Baldurs gate 3 not working

Baldur’s Gate 3 is an immensely popular role-playing video game that has captured the hearts of millions of players worldwide. However, like any software, it is not immune to technical issues that can hinder the gaming experience. One frustrating problem that players encounter is when Baldur’s Gate 3 refuses to work as expected. Whether it’s crashes, freezes, or other glitches, these issues can be discouraging. In this article, we will explore the common reasons behind the game not working and provide detailed procedures to troubleshoot and fix these problems. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can get back to adventuring in the fantastical world of Baldur’s Gate 3 with minimal hassle.

Reasons behind Baldur’s Gate 3 not working

1. Insufficient System Requirements: If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum hardware specifications, the game may not run properly or may not launch at all.
2. Outdated Graphics Drivers: When your GPU drivers are outdated, it can lead to graphical glitches, crashes, and poor performance in the game.
3. Corrupted Game Files: Missing or corrupted game files can cause the game to crash or fail to start.
4. Antivirus and Firewall Interference: Overprotective antivirus software or strict firewall settings can block the game from running.
5. Third-Party Software Conflicts: Certain third-party software, such as Discord overlays or FPS counters, can conflict with the game and cause issues.
6. Steam Overlay Issues: The Steam overlay may interfere with the game’s performance, leading to crashes or instability.
7. Missing DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables: Baldur’s Gate 3 relies on these components, and if they are missing or outdated, the game won’t work correctly.
8. Power Management Settings: Incorrect power management settings can throttle the CPU or GPU during gameplay, causing performance problems.

Identifying these reasons can help you troubleshoot and fix the issues effectively, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.

How to fix Baldur’s Gate 3 not working?

Fix 1: Verify System Requirements

Before diving into complex troubleshooting, it’s crucial to ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements to run Baldur’s Gate 3. Here’s how you can verify your system requirements:

1. Check CPU, GPU, RAM, and Storage: Right-click on “My Computer” or “This PC” on your desktop and select “Properties.” Note down your computer’s CPU, RAM, and storage details. Check if they meet the game’s minimum requirements, which can be found on the game’s official website or platform store page.
2. GPU Compatibility: Determine your graphics card model by searching for “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar. Under “Display Adapters,” the name of your GPU will be listed. Ensure that it meets or exceeds the game’s minimum requirements.
3. Storage Space: Baldur’s Gate 3 requires a significant amount of disk space. Check if you have enough free space on your hard drive or SSD to accommodate the game.
4. Compare System Requirements: Visit the official website or the game’s store page on your platform (e.g., Steam or GOG) and compare your system’s specifications to the minimum and recommended requirements. If your hardware falls short, consider upgrading to meet the game’s demands.

By verifying and meeting the system requirements, you can eliminate potential issues caused by inadequate hardware and increase the likelihood of the game working smoothly on your computer.

Read more: Graphics device driver error code 22

Fix 2: Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can lead to various problems in Baldur’s Gate 3, such as graphical glitches, crashes, and poor performance. To resolve these issues, follow these steps to update your graphics drivers:

1. Identify GPU Model: Press “Windows + R” on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type “dxdiag” and press Enter. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window, go to the “Display” tab. Note down the name and model of your graphics card.
2. Visit GPU Manufacturer’s Website: Once you know your GPU model, visit the website of the manufacturer (NVIDIA or AMD).
3. Download Latest Drivers: Navigate to the “Drivers” or “Support” section on the manufacturer’s website. Enter your GPU model and operating system details to find the latest drivers compatible with your system.
4. Install Drivers: Download the latest graphics drivers and run the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the new drivers on your computer.
5. Restart Your Computer: After the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Updating your graphics drivers to the latest version ensures better compatibility with Baldur’s Gate 3 and optimizes performance, resolving graphical issues and crashes that may have occurred due to outdated drivers.

Fix 3: Verify Game Files Integrity

Corrupted or missing game files can cause Baldur’s Gate 3 to malfunction or crash. Fortunately, the game has a built-in feature that allows you to verify and repair these files. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Game Platform: Launch the game platform through which you have purchased and installed Baldur’s Gate 3 (e.g., Steam or GOG Galaxy).
2. Access Game Library: Navigate to your game library within the platform, where all your installed games are listed.
3. Right-Click on Baldur’s Gate 3: Locate Baldur’s Gate 3 in your game library. Right-click on the game’s name to open a context menu.
4. Select Properties: In the context menu, select “Properties” to access the game’s properties window.
5. Verify Game Files: In the properties window, navigate to the “Local Files” or “Local Data” tab. Look for an option that says “Verify Integrity of Game Files” or something similar. Click on this option to start the verification process.
6. Wait for Completion: The platform will now scan your game files to identify any issues. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the game and the speed of your storage.
7. Repair or Download Missing Files: If any corrupted or missing files are found during the verification process, the platform will automatically repair or download them.
8. Restart Game: Once the verification and repair process is complete, close the properties window and restart Baldur’s Gate 3.

Verifying the integrity of game files ensures that any corrupted or missing data is fixed, eliminating potential game-breaking issues and restoring the game to a functional state.

Fix 4: Disable Antivirus and Firewall

Sometimes, overprotective antivirus software and strict firewall settings can interfere with the proper functioning of Baldur’s Gate 3. Temporarily disabling these security measures can help determine if they are causing the issue. Here’s how to do it:

1. Disable Antivirus: Locate the antivirus software icon in the system tray (usually located at the bottom-right corner of the screen). Right-click on the icon to open the context menu.
2. Disable Real-time Protection: In the context menu, look for an option related to real-time protection or virus scanning. Select “Disable,” “Turn Off,” or a similar option. Some antivirus software might require you to choose a specific duration for disabling protection; choose “Disable until restart” if available.
3. Disable Firewall: To disable the firewall, open the Control Panel on your computer. Navigate to “System and Security,” then “Windows Defender Firewall.”
4. Turn Off Firewall: In the Windows Defender Firewall window, click on “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off” in the left panel.
5. Disable Firewall Settings: Select the option “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall” for both private and public networks. Click “OK” to apply the changes.
6. Launch Baldur’s Gate 3: With the antivirus and firewall disabled, launch Baldur’s Gate 3 through your game platform and check if the issue is resolved.
7. Re-enable Security Software: After testing, remember to re-enable your antivirus and firewall for continued protection.

If disabling the antivirus and firewall resolves the problem, you can add an exception for Baldur’s Gate 3 in both applications to ensure smooth gameplay without compromising your system’s security.

Fix 5: Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts

Certain third-party software running in the background can conflict with Baldur’s Gate 3 and cause it to crash or behave unexpectedly. To identify and resolve such conflicts, follow these steps:

1. Close Unnecessary Applications: Before launching the game, close any unnecessary applications running in the background. This includes browser extensions, chat clients, and other non-essential programs.
2. Disable Discord Overlays: If you use Discord, it has a feature called “Overlay” that may cause conflicts with some games. To disable it, open Discord and go to “User Settings” (gear icon). Under the “Overlay” tab, toggle off “Enable in-game overlay.”
3. Disable FPS Counters and Overlays: If you have third-party software that displays FPS counters or overlays during gameplay, consider disabling them temporarily.
4. Exit MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server: These applications are popular for tweaking GPU settings and monitoring performance but can sometimes cause conflicts with games. Close them before running Baldur’s Gate 3.
5. Run Game in Clean Boot Mode: Perform a clean boot to start your computer with only essential services and drivers. This will help determine if any third-party software is causing the issue. Search “msconfig” in the Windows search bar, open the “System Configuration” window, go to the “Services” tab, and check “Hide all Microsoft services.” Then click “Disable all” and restart your computer.
6. Launch Baldur’s Gate 3: After performing a clean boot, launch the game to see if the issue persists.
7. Identify the Culprit: If the game runs smoothly in clean boot mode, the issue is likely caused by a conflicting third-party application. To identify the culprit, re-enable services and applications one by one, testing the game after each re-enablement until the problematic one is found.

By identifying and resolving conflicts with third-party software, you can enjoy a seamless gaming experience in Baldur’s Gate 3 without encountering any unnecessary crashes or interruptions.

Fix 6: Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables

Baldur’s Gate 3 relies on DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables to function correctly. If these components are missing or outdated, it can lead to various issues in the game. To ensure smooth gameplay, follow these steps to update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables:

1. Check Current Version of DirectX: Press “Windows + R” on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type “dxdiag” and press Enter. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window, check the version of DirectX installed on your computer. Note it down for reference.
2. Download the Latest DirectX: Visit the official Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer website. Download the latest version of DirectX compatible with your operating system.
3. Install DirectX: Run the downloaded DirectX installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of DirectX on your computer.
4. Visit Microsoft’s Visual C++ Redistributables Page: Go to the Microsoft Download Center and search for “Visual C++ Redistributables.” Look for the latest version compatible with your system and download it.
5. Install Visual C++ Redistributables: Run the downloaded Visual C++ Redistributables installer. Follow the instructions to install the package on your computer.
6. Restart Your Computer: After installing both DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables, restart your computer to apply the changes.

By updating DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables, you ensure that Baldur’s Gate 3 has the necessary components to function optimally, reducing the likelihood of crashes, errors, or other issues caused by missing or outdated libraries.

Fix 7: Adjust Power Management Settings

Power management settings on your computer can affect the performance of your CPU and GPU, potentially causing performance issues in Baldur’s Gate 3. To ensure your hardware runs at its full capacity during gameplay, follow these steps to adjust your power management settings:

1. Access Power Options: Right-click on the battery icon or power plug icon in the system tray and select “Power Options” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can open the Control Panel and navigate to “Power Options.”
2. Select a High-Performance Plan: In the Power Options window, you will see a list of power plans available on your computer. Choose the “High-Performance” plan. This plan ensures that your CPU and GPU operate at their maximum capabilities, providing optimal performance during gameplay.
3. Customize the High-Performance Plan (Optional): If you wish to customize the high-performance plan further, click on “Change plan settings” next to the selected plan. Then click on “Change advanced power settings.”
4. Adjust Processor Power Management: In the Advanced Settings window, expand “Processor Power Management” and set the “Minimum Processor State” and “Maximum Processor State” to 100%. This setting ensures that your CPU runs at its maximum clock speed during gaming.
5. Apply Changes and Save: Click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes to your power plan settings.
6. Restart Your Computer: After adjusting the power management settings, restart your computer to apply the changes.

By selecting the high-performance power plan and configuring processor power management settings, you ensure that your computer’s hardware performs optimally during gaming sessions, allowing for a smoother and more enjoyable experience in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Fix 8: Run the Game as Administrator

Running Baldur’s Gate 3 with administrative privileges can resolve certain issues related to permissions and access rights. Follow these steps to launch the game as an administrator:

1. Locate Game Shortcut: Find the shortcut icon for Baldur’s Gate 3 on your desktop or in your game library.
2. Right-Click on the Shortcut: Right-click on the game’s shortcut icon to open the context menu.
3. Select “Run as Administrator”: In the context menu, click on the option that says “Run as Administrator.”
4. User Account Control (UAC) Prompt: If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click “Yes” to allow the game to make changes to your computer.
5. Launch the Game: Baldur’s Gate 3 will now start with administrative privileges.
6. Test the Game: Play the game for a while to see if the issue persists. Running the game as an administrator can often resolve problems related to restricted access to certain files or system resources.

By running Baldur’s Gate 3 with administrative privileges, you grant the game the necessary permissions to access critical system resources, potentially resolving issues caused by restricted access and enhancing the game’s performance and stability.

Preventing Tips to Avoid Baldur’s Gate 3 issues

Playing Baldur’s Gate 3 without encountering technical problems can be a rewarding experience. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming journey, follow these preventative tips:

• 1. Keep Your System Updated: Regularly update your operating system, graphics drivers, and other essential software. These updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can benefit your gaming experience.
• 2. Maintain Adequate Disk Space: Ensure you have enough free disk space on your hard drive or SSD. Running out of storage can lead to issues with game installations, updates, and overall performance.
• 3. Verify System Requirements Before Purchase: Before buying any game, verify that your computer meets the minimum system requirements. Purchasing a game without meeting the requirements may lead to frustrating issues.
• 4. Create System Restore Points: Creating system restore points allows you to roll back changes if anything goes wrong during software installations or updates, providing a safety net for your system.
• 5. Scan for Malware Regularly: Perform regular scans for malware and viruses to ensure your computer remains clean from potentially harmful software that can interfere with games.
• 6. Close Unnecessary Background Applications: Before launching Baldur’s Gate 3, close any unnecessary applications running in the background. Extra processes can consume system resources and impact gaming performance.
• 7. Disable Overlays and FPS Counters: Turn off overlays and FPS counters from third-party software while playing the game to prevent conflicts and potential performance issues.
• 8. Optimize In-Game Settings: Adjust in-game settings such as graphics quality and resolution based on your hardware capabilities to achieve an optimal balance between visuals and performance.
• 9. Backup Game Saves: Periodically backup your game saves in case of unexpected crashes or data loss. This way, you won’t lose your progress.
• 10. Report Bugs and Issues: If you encounter any issues, report them to the game developers through their official channels. Your feedback can contribute to future updates and improvements.

By following these preventative tips, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering technical issues in Baldur’s Gate 3, enhancing your overall gaming experience.

Conclusion

Experiencing issues with Baldur’s Gate 3 not working can be frustrating, but armed with the knowledge of common problems and their solutions, you can now tackle these technical challenges with confidence. By checking system requirements, updating graphics drivers, verifying game files, and addressing potential software conflicts, you can ensure a smooth gaming experience. Remember to stay proactive in maintaining your system and keeping it up-to-date. With the troubleshooting procedures outlined in this guide, you can embark on your adventurous journey in Baldur’s Gate 3 without interruptions, immersing yourself in its rich and captivating world. Happy gaming!

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