Can’t launch Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on your Windows 11 PC? No worries! I can feel your frustration as this vexing issue has derailed quite a few of my gaming sessions as well. Been there, done that; I’ve jotted down the 17 most effective ways to resolve the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla not launching issue on Windows 11. On this very note, let’s jump right in to detect the hurdle and sort it out so that your gaming will no longer bear the brunt of this annoyance.
Fix Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Not Launching on Windows 11
So, what could be coming in the way of the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, preventing the action role-playing game from launching? From what I have experienced, things like corrupted game files, malicious drivers, and incompatibility are some of the biggest hurdles.
- Outdated drivers
- Corrupted game files
- Antivirus interference
- Insufficient system resources
- Incompatible software
- Windows updates missing
- Background app conflicts
- Overclocking instability
1. Check System Requirements
First and foremost, make sure to check your system requirements. Bear in mind that if your system doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, the game won’t launch or might crash on startup.
- Hence, ensure that your PC meets these minimum specs:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- RAM: 8 GB or higher
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 960 or AMD R9 380
- Storage: At least 60 GB free space
2. Run the Game as Administrator
Be warned that the game might not have the needed permissions to access essential system files on your Windows device, causing launch issues. Hence, there is a decent chance that running it as an administrator may resolve the issue.
- To get it done, right-click the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla shortcut
- Now, select Properties > Compatibility
- Check Run this program as an administrator
- In the end, do not forget to click Apply > OK
3. Update Graphics Drivers
It’s no secret that outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can prevent the game from launching properly, as they may not support the latest game updates or DirectX features. Therefore, make sure to update your graphics drivers since they might be spoiling your game.
- To do so, press Win + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Display Adapters, right-click your graphics card, and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
4. Verify Game Files on Ubisoft Connect
Note that the corrupted or missing game files can also cause Assassin’s Creed Valhalla to crash on startup. Verifying the game files will help replace the damaged files.
- To begin with, launch Ubisoft Connect and head over to Games > select Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- After that, click on Properties > Verify Files
5. Update Your PC
Keep in mind that the outdated Windows versions may lack important updates, such as security patches or drivers, which might be pivotal for the game to run correctly.
- Press Win + I to open Settings on your PC > Navigate to Windows Update and click Check for updates
- Then, be sure to install any pending updates.
6. Disable Background Applications
Unnecessary background processes can consume CPU, RAM, and GPU resources, causing the game to fail to launch due to insufficient resources.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.
- Go to the Processes tab and end tasks like browsers, Discord, or other game launchers that consume high resources.
7. Disable Antivirus and Firewall Temporarily
It’s also worth reiterating that your antivirus programs or firewall settings might be blocking Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s executable file, preventing it from launching. Temporarily disabling them helps rule out this possibility.
- Press Win + I to fire up the Settings app > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
- After that, turn off real-time protection
- Disable the firewall under Firewall & Network Protection
8. Run Valhalla in Compatibility Mode
Sometimes, games designed for older versions of Windows may not run smoothly on Windows 11. Compatibility mode helps by simulating an older Windows environment.
- Right-click the game’s shortcut and select Properties
- Go to the Compatibility tab and check Run this program in compatibility mode
- Select Windows 10 from the dropdown and click Apply
9. Install DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla relies on DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables to handle graphics and runtime libraries. Missing or outdated versions can cause launch issues.
- Download the latest DirectX End-User Runtime and Visual C++ Redistributables from Microsoft’s official website
- Install both and restart your PC
10. Check for Game Updates
Game updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that may resolve the launch issue.
- Open Ubisoft Connect > head over to Games and select Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Next, click Update if there’s a pending game update
11. Free Up Disk Space
Low disk space may prevent the game from loading temporary files or updates, leading to launch issues.
- Head straight to the Settings app by pressing Win + I > System > Storage
- Up next, be sure to delete temporary files, large unused apps, and empty the recycle bin
12. Disable Overclocking
Does your PC have to do heavy lifting – more often than? If you are nodding in the affirmative, the devil of this issue could be hidden right in it. Keep this important thing in mind that overclocking your CPU or GPU can cause system instability, which may prevent the game from launching properly.
- Open your BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing Del or F2 during boot
- Turn off any CPU or GPU overclocking and save the changes
13. Reinstall Ubisoft Connect
Be ware of the fact that the corrupted Ubisoft Connect installation can cause game launch issues due to missing files or login problems. Reinstalling it can resolve this.
- Uninstall Ubisoft Connect via Control Panel > Programs and Features
- Download and install the latest version from Ubisoft’s official website
14. Turn Off Game Mode
While Game Mode is designed to optimize gaming performance, it can sometimes cause conflicts with specific games.
- Press Win + I to fire up the Settings app > navigate to Gaming > Game Mode and turn it off.
15. Change Power Plan
Do you know that the low-power plan may limit CPU and GPU performance, causing the game to fail to launch? Thus, it would be apt to adjust your power plan in line with the demand.
- First off, press Win + R, type powercfg.cpl, and hit Enter
- Now, select High Performance or Ultimate Performance
16. Update Sound Drivers
Sound drivers may seem unrelated, but corrupted sound drivers can cause unexpected crashes when launching games.
- Dive into the Device Manager on your PC.
- Now, expand the Sound, Video, and Game Controllers section by hitting the tiny downward arrow.
- Right-click your sound card, and choose Update driver.
17. Reinstall Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
If none of the above solutions work in bringing the action role-playing game back into action, a fresh installation can be the need of the hour. r
- Be sure to uninstall the game via Ubisoft Connect
- Then, reinstall the game and check if the issue is resolved
Wrapping up…
There you go! By following these 17 solutions, you should be able to fix Assassin’s Creed Valhalla not launching on Windows 11 and get back to your Viking adventures without any further interruptions. If the issue persists, it would be better to contact Ubisoft Support for further assistance. I hope you won’t have to go that far ahead.
