EA Sports FC 25, the latest installment in the iconic football gaming series, delivers realistic gameplay, new Ultimate Team features, and enhanced visuals powered by Frostbite Engine. However, many PC players are currently facing a frustrating issue — EA Sports FC 25 not launching or failing to start.
If you double-click the game and nothing happens, or it crashes immediately after launch, don’t worry. This guide provides step-by-step solutions to fix EA Sports FC 25 not launching on PC.
Common Causes of EA Sports FC 25 Not Launching
Before diving into the fixes, it’s helpful to understand what’s causing the issue. Common reasons include:
- Corrupted or missing game files
- Outdated graphics drivers
- Conflicts with EA App, Steam, or Epic Games Launcher
- Missing DirectX or Visual C++ Redistributables
- Antivirus or firewall interference
- Incompatible background applications
- Insufficient system permissions
Once you identify the cause, applying the correct fix becomes much easier.
Fix 1: Restart PC and Launch EA App as Administrator
This is the simplest and most effective first step:
- Close EA App and any running game processes.
- Right-click EA App → Run as administrator.
- Relaunch EA Sports FC 25 from your library.
💡 Running the app as an administrator ensures it has the required permissions to access all system files and services.
Fix 2: Check Minimum System Requirements
Ensure your PC meets the minimum specifications to run EA Sports FC 25 smoothly:
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD RX 570
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 100 GB available space
💡 If your system doesn’t meet these specs, upgrade your hardware or lower graphical settings.
Fix 3: Verify Game Files (EA App / Steam / Epic)
Corrupted or missing game files often prevent EA Sports FC 25 from launching.
EA App:
- Open EA App → Library → EA Sports FC 25.
- Click Manage → Repair.
Steam:
- Open Steam → Library → EA Sports FC 25 → Properties.
- Select Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
Epic Games Launcher:
- Open Library → EA Sports FC 25 → Three dots (…) → Verify.
✅ This process replaces damaged files with correct versions automatically.
Fix 4: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers can stop games from launching properly.
- Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Display adapters.
- Right-click your GPU → Update driver.
- Alternatively, download the latest drivers from:
💡 Always choose “clean installation” during setup to remove old driver remnants.
Fix 5: Install or Repair DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
EA Sports FC 25 relies on essential runtime libraries to function correctly.
- Download and install the following:
- Restart your PC after installation.
✅ Missing these components often results in launch crashes or missing DLL errors.
Fix 6: Disable Antivirus and Firewall Temporarily
Security software can mistakenly block EA Sports FC 25 from launching.
- Temporarily disable antivirus and Windows Defender.
- Add the following exceptions:
- EA App
- EA Sports FC 25 installation folder
- Relaunch the game to test.
💡 If the game launches successfully, add permanent exclusions instead of keeping your antivirus disabled.
Fix 7: Delete Cache and Temporary Files
Corrupted cache data in the EA App may prevent the game from launching.
- Press Windows + R, type:
%ProgramData%\EA Desktop - Delete all files except the “EA Desktop” folder.
- Next, go to:
%AppData%\EA Desktop - Delete the contents inside.
- Restart your PC and launch the game.
✅ Clearing cache often resolves launcher-related startup problems.
Fix 8: Run the Game in Compatibility Mode
Older system configurations may cause conflicts with new updates.
- Right-click EA Sports FC 25.exe → Properties → Compatibility tab.
- Check Run this program in compatibility mode for → Windows 10.
- Also, tick Run this program as administrator.
- Click Apply → OK → Launch game.
Fix 9: Perform a Clean Boot
Background apps may interfere with EA Sports FC 25’s startup process.
- Press Windows + R → msconfig → Enter.
- Under Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services → click Disable all.
- Go to Startup tab → Open Task Manager → Disable all startup apps.
- Restart your PC and launch the game.
💡 This isolates third-party software conflicts, especially overlay or monitoring tools.
Fix 10: Reinstall EA Sports FC 25
If none of the above methods work:
- Backup your saved game files (usually found in Documents → EA Sports FC 25).
- Uninstall the game via EA App, Steam, or Epic Launcher.
- Restart your PC.
- Reinstall the game on a different drive (preferably SSD).
✅ A fresh install eliminates any leftover corrupted or missing game data.
Additional Tips
- Update Windows 10/11 to the latest version.
- Disable Overlays (Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, Xbox Game Bar).
- Avoid overclocking your GPU or CPU.
- Ensure enough free disk space (at least 20GB extra).
- Use Wired Internet for stable connection with EA servers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why does EA Sports FC 25 not launch after clicking Play?
A1: It can happen due to corrupted files, outdated GPU drivers, or background app interference.
Q2: Can I fix it without reinstalling?
A2: Yes, try verifying game files, updating drivers, and clearing EA App cache before reinstalling.
Q3: Does antivirus software block EA Sports FC 25?
A3: Yes, some antivirus tools may block the game from launching. Adding exceptions usually fixes it.
Q4: Why does the EA App close immediately after launch?
A4: Cached data corruption or missing dependencies like DirectX and Visual C++ can cause that.
Q5: Does compatibility mode help?
A5: For older hardware or specific driver conflicts, running in compatibility mode can help launch the game.
Conclusion
The “EA Sports FC 25 not launching on PC” issue can stem from a variety of causes — from corrupted files and outdated drivers to launcher conflicts or missing runtime components.
Start with the easiest solutions: restart your PC, repair the game, and update your drivers. Then, move to advanced fixes like clearing cache, disabling antivirus, or reinstalling the game if necessary.
By carefully following this guide, you’ll resolve launch issues and get back to enjoying smooth, realistic football action in EA Sports FC 25. ⚽
