How to Fix Overwatch 2 Not Launching on Windows

Overwatch 2 is a shooter game that has garnered a lot of attention since it was launched. Gaming enthusiasts take their games quite seriously which is why even the smallest glitch becomes a point of discussion in the community. One such point is Overwatch 2 not launching on PC. 

The error has been around for a while, however, users have brought it to the limelight now. This post, explains different ways to fix Overwatch 2 not opening on Windows. 

However, before that, we will try to find the core issue causing the error and will give you a custom solution based on the error you are facing. It is recommended that you read the complete post as it will definitely help out with fixing Overwatch 2 not launching and Freezing. 

Overwatch 2 Won’t Launch or Not Loading: Why Does it Happen?

The error is a genuine case of system/program incompatibility. Sure meeting the resource requirements of a game is important hence before running an application it should be the first thing on your checklist.

The system requirements for running Overwatch 2 on Windows are – 

Minimum system requirements

OS: Windows 10 64-bit CPU: Intel Core i3 or AMD Phenom X3 8650 GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600 Series, AMD Radeon HD 7000 Series1 compatible with 1GB VRAM RAM: 6GB Disk Space: 50GB available Sound Card: DirectX compatible Resolution: 1024 x 768 minimum display resolution

Recommended system requirements

OS: Windows 10 64-bit CPU: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / 1650 or AMD R9 308 / AMD RX 6400 RAM: 8GB or more Disk Space: 50GB available Sound Card: DirectX compatible Resolution: 1024 x 768 minimum display resolution

When these requirements are not matched, a glitch is bound to happen. Sometimes your PC runs the game slowly, and sometimes it denies functionality. This means you need to upgrade your PC, as there is no way around it. 

However, incompatibility does not always mean not meeting the system requirement. Sometimes even the computer with the best specs can slow down due to other reasons. 

Some of them are-

• A recently installed application is taking more resources.
• Outdated PC & components
• Manipulated game files
• System’s restrictions on running applications.

All these can lead to Overwatch 2 not launching on your PC. Once you have overcome these conflicts, your game is good to run. The question that arises now is how to deal with these issues. Check out the next section, as it contains all the necessary fixes!

Ways to Troubleshoot Overwatch 2 Not Launching on Windows PC

Once you have cleared that your PC meets the system requirements, start implementing the following fixes per the issue you are facing. 

Fix 1 – Remove the Last Installed Application & Try Again

If the problem of the game not launching on Windows has recently appeared, the first thing you should do is uninstall a recently installed software. The application you downloaded may be causing an error with the game. The chances of this issue are higher when you manually install the application from a third-party source because such applications are unreliable. 

To do so, follow these steps – 

1. Press Windows + R to open the run search box.
2. In the run, type control & hit enter. This will open the Control Panel.
3. Navigate to Programs -> Uninstall Applications.
4. You can find all the installed applications.   
5. From there, simply sort the applications installed based on the time of installation.

You can set the time interval for which you want to search. Choose the interval based on when you get the Overwatch 2 not launching error on Windows.
Uninstall the applications installed from there, and then try running the game. This should help you overcome the issue; however, if the issue persists, try the next fix. 

Fix 2 – Check Whether You have Verified Game Files

When there is a glitch in the game files, or the game files you have installed are not functioning properly, the game might stop working. Game files play an important role, and it does not matter what file has the error, as all of them are crucial. To check the integrity of your game files, follow the instructions below –

1. Open Battle.net, as Overwatch 2 is exclusive to it.
2. In the client, click on the Settings option button next to the Play button.
3. In the opened menu, click on scan and repair.

This will help you use Battle.net to scan and fix hampered game files if any. Also, take care of the DLL files required to play games. Make sure that you have the latest version of DirectX installed on your computer. 

Fix 3 – Update Outdated Graphics Drivers

While running a game as graphically intense as Overwatch 2, the graphics drivers play a crucial role. If the graphic driver is outdated, it will not support the display, and you will face multiple glitches, including the one related to the game not launching on your PC. You have to optimize your PC for gaming, and keeping your graphics card up to date is one of the most crucial aspects.

The driver will never give you a prompt that it needs to be updated. Instead, it will directly interrupt your work. However, keeping track of driver updates manually takes work; using Advanced Driver Updater on your PC is the ideal way to keep your graphics driver updated. What is that?

Well, it is a dedicated driver updater software that not only fetches the latest drivers but also installs them without you having to look for files manually. To give you a better perspective, here’s how the tool works – 

• Download the Advanced Driver Updater from the link below.

• Run the application after the installation.

• Click on Start Scan Now to initiate a search for outdated drivers. 
• As soon as the search finishes, you have a list of all the outdated drivers on your PC. 
• Click on Update All after verifying that the list includes your graphics drivers.

Clicking on Update All will start the process for you. In case you are in a hurry, you can also use the Update driver link in front of the individual drivers to install that particular driver. However, updating all associated drivers is recommended.

After updating the drivers restart your PC to apply changes. Try rerunning the game, and you will indeed find a difference. 

Error – Overwatch 2 Not Launching SORTED!

These 3 fixes are enough to overcome the overwatch 2 won’t launch and crashing at startup issue on your PC. However, if these do not help, remove and reinstall the game. While you reinstall, make sure you grant all the permission it needs. 

Fixing the game is a small deal if you know exactly what strings to pull. The most common issue that needs to be addressed is outdated graphics drivers. So if you need to be made aware of the problem, start by updating your drivers. Once you are done with that, you might not look for another fix ever. 

Download the Advanced Driver Updater today and see the difference today! That’s all for this post; I hope it fixes Overwatch 2 Crashing on Startup problem on your PC. 

Good Luck!

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