Resolve Epic Games Launcher Not Working on Windows

The Epic Games launcher is one of the most prominent game launchers used by gamers. But sadly, some unwanted errors, like the Epic Games launcher not working on Windows, the launcher not launching (see the irony?), and for some, it keeps crashing, creating challenges.

If you have encountered a similar error, this blog is for you. In this post, we have shared some of the finest fixes that you can use to resolve Epic Launcher not loading on Windows.

What Causes Epic Games Launcher to Crash on Windows

Before we address the fixes, it is crucial to identify the factors that lead to Epic Games Launcher not opening. Some believe the issue has appeared after a recent update and will be fixed with a bug fix. However, for some, the error has been around for a while. As per the gaming communities and multiple discussion forums like Reddit, some of the core reasons behind this issue are – 

• Outdated Drivers
• Faulty Installation of the Epic Launcher
• Display Settings Configuration Error
• Issues in Launching Due to Firewall
• Improper Launching Properties

Either way, if you believe that any of these issues may be seen on your PC, your Epic Launcher will crash and not work as it should. Fortunately, all of these factors can be contained and resolved almost instantly. Without further ado, let’s look at the ultimate fixes that will help you resolve the game launcher crashing issues.

How to Fix Epic Games Launcher Crashing on Windows 10/11 PC

Fix #1 – Check if the app is open in the background

If you are facing an issue where you keep double-clicking on the launch icon, but the Epic Games Launcher is not opening, this is the fix for you! 

Sometimes, a partial application process is already running in the background. This is why the system does not properly process your command. The best way to handle this is by checking the background process and closing if one of the processes is open. 

To do so, you can use the following steps – 

Step 1 – Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up the Task Manager.

Step 2 – Look for the process for Epic Games Launcher.
Step 3 – If the process is running, select it and click End Task to finish it immediately!

Relaunch the application, and the Epic Games Launcher will appear on the screen. However, if you do not find the process running in the background, do not worry; there are other fixes you can try!

Fix #2 – Try Repairing the Epic Games Launcher using Control Panel

If the launcher keeps crashing all you have to do is follow these fixes – 

Step 1 – Press Windows + R to open the run search utility.
Step 2 – In the run search utility, use the command –  control appwiz.cpl and hit enter.

Step 3 – This will take you directly to uninstall and repair the window that you find in the Program’s title of your Control Panel.
Step 4 – There, find your game launcher and click on it.
Step 5 – Once you click on it, you will see a repair option on the top bar near uninstall. Click on it.

Once you click on repair, the internal process will automatically guide you. Just follow the instructions, and you should be good. 

Fix #3 – Update Your Video Card/Graphics Card Drivers

If both the fixes shared above fail to fix the error for you, there are solid chances that the issue lies in your PC’s video processing capabilities. It usually happens when the GPU is not working properly or the graphics drivers are outdated.

The easiest way to update drivers without spending time collecting information is to use Advanced Driver Updater. This excellent driver updater tool scans the PC for outdated drivers and shows the updates allowing you to finish updating your graphics card drivers in a few clicks. 

Here are the steps to help you finish the updates easily – 

Step 1 – Download Advanced Driver Updater on your PC using the button below

Step 2 – Install the tool on your PC and run it.

Step 3 – On the home screen, you will find the Start Scan Now button. Click on it to initiate the scanning process.

Step 4 – Let the scan run. The scan will go through all the installed drivers on your PC and compare it to the latest on the tool’s server.
Step 5 – After the scan, you will have a list of outdated drivers.

Step 6 – Click on Update All to update these drivers.

That’s how easy it is to update the drivers to resolve the Epic Games Launcher problem.

Fix #4 – Try Accelerating Your Epic Games Launcher Processing

Sometimes, when using multiple applications on your PC, the GPU gets confused about what is a priority and what is not. Hence, there’s a possibility of GPU not accelerating the application’s launch process. 

Thankfully, there is a way you can do so. Follow these steps to do so – 

Step 1 – Go to the shortcut. file of your Epic Games Launcher
Step 2 – Open its properties and navigate to the Shortcut tile.
Step 3 – In the Shortcut tab, you will find a target box where the file’s destination is mentioned.
Step 4 – Click on the destination, and add -OpenGL ahead of it.  Step 5 – Save the changes and try launching the application. 

The OpenGL command helps you accelerate the GPU processing of any application and puts a process directly in touch with the GPU for better performance.

Fix #5 – Uninstall & Reinstall the Application

If none of the mentioned fixes can resolve the error, chances are that your game launcher has gone corrupt. The best way to deal with the issue is by uninstalling it and re-installing it on your PC. 

Here are the steps to do so  – 

Step 1 – Press Windows + R to open the run search utility.
Step 2 – In the run search utility, use the command –  control appwiz.cpl and hit enter.  Step 3 – This will open the window with all the programs listed.
Step 4 – Find Epic Games Launcher & double-click on it to uninstall.
Step 5 – Once the uninstall is complete, use the setup file for the latest Epic Games Launcher version and install it immediately!

Fix #6 – Allow the App Through Firewall Exception

Sometimes while using a third-party application, you may come across errors related to launching as Windows is not familiar with them. That is why, if you trust the application, add it to the safelist allowing it to bypass your firewall and malware protection.

Step 1 – Go to the start menu and look up Windows Defender Firewall.

Step 2 – On launching the same, you will find a window with all the options related to your current firewall settings.
Step 3—From the left pane, select the “Allow an app…” option to access the exceptions list.

Step 4—From here, click on Change Settings and then click on Allow another app to open a pop-up that will allow you to browse through files on your PC using the Browse button.

Step 5—Select the Epic Launcher and add it to the list. Once you have done so, click the Add button, and you are good to go!

Fix #7 – Check for a Corrupt Shortcut.

If the Epic Game Launcher keeps crashing while using the desktop shortcut, we recommend you try to use the start menu to find the application. Simply go to Start and use the search bar to find Epic Games Launcher. 

Choose the Run as Administrator option for better processing. If the app works, you should immediately delete the shortcut from the desktop and create a new one. 

Fixing Epic Games Launcher is no Rocket Science!

With the help of these fixes, you can resolve issues with the launcher yourself. It is no rocket science that the application might stop working. After all, it is just another program on your PC. 

What you should pay attention to, however, is to ensure that you choose the correct and most efficient way to handle the situation. Advanced Driver Updater is a convenient way to handle errors. Hence you should try it out. Download the application today!

If you have any queries regarding the abovementioned ways or need assistance with any other issue, feel free to connect with us through our social media. Or you can drop your queries in the comments section below!

Thanks for reading the blog. Good luck!

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