No Steam Games Launching (Other threads have not helped)

[McSkillett]

Every time I run a game downloaded from steam I get the preparing to launch box and then it disappears and nothing happens. (Right now notably Batman Arkham Origins, Lego Star Wars Complete Saga, and Alan Wake) This happens with any game downloaded from Steam. I have Overwatch and launch that just fine. Please do not link me to other threads, I have combed through nearly every link and thread possible on this subject and need individual advice.

I have tried:

-Reinstalling the game (both manually deleting the files and using the normal "uninstall" option)

-Verifying the local files through Steam

-Restarting my computer

-Updating any and all drivers

-Running the games in compatibility (Windows XP - Windows 8)

-Running the games as administrator and directly from the .exe (I get an error saying "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b))

-Double-check all software that could be interfering. I am only using Windows Defender and I do not have any torrent clients.

-Repairing C++ (both x86 and x64) and DirectX

- Running chkdsk command (both disks were fine)

-Updating and reinstalling OS

I am at a loss for what to do here. I have been struggling with this for the last two days. Please do not direct me to the normal FAQ and links you see floating around as I have already been to each of them and exhausted all those options listed above. Again this is only for games downloaded from Steam. Thank you for any advice.

I am running:
Gigabyte Z97X-UD3H
Windows 10 Home x64
Intel 9 Series i5-4690K CPU @ 3.50GHz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
32 GB RAM
Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB

[Eldin]

Have you tried reinstalling Steam?
Delete everything in Steam folder except steamapps folder, userdata folder and Steam.exe
Run Steam.exe

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by McSkillett:

Every time I run a game downloaded from steam I get the preparing to launch box and then it disappears and nothing happens.

Games do not run after 'Preparing to Launch'

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6218-USFX-5568

Originally posted by McSkillett:

-Running the games as administrator and directly from the .exe (I get an error saying "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b))

It still sounds as if you have software causing issues with the games running.

Antivirus and torrent clients are not the only ones that can possibly cause this.

1. Take screenshots of all of the programs you have installed on your computer. "apps" (Windows 10 click "Start" (Windows icon on bottom left))

2. Click Windows Start and type in msconfig and run that resulting process. Go to the services tab and check the box on bottom "Hide all Microsoft services". Take screenshots of all that is left.

3. Then go to the startup tab on top of that same window (Task Manager in W10). Expand the header on the left so we can best see the process name (small window, so do the best you can). Take screenshots of all that there also. Don't forget to scroll down if needed and get everything in the shots, please.

Post all the links to the above screenshots here, using a file hosting site such as imgur.com, which is free to use.

[McSkillett]

Originally posted by Eldin:

Have you tried reinstalling Steam?
Delete everything in Steam folder except steamapps folder, userdata folder and Steam.exe
Run Steam.exe

I just tried that and had the same result.

Originally posted by The Giving One:

Originally posted by McSkillett:

Every time I run a game downloaded from steam I get the preparing to launch box and then it disappears and nothing happens.

Games do not run after 'Preparing to Launch'

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6218-USFX-5568

This is one of the links I was referring to as exhausted. I've been clicking the same link all day it's a bit frustrating as I'm sure you can understand, but I do appreciate the help.

Here are the screens as asked for:
https://imgur.com/a/0bjWlEh

[The Giving One]

Sorry, but in the OP you said other "threads" have not helped. That was a support page I linked, not a thread.

Still, my suggestion remains. I would like to see your installed programs and processes to hopefully see if there is still a conflict.

But I would also suggest you place everything back to default (no compatibility mode, etc.)

EDT....Give me a moment to look at the screenshots.

Sorry for the double post, but please go to help in the top of Steam, then system information. Right click, select all, then copy and paste all that here.

Yes, you did already post your system specs and thanks for that, but I am requesting you post this information also, please.

[McSkillett]

Computer Information:
Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Model: Z97X-UD3H
Form Factor: Desktop
No Touch Input Detected

Processor Information:
CPU Vendor: GenuineIntel
CPU Brand: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4690K CPU @ 3.50GHz
CPU Family: 0x6
CPU Model: 0x3c
CPU Stepping: 0x3
CPU Type: 0x0
Speed: 3500 Mhz
4 logical processors
4 physical processors
HyperThreading: Unsupported
FCMOV: Supported
SSE2: Supported
SSE3: Supported
SSSE3: Supported
SSE4a: Unsupported
SSE41: Supported
SSE42: Supported
AES: Supported
AVX: Supported
CMPXCHG16B: Supported
LAHF/SAHF: Supported
PrefetchW: Unsupported

Operating System Version:
Windows 10 (64 bit)
NTFS: Supported
Crypto Provider Codes: Supported 311 0x0 0x0 0x0

Video Card:
Driver: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
DirectX Driver Name: nvldumd.dll
Driver Version: 26.21.14.4097
DirectX Driver Version: 26.21.14.4097
Driver Date: 10 16 2019
OpenGL Version: 4.6
Desktop Color Depth: 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
DirectX Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
VendorID: 0x10de
DeviceID: 0x13c2
Revision: 0xa1
Number of Monitors: 1
Number of Logical Video Cards: 1
No SLI or Crossfire Detected
Primary Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Desktop Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Primary Display Size: 23.54" x 13.23" (26.97" diag)
59.8cm x 33.6cm (68.5cm diag)
Primary Bus: PCI Express 16x
Primary VRAM: 4095 MB
Supported MSAA Modes: 2x 4x 8x

Sound card:
Audio device: Focusrite USB (Focusrite USB Au

Memory:
RAM: 32628 Mb

Miscellaneous:
UI Language: English
Media Type: Undetermined
Total Hard Disk Space Available: 1906666 Mb
Largest Free Hard Disk Block: 825124 Mb
OS Install Date: Dec 31 1969
Game Controller: None detected
VR Headset: None detected

[The Giving One]

Ok, thanks. Give me a moment to look over this information.

My first question is, what is that Haste Esports Accelerator Service for ?

[McSkillett]

Np. It 's a client for online games that helps find games faster and/or better connection. It was suggested to me by a friend so I do not know a lot about it.

EDT: I just uninstalled it anyway since I haven't used it in some time and it seems they've changed their service to a monthly subscription.

[The Giving One]

Try disabling that if you are sure you don't need it for now, as I sounds like you don't. Programs like that or similar to that are covered on the programs that can conflict support page, that you seem to have read from your posts here.

Also, I see "Intel HD Graphics Control" active and running. You don't need this if you are using a GTX 970. Make sure that is disabled and you are only using the GTX 970.

Force it in the BIOS if you need to.

[McSkillett]

I did both and I have the same result unfortunately

[The Giving One]

Yes, uninstalling these programs for now is even better. You can always go back and install anything later if you need to, after we find out what the problem is.

When uninstalling software or making changes such as GPU selection as we are, make sure you restart your PC afterwards to be sure any changes will take on. Then, we can continue trying to fix your issues if they are still present. After the restart, log back into Steam, go to your library and again verify the game files. Then, try one of the games that is having issues.

Each and every time before you play-test one of the games that you said is having the issue, make sure you verify the game files.

I see you said you tried that in the OP, but we are making changes now that might be the cause of the problem, so that is why verifying the game files now before you try to play them is important. Do this each time you try something before play-testing a game.

Also, only use the "play" button in your Steam library to run the games for now. Don't use any desktop shortcuts, if you do normally use them. Just use the "play" button for now.

[McSkillett]

I did all that as well and I continue to have the same problem

[The Giving One]

Just in case, are you sure you have Steam and all games noted as real time scan exceptions in Windows Defender ?

As well as your Firewall ? You said you reinstalled the OS, so that means you need to be sure these are being allowed through your security on the machine.

Don't disable these. Make exceptions for games and Steam in real time scanning and allow exceptions in the Firewall if needed.

There is some controversy over the Intel Management and Security process that you have there in msconfig. Research what it does if you wish and consider temporarily disabling that one. Restart the PC afterwards.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Intel+management+and+security+

What is the Radeon Pro Support Service for, if you know ?

From all that you have done according to your OP above, it seems you have covered so much, and that is why I feel that a process is causing the issues, but I could be wrong and it could be something else.

[McSkillett]

Yes I have them listed as exceptions and they still do not run. I also deleted Radeon since I didn't know what that was and disabled the intel management and security and have the same result.

[The Giving One]

I was hoping to be sure you did not need the Radeon process for some reason, and I don't see that you did from the specs that have been posted. So it's more interesting to me why it was there in the first place.

Was a previous version of Windows Installed on this computer and then the OS upgraded to Windows 10 ?

I see you said you have reinstalled the OS since all this started, but we just need to be sure at some point, a full reformat and clean installation of Windows 10 was done during your step there.

Do the following please :

Open an elevated command prompt (run as administrator) and type in sfc /scannow and let it scan.

Reply with the full and exact text that is reported when the scan is done. Explained below :

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4026529/windows-10-using-system-file-checker

Sound card:
Audio device: Focusrite USB

Would it be too much trouble to disconnect this device for now and just use the audio control on the PC ?

The idea being, placing the computer at a bare bones state as much as reasonable, so to speak, to try to eliminate any possibilities of conflicts. I am not familiar with that device in cases such as this from other users, so it might be conflicting with the audio processes that are native to the motherboard.

Is there any particular reason why you are using this ? To enhance the audio, perhaps ?

[McSkillett]

Yes, it was upgraded from windows 8 about a year and a half ago. I haven't been using it for games for a while now and I just recently installed these games. Initially I never had any problems with it and it ran everything beautifully.

I'm a music producer hence the Focusrite which is connected to studio monitors. I can unplug it for now.

I did not do a full format I followed these instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldqFdcGL1X0

I honestly have no idea where the Radeon program came from I have never used any AMD products.

I ran the scan and it said this: https://imgur.com/nW1Emrm