Playing video games is a popular hobby for many people. However, it can be incredibly frustrating when games won’t load properly. If you find yourself running into issues getting games to open or load content, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to try and get things working again.
Check for updates
One of the first things to check is whether your games, gaming platform, or computer need any updates. Game developers often release patches and updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new content to games. Similarly, companies like Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Valve will periodically release system updates for their gaming consoles and software. Keeping everything fully updated ensures you have the latest optimizations and fixes.
To check for updates on a Windows PC, open the Microsoft Store app and click on the “…” icon in the upper right. Select “Downloads and updates” and click “Get updates.” On a Playstation 4, go to Settings > System Software Update. An Xbox One will prompt you to download updates if available when you start it up while connected to the internet. For the Nintendo Switch, select System Settings from the home screen and choose “System” then “System Update.”
Verify game file integrity
If a game downloaded correctly but refuses to load, the files may have become corrupted. Most digital gaming platforms allow you to verify the integrity of game files to check for issues.
On Steam for PC, right-click on the game in your Library and go to Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files. The Epic Games Store has a similar feature in the Settings cog icon on the game page. Consoles also support file verification – on PS4 go to Settings > Storage > Applications. Select the game press Options and choose Check for Corruption. For Xbox, open My Games & Apps, press the Menu button on the game and select Manage Game > Updates.
Restart gaming devices
One of the most basic troubleshooting steps for any computing issue is to restart the associated hardware. Completely powering down and restarting your gaming PC, console, router, modem can clear out bugs, memory issues, connectivity problems, and more.
Make sure to fully shut down the device – don’t just put it into Sleep or Rest Mode. Also, when restarting a router or modem make sure to leave it off for at least 60 seconds before powering back on. This allows time for capacitors and other components to fully discharge.
Check for overheating issues
Over time, dust build up inside gaming computers and consoles can lead to overheating. Excess heat can cause games to crash or run slowly. Make sure your gaming system and hardware have adequate ventilation and use compressed air to clear any dust build up from fans and heatsinks.
Also check that the internal fan(s) are still functioning properly. Replace any fans that have failed or are making loud noises indicating issues with the bearings. A few degrees difference in temperature fromimproved cooling canmean the difference between crashes and smooth gaming.
Update graphics drivers
Outdated or buggy graphics card drivers are a common cause of game launch and rendering issues on gaming PCs. Use utilities from AMD and NVIDIA to update your graphics drivers to the latest stable release. Make sure to fully uninstall the old drivers first.
The AMD Radeon Software and NVIDIA GeForce Experience apps will detect your graphics hardware and offer drivers tailored specifically for that card. Keeping drivers updated can fix compatibility problems and boost game performance.
Disable antivirus temporarily
Security software like antivirus suites can sometimes interfere with games and cause launch problems. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus to see if it fixes any loading issues.
Go to the system tray icon for your antivirus software like Norton, McAfee, Avast, etc. Right-click and choose to disable or pause monitoring for 15-30 minutes. Try launching the game during this time window when your antivirus is not active. Don’t forget to re-enable your antivirus once done testing.
Verify system requirements
Make sure your computer or console hardware meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for a game. Some games may still load on substandard hardware, but have issues like long loading times, lagging, freezing, and crashes.
Check the CPU, RAM, video card, OS version, and other specifications required by the game. Compare these to the specs of your system. Upgrading hardware like adding more RAM or a better graphics card can help if your system is borderline. Console game requirements are set based on that system’s fixed hardware capabilities.
Check error logs
Digging through diagnostic logs and error reports can sometimes uncover specific issues impeding game loads. Windows keeps Event Viewer logs tracking all system events including errors and crashes. Check there for clues around the time a game failed to load.
Game launchers and digital stores like Steam, Battle.net, Origin, Uplay, and GOG Galaxy also record logs. Enable logging in the settings for these apps, launch the problematic game, then check for any error messages logged.
Reinstall the game
If all else fails, completely uninstalling and re-installing the game may resolve stubborn loading problems. This can fix corrupted files and clear out any cached issues with the original install.
Make sure to fully delete all folders and files associated with the game before re-installing. Also be aware that save data is often kept separately, so your progress should not be lost.
Contact customer support
Reach out to the game developer’s customer service or check their forums/FAQ for help if you cannot get a game to load after trying these troubleshooting tips. especially if the game recently updated or you notice lots of other people complaining of similar loading issues, it may be on the developer’s end.
Provide detailed information on the problem and what steps you’ve tried. Also list your full system specifications and any error messages encountered. With good logs and details, a support rep may be able to identify the specific cause and provide steps to fix it.
Conclusion
Games failing to load properly can stem from a wide range of causes. Updating your system, verifying files, checking for overheating, reinstalling games, and contacting support are all steps that may help get games back up and running again. With some diligent troubleshooting, you can hopefully resolve the loading issues and get back to enjoying your favorite games.