Fix: Sons of the Forest Won’t Launch or Not Loading on PC

Sons of the Forest, a highly anticipated survival horror video game developed by Endnight Games and published by Newnight, was released on February 23, 2023, through early access for Microsoft Windows. As with any early-access game, it’s crucial to remember that there may be some issues that need to be addressed before the final release.

Despite the positive reviews, some players have reported experiencing issues with the game, such as the “Won’t Launch” issue during its initial days. If you’re facing this problem, rest assured that you’re not alone. Many players have reported similar issues with other early-access games, which can be frustrating for those eager to dive into the game.

It’s essential to remember that early access games are still in development, and issues are to be expected. However, developers usually address these issues quickly and release updates to fix them. So, if you’re encountering a “Won’t Launch” issue or any other issue with Sons of the Forest, make sure to report it to the developers so they can work on resolving it.

Sons of the Forest may not launch for various reasons, including outdated graphics drivers, outdated game versions, missing or corrupted game files, unnecessary background tasks, and more.

Additionally, an outdated Windows version, issues with the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, conflicts with startup services or antivirus software, incompatible PC hardware, overlay apps, overclocked CPU/GPU, DirectX-related issues, etc. can also cause the game not to launch correctly on your Windows PC. This troubleshooting guide will provide some solutions that should help you resolve the issue.

Sons of the Forest Won’t Launch or Not Responding; how to Fix?

To fix the “Won’t Launch” issue in Sons of the Forest, you can try the following methods:

1. Check system requirements and ensure your PC meets them: Run the game as an administrator: Running Sons of the Forest with administrator privileges might resolve launching issues. To do this, right-click the game’s executable file or its Steam shortcut, choose “Properties,” navigate to the “Compatibility” tab, and check the “Run this program as an administrator” box.
2. Verify the integrity of game files: Corrupted or missing game files may cause Sons of the Forest to malfunction. To verify the game files, open Steam, go to your Library, right-click on Sons of the Forest, click “Properties,” navigate to the “Local Files” tab, and click “Verify Integrity of Game Files.” Wait for the process to finish, then restart your computer.
3. Update Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable: Outdated Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages can cause issues with game launching. Navigate to the game’s installation folder, locate the “_CommonRedist” folder, and install the latest redistributable packages found inside the “vcredist” subfolders.
4. Update DirectX: Visit the “_CommonRedist” folder within the game’s installation directory and run the “DXSETUP.exe” file found in the “DirectX” subfolder to update your DirectX installation.
5. Update GPU drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can cause compatibility issues with Sons of the Forest. Update your GPU drivers by visiting the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA or AMD) or using the built-in Windows Device Manager.
6. Disable overlay apps: Overlay apps, such as the Steam overlay, can sometimes cause conflicts with games. To disable the Steam overlay for Sons of the Forest, right-click the game in your Steam library, choose “Properties,” and uncheck “Enable Steam Overlay” under the “General” tab.
7. Install all pending Windows updates: Outdated Windows versions can cause compatibility issues with games. Check for and install any pending Windows updates by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
8. Disable antivirus and firewall programs: Some antivirus and firewall programs may interfere with Sons of the Forest. Temporarily disable these programs while playing the game to see if that resolves the issue.
9. Launch the game in windowed mode (Steam): To launch Sons of the Forest in windowed mode, right-click the game in your Steam library, choose “Properties,” click “Set Launch Options,” and enter the following command: “-windowed -noborder.” This can help with performance and compatibility issues.
10. Perform a clean boot: A clean boot can help identify and resolve conflicts between Sons of the Forest and other software or services. To perform a clean boot, open the System Configuration utility (type “msconfig” in the Run dialog box), disable all non-Microsoft services, and disable high-impact startup programs using the Task Manager.
11. Close background processes: Excessive background processes can hinder game performance. Close unnecessary applications and processes using the Task Manager before launching Sons of the Forest.
12. Reset Sons of the Forest: To reset Sons of the Forest, navigate to Apps and Features in the Windows settings, select the game, and click “Advanced options,” then “Reset.” Restart your computer afterward.
13. Reinstall Sons of the Forest: If none of the previous steps resolve the issue, uninstall and reinstall Sons of the Forest through Steam. Open your Steam library, right-click the game, choose “Manage,” then “Uninstall.” After uninstalling, reinstall the game and restart your computer.

By following these methods, you should be able to resolve the “Won’t Launch” issue with Sons of the Forest. If the problem persists, you should contact support for further assistance