Wuthering Waves, a highly anticipated open-world RPG, has taken the gaming world by storm with its immersive gameplay, stunning visuals, and complex storyline. Developed by Kuro Games, the same studio behind the hit game Punishing: Gray Raven, wuthering waves running but not launching has generated significant buzz among fans of action RPGs. However, like many modern games, Wuthering Waves hasn’t been free from technical issues, especially when it comes to running but not launching properly on certain systems.
This issue has left many players frustrated, as they find themselves stuck on the loading screen or experiencing crashes during the launch. If you’re one of the unlucky players facing this problem, don’t worry—you’re not alone. In this article, we will dive deep into why Wuthering Waves may be running but not launching on your system and how you can troubleshoot this problem to get back to your immersive gameplay experience.
Understanding the “Running But Not Launching” Issue
When a game is running but not launching, it essentially means that the game has started in the background, but for some reason, it fails to load properly, either freezing, getting stuck on the loading screen, or crashing altogether. There are several potential causes for this issue, ranging from software conflicts to hardware limitations, corrupted files, or even internet connectivity problems.
Common Symptoms:
- Game gets stuck on a black screen after clicking “play.”
- The game is running in the background but never fully opens.
- Frequent crashes upon attempting to launch the game.
- Loading screen freezes or gets stuck indefinitely.
Understanding the root cause of this issue is crucial in effectively resolving it. Here’s a comprehensive guide on troubleshooting the “running but not launching” issue in Wuthering Waves.
1. Check System Requirements
Before diving into complex troubleshooting steps, it’s essential to ensure that your system meets the minimum and recommended requirements to run Wuthering Waves smoothly. Failing to meet the system requirements could lead to problems where the game starts but doesn’t launch fully.
Minimum System Requirements for Wuthering Waves:
- Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-7500 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or equivalent
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 20 GB available space
If your system doesn’t meet these specifications, upgrading your hardware may be the only solution. However, if your system exceeds these requirements and you’re still experiencing the issue, continue with the following steps.
2. Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers are one of the most common reasons why games fail to launch. Wuthering Waves, being graphically intensive, requires updated drivers to function correctly. To resolve this, make sure your graphics drivers are up to date.
How to Update Graphics Drivers:
- Nvidia: Go to the Nvidia website and download the latest drivers for your GPU.
- AMD: Visit AMD’s support page and download the latest drivers compatible with your system.
- Intel: Use Intel’s Driver & Support Assistant to update your integrated graphics.
Once you’ve updated your drivers, restart your system and try launching Wuthering Waves again. This simple step can often resolve the issue.
3. Verify Game Files via the Launcher
Another common cause of the game running but not launching is corrupted or missing game files. Most gaming platforms, such as Steam or Epic Games Launcher, allow you to verify the integrity of your game files. This process will check if all the necessary files are in place and replace any that may be missing or corrupted.
Steps for Verifying Game Files:
- Steam: Go to your Library, right-click on Wuthering Waves, select “Properties,” and then go to the “Local Files” tab. Click “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”
- Epic Games Launcher: Navigate to your Library, click on the three dots next to Wuthering Waves, and select “Verify.”
Once the verification process is complete, try launching the game again.
4. Run the Game as Administrator
Sometimes, permission issues can prevent a game from launching properly. Running Wuthering Waves as an administrator may help bypass these permission restrictions.
How to Run as Administrator:
- Right-click on the game’s executable file or its shortcut.
- Select “Run as Administrator” from the context menu.
- Confirm any prompts that appear.
Running the game with elevated permissions can sometimes resolve issues where the game fails to launch.
5. Disable Overlays and Background Programs
Overlays such as Discord, Nvidia GeForce Experience, or Steam’s built-in overlay can sometimes interfere with games, causing them to not launch correctly. Additionally, background programs like antivirus software or other resource-heavy applications can conflict with game processes.
Steps to Disable Overlays:
- Steam: Go to Steam settings, select “In-Game,” and uncheck the box next to “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”
- Discord: Open Discord, go to Settings, click on “Overlay,” and toggle off the “Enable in-game overlay” option.
- Nvidia GeForce Experience: Open GeForce Experience, go to Settings, and disable the in-game overlay option.
After disabling overlays, close any unnecessary background programs and try launching the game again.
6. Update Windows and DirectX
Windows updates often include critical patches for gaming performance, and DirectX is essential for rendering graphics in modern games. Ensuring both are up to date can resolve issues with games not launching.
How to Check for Updates:
- Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.”
- DirectX: DirectX updates are generally included with Windows updates, but you can manually install the latest version by visiting Microsoft’s DirectX download page.
Once updated, restart your computer and attempt to launch Wuthering Waves.
7. Adjust Compatibility Settings
If you’re running an older version of Windows or have specific software configurations, compatibility issues could prevent Wuthering Waves from launching. Changing the compatibility mode may resolve this.
How to Adjust Compatibility Settings:
- Right-click on the game’s executable file and select “Properties.”
- Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
- Check the box next to “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select your operating system (e.g., Windows 8 or Windows 7).
- Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
Try launching the game again to see if this resolves the issue.
8. Check for Internet Connectivity Issues
Wuthering Waves is an online game, and connection problems can prevent the game from launching properly. A weak or unstable internet connection may cause the game to hang on the loading screen or fail to start.
Steps to Check Connectivity:
- Restart your router and modem.
- Switch to a wired connection if possible.
- Check if other online games are working.
- Disable any VPN or proxy services that could be causing connectivity issues.
Ensuring you have a stable connection can help the game launch without issues.
Conclusion
Wuthering Waves is a beautifully crafted game, but technical issues like “running but not launching” can be frustrating for players eager to dive into its vast world. By following the steps outlined in this article—checking system requirements, updating drivers, verifying game files, and adjusting compatibility settings—you can resolve most issues and get back to enjoying the game.
Keep in mind that game developers often release patches and updates to address such technical problems, so staying patient and keeping your game and system up to date will always be helpful. If the issue persists despite all these troubleshooting steps, reaching out to wuthering waves running but not launching customer support may be your best option.
Remember to always maintain your system and software in top shape for the best gaming experience!
ABRAHAMSOFT