Fatal Error: Another instance is already running

[crackerleek]

How do I fix Fatal Error: Another instance is already running because it crashes on launch
This happened before so I restarted my computer and it worked, but this second time it doesnt go away no matter how many times i restart it

[Rowrco]

tal vez porque no tengas los requisitos que se necesitan

[kanna]

Weird, if this is recurring, but it sounds like you're somehow opening the game twice? Did you try checking your running processes when that happens?

[crackerleek]

thats not it I have 20+ hours of game time and this only happened twice

[crackerleek]

idk

[crackerleek]

how do i check running processes

[kanna]

On Windows, press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys together to view Task Manager. There is an equivalent for Mac, but I can't remember the name or key combination. For Linux, it depends on the version.

[crackerleek]

ok what next

[crackerleek]

nvm apparently using my taskbar to launch it causes it to crash I think i found the fix

[kanna]

Great, though as long as you're making sure to single click on it and there isn't an instance of the game open already (which you would look for in Task Manager before trying to open the game), it should work normally.

That said, I also just remembered that you can check in your Steam Library if the game is already running (I think it literally says "RUNNING" instead of "Play Game" or whatever), rather than bothering with Task Manager if that happens again.

[🉑 rezno[R].technology]

This probably happened recently, might be Steam's changes.

Normally, Hollow Knight is DRM-free on Steam, so it doesn't require Steam to run. If you launched it from the .exe file or a shortcut, it ran without Steam.
However, recently probably Steam made some changes, and now trying to launch it directly from .exe results in that error.

Now you have two options:
✅ Run Hollow Knight from the Steam app instead of the game .exe file (recommended)
✅ Put a steam_appid.txt file with the number 367520 inside the game folder (where the hollow_knight.exe file is) if you want to run it DRM-free like before

[The Nightmare Prince]

Originally posted by 🉑 reznoR.technology:

This probably happened recently, might be Steam's changes.

Normally, Hollow Knight is DRM-free on Steam, so it doesn't require Steam to run. If you launched it from the .exe file or a shortcut, it ran without Steam.
However, recently probably Steam made some changes, and now trying to launch it directly from .exe results in that error.

Now you have two options:
✅ Run Hollow Knight from the Steam app instead of the game .exe file (recommended)
✅ Put a steam_appid.txt file with the number 367520 inside the game folder (where the hollow_knight.exe file is) if you want to run it DRM-free like before

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH

[blackdiamond]

I'm now getting the same problem. I open task manager and its not currently running. I open the steam app, and the button says play. So I click play, the game tries to run, and then it says, "An error occured while launching the game: Game already running".

[blackdiamond]

I have restarted my computer, I have uninstalled the game, and I have even uninstalled steam, all to no avail.