Lords of the Fallen Won’t Launch: How to Fix

Seeing the error message “Lords of the Fallen has stopped working” or the game not launching can be incredibly frustrating. But don’t worry, this issue can often be fixed with a few simple troubleshooting steps. In this article, we’ll walk through the common causes and solutions so you can get back to vanquishing the Lords of the Fallen.

What Causes This Error?

There are a few potential culprits for “Lords of the Fallen not launching”:

  • Corrupted game files or mods: Invalid game file modifications or corrupted installs are a common source of launch issues. Verifying integrity of game files can fix this.
  • Graphics driver conflicts: Outdated or incompatible graphics card drivers may prevent the game from initializing properly. Updating to the latest drivers specifically for your GPU is key.
  • Windows compatibility problems: Lords of the Fallen may fail to launch if you have an outdated version of DirectX or .NET Framework installed. Keeping Windows updated prevents many issues.
  • Antivirus interference: Overzealous antivirus software can sometimes block games from launching. Adding Lords of the Fallen as an exception can resolve this.
  • System requirements not met: Lords of the Fallen has fairly demanding system specs. An underspec’d gaming rig may struggle to run it. Upgrading hardware could help.

So in most cases, the problem is fixable with a few easy troubleshooting steps. Follow our guide below to get Lords of the Fallen running again.

How to fix Lords of the Fallen not launching issue

Here are the recommended troubleshooting steps to try when “Lords of the Fallen won’t launch”:

  • Use the “AUTO-SET” option within the game’s SETTINGS menu under the GRAPHIC tab. This will apply settings best suited to your PC configuration and will optimise performance.
  • If that doesn’t work, please try deleting your PSOs by following the steps below:
    a. Go to: “X:\Users\MYUSER\AppData\Local\LOTF2\Saved\”
    b. Delete the *.UPIPELINECACHE file
    c. Right click on the game. Select ‘Properties’ – ‘Installed Files’ – Click on “Verify Integrity of Caché”

1. Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers

Outdated or faulty graphics drivers are a leading culprit of launch failures. Use a tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove existing Nvidia or AMD graphics drivers. Then, reinstall the latest driver tailored for your GPU from Nvidia or AMD’s website.

Be sure to download the driver directly from the manufacturer, not through Windows update. Reboot after installing new graphics drivers. This often resolves common game launch errors.

NVIDIA users:

  1. Open NVIDIA GeForce Experience.
  2. Click on the Drivers tab.
  3. Download and install any available updates.
  4. Restart your PC.

AMD users:

  1. Go to AMD’s drivers and support page.
  2. Download the auto-detect tool.
  3. Run the tool to automatically find updates.
  4. Install any available new drivers.
  5. Restart your system.

2. Verify Integrity of Game Files

Corrupted game file downloads can prevent Lords of the Fallen from starting. Thankfully, Steam and GOG have built-in tools to scan for corrupt files and re-download any missing game data.

On Steam: Right click Lords of the Fallen in your Library > Properties > Local Files tab > Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Steam will automatically re-download any missing or corrupt files it finds, fixing potential launch issues.

3. Update DirectX and .NET Framework

Having an outdated version of DirectX or .NET Framework installed can sometimes block games from opening.

Check you have the latest versions by searching for “DirectX Diagnostic Tool” and “.NET Framework Repair Tool” on Windows and running them. Install any updates if available.

Restart your PC after updating for changes to take effect. This fixes incompatibility issues that may be preventing launch.

4. Add Lords of the Fallen as an Antivirus Exception

Overzealous antivirus software can occasionally block games from launching. Check if your antivirus suite like Norton, McAfee, Avast, etc has an option to add game exe files as exceptions to scans and active protection.

This prevents the antivirus from mistakenly detecting Lords of the Fallen’s launch executable as a threat and blocking it from running.

5. Update Windows and Drivers

Using outdated versions of Windows, .NET framework, graphics drivers, etc can cause compatibility issues.

Run Windows Update and install the latest system updates. Also update hardware drivers related to your GPU, audio, networking, and other devices through Device Manager.

Keep your system software updated to prevent Lords of the Fallen from having launch conflicts.

6. Adjust In-Game Graphics and Resolution

If Lords of the Fallen is launching but crashing soon after, it may be due to unsupported graphics settings.

Boot the game in Windowed mode at a lower resolution like 720p, with reduced graphics options. See if it stabilizes gameplay. If so, slowly adjust back up to find optimal graphics settings your PC can handle without crashing.

7. Reinstall or Update Game

If you’ve tried other troubleshooting steps with no luck, a clean reinstall or game update may be required.

First, try updating Lords of the Fallen to the latest version on Steam.

Reinstall a fresh copy of the game. This wipes out potentially corrupted files causing problems. Make sure to install latest game patches too.

8. Upgrade System Hardware

If your PC lacks the minimum system requirements to run Lords of the Fallen, launch failures can occur. The game needs fairly powerful components.

Upgrading to modern hardware like a new graphics card, CPU, RAM and SSD could help if your system is too underspec’d. But try other troubleshooting steps first before spending on new hardware.

When to Seek Expert Help

If you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps with no improvement, it’s time to contact an expert. Reach out to the Lords of the Fallen support team through Steam with details of the issue. You can also seek help on player forums or a specialized PC repair technician.

With expert guidance, rare bugs causing launch failure may be identified and resolved. Just be sure to provide all relevant details like error messages, logs and system specs.

Summary – October 13, 2023

In summary, Lords of the Fallen failing to open is usually fixable with common troubleshooting like:

  • Updating graphics drivers
  • Verifying game file integrity
  • Installing latest DirectX and .NET
  • Adding the game to antivirus exceptions
  • Updating system software/drivers
  • Adjusting in-game graphics settings
  • Reinstalling or patching the game
  • Upgrading hardware if underpowered

Following these steps will get Lords of the Fallen successfully launching again in most cases. But for rare or complex issues, seeking help from the game’s support team is advised.

Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson mainly writes about game-related news and updates. He is a passionate gamer, music lover, and traveler.

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