# KNOWN ISSUE: Darktide Launcher Erroring or Not Appearing, or Stuck on Launching Screens

**URL:** <https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816>\
**Category:** Technical Support\
**Tags:** devpost\
**Created:** [November 30, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816 "2022-11-30T16:55:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![shiftyclick2006](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@shiftyclick2006](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/shiftyclick2006)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 10:23pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/62 "2022-12-04T22:23:48Z")

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We kindly ask that you complete the questions below. With this information, we can investigate your issue properly.

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**Issue Description:**

Launch Error (20011)  
Couldn’t Start the game

**Crash Report (If Applicable):**

Error Code: 20011 (An incompatible Easy Anti-Cheat service is already running. Please exit other running games or reboot)

**Error Displayed (If Applicable):**

**Steps to Reproduce:**

1. I launched the game through the desktop shortcut.
2. Clicked play when the window for the game opened.
3. Game crashes when the Easy Anti-Cheat starts.

**Platform:**  
Steam

**Player ID:**  
shifty200686

**Approx. Time of Issue & Timezone:**  
[12/04/2022, 05:10PM] [EST}

**Reproduction Rate:**  
50%

## **Upload darktide\_launcher.log:** GUID: 4c5ad837-430f-40c7-86f7-183aa2b7ca43 Log File: Info Type:

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**Author:** ![redmid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@redmid](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/redmid)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2022, 7:51pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/63 "2022-12-05T19:51:32Z")

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windows update to 22H2 can fix anyproblem by launcher . trust me

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**Author:** ![krysred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f17d59/32.png) [@krysred](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/krysred)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/64 "2022-12-05T19:55:55Z")

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didnt fix it for me. going to reinstall and see if now itll fix

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**Author:** ![krysred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f17d59/32.png) [@krysred](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/krysred)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/65 "2022-12-05T20:07:47Z")

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nah, reinstalled and nothing. Rip

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**Author:** ![Uniq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Uniq](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Uniq)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 5:50am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/66 "2022-12-07T05:50:41Z")

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We kindly ask that you complete the questions below. With this information, we can investigate your issue properly.

* * *

**Issue Description:**  
Whenever I try to launch the game easy anti cheat opens as normal, then it says waiting for game, and the game never loads. When i take a look in task manager the game is open using recourses but there is no sign of it anywhere. I have done multiple reinstalls, verify integrity, driver reinstall, different hard drives and even a different GPU, nothing has worked.  
**Crash Report (If Applicable):**  
[Please see instructions on how to provide a crash report in the pinned Topic]  
NA  
**Error Displayed (If Applicable):**  
NA  
**Steps to Reproduce:**  
[Please add the steps that can help our QA department in reproducing the issue. For example:]

Open the game.

**Mission Name (If Applicable):**

NA

**Platform:**  
[Steam/Microsoft Store]  
Steam  
**Player ID:**  
[Steam ID/Steam Profile URL/GamerTag]

> **[Steam Community :: Uniq](https://steamcommunity.com/id/UniqPlays/)**
>
> I normaly do Graphics (GFX) on YouTube, but I decided to change it up and play Steam Games. Portfolio: http://uniqdesigns.carbonmade.com/

**Approx. Time of Issue & Timezone:**  
[MM/DD/YYYY, 00:00AM/PM] [TIMEZONE]  
Started happening Dec 1  
**Reproduction Rate:**  
Once - Rare (\<10%) - Unusual (\<25%) - Common (\<50%) - Often (\<75%) - Constant (100%)  
Constant. Game is literally unplayable.  
**Upload Supporting Evidence:**  
[Screenshots, recordings, links to Twitch VODs, etc.]

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4bnimsZ-_w4/maxresdefault.jpg "\*FIX IN DESCRIPTION\* Darktide Not Launching") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bnimsZ-_w4)

**Upload Console Log:**

1. Press the Windows key + R
2. Enter %appdata% within the search input and select ‘OK’
3. Navigate to AppData\Roaming\Fatshark\Darktide\console\_logs
4. Locate the console log that corresponds with the session in which the issue occurred, by looking at the timestamps in the log names
5. Upload here  
[console-2022-12-07-04.33.34-5c9ea270-33df-417c-ab32-e5672a7e4464.log](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/uploads/short-url/g07gh9JTm2nrhSNl5p6ker5C93f.log) (2.4 KB)

**Upload darktide\_launcher.log:**

1. Press the Windows key + R
2. Enter %appdata% within the search input and select ‘OK’
3. Navigate to AppData\Roaming\Fatshark\Darktide
4. Locate the darktide\_launcher.log in this directory
5. Upload here  
[darktide\_launcher.log](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/uploads/short-url/a9EMXFIp4GuZbo4ytYCk5rGhUE9.log) (527.1 KB)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hQo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8baadc/32.png) [@hQo](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/hQo)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 6:09am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/67 "2022-12-07T06:09:01Z")

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Hey, I don’t have actually the steam version but that can happen for other games that using eac as well. Try ro reinstall eac. The eac setup should be found in the dark tide directory somewhere and execute it as admin. Otherwise if this not help I would recommend that you make an exception in the antivirus for the darktide folder or you get rid of some Programms that eventually interfere with eac

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**Author:** ![FatsharkJulia](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/fatsharkjulia/32/11653_2.png) [@FatsharkJulia](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/FatsharkJulia)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2022, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/68 "2022-12-08T10:18:11Z")

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Is anybody available now to do some over-Discord debugging with one of our lovely developers?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![znailmonkey94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ec9cab/32.png) [@znailmonkey94](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/znailmonkey94)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2022, 12:07pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/69 "2022-12-08T12:07:13Z")

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I could help out since i still have issues with launching the game

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dmytry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ea924/32.png) [@Dmytry](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Dmytry)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 11:53am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/70 "2022-12-09T11:53:06Z")

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Tried all steps mentioned in this thread already, still crashing. Antivirus/Firewall disabled

**Issue Description:**  
Game crashing right after easy anti cheat init, it says waiting for the game and crashing right after

## **Crash Report (If Applicable):** GUID: 00d3ba5e-a679-45ee-8001-d927853322c7 Log File: Info Type:

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**Platform:**  
Steam

**Player ID:**  
mjolnir.thor

**OS:**  
Windows 11

**PC Specifications:**  
Intel I7-8700  
16GB RAM  
GTX1070

**Epic Games Client:**  
No, uninstalled

[darktide\_launcher.log](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/uploads/short-url/fsoeDiUzGXdBAjHr54GN7NGYlok.log) (285.7 KB)

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**Author:** ![TotalWarrior3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/848f3c/32.png) [@TotalWarrior3](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/TotalWarrior3)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2022, 6:39pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/71 "2022-12-12T18:39:49Z")

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Im still getting this issue as well, works fine on my steam deck but never been able to get past the shader cache on PC.

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**Author:** ![TheSugarMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@TheSugarMan](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/TheSugarMan)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/72 "2022-12-12T20:21:37Z")

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**Crash Report (If Applicable):**  
No error message, launcher loads up, but when i hit play in the launcher, it says “building shader cache” and goes to 100% then the window disappears and nothing happens. Steam continues to consider me to be “playing” the game, which is to account for my total playtime, \>44hrs, though I was only able to actually boot the game 2 times, for about 6 hours total.

Tried reinstalling, verifying integrity of the local files, running as an administrator, running just the .exe (backend error if i do that), updating the graphics card driver, directx, etc. etc., basically every alleged fix i’ve attempted and no dice.

**Platform:**  
Steam

**Player ID:**

> **[Steam Community :: SugarManAndy](https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheSugarMan/)**
>
> Just your friendly neighborhood VFX Artist/Game Dev! ːdgp\_beerːːdgp\_beerː

**OS:**  
Windows 11

**PC Specifications:**  
NVidia RTX 2080Ti, Intel(R) Core™ i9-9900KF CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz, 32GB RAM, etc.

**Epic Games Client:**  
Not currently, I did, but uninstalled, no fix.

**Upload darktide\_launcher.log:**

[darktide\_launcher.log](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/uploads/short-url/ziLmZb9sXIkx5hr4RbBUsa69UVA.log) (83.8 KB)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Uniq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Uniq](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Uniq)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 5:54am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/74 "2022-12-14T05:54:44Z")

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Already tried that as well as fresh install of the game. Same thing with GPU drivers and even a different GPU.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Uniq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Uniq](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Uniq)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 6:37am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/75 "2022-12-14T06:37:34Z")

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_UPDATE_ Fixed - Delete Fatshark %appdata% folder and verify integrity of game files. If that doesnt solve it delete easy anticheat folder and easy game launcher in darktide game folder.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![znailmonkey94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ec9cab/32.png) [@znailmonkey94](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/znailmonkey94)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/76 "2022-12-14T13:13:20Z")

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Did this, now I dont even get a crash report after launching the game. So if there is another step after deleting that this did not solve my issue atleast.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Uniq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Uniq](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Uniq)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 1:29am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/77 "2022-12-15T01:29:31Z")

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If you arent getting a crash report try running one more verify integrity game file. If you didnt do that after deleting easy anti cheat and its exe in the games main folder that would cause that issue I believe. For the detailed steps read below.

1. First press `Win + R` then type `%appdata%` and hit `ENTER` on your keyboard

2. Locate the `Fatshark` folder and delete it

3. Locate your `\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Warhammer 40,000 DARKTIDE` folder and delete `start_protected_game.exe` and the `EasyAntiCheat` folder

4. Open Steam and locate Darktide in your library list, `right click > Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity of game files`

5. Wait for the verification process to finish and open the game

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![znailmonkey94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ec9cab/32.png) [@znailmonkey94](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/znailmonkey94)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 11:05am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/78 "2022-12-15T11:05:42Z")

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Yep did that, still crashes for me after the shader cache builds.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![znailmonkey94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ec9cab/32.png) [@znailmonkey94](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/znailmonkey94)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2022, 9:08am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/79 "2022-12-16T09:08:42Z")

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Whatever todays patch fixed, I can now play the game. Only took 16 days but eh 😂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Frenmir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@Frenmir](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Frenmir)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2022, 9:19am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/80 "2022-12-17T09:19:23Z")

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**Platform:**  
Steam

**Player ID:**  
Frenmir

**OS:**  
Windows 10

**PC Specifications:**  
able to play on the highest settings without any problems.

**Upload darktide\_launcher.log:**  
Dont have one

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Emarel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Emarel](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Emarel)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 4:59pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/81 "2022-12-22T16:59:41Z")

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I have the same issue:

**Steps to Reproduce:**  
Open Game in steam  
Open Launcher  
Press start  
Crash

**Platform:**  
Steam

**Reproduction Rate:**  
Constant

**Upload Console Log:**  
[console-2022-12-22-16.52.07-b76547ef-eae7-4b76-9b7d-185f00a55861.log](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/uploads/short-url/emMJhSYph9IQ0PIsj6sLmJqVmGQ.log) (6.3 KB)

**Upload darktide\_launcher.log:**  
[darktide\_launcher.log](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/uploads/short-url/ww4Yx7LDylnkSAqZsgA6NCK2TyH.log) (19.9 KB)

No solution above fixed the issue.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Emsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/96bed5/32.png) [@Emsi](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Emsi)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2022, 7:29am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/known-issue-darktide-launcher-erroring-or-not-appearing-or-stuck-on-launching-screens/62816/82 "2022-12-24T07:29:49Z")

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I replaced my GPU and had the issue with the game not launching after pressing play in the launcher.

This solved it, thank!

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