Fix for game not starting / crashing on startup

If you have a problem where if you try to run the game and it shows the FEAR3 logo on screen and then nothing happens,

This guide will help you fix it.

Fix

1. Close Steam. Make sure Steam is not running!

2. Go to the game directory (...\Steam\steamapps\common\F.E.A.R. 3)

3. Change the name of the folder from "F.E.A.R. 3" to "FEAR3" (without quotes)

4. Go to the ...\Steam\steamapps folder

5. Find the file called "appmanifest_21100.acf" and open it with WordPad (I recommend not using Notepad because it will be hard to edit it)

6. Go to the line where it says: "installdir" "F.E.A.R. 3"

7. Change it to: "installdir" "FEAR3"

8. Start Steam

9. Run the game

[BZP]

I had this issue in 2024, uninstalled it then now in Aug 2025 installed it again and it works no prob with no modification, they must have done an update in 2025 sometime and now it seems to work ok

[Valuab7e]

If none of them work, the last option would be to verify if all Files are there.

[Kisigach]

If none of the above methods worked, then maybe this will help you.:

I went to the shortcut of the game in the folder and checked the box to run as administrator and launch compatibility mode with win7

[stuffzera]

works

[Fortescue]

Honestly the only thing that fixed it for me (I'm on Windows 10) was going to the game's folder. Right clicking the game's .exe file and setting it to run as administrator and it launched fine. Although it REALLY gets on my nerves Microsoft seems to have more control over everyone's computer than they do. Like seriously... I think some lawsuits need to happen at this point.

[76561199040125271]

I tried the main Fix first by changing F.E.A.R.3 to FEAR3 however when i tried to run it again it did an update and undid all the changes??

I also tried typing in -d3d9 and that made no difference at all. Just confused as I have been playing the game for about 45mins started and resumed a few times however today it wont work
any more suggestions form anyone before I ask for my money back

[GamesRock94]

This method didn't work for me, although I was able to start the game without crashing it, just follow these simple steps:

First go to "properties" in FEAR 3
Then type -d3d9 on "launch options"
Start the game

Doing this you'll force D3D 9 instead of D3D 11, it worked for me!

[crap_inhuman]

Worked for me, thank you for your guide !

[Ryon ♡]

Didn't work for me :<

[point & click]

I had to apply the fix to the .exe and in the .acf target location, and I changed compatibility to Vista just in case.