If PEAK won’t launch or gets stuck on the loading screen, you’re definitely not alone. Many PC players report clicking Play only to see a black screen, a brief loading cursor, or no response at all.
This issue can happen due to several common causes — such as missing or corrupted game files, outdated GPU drivers, background app interference, or broken DirectX / Visual C++ components.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix PEAK not launching or stuck on startup, so you can get back into the game without frustration.
⚙️ Common Causes
Typical reasons PEAK may fail to launch include:
- Corrupted or missing installation files
- Outdated / incompatible graphics drivers
- Antivirus or Windows Defender blocking the executable
- Outdated DirectX or Visual C++ Redistributables
- Background overlays or recording apps interfering
- Missing administrator permissions
🧩 Fix 1: Run PEAK as Administrator
Some games need elevated permissions to access system resources.
Steps:
- Right-click the PEAK.exe or shortcut.
- Choose Properties → Compatibility.
- Check Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply → OK, then launch again.
✅ Result: Grants full access and prevents permission-related launch errors.
🔍 Fix 2: Verify Integrity of Game Files
If game data is corrupted or incomplete, PEAK may refuse to start.
Steam:
- Open Steam → Library.
- Right-click PEAK → Properties → Installed Files.
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Epic Games:
- Open Library → PEAK → ⋯ (three dots) → Manage.
- Click Verify Files.
✅ Result: Automatically restores any missing or damaged files.
🎨 Fix 3: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated drivers are one of the most frequent launch culprits.
Steps:
- Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Display adapters.
- Right-click your GPU → Update driver → Search automatically.
- Or download manually from:
✅ Result: Ensures compatibility with the game’s engine.
🛡️ Fix 4: Disable Antivirus or Add an Exception
Security software may mistakenly block the launcher or executable.
Steps:
- Open your antivirus / Windows Security.
- Go to Exclusions / Exceptions.
- Add the PEAK installation folder.
- Restart your PC and try launching again.
✅ Result: Prevents false blocking by security tools.
⚒️ Fix 5: Reinstall or Repair DirectX & Visual C++
Missing or corrupted runtime libraries often cause startup failures.
Steps:
- Download DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft.
- Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (2015–2022) — both x86 and x64.
- Restart your computer.
✅ Result: Restores essential system libraries for game initialization.
🚫 Fix 6: Close Background Apps & Overlays
Overlays (Discord, Xbox Game Bar, GeForce Experience, etc.) can conflict with PEAK.
Steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Task Manager.
- End tasks for apps like:
- Discord
- OBS / ShadowPlay
- MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner
- Try launching PEAK again.
✅ Result: Eliminates startup conflicts.
🔄 Fix 7: Update Windows
Keeping Windows fully updated helps prevent driver or compatibility issues.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I → Settings → Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install everything available.
- Restart your PC afterward.
✅ Result: Applies the latest system fixes and patches.
💾 Fix 8: Reinstall PEAK (Last Resort)
If nothing else works, reinstalling provides a clean install.
Steps:
- Uninstall via Steam / Epic / Control Panel.
- Delete leftover files at:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\PEAK - Reinstall — preferably on an SSD.
✅ Result: Removes corrupted data and restores a fresh copy.
💡 Additional Tips
- Restart your PC before launching the game.
- Disable Windows Game Mode temporarily.
- Avoid external or network drives for installation.
- Keep GPU temperature below 85 °C for stability.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Why does PEAK not open after clicking Play?
A: Usually because of corrupted files, missing permissions, or blocked executables.
Q2: Can antivirus software stop it from launching?
A: Yes — whitelist the folder or disable scanning temporarily.
Q3: Does reinstalling fix the issue?
A: Reinstallation often resolves deep file or registry problems.
Q4: How do I know if my GPU driver is the problem?
A: If you see a black screen or instant crash, it’s usually GPU or DirectX related.
🎯 Conclusion
If PEAK won’t launch or keeps freezing on startup, the cause is likely a driver, permission, or file integrity issue.
By running as admin, verifying files, updating drivers, and repairing DirectX / Visual C++, you can fix the issue quickly.
Once resolved, PEAK should launch smoothly, letting you enjoy the full gameplay experience without further interruptions.
