Game not launching fix [2025]

[ChopperGunner[NL]]

So I found this somewhere today and it seemed to be working for me so I thought i'd share it here:

Instead of launching the game from Desktop shortcut icon, go to Assassin’s Creed 3 Liberation HD installation folder, right click and go to properties.

Now go to ‘Compatibility Mode’ tab and check mark the box for ‘Disable Desktop Composition.’ and enable 'Run as administrator'. Now restart the game again.

In case it still doesn't work. Try disabling the Steam Overlay by right clicking the game on Steam>Properties>Disable Steam Overlay.

EDIT:
If this solution does not work for you, others have posted their solutions below.
For some users Nvidia GeForce Experience seems to cause issues.

[Imeror]

It doesn't work for me. I have a black screen for few seconds, and then return to desktop like nothing happen. Maybe it can work for some people, but I need to find other fix.

[ChopperGunner[NL]]

Originally posted by Imeror:

It doesn't work for me. I have a black screen for few seconds, and then return to desktop like nothing happen. Maybe it can work for some people, but I need to find other fix.

There are tons of fixes available but not all of them work for everyone unfortunately. I posted this fix because it worked for me and hoped it might work for other as well.

[Neutralis]

I had to set the compatibility for Windows 8 even though I use Windows 10. Thank you for helping me figure it out.

[TheOrev]

doing all three worked for me. disable desktop composition , run as administrator , and setting compatability on windows 8

[David 'Gadi' Assis]

Not working.

[SilberWolf]

tried all suggestions ... doesn't work. Still the same effect, gamdoesn't work

[ChopperGunner[NL]]

Originally posted by SilberWolf:

tried all suggestions ... doesn't work. Still the same effect, gamdoesn't work

For some others, disabling the Nvidia Geforce Experience overlay helped launching the game.

[delicategems17]

I actually tried going to Steam Game Library> Right Click on Game> Properties> Under General Tab> Uncheck use desktop game theatre while steam vr is active. Restart game to see if it works if not again goto Steam Game Library> Right Click on Game> Properties> Under General Tab> Uncheck Enable the steam overlay while ingame. Make sure both are unchecked.

[MachoTaco.]

I've been reading an trying solutions to launch AC Liberation, here's what i got to work:

1. Locate install folder for AC Liberation

2. Right click on ac3lhd_32 and go to Properties

3. Click on compatibility mode tab, first tick RUN IN COMPATIBILITY MODE then select WINDOWS 8, then tick both DISABLE FULL SCREEN OPTIMISATIONS & RUN AS ADMIN an click apply

4. Go to steam game library & right click on game an select PROPERTIES

5. Under GENERAL TAB un-tick both DESKTOP GAME THEATRE VR IS ACTIVE & ENABLE THE STEAM OVERLAY an clcik apply

6. Go to Nvidia Geforce Experience and click on settings

7. Disable IN GAME OVERLAY

Hopefully this helps someone :)

[karlibrandstetter]

Originally posted by MachoTaco.:

I've been reading an trying solutions to launch AC Liberation, here's what i got to work:

1. Locate install folder for AC Liberation

2. Right click on ac3lhd_32 and go to Properties

3. Click on compatibility mode tab, first tick RUN IN COMPATIBILITY MODE then select WINDOWS 8, then tick both DISABLE FULL SCREEN OPTIMISATIONS & RUN AS ADMIN an click apply

4. Go to steam game library & right click on game an select PROPERTIES

5. Under GENERAL TAB un-tick both DESKTOP GAME THEATRE VR IS ACTIVE & ENABLE THE STEAM OVERLAY an clcik apply

6. Go to Nvidia Geforce Experience and click on settings

7. Disable IN GAME OVERLAY

Hopefully this helps someone :)

Thx a lot i worked

[Scar107]

Originally posted by MachoTaco.:

I've been reading an trying solutions to launch AC Liberation, here's what i got to work:

1. Locate install folder for AC Liberation

2. Right click on ac3lhd_32 and go to Properties

3. Click on compatibility mode tab, first tick RUN IN COMPATIBILITY MODE then select WINDOWS 8, then tick both DISABLE FULL SCREEN OPTIMISATIONS & RUN AS ADMIN an click apply

4. Go to steam game library & right click on game an select PROPERTIES

5. Under GENERAL TAB un-tick both DESKTOP GAME THEATRE VR IS ACTIVE & ENABLE THE STEAM OVERLAY an clcik apply

6. Go to Nvidia Geforce Experience and click on settings

7. Disable IN GAME OVERLAY

Hopefully this helps someone :)

Macho Taco you are the hero with he answers!!

[Hasgos]

Originally posted by MachoTaco.:

I've been reading an trying solutions to launch AC Liberation, here's what i got to work:

1. Locate install folder for AC Liberation

2. Right click on ac3lhd_32 and go to Properties

3. Click on compatibility mode tab, first tick RUN IN COMPATIBILITY MODE then select WINDOWS 8, then tick both DISABLE FULL SCREEN OPTIMISATIONS & RUN AS ADMIN an click apply

4. Go to steam game library & right click on game an select PROPERTIES

5. Under GENERAL TAB un-tick both DESKTOP GAME THEATRE VR IS ACTIVE & ENABLE THE STEAM OVERLAY an clcik apply

6. Go to Nvidia Geforce Experience and click on settings

7. Disable IN GAME OVERLAY

Hopefully this helps someone :)

thank you this worked for me

[MrPeaceful]

This worked for me, so thank you ever so much. In the GeForce Experience app I just mucked about with screen resolution and quality in custom settings and all seems to be well. Again, thanks.

[Ubi_TheBerry]

Hey there guys,

Thanks for keeping this thread updated, I'm glad to see you've been able to get back on track!

- Ubisoft Support

[ChopperGunner[NL]]

Originally posted by Ubi_TheBerry:

Hey there guys,

Thanks for keeping this thread updated, I'm glad to see you've been able to get back on track!

- Ubisoft Support

Hi there!

I assume there won't be an official patch for this problem? The Remastered version is better, yes but for existing owners it's a bit a pain in the ass to get this game to run properly.