Fixing Enshrouded Launch Issues: Troubleshooting Guide for Gamers

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The gaming community has been buzzing with the recent release of Enshrouded, an Early Access title that has quickly captured the attention of players worldwide. However, as with many freshly minted games, Enshrouded has encountered its fair share of technical hiccups—most notably, launch issues that have left players frustrated and unable to dive into their adventure. If you've found yourself staring at a black screen or receiving cryptic error messages when trying to launch Enshrouded, fear not! Below, I’ll guide you through the essential troubleshooting steps to get you back in the game.

Key Causes of Launch Issues​

Before we dive into the fixes, it's important to understand what might be causing the game not to launch:
  • Admin Privileges: Sometimes, applications require elevated permissions to run correctly.
  • Conflicting Software: Background applications, particularly third-party GPU software or overlays, can interfere with game launches.
  • Outdated Drivers: Graphics drivers can significantly affect game performance and startup.
  • Vulkan Dependency: Since Enshrouded utilizes Vulkan, having the right version installed is crucial.
  • Corrupt Installation Files: Missing or corrupt game files can prevent proper launch.
With that foundation set, let’s get our hands dirty.

1. Run Enshrouded with Administrative Rights​

One of the simplest solutions is to run the game as an administrator, which provides it the necessary permissions to access files and resources:
  • Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
  • Right-click on Enshrouded and choose Manage > Browse local files.
  • Locate the Enshrouded.exe file, right-click it, and select Properties.
  • In the Compatibility tab, check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.
  • Hit Apply and OK. Then, try launching the game again.

2. Close ASUS GPU Tweak III​

If you're using ASUS GPU Tweak III, it's worth trying to close this application as it has been known to cause conflicts:
  • Find the ASUS GPU Tweak III icon in the system tray.
  • Right-click it and select Close. Alternatively, use Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find ASUS GPU Tweak III, and select End Task.

3. Disable Integrated Graphics​

For users with dual graphics cards (most commonly NVIDIA or AMD alongside Intel's integrated graphics), disabling the integrated GPU can sometimes resolve launch issues:
  • Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
  • Expand Display adapters.
  • Right-click on the integrated GPU and choose Uninstall device. Confirm the action.

4. Update Graphics Drivers​

Keeping your graphics drivers up-to-date is essential for the optimal gaming experience:
  • Navigate to the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA or AMD) and download the latest driver for your graphics card.
  • Install the updated driver and restart your PC before attempting to launch Enshrouded again.

5. Install the Latest Vulkan Version​

As Enshrouded relies on Vulkan, ensuring you have the latest version installed is critical:
  • Download the latest Vulkan SDK from the official website (VulkanSDK-1.3.296.0-Installer.exe).
  • Run the installer and follow the prompts. Restart your PC post-installation.

6. Reinstall Enshrouded

If all else fails, uninstalling and reinstalling the game may repair corrupt files:
  • Open Steam, navigate to your Library, right-click Enshrouded, select Manage > Uninstall.
  • Confirm the action. After that, click Enshrouded in your Library and hit Install.

7. Additional Troubleshooting Steps​

If the above methods don’t resolve your issue, consider these extra steps:
  • Uninstall Twitch Studio: This application has had reported conflicts with Vulkan.
  • Verify Game Files: In Steam, right-click on Enshrouded, go to Properties > Local Files, and select Verify Integrity of Game Files.
  • Set Antivirus Exclusions: Make sure your antivirus is not blocking Enshrouded by adding it to the exclusion list.
  • Rollback Drivers: If you recently updated drivers, consider rolling back to a previous version that was stable.
  • Clean Boot: Perform a clean boot to minimize background programs that might be interfering.

Conclusion​

While Enshrouded's Early Access status means that players might run into launch issues, the above troubleshooting steps should equip you with the knowledge needed to overcome these early hurdles. Remember, technical glitches are a part of the gaming landscape, especially for new titles. If these solutions fail to rectify the problem, you can always reach out to the game's support team for further assistance.
Happy gaming, and may your adventures in Enshrouded begin without further delay!

Source: KeenGamer 6 Ways to Fix Enshrouded Not Launching on a Windows PC