Troubleshooting Guide: Frostpunk 2 Won’t Launch or Load on PC

Frostpunk 2, created by 11 Bit Studios, extends the narrative of its predecessor, placing players 30 years into the future amid a devastating volcanic winter. Unfortunately, some gamers have experienced problems with the game failing to launch or freezing on the loading screen. If you’re facing this issue, don’t fret—there are effective solutions to resolve it. This article provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you fix Frostpunk 2 when it refuses to launch or load on your PC.

Troubleshooting Frostpunk 2 Launch or Loading Issues on PC

How to Troubleshoot Frostpunk 2 Launch and Loading Issues

Below are some straightforward workarounds to resolve the “won’t launch” or “not loading” problems. Let’s get right into the solutions:

1. Verify System Requirements

Before attempting any technical fixes, the initial step is to confirm whether your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Frostpunk 2. Insufficient specifications may inhibit the game from launching or functioning correctly.

Minimum System Requirements:

OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 / Intel Core i5 2.5 GHz
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD RX 550 4 GB VRAM / NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti 4 GB VRAM / INTEL ARC A310 4GB VRAM
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 30 GB of available space
Additional Notes: SSD required

Recommended System Requirements:

OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 / Intel Core i7 2.8 GHz
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD RX 5700 8 GB VRAM / NVIDIA 2060 Super RTX 8 GB VRAM / INTEL ARC A770 8GB VRAM
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 30 GB of available space
Additional Notes: SSD required

If your system does not meet these specifications, consider upgrading your hardware for optimal performance.

2. Run the Launcher as an Administrator

One of the simplest methods to rectify launching issues is to run the game launcher with administrative privileges. This ensures that the necessary permissions are granted for the game’s optimal functioning.

Right-click the Steam Games Launcher shortcut on your desktop.
Select Properties and navigate to the Compatibility tab.
Check the option Run this program as an administrator.
Click Apply followed by OK.
Attempt to launch the game again to see if the issue persists.

3. Update Graphics Drivers

Right-click the Start Menu and choose Device Manager.
Expand the Display Adapters section.
Right-click your active graphics card and choose Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.
If an update is present, it will install itself automatically.
Reboot your PC and attempt to launch Frostpunk 2 again.

You can alternatively go to the official site of your graphics card’s manufacturer (Nvidia, AMD, or Intel) to manually download and install the latest drivers.

4. Close Background Processes

Background applications can consume system resources, preventing the game from operating smoothly. Here’s how to terminate them:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Under the Processes tab, identify unnecessary background processes.
Right-click those processes and select End Task.
Once completed, restart your PC.

5. Turn Off Steam Overlay

The Steam Overlay can occasionally hinder games, causing them to malfunction. To disable it:

Launch Steam and go to your Library.
Right-click on Frostpunk 2 and choose Properties.
In the General tab, uncheck the Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game option.
Try launching Frostpunk 2 once more.

6. Turn Off Steam Input

Some players have discovered that turning off Steam Input can resolve launch problems. Here’s how:

Open Steam and go to your Library.
Right-click Frostpunk 2 and select Controller.
Under the OVERRIDE FOR Frostpunk 2, select Disable Steam Input.
Launch the game to check if the issue is resolved.

7. Switch to Windowed Mode

Switching from full screen to windowed mode may help in resolving crashes or launch issues:

Open the Start Menu and search for %LOCALAPPDATA%.
Navigate to the Prospect folder, then to Saved > Config > WindowsNoEditor.
Open GameUserSettings.ini using a text editor.
Change FullscreenMode=1 to FullscreenMode=0 to set it to windowed mode.
Save your changes and try launching the game again.

8. Disable DirectX 12

If your PC has difficulty with DirectX 12, disabling it could be beneficial:

Access the game’s Settings menu.
In the Video section, turn Enable DX12 to Off.
Restart the game to see if the issue resolves.

9. Select the Correct Rendering Device

Ensure Frostpunk 2 utilizes your dedicated GPU instead of the default settings:

Open Steam to launch Frostpunk 2.
Go to Video Settings from the game’s options menu.
Under Selected Rendering Device, choose your dedicated GPU.
Restart the game.

10. Disable Multi-Threaded Rendering

Incompatibilities with multi-threaded rendering may arise on certain PCs, particularly those with AMD processors. Here’s how to disable it:

Enter the Settings menu in Frostpunk 2.
Navigate to Video Settings and turn off Multi-Threaded Rendering.
Restart the game.

11. Turn Off Antivirus Protection

Your antivirus software can occasionally prevent Frostpunk 2 from executing. To confirm this isn’t the case, turn off your antivirus temporarily:

Press Windows + I to access Settings.
Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Security.
Select Virus & Threat Protection.
Click on Manage settings and disable Real-time protection.

If using third-party antivirus software, you may need to turn it off momentarily or add the game’s executable to the whitelist.

12. Repair Game Files

Damaged game files could be a reason Frostpunk 2 isn’t launching. To verify and repair these files:

Open Steam and access your Library.
Right-click on Frostpunk 2 and choose Properties.
Navigate to the Installed Files section and click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Verify Integrity of Game Files

Steam will scan and fix any corrupt or missing files during this process.

13. Update Frostpunk 2

Ensuring that you have the latest version of the game is essential, as updates often address bugs and enhance performance.

Open Steam and go to your Library.
If an update for Frostpunk 2 is available, click Update.
Restart your PC after the update has completed.

Conclusion

While Frostpunk 2 can be quite demanding, most launch and loading issues can be remedied by following the steps discussed above.

Source

Image Credit: Pcmobitech.com