Possible fix for Civ 5 not launching

[Captlen]

Ok so I believe I have figured out how to get Civ V running again and it has worked on two different laptops so for what it is worth here goes:
Open Steam and in the Civilization 5 screen click on the Manage button (gear emblem on the right) and de-select all DLC's
Run Uninstall Civilization 5 in Steam.
Close Steam
Ensure Steam app is closed in the Windows Task bar (and check for hidden icon in the overflow area (right side of task bar (show hidden icons)
open Windows File explorer go to Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common. find Sid Meier's Civilization V and delete the file.
Reboot computer
Open Steam app and re-install Civilization V but to not run the game yet.
Once installed close Steam and ensure Steam app is closed in the Windows Task bar (and check for hidden icon in the overflow area
Open Windows File explorer go to Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common. find Sid Meier's Civilization V
Right click on Sid Meier's Civilization V and select Properties. De-select Read-Only and hit apply
Once completed open Sid Meier's Civilization V folder
Find DirectX folder and find DXSetup application and double click to install
Once DXSetup finishes close and then open VCRedist folder
run vcredist_x86, select repair option.
Once all this is done reopen Steam, in the Civilization 5 screen click on the Manage button and re-add any DLC's
Then hit Play
It may take a bit but hopefully the game will finally run.
Hope it helps.

[DerEider]

Are Steam & your game still installed in the C:\Program Files (x86)\... directory?

If so, I would suggest moving your games away from that directory.

If one installs Steam and Games {like Civ5} away from the standard C:\Program Files (x86)\... , the automatic security measures used by Windows on that folder may be avoided. An example of such measures is the automatic setting of folders in this directory to "Read Only". In a RO folder files like "executables" cannot be updated. One must disable RO every time, as you noted was done in your OP.

I have moved Steam and ALL games to a completely separate SSD drive for years AND experienced None of the recent launch and failure to update problems with Civ5.

[Nord75]

This fix worked for me, thanks alot Captien!

Tried a bunch of other threads with fixes but nothing worked, until this one.

Not buying Civ7 after this f*ck*p, though.

[Zectune]

So here's what I did. No reboot of the computer, quite simple and fast according to your internet connection.

First, manage your DLC and untick them all (just to be sure). Steam will uninstall them automatically. Start your game normally with steam. If it starts, follow the next steps. If it doesn't, sorry I can't help any further.

Second, go back to managing your DLC and tick all DLC adding new maps, civilisations and scenarios. Wait for them to be downloaded and try starting your game. If it does, good for you.

Third step consists in repeating the second step with the DLC "Gods and Kings".
Forth step, same with "Brave new world".

Now your game has all DLCs and should be working. Wokred for me at least :s

[gpauley]

Captien's fix worked for me

[Bomber Rex]

@Captien and @DerEider thank you both for your insightful posts that share knowledge with us who still play civ 5 after all these years.

I have not personally tested your fixes and advice (CIV 5 always launched perfectly for me) but can verify that what you say makes a lot of sense. More sense than most fan-made fixes and articles helping people fix CIV 5 launching.

[Jardok]

Funcionó perfecto!

[Cøʀʁuptiøи]

Possible fix, drop Windows and switch to Linux. Civ 5 works fine in Proton.

[223 Fan]

Originally posted by Cøʀʁuptiøи:

Possible fix, drop Windows and switch to Linux. Civ 5 works fine in Proton.

Sadly, no. No mouse cursors in Proton.