are using outdated drivers, it can cause the game to not launch. It is essential to keep your graphics card, audio, and network drivers up to date.
• Insufficient Disk Space: If you do not have enough free disk space on your computer, the game may not launch.
• Antivirus Software: Antivirus software can also cause issues with launching the game. Some antivirus software can mistakenly identify the game’s files as a threat and block it.
• Corrupted Game Files: If the game’s files are corrupted during the installation process, the game may not launch.

Troubleshooting Procedures

There are several troubleshooting procedures that you can follow to fix the problem. It is essential to understand that the solution to this issue may not be straightforward, and it may require a combination of different troubleshooting procedures to resolve. 

In the following section, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot and fix Returnal not launching on PC after installation. By following these procedures, you can ensure that you can enjoy playing Returnal on your PC without any further interruptions.

Update Your Drivers

Updating your drivers is an essential step in troubleshooting issues with Returnal not launching on your PC. Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues with the game, leading to it not launching or crashing. Updating your drivers is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps.

1. Determine the type of drivers you need to update. In most cases, you will need to update your graphics card, audio, and network drivers.
2. Visit the manufacturer’s website for the hardware you need to update. For example, if you need to update your graphics card driver, visit the website for the graphics card manufacturer.
3. Locate the most recent driver for your hardware. Look for the driver that is compatible with your operating system and hardware.
4. Download the driver to your computer and follow the installation instructions. This may involve running an executable file and following the prompts.
5. Restart your computer to ensure that the new drivers are installed correctly.

By updating your drivers, you can ensure that your hardware is compatible with Returnal and that the game will launch successfully on your PC.

Free Up Disk Space

Freeing up disk space is crucial in troubleshooting issues with Returnal not launching on your PC. If your computer does not have enough free disk space, the game may not have enough space to run, resulting in it not launching.

Here is how to free up disk space on your PC.

1. Use Windows Disk Cleanup tool. This tool will scan your hard drive and identify files that can be safely deleted, such as temporary files and old system files.
2. Uninstall unused applications. Go through your installed applications and remove any that you no longer use or need.
3. Delete old files. Look for old files that you no longer need, such as old documents, pictures, or videos, and delete them.
4. Move files to an external hard drive. Move files that you do not use regularly, such as old photos and videos, to an external hard drive to free up space on your computer’s hard drive.
5. Consider using cloud storage. Upload files that you do not need locally, such as documents and photos, to cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

By freeing up disk space, you can ensure that your PC has enough resources to run Returnal successfully, ensuring that the game launches without any issues.

Disable Antivirus Software

Disabling your antivirus software can be a troubleshooting step to fix Returnal not launching on your PC. Antivirus software can sometimes interfere with game files and prevent them from running correctly, resulting in the game not launching. 

Here is how to disable your antivirus software.

1. Locate the antivirus software icon in your system tray or taskbar. Right-click on the icon to access the context menu.
2. Look for an option that allows you to disable or turn off the antivirus software. The option may be listed as “Disable,” “Turn off,” or “Pause.”
3. Select the option to disable the antivirus software. You may be prompted to confirm that you want to turn off the software.
4. Launch Returnal to see if the game launches successfully. If the game launches successfully, the issue may be caused by the antivirus software.
5. Once you have tested the game, re-enable your antivirus software to ensure that your computer remains protected.

It is important to note that disabling your antivirus software can leave your computer vulnerable to security threats. Be sure to re-enable your antivirus software as soon as you have tested the game to ensure that your computer remains protected.

Verify Game Files

Verifying game files is an important step in troubleshooting issues with Returnal not launching on your PC. Sometimes, game files can become corrupted or missing, leading to issues with the game launching or running correctly. Verifying game files can help identify and fix any corrupted or missing files, ensuring that the game runs smoothly.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Open the Steam client and go to the “Library” tab.
2. Right-click on “Returnal” and select “Properties.”
3. In the “Properties” window, go to the “Local Files” tab.
4. Click on the “Verify integrity of game files” button. This will start the verification process, which may take a few minutes to complete.
5. Once the verification process is complete, restart your computer and try launching Returnal again to see if the issue has been resolved.

If any corrupted or missing files are identified during the verification process, Steam will automatically download and replace them. Verifying game files is a simple but essential step in troubleshooting issues with Returnal not launching on your PC, and it can help ensure that the game runs smoothly.

Reinstall the Game

Reinstalling the game is a troubleshooting step that can help fix issues with Returnal not launching on your PC. This step can be helpful if the game files are corrupted, missing, or if there was an error during the initial installation. Reinstalling the game can ensure that all necessary files are present and installed correctly, helping to resolve any issues.

Here’s how to reinstall the game.

1. Open the Steam client and go to the “Library” tab.
2. Right-click on “Returnal” and select “Uninstall.”
3. Confirm that you want to uninstall the game.
4. Once the game is uninstalled, restart your computer.
5. Reinstall the game by going to the Steam Store and searching for “Returnal.” Click on the game and select “Install.”
6. Once the game is installed, try launching it to see if the issue has been resolved.

Reinstalling the game can take some time, especially if the game files are large, so it’s essential to have patience.

Conclusion

To fix issues with Returnal not launching on your PC, there are several troubleshooting steps to try. Possible causes of the issue may include outdated or missing drivers, insufficient disk space, antivirus software blocking game files, corrupted game files, or an error during installation. 

To troubleshoot, try updating drivers, freeing up disk space, disabling antivirus software, verifying game files, or reinstalling the game. It’s important to test the game after each step and identify the cause before fixing it. With patience and persistence, you can resolve the issue and enjoy the game.

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