Many players report that No Man’s Sky is not launching on PC. When clicking Play, the game may not open, crash immediately, or show a black screen and close.
This issue usually occurs due to corrupted game files, outdated graphics drivers, missing Visual C++ components, or software conflicts. Fortunately, the fixes below help most players launch the game successfully.
Why No Man’s Sky Is Not Launching
First, understanding the causes helps fix the problem faster.
Common causes include:
- Corrupted or missing game files
- Outdated GPU drivers
- Missing DirectX or Visual C++
- Steam or Game Pass permission issues
- Antivirus blocking the game
- Overlay software conflicts
- Outdated Windows version
Because of these issues, the game fails to start.
Fix 1: Verify Game Files (Most Important Fix)
Corrupted files are the most common reason.
Steam Users:
- Open Steam
- Go to Library
- Right-click No Man’s Sky
- Click Properties
- Installed Files
- Click Verify integrity of game files
Game Pass Users:
- Open Xbox App
- Go to No Man’s Sky
- Click Manage
- Click Verify and Repair
Then launch the game.
Fix 2: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated drivers often prevent game launch.
Download latest drivers:
- NVIDIA
- AMD
- Intel
Install and restart your PC.
Fix 3: Run Game as Administrator
Permission issues can block launch.
Steps:
- Open game installation folder
- Right-click game exe
- Click Run as administrator
Fix 4: Update Windows
New updates improve compatibility.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I
- Click Windows Update
- Install updates
- Restart PC
Fix 5: Install Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing system files prevent launch.
Install:
- Visual C++ 2015–2022 x64
- Visual C++ 2015–2022 x86
Restart PC.
Fix 6: Disable Overlay Programs
Overlay apps can stop the game.
Disable:
- Steam Overlay
- Discord Overlay
- NVIDIA Overlay
- Xbox Game Bar
Launch again.
Fix 7: Add Game to Antivirus Exclusion
Antivirus may block game files.
Steps:
- Open Windows Security
- Click Virus & Threat Protection
- Click Exclusions
- Add No Man’s Sky folder
Fix 8: Launch the Game in Windowed Mode
Display settings sometimes block launch.
Steam Launch Option:
-windowed
Start the game.
Fix 9: Update DirectX
Outdated DirectX can cause launch failure.
Install the latest DirectX version and restart PC.
Fix 10: Reinstall the Game (Last Option)
If nothing works:
- Uninstall No Man’s Sky
- Restart PC
- Reinstall the game
This fixes corrupted installation files.
Additional Tips
- Install game on SSD
- Restart Steam or Xbox App
- Close background apps
- Update GPU drivers regularly
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is No Man’s Sky not opening on PC?
Usually due to corrupted files or outdated GPU drivers.
Does verifying files fix launch issues?
Yes, in most cases.
Can antivirus block No Man’s Sky?
Yes, adding exclusion fixes it.
Does updating Windows help?
Yes, it improves compatibility.
Conclusion
The No Man’s Sky not launching on PC issue is usually caused by corrupted files, outdated drivers, or software conflicts. However, verifying game files, updating drivers, and installing Visual C++ components fixes the issue for most players.
After applying these fixes, No Man’s Sky should launch and run normally.
