7 Ways to Fix Cities: Skylines 2 Not Launching
Cities: Skylines 2, a highly anticipated city-building game, has attracted many players since its release. However, some may face issues launching the game. This article outlines common fixes to resolve the problem of Cities: Skylines 2 not starting.
Method 1: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers may cause the game to fail to launch. It is recommended to use Driver Sentry to automatically detect and update your drivers, saving time and avoiding the risk of downloading or installing incorrect drivers.
Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Sentry. Install and open the software, then click "Scan".
After the scan, the software will show which drivers need to be updated. Find the graphics driver in the list and click "Update".
After the update, restart your computer to ensure the new drivers are applied correctly.
Method 2: Verify the Integrity of Game Files
Open Steam and go to the "Library" page, then find Cities: Skylines 2.
Right-click on the game title and select "Properties".
In the "Properties" window, go to the "Installed Files" tab.
Click the "Verify Integrity of Game Files" button, and Steam will automatically check and repair any damaged or missing game files.
Once the verification is complete, restart the game and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 3: Repair and Modify Launcher Files
If you installed Cities: Skylines 2 using the default path, the launcher files are located in the Steam\steamapps\common\Cities Skylines II\Launcher\Program Files\Local Disk folder.
Double-click the launcher-installer-windows_2023.11.msi file to run it, and choose the "Repair" option.
If this doesn't fix the launcher issue, open the launcher-settings.json file using Notepad, change the variable from 0 to 1.1, save the file, and exit.
Method 4: Disable Firewall and Antivirus Software
Open the "Control Panel" and go to System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
Click "Turn Windows Firewall on or off", and then select to turn off the firewall.
Go to your antivirus software settings and find the "Disable" or "Turn off" option to temporarily disable the protection.
Once disabled, try launching Cities: Skylines 2 again. If the issue is resolved, you can add the game to the exception list of both the firewall and antivirus software to avoid future problems.
Method 5: Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
Visit Microsoft's official website to download the latest versions of DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables.
After installation, restart your computer.
Try launching the game again to see if the issue is resolved.
Method 6: Run the Game as Administrator
Find the Cities: Skylines 2 shortcut or locate the game in your Steam library.
Right-click the game icon and select "Run as Administrator".
Try launching the game again to see if the problem is fixed.
Method 7: Uninstall and Reinstall the Game
Open Steam and go to the "Library" page, then find Cities: Skylines 2.
Right-click on the game title and select "Uninstall".
After the uninstallation is complete, go back to the library page, click the "Install" button, and re-download and install the game.
Once the installation is complete, restart the game to check if it runs properly.
Most players can resolve Cities: Skylines 2 not launching by following these methods. Keeping your system and drivers updated can help prevent such issues. If problems continue, contact Steam or the official game support team for further help.
See also:
Common Causes and Solutions for Windows Blue Screen of Death
Top 10 Ways to Fix Computer Sound Issues
How to Fix Sound Card Driver Installation Failure in Windows
