Can't launch Prey, anyone help me please?

[Kugelspritz]

I've been played this game for 97h before several month, but when I try to play it today, it can't launch anymore. I saw it just appear in task manager and dissappear quickly. However, i can play the DLC mooncrash normally. I have try many ways to solve this problem, such as turn off the firewall, reinstall the game, update Graphics driver but none of them works. I'm very despair!!!

I would appreciate if any kind-hearted people told me how to solve that problem, please!

[Toad]

Had you installed any mods or messed around with the game's files? Sometimes modified or new files will stay even if the game is uninstalled.

If you haven't installed any mods, try running Prey in Administrator mode. You can do this by finding Prey.exe in the game's folder. You can get to the folder by right clicking on the game in Steam, selecting Properties and then the Local Files tab, and then selecting Browse Local Files. Use the search bar in Windows Explorer to find Prey.exe. Right click Prey.exe and select Run as Administrator.

Try turning off any 3rd party antivirus software, anything that isn't Windows Defender.

Try verifying the game files, you can do this by right clicking Prey in Steam and selecting Properties, then selecting Local Files, and then Verify Integrity of Game Files.

If none of that works, find the Prey folder in your Steam files and delete it. Not Prey.exe, but the file for the entire game. It should be in Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common. And then reinstall the game again.

Hopefully something works. You could also try booting Windows into Safe Mode, but I'm unsure if that'd do anything.

[Kugelspritz]

Originally posted by Toad:

Had you installed any mods or messed around with the game's files? Sometimes modified or new files will stay even if the game is uninstalled.

If you haven't installed any mods, try running Prey in Administrator mode. You can do this by finding Prey.exe in the game's folder. You can get to the folder by right clicking on the game in Steam, selecting Properties and then the Local Files tab, and then selecting Browse Local Files. Use the search bar in Windows Explorer to find Prey.exe. Right click Prey.exe and select Run as Administrator.

Try turning off any 3rd party antivirus software, anything that isn't Windows Defender.

Try verifying the game files, you can do this by right clicking Prey in Steam and selecting Properties, then selecting Local Files, and then Verify Integrity of Game Files.

If none of that works, find the Prey folder in your Steam files and delete it. Not Prey.exe, but the file for the entire game. It should be in Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common. And then reinstall the game again.

Hopefully something works. You could also try booting Windows into Safe Mode, but I'm unsure if that'd do anything.

Oh, I've already tried those method, but it just doesn't works.
Anyway, thank you for your answer sincerely.

[Andre]

I can't launch Prey either since the last update. I've contacted Bethesda's support, filed a ticket and I've been waiting on them for almost a week now. They told me via Twitter that they're too busy, so it might take a while. :/

[Kugelspritz]

Originally posted by Andre:

I can't launch Prey either since the last update. I've contacted Bethesda's support, filed a ticket and I've been waiting on them for almost a week now. They told me via Twitter that they're too busy, so it might take a while. :/

Looking forward to your further progress.

[Andre]

So I got a reply from Bethesda asking me to try and run the game using compatibility mode, it didn't help me, but you could try and see if it helps you... I've replied to them and now I'll probably wait a few more days for them to reply to me back......

[Kugelspritz]

Originally posted by Andre:

So I got a reply from Bethesda asking me to try and run the game using compatibility mode, it didn't help me, but you could try and see if it helps you... I've replied to them and now I'll probably wait a few more days for them to reply to me back......

As I said above, this is one of the several methods I have tried. Same as you, it also doesn't works for me, it seems like we can do nothing but wait for the next update....

[Andre]

We'll see what else they'll suggest once they decide to reply to my ticket. It's very frustrating, and to be honest it feels like they don't have anyone on Prey anymore, so we might never be able to play again. Sadly I played more than 2 hours and can't refund...

[Kugelspritz]

Originally posted by Andre:

We'll see what else they'll suggest once they decide to reply to my ticket. It's very frustrating, and to be honest it feels like they don't have anyone on Prey anymore, so we might never be able to play again. Sadly I played more than 2 hours and can't refund...

Don't be discouraged, Arkane is still developing follow-up content for this game, so I think if we have good luck, our problem will soon be fixed in the next version.

[Andre]

I have an update. Support suggested to me deleting the file dinput8.dll. It is located at SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Prey\Binaries\Danielle\x64\Release
Deleting the file let me boot the game normally, but it doesn't see the controller AT ALL now. They suggested messing with Steam's big picture options, but I just couldn't find a way for the game to see my controller. If you have better luck getting the game to boot (likely without dinput8.dll) AND seeing the controller, please let me know!

[Andre]

OK, I had to disable the Steam controller in-game and in the option "Steam controller per game setting" (right-click on Prey and choose Properties) I had to mark "forced off". Now it sees my controller normally. :)
So yeah, removing the dinput8.dll and forcing controller off helped me play Prey again. I hope it helps you too!!

[Kugelspritz]

Originally posted by Andre:

OK, I had to disable the Steam controller in-game and in the option "Steam controller per game setting" (right-click on Prey and choose Properties) I had to mark "forced off". Now it sees my controller normally. :)
So yeah, removing the dinput8.dll and forcing controller off helped me play Prey again. I hope it helps you too!!

OMG!! It works!
I cost many times trying to launch this game, but I can't find any efficient method,and I almost gave up.
Thanks for your help, I can cotinue my adventrue on Talos station.
Thank you soooooooooooooo much, dude! Limited to my English level, I am sorry that I can't find more vocabulary to express my gratitude.

[Andre]

I’m glad it helped you too! Have fun! :)

[clarkeveritas]

I love these SteamCommunity Sidebar thingees where you can ask questions..... I've had so many issues where I couldn't run a game.... or was having trouble with a mod.... or sound issues..... and instead of hunting all over the internet I can usually find my answer through the community section thing. I think my last one was getting a decent framerate in an older FPS and BAM- the correct .ini changes were right there. Nothing to contribute to this particular deal- but it just reminded me how some friendly chap or another has given me similar help in the past on many an occasion. Keep building that good karma and whatnot.

[Sancho-Pancho]

This helped me: I download the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Download[learn.microsoft.com]. While installation I chose "Repair". And then rebooted PC