Civ wont launch when clicking play on steam

[Slayer]

Literaklly have 4k hrs and cant play anymore, shout out to modern developers that dont know how to code anymore, please fix

[Fall Guy 1502]

same here. been playing this game for years and now because they removed the 4k launcher it doesn't work? followed stupid instrusctions on support webiste and it does nothing?

[chaffcombe17]

Same here, Even tried reinstalling several times. Pressing 'Play' gives you a 'Launching executable' message for awhile and then it drops back to 'Play'. Someone, somewhere broke something. It needs fixing!

[pmowens82]

same problem here. Did nobody beta test the update?

[JestersDead2]

Same with mine. Somebody broke it and nobody will take responsibility to fix it. Steam is remiss for providing a portal/service without accepting any responsibility for ensuring the games they host actually work for the people who paid for them.

[bastecklein]

Same issue, was looking forward to playing Civ5 too

[Gunhed]

I found a solution that worked for me to solve this issue.
Go to your steam folder for \steamapps\common\ edit the properties so that the folder is not read only anymore.
Make sure to do the same for the "Sid Meier's Civilization 5" folder under My Games in your Documents folder.

Credits goes to Reddit for this. ;)

[Flaco]

Should not have to go to Reddit to get this company's product to launch and function.

[donald23]

If you encounter the "updating executable" please follow this with Steam Support:
https://help.steampowered.com/en/wizard/HelpWithGameIssue/?appid=289070&issueid=701&transid=876340478075203789&line_item=876340478075203793

Steps:

1. Go to the Steam Support site and choose your game.
   
2. Select "Gameplay or technical issue" and then "The game won't download or install".
   
3. Select "Contact Steam Support".
   
4. Provide them with as detailed as possible information on the error and when it happens and hit "Send".

You can go through the first three options, but most will end up hitting "Contact Steam Support". Then provide them with as much detail as you can regarding when you see the error.

This is actually an install error from the Steam client.

[me]

I had tried quite a few things without success.

Thanks so much for sharing this workaround. This worked for me, and I am able to play Civ 5 again!

Originally posted by Gunhed:

Go to your steam folder for \steamapps\common\ edit the properties so that the folder is not read only anymore.

[TNTStealth]

me too!

[frederick.clark]

me too!

[shaun.noble]

After having game launch issues post installing Windows 11 24H2. I had to restore to the previous version of windows 11 23H2. Then run steam as admin. Run Civ 5 using direct X 9. It seems to work ok again now. Dont install windows update until this is resolved or move on from Civ 5 :(

[LunaticGT]

I tried all suggestions, change from read only, close tray icon, run as admin, reboot, run as direct x 9, etc. and still it won't start on my PC with Windows 11 Pro 24H2. It starts no prob on my work PC with Windows 10 without having to do anything. Someone needs to fix something.

[billybgame]

Seems a little odd that nothing is being done to fix this even though a ton of people are having issues. They should get a clue when a game has so many people with 3-5000 hours played that people like this game and want to play it again.

[Tindomion]

The same problem here and occurs in CIV 5 and XCOM EU-EW too. Both games worked fine yesterday. After the latest Windows 11 update it seems that something has changed because I can no longer start either of them.. Need help!