Ark Won't Launch

[Pandalicious]

Hey all, I have an issue I'm hoping someone can assist me with. Ark will not launch for me (first time ever trying to get it to launch on my computer). Specs are below:

Computer: MSI GS65 Stealth Thin
Processor: i7-8750H
GPU: GTX 1070 - Max Q

I have three different "partitions" and an external SSD. I have tried installing/reinstalling to all 3 and verifying files to all 3. Still no boot.

I have tried the following:

Restarting Steam
Restarting my computer
Re-installing to a different hard drive
Re-installing to an external SSD
Verifying file integrity

What happens is I get the popup that it is performing the first time setup: installing Microsoft directX for windows, which I already have installed. This box pops up every time I try to launch Ark. Once this install "completes" steam says Ark is running for 5-10 seconds, and my mouse curor changes to the circular "working" thing, but then it closes.

[Lori37]

Go to Steam -> Click on Help -> Click on System Information -> Cut and paste the info here please.

[Pandalicious]

Computer Information:
Manufacturer: Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.
Model: GS65 Stealth Thin 8RF
Form Factor: Laptop
No Touch Input Detected

Processor Information:
CPU Vendor: GenuineIntel
CPU Brand: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz
CPU Family: 0x6
CPU Model: 0x9e
CPU Stepping: 0xa
CPU Type: 0x0
Speed: 2208 Mhz
12 logical processors
6 physical processors
HyperThreading: Supported
FCMOV: Supported
SSE2: Supported
SSE3: Supported
SSSE3: Supported
SSE4a: Unsupported
SSE41: Supported
SSE42: Supported
AES: Supported
AVX: Supported
CMPXCHG16B: Supported
LAHF/SAHF: Supported
PrefetchW: Unsupported

Operating System Version:
Windows 10 (64 bit)
NTFS: Supported
Crypto Provider Codes: Supported 311 0x0 0x0 0x0

Video Card:
Driver: Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630
DirectX Driver Name: nvldumd.dll
Driver Version: 23.20.16.5037
DirectX Driver Version: 25.21.14.1735
Driver Date: 4 18 2018
OpenGL Version: 4.6
Desktop Color Depth: 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Refresh Rate: 143 Hz
DirectX Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design
VendorID: 0x10de
DeviceID: 0x1ba1
Revision: 0xa1
Number of Monitors: 1
Number of Logical Video Cards: 1
No SLI or Crossfire Detected
Primary Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Desktop Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Primary Display Size: 13.54" x 7.60" (15.51" diag)
34.4cm x 19.3cm (39.4cm diag)
Primary Bus: PCI Express 16x
Primary VRAM: 1024 MB
Supported MSAA Modes: 2x 4x 8x

Sound card:
Audio device: Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio)

Memory:
RAM: 16227 Mb

Miscellaneous:
UI Language: English
Media Type: Undetermined
Total Hard Disk Space Available: 1441568 Mb
Largest Free Hard Disk Block: 672592 Mb
OS Install Date: Dec 31 1969
Game Controller: None detected
VR Headset: None detected

[Pandalicious]

Any ideas as to what this could be?

[Lori37]

@retsam1, could you give some insights here? I am thinking it has something to do with the graphics card, but I am unsure

[margalus]

There are a few things you can try.

1. Force the game to run on the 1070 so there is no confusion. I am sorry that I cannot tell you how though, I have never had a computer with integrated graphics. I think you should find the game settings in the NVidia properties though.

2. If that doesn't work try disabling any and all antivirus/antimalware programs you may have running.

3. Run Steam as Admin, right click Steam.exe and select Properties then Compatibility tab, at the bottom check "Run This Program as Administrator." (I would recomend this regardless}

[Pandalicious]

Thanks all! I ended up going into my steam folder so i could set ark to run specifically on my 1070 just in case, and decided to try to launch the game from shootergame.exe. An error popped up letting me know I was missing a couple of directx dll's (which my computer refuses to install for some reason)

I manually placed them into the file and the game launches now! I appreciate everyone's help on this one.