Stellaris will not launch SOLVED

[CTM_Creature]

For some reason my game won't start. I click play on Steam, the start up thing pops up, i click play and then it pulls up a black screen, if i click i et the "progam is not responding" and no matter how long i wait it won't load.

[tempest.of.emptiness]

Has the game ever worked for you?

Have you tried verifying the game files through Steam?

Have you tried reinstalling the game?

Have you installed any mods?

[CTM_Creature]

Originally posted by tempest.of.emptiness:

Has the game ever worked for you?

Have you tried verifying the game files through Steam?

Have you tried reinstalling the game?

Have you installed any mods?

In order,
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

[tempest.of.emptiness]

Did anything change around the time the game stopped working? Any new software installed, new hardware installed, drivers updated, OS updated?

[CTM_Creature]

Originally posted by tempest.of.emptiness:

Did anything change around the time the game stopped working? Any new software installed, new hardware installed, drivers updated, OS updated?

No, I played it one day then the next it just wouldnt load

[Stingray7]

Originally posted by Cedo The Mad:

For some reason my game won't start. I click play on Steam, the start up thing pops up, i click play and then it pulls up a black screen, if i click i et the "progam is not responding" and no matter how long i wait it won't load.

The exact same thing has happened to my game also. The game used to work fine. I verified the files through steam, I've tried reinstalling the game three different times. I've not installed any mods. (reply to Meewec) After clicking on the play button I also began to think I didn't wait enough time for the game to start so I increased my wait times to over five mins. (reply to annaliseh and thanks to all who replied)
UPDATE: After searching around I found a fix based on a different game's forum info page.

Here are the steps..
(1) First you must be able to see hidden files on your PC. So, turn that ability on (search the web if you donl't know how, you need to see the hidden game files).

(2) After that you will need to go to this location on your pc.... C:\Users\"Your User Name Here"\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Stellaris....

(3) Once you reach this Stellaris folder, delete everything in it - everething.

(4) Once that is done, use the steam verify function to check the integrity of your stellaris game files (right click on the game in your inventory, select properties, select local files, then select the verify option). This will ensure vital files are replaced/updated.

(5) After this is done the game should load just fine. Enjoy.

[Meewec]

how long did you wait before you clicked and caused it to not respond?

[annaliseh]

if you search through the forum you will find the answers. You need to delete certain files and folders in the My Documents folder.

Never try reinstall - it can be a steam problem. All you have to do is wait a few days.

[CTM_Creature]

Alright so i get it working again, whay i needed to do was to go into all of my Paradox files and just compleatly deleat everything. After that I redownloaded and it worked.

[Leogain]

So I tried the steps mentioned by stingray above, but am still unable to start the game. Hidden files revealed, and everything in the stellaris folder removed. no luck. I've restarted steam, my computer, and reinstalled the whole game.

[VPJoeBiden420]

I'm having this problem still, too. Deleted all files, re-checked file integrity. It hangs on "Preparing to launch," and if I go to the Paradox/Stellaris folder to check if it's repopulated those files, they're not there.

[VPJoeBiden420]

Aha! A potential solution. I noticed that, while "Preparing to launch" hung, the Steam app itself said it was trying to perform a cloud sync. So I disconnected from the internet, re-launched Steam in offline mode, and then it worked! (Had to do the file deletes too.)

[CrazyUncleSteve]

The problem isn't the launcher, it's Win 10.

Win 10 added a 'feature' some time ago called Fullscreen Optimization. It screwed with a lot of older games.

Go to where Stellaris is installed (For me: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Stellaris)

Scroll down and look for 'stellaris.exe'

Right click on 'stellaris.exe' and select 'Properties'
Click on the Compatibility tab
Check the box next to 'Disable Fullscreen optimization'
Click Apply and OK

[Dablic]

Originally posted by BuckStrider:

The problem isn't the launcher, it's Win 10.

Win 10 added a 'feature' some time ago called Fullscreen Optimization. It screwed with a lot of older games.

Go to where Stellaris is installed (For me: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Stellaris)

Scroll down and look for 'stellaris.exe'

Right click on 'stellaris.exe' and select 'Properties'
Click on the Compatibility tab
Check the box next to 'Disable Fullscreen optimization'
Click Apply and OK

thank you so much! this fixed it for me

[ocalacam]

Originally posted by BuckStrider:

The problem isn't the launcher, it's Win 10.

Win 10 added a 'feature' some time ago called Fullscreen Optimization. It screwed with a lot of older games.

Go to where Stellaris is installed (For me: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Stellaris)

Scroll down and look for 'stellaris.exe'

Right click on 'stellaris.exe' and select 'Properties'
Click on the Compatibility tab
Check the box next to 'Disable Fullscreen optimization'
Click Apply and OK

Yep! This solved my problem right away, thanks!

[Brachus]

Originally posted by BuckStrider:

The problem isn't the launcher, it's Win 10.

Win 10 added a 'feature' some time ago called Fullscreen Optimization. It screwed with a lot of older games.

Go to where Stellaris is installed (For me: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Stellaris)

Scroll down and look for 'stellaris.exe'

Right click on 'stellaris.exe' and select 'Properties'
Click on the Compatibility tab
Check the box next to 'Disable Fullscreen optimization'
Click Apply and OK

Well, this helped some...I get sound now, but still a black screen and have to force stop the game.