Resolve The Overwatch Won’t Launch Error

Overwatch won’t launch on the system? Don’t panic! This happens to be really a strangely frustrating error notification that a lot of Overwatch game users have disclosed. According to some reports, the Overwatch game is displayed as running in the Task Manager of the system but the game doesn’t launch. However, you’re definitely not the only person to experience it. Luckily, there are certain fixes by which you can easily eradicate this annoying Overwatch game is running won’t launch error.

If you too are stuck with this issue and wondering how to fix it, then your search ends with us. Hence, in this informative post, you will get the apparent causes of the issue and some of the effective ways to eliminate this error notification. After applying the fixes mentioned herein, you should be able to fix the issue on your own. Hence, you are advised to go through the write-up thoroughly to learn more.

Overwatch Won’t Launch Error Notification: Apparent Causes

There are several reasons by which this annoying error may arise. Additionally, we scrutinized various reports from the Overwatch gamers and devised a set of ways to troubleshoot the problem in the launching of Overwatch. that can be performed in order to resolve this error notification. Also, we have checked the apparent reasons due to which this error may be triggered. Hence, some of the frequent ones are listed hereunder:

1. Battle.net tools: Damaged, backdated or missing files or folders can induce technical glitches along with the Blizzard Battle.net game clients and desktop application.
2. Game DVR: Generally, the Game DVR is a Windows 10 Operating System utility that grants the users to broadcast, record and capture the snaps while playing the Overwatch game. However, sometimes, this utility prevents the Overwatch game from running accurately on the system and even can cause fps drops.
3. Missing Files: This error notification may occur because of the missing or corrupted files which are inevitably required by the game while startup. Therefore, the Overwatch game might be encountering several flaws during the launch due to the unavailability of these required files.
4. Corrupt Cache: Whenever the game cache files are damaged then the corrupted files can generate several issues with the startup of the game. In order to make the quicker loading process, the Overwatch game provisionally saves certain files on the system as a cache. But over time this cache files can be damaged and generate flaws with the startup of the game.

Now that you have a better understanding of the apparent causes of the error. Thus, it’s time to move on towards the solutions to fix it.

Overwatch Game is Running Won’t Launch:: Effective Ways to Fix

Don’t panic after seeing this annoying Overwatch game is running won’t launch error notification on the screen. Because resolving this error notification is relatively simple. You can easily fix this error by some easy troubleshooting fixes and you do not even require any extra technical knowledge or ideas to execute this. Thus, we suggest that you should execute all the below-mentioned troubleshooting hacks one by one to get rid of this annoying error notification on your own.

Way 1: Scanning and Repairing the Game Files

If you are occurring this error, then there is a high chance that the game might be missing the crucial files that are needed by the game during the startup process. Therefore, the Overwatch game might be facing problems while launching because of the unavailability of these crucial files. Therefore, you need to scan for the game files and repair them in order to eradicate this error notification. To do it, go through the following steps:

1. At first, go to the Blizzard Client and tap on it to open. After that, tap on the ‘Games’ option in the Blizzard Client.
2. Next, tap on the Overwatch option. You may get this option in the right panel.
3. After that, you need to select the Options button under the Overwatch option. You may get this option in the top left panel of the screen.  
4. Now, you will get a list of available options.
5. Choose the ‘Scan and Repair’ option in the list of available options.
6. Tap on the ‘Begin scan’ option whenever the statements prompt you to.    
7. This process may take some time to complete. Therefore, you need to wait for the launcher to complete the entire process.
8. Once all the above-described steps are complete, try to run the game and check if the issue persists.  

Way 2: Deleting the Game Cache

A lot of users have reported that they fix this issue by deleting the cache files of the overwatch game. Therefore, in this method we are going to be deleting the cache files of the game for that:

1. On your keyboard, press down the Ctrl + Shift key and at the same time press down the Esc key to invoke the Task Manager.
2. Tap on the ‘More Details’ option to open the detailed version of the application.
3. Navigate to the Process tab.
4. If the ‘Blizzard Update Client’ or an ‘agent.exe.’ is running in the process tab, then select it. Tap on the End Process button on the bottom of the application.
5. Press down the Windows logo key + R key together on the keyboard. This key combination will invoke the Run dialog box.
6. Go to the Run dialog box and write ‘%Programdata%’. Tap on the Ok button. Alternatively, you can press down the Enter key.
7. Now, the directory will appear.
8. Next, choose the Delete option to delete the ‘Blizzard Entertainment’ folder in the directory.
9. Restart the Blizzard Client.
10. After completing all the above-described steps, run the Overwatch game and verify to check if the error is fixed.

In case, if the issue persists. Then, you need to move out to the next solution to resolve it.

Way 3: Disabling or Turning Off the Game DVR

In order to eradicate this frequent error notification, you need to disable the game DVR. To disable or turn off the game DVR, go through the following steps:

1. At first, go to the Start menu and tap on it to open.
2. Tap on the Settings icon in the Start menu.
3. Hit the Gaming option.
4. Choose the Game Bar option under the sidebar.
5. Now, you need to disable each and every option inside this.
6. Choose ‘Game DVR’ option.
7. You need to disable each and every option inside this.
8. After that, tap on the True Play option to select and disable it.
9. After completing all the above-mentioned steps, restart the system for good measure.

Lastly, try to run the Overwatch game and verify to see if the issue persists or not. In case, if the issue continues, then you should move out to the next troubleshooting method.  

Way 4: Deleting the ‘Battle.net Tools’

In case, if the above-mentioned way did not work for you, try to perform this easy method to get rid of this annoying error. In this method, we are going to be deleting the Battle.net files and the Blizzard Client will reinstall the Battle.net files by automatically later. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. At first, go to the Task Manager.
2. Alternatively, press down the Ctrl + Shift key and at the same time press the Esc key on your keyboard to invoke the Task Manager.
3. Tap on the ‘More Details’ option to open the detailed version of the application.
4. Navigate to the Process tab.
5. If the ‘Blizzard Update Client’ or an ‘agent.exe.’ is running in the process tab, then select it. Tap on the End Process button on the bottom of the application.
6. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and at the same time press the R key on the keyboard. This key combination will invoke the Run dialog box.
7. Go to the Run dialog box and write ‘C:\ProgramData\’. Tap on the Ok button. Alternatively, you can press down the Enter key.
8. Now, the directory will appear.
9. Next, choose the Delete option to delete the ‘Battle.net’ folder in the directory.
10. After completing all the above-described steps, run the Blizzard client.

At last, try to run the Overwatch game and verify to see that the error is fixed or not. In case, if the issue persists. Then, you need to move out to the next solution to resolve it.

Way 5: Verify for Software Conflicts

Perhaps the Overwatch game may not launch due to the interruption from other software or application of the system. Therefore, you need to verify software conflicts to resolve this error notification. Follow the below mentioned steps to do so:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and at the same time press the R key on the keyboard. This key combination will invoke the Run dialog box.
2. Go to the Run dialog box and write ‘msconfig’. Tap on the Ok button. Alternatively, you can press down the Enter key on your keyboard.
3. Now, tap on the Services tab. After that, verify ‘Hide all Microsoft services (First)’.
4. Hit the Disable All option. Next, tap on the Ok button.
5. After that, go to the Startup tab.
6. Next, tap on the Open the Task Manager option in the Startup tab menu.  
7. Right-click on the ‘Each enabled startup item’ option.
8. Hit on the Disable option.
9. Next, close the Task Manager.
10. After completing all the above-described steps, tap on the Ok button.
11. Lastly, you need to restart the system for good measure.

Additional steps:

Verify to see if you can run the Overwatch game on the system. If you can, then proceed to the below-stated steps. These steps will help you to find out the service or application that cause issues:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and at the same time press the “R” key on the keyboard. This key combination will invoke the Run dialog box.
2. Go to the Run dialog box and write ‘msconfig’. Tap on the Ok button. Alternatively, you can press down the Enter key on your keyboard.
3. Now, tap on the Services tab. After that, verify ‘Hide all Microsoft services’. After that, tick the checkbox of the disabled service to enable it. Next, after selecting the checkboxes, tap on the OK button.
4. Tap on the Restart option.
5. Now, you need to launch the Overwatch game. If it is still running, then you need to redo the steps from step 1 to step 4 until you find out the particular service or application that caused the error notification.

Wrapping Up

In this article, the easiest and effective 5 troubleshooting ways are explained to resolve the Overwatch won’t launch error notification. Moreover, you may come up with multiple fixing solutions as well, but the above-stated troubleshooting ways are very practical to resolve the Overwatch game would not launching issue. Thus, try to perform the above-mentioned fixes to see which one is giving you an ultimate troubleshooting solution regarding the Overwatch game is running won’t launch error. In case, you face any confusion or trouble while performing the above-mentioned ways and steps then, please let us know in the comment section below.