"hl2.exe not responding", TF2 crashing on launch

[SparkPhoenix]

Everytime I launch TF2 (also Portal and Half Life 2), the game crashes before the Valve logo can appear (although I hear the first few notes of the jingle), giving me the “hl2.exe is not responding” error message. Any suggestions on what I can try to fix this? I’ve already tried:
• Updating Windows (11, version 10.0.22000),
• Updating graphics drivers (GTX 3080, version 512.95),
• Verifying integrity of game files,
• Reinstalling the game on different drives,
• Running the game with launch commands "-autoconfig" and "-windowed"
• Reinstalling Steam itself,
• Running "steam://flushconfig".

Any help appreciated :)

[Oldboy]

I had the exact same problem as you. Turns out it was rivatuner which is what I use to see my fps on games. Turned it off and it finally showed the valve logo animation.

If you're not using that maybe you might have some type of overlay running in the background like afterburner, nvidia overlay etc.

Good Luck!

[Smidge <3]

TF2 and like every other source game hangs when loading. It saying that it isn't responding during this time is normal. You might just have to give it some time.

If it's hard crashing, as in the application closes on its own, then you might want to try this: https://docs.mastercomfig.com/page/setup/clean_up/

[SparkPhoenix]

Originally posted by Oldboy:

I had the exact same problem as you. Turns out it was rivatuner which is what I use to see my fps on games. Turned it off and it finally showed the valve logo animation.

If you're not using that maybe you might have some type of overlay running in the background like afterburner, nvidia overlay etc.

Good Luck!

Thank you so much! I closed NZXT Cam and the game launches like normal now