Fix Fellowship Not Launching / Stuck on Launch on PC (2025 Guide)

Many players have reported that Fellowship refuses to launch or gets stuck during startup. You might click Play, see the loading cursor or a blank screen, and then nothing happens. This issue is quite common and can be triggered by missing game files, outdated GPU drivers, corrupted DirectX or Visual C++ components, or interference from antivirus software.

Don’t worry — this guide will walk you through proven solutions to help you fix Fellowship not launching on PC and get back into the game smoothly.

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⚙️ Common Causes

Before diving into the fixes, here are the most frequent reasons Fellowship won’t launch:

• Corrupted or missing installation files
• Outdated graphics card drivers
• Windows Defender or antivirus interference
• Outdated DirectX or Visual C++ redistributables
• Background software conflicts (like overlays or recorders)
• Missing administrator permissions

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🛠️ Fix 1: Run the Game as Administrator

Running the game with admin rights often resolves permission-related launch problems.

Steps:

1. Right-click the Fellowship shortcut or .exe file.
2. Select Properties → Compatibility.
3. Check Run this program as an administrator.
4. Click Apply → OK, then relaunch the game.

✅ Result: Grants the game full access to required system resources and avoids launch blocks.

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🛠️ Fix 2: Verify Integrity of Game Files

Missing or corrupted files can easily stop the game from starting.

Steam:

1. Open your Steam Library.
2. Right-click Fellowship → Properties → Installed Files.
3. Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Epic Games:

1. Open Library → Fellowship.
2. Click the three dots (…) → Manage → Verify Files.

✅ Result: Re-downloads any missing or damaged files automatically.

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🛠️ Fix 3: Update Your Graphics Drivers

An outdated or incompatible graphics driver is a major reason for startup issues.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
2. Expand Display Adapters.
3. Right-click your GPU → Update Driver → Search automatically for drivers.
4. Or download directly from:
   • NVIDIA Drivers
   • AMD Drivers
   • Intel Drivers

✅ Result: Ensures your GPU is fully compatible with the game engine.

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🛠️ Fix 4: Disable Antivirus or Add the Game to Exceptions

Sometimes antivirus or Windows Defender mistakenly blocks the game executable.

Steps:

1. Open your antivirus software.
2. Navigate to Exclusions/Exceptions.
3. Add the Fellowship installation folder.
4. Save the changes and try launching the game again.

✅ Result: Prevents security software from interrupting the game’s startup process.

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🛠️ Fix 5: Reinstall or Repair DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables

Broken or outdated runtime components can prevent the game from launching properly.

Steps:

1. Download and install the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
2. Install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (2015–2022) (both x86 and x64).
3. Restart your PC afterward.

✅ Result: Restores critical runtime components required by the game.

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🛠️ Fix 6: Close Background Applications

Overlay or recording software (like Discord, GeForce Experience, or MSI Afterburner) may interfere with game launch.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Processes tab.
3. End tasks for overlay and recording tools (Discord, OBS, Overwolf, etc.).
4. Relaunch the game.

✅ Result: Eliminates conflicts that cause startup freezes.

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🛠️ Fix 7: Update Windows

Keeping your OS up to date ensures all system files and drivers are compatible with newer games.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I → Settings → Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Install all available updates, then restart your PC.

✅ Result: Ensures smooth compatibility and system stability.

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🛠️ Fix 8: Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, a fresh install is often the final solution.

Steps:

1. Uninstall Fellowship via Steam or Control Panel.
2. Restart your PC.
3. Reinstall the game on a different drive (preferably SSD).

✅ Result: Completely removes corrupted files or misconfigurations.

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💡 Additional Tips

• Disconnect extra peripherals before launching.
• Avoid using external or secondary monitors initially.
• Disable Windows Game Mode temporarily.
• Close browser tabs or heavy background apps while launching.
• Check that your DirectX version is 12 or higher via dxdiag.

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❓ FAQs

Q1: Why does Fellowship not start after clicking Play?
A: It’s usually caused by missing game files or blocked permissions. Try verifying files and running as admin.

Q2: Can antivirus stop the game from launching?
A: Yes. Security software often flags the executable as suspicious — whitelist the game folder.

Q3: What if I get a black screen before launch?
A: Update your GPU driver and repair DirectX/Visual C++.

Q4: Does reinstalling really help?
A: Yes, if the issue is due to corrupted local files or outdated dependencies.

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🎯 Conclusion

If Fellowship is not launching or gets stuck on startup, it’s typically due to missing files, outdated drivers, or antivirus interference.

By following these solutions — from running as administrator to verifying files and updating drivers — you can fix the problem quickly and get back to playing without frustration.

Once fixed, you’ll be able to enjoy Fellowship smoothly without startup interruptions or black screens.