Hell Let Loose Won't Start on Windows? 6 Practical Fixes

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Hell Let Loose refusing to start on some Windows rigs has become an annoyingly common thread in community help channels — players report the game showing the Easy Anti‑Cheat splash, briefly loading, and then closing with no error, or the launcher simply returning to the desktop. A concise KeenGamer troubleshooting guide collected six practical fixes — disabling Varjo services, forcing DirectX, verifying files, running the executable as administrator, repairing Easy Anti‑Cheat, and a handful of extra network / AppData cleanups — and many community threads back up those steps as effective first responses.

Background​

Hell Let Loose (HLL) is a large-scale, squad-based WWII shooter with complex engine initialization, anti‑cheat dependencies and wide hardware permutations. Problems at startup typically fall into three broad buckets:
  • Anti‑cheat or driver conflicts that refuse to let the game initialize.
  • Renderer/driver mismatches (DX12 vs DX11) where the engine fails to negotiate a working GPU path.
  • Interference from third‑party services or leftover configuration files that block the process early in boot.
Each of the six fixes circulated by KeenGamer addresses one of those failure modes; collectively they form an ordered troubleshooting flow that escalates logically from low‑risk to higher‑impact interventions.

Why the game sometimes won’t launch​

At launch the HLL executable performs a short, critical checklist: initialize renderer and GPU drivers, load game assets, and start the anti‑cheat service (Easy Anti‑Cheat / EAC). Any failure in these steps — a blocked anti‑cheat driver, a renderer negotiation failure, or a launched-but-conflicting background process — can cause the process to exit silently or return to the launcher. Modern Windows security features such as Memory Integrity (Core Isolation) can also prevent anti‑cheat drivers from installing or loading, producing the same symptoms. Community reports and vendor support documentation make this pattern consistent across multiple titles, including HLL. (easy.ac, help.elderscrollsonline.com)

Quick summary of the six fixes users report most often​

  • Disable Varjo service(s) if you have Varjo VR software installed (Varjo Base / Varjo Service).
  • Force DirectX 11 or 12 via Steam or Epic launch options (‑dx11 / ‑dx12 or ‑d3d11 / ‑d3d12).
  • Verify the game files with Steam / Epic to repair corruption.
  • Run the HLL executable as administrator to avoid file/permission errors.
  • Repair or reinstall Easy Anti‑Cheat (EAC) using its installer/repair tool.
  • Try extra networking and AppData cleanups (ipconfig/netsh resets, deleting local HLL AppData) plus temporary antivirus exclusions.
The KeenGamer piece compiles these into a pragmatic checklist and many community threads confirm success with the same steps.

1) Disable Varjo Service — what it is and why it can block startup​

What Varjo is​

Varjo Base / Varjo Service is the Windows host software for Varjo headsets (including Varjo Aero) and it runs background processes to manage headset features, overlays and driver handshakes. Varjo Base installs services and user‑level helpers that can start at boot. Varjo’s own documentation shows the software manages multiple background processes and provides an Applications/Workspace panel that runs when no headset app is active. (support.varjo.com)

Why Varjo can interfere with HLL​

Community troubleshooting reports explicitly link "Varjo Service" to Hell Let Loose failing to open: users found that killing or disabling Varjo processes (or disabling Varjo Base autostart) allowed HLL to proceed past the Easy Anti‑Cheat splash and fully launch. That behaviour suggests a conflict at process/driver initialization (resource locking or injected behavior from VR middleware). These are community‑reported fixes rather than official game patches, so exercise caution and re‑enable Varjo when you use the headset. (reddit.com)

How to temporarily disable Varjo start items (safe, reversible)​

  • Open the Run box (Windows key + R), type msconfig, and press Enter to open System Configuration.
  • Go to the Services tab and check "Hide all Microsoft services", then uncheck Varjo service entries. Click Apply.
  • Open Task Manager → Startup tab; find Varjo startup items and disable them.
  • Restart Windows and try HLL again.
The System Configuration (msconfig) utility is the supported Windows troubleshooting tool for selectively disabling third‑party services. Microsoft documents using it for diagnostic startups and service isolation; always use "Hide all Microsoft services" first to avoid disabling essential system services. (learn.microsoft.com, windowscentral.com)
Caveat: If you use your Varjo headset, re‑enable Varjo Base before trying VR sessions. These steps are diagnostic workarounds, not vendor patches.

2) Force DirectX renderer with a launch option (-dx11 / -dx12 / -d3d11 / -d3d12)​

Some GPUs, driver versions, or laptop hybrid setups trip on the default renderer negotiation and crash before the 3D pipeline is ready. Forcing the game to use DirectX 11 (or 12) bypasses that negotiation.
  • Steam: Library → right‑click Hell Let Loose → Properties → General → Launch Options → type -dx11 (or -dx12 if -dx11 fails).
  • Epic Games Launcher: Library → click ⋯ next to HLL → Manage → toggle Launch Options on → enter -d3d11 (or -d3d12 as alternate).
Both Steam and Epic document the mechanism for adding launch options and verifying game files; publishers commonly recommend forcing DX11 as a first step for renderer-related crashes. If a forced renderer fixes launch, it’s a strong clue that the GPU driver/renderer path handshake was the culprit. (help.elderscrollsonline.com, epicgames.com)
Practical note: After forcing DX11, compare in‑game performance and stability; DX11 can be more stable on some stacks but might have slightly different visual/performance characteristics.

3) Verify game files (Steam / Epic)​

Verifying the integrity of game files is low‑risk and often removes corruption caused by interrupted updates or bad disk sectors. Both Steam and Epic provide built‑in verification tools that will re‑download and replace missing or corrupt files while leaving your saved data intact.
  • Steam: Library → right‑click Hell Let Loose → Properties → Installed Files (or Local Files) → Verify integrity of game files.
  • Epic: Library → … (three dots) next to Hell Let Loose → Manage → click Verify.
Epic and Steam support pages describe the process and explicitly mention that verification can repair corrupted files and restore EAC files when missing. Always run this before uninstalling or reinstalling manually. (help.elderscrollsonline.com, epicgames.com)

4) Run Hell Let Loose as Administrator​

Permission errors sometimes prevent the game or EAC from creating or accessing driver and service components. Granting the game elevated privileges is a zero‑risk diagnostic step:
  • Browse to the HLL install folder, right‑click HLL‑Win64‑Shipping.exe → Properties → Compatibility → check "Run this program as administrator" → Apply → OK.
Windows documentation and tech guidance recommend using this compatibility flag when permission issues block installers or anti‑cheat services. If running as administrator solves it, the underlying problem is likely a folder / driver installation permission or an interfering security product. (elevenforum.com, majorgeeks.com)
Security note: Don’t habitually leave broad admin privileges on unless necessary for daily use — prefer keeping them for diagnosis and specific, trusted titles.

5) Repair Easy Anti‑Cheat (EAC)​

Easy Anti‑Cheat is required for HLL. If EAC fails or its driver cannot load, the game can abort quickly after the splash screen. EAC provides a repair tool and documented command‑line repair paths that work across many publishers.
How to repair EAC manually:
  • Open the Hell Let Loose installation folder → open the EasyAntiCheat folder.
  • Run EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe (or EasyAntiCheat_EOS.exe) as Administrator.
  • Choose your game and click Repair Service (or run EasyAntiCheat_EOS.exe repair from an elevated Command Prompt as vendor docs describe).
Easy Anti‑Cheat’s knowledge base and publisher support pages document the repair and reinstall process and recommend disabling Memory Integrity (Core Isolation) temporarily if EAC fails to install — Microsoft’s Memory Integrity feature can block unsigned drivers from loading. If EAC repeatedly fails, follow the vendor’s manual uninstall/reinstall steps and check that eaanticheat.sys exists in the system drivers folder after repair. (easy.ac, help.ea.com)
Warnings and next steps:
  • If you disable Memory Integrity to install EAC, reboot and verify the EAC driver installed correctly before re‑enabling Memory Integrity (some users must keep it off for compatibility; treat this as a last resort).
  • If EAC fails to repair or the driver is missing, collect logs and escalate to publisher support (Team17) — anti‑cheat issues can require signed driver updates or OS policy changes to resolve. (easy.ac, support.playpaxdei.com)

6) Additional practical fixes (network, AppData, AV, and startup interference)​

KeenGamer and community threads list multiple extra steps that frequently solve stubborn cases. Try these in the order shown here, backing up any user files before destructive steps:
  • Clear local HLL configuration: back up and then delete the HLL folder at C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\ (or delete problematic data subfolders). This removes corrupted local config.
  • Flush network stacks (helpful when the launcher hangs on online checks):
  • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  • Run these commands in order:
  • ipconfig /flushdns
  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew
  • netsh winsock reset
  • netsh int ip reset
    Microsoft documents each of these as standard network troubleshooting commands and notes they require administrative privileges and a reboot for some changes to take effect. (learn.microsoft.com, support.microsoft.com)
  • Temporarily disable antivirus or add the HLL and launcher directories to AV exclusions (do not leave protection off long‑term).
  • Clear Steam’s download cache (Steam → Settings → Downloads → Clear Download Cache) if using Steam.
  • Try launching the executable directly from the install folder (double‑click HLL‑Win64‑Shipping.exe) to bypass launcher quirks.
  • Perform a clean boot (msconfig → Selective startup → hide Microsoft services → disable non‑essential third‑party services) to determine if a background app is blocking launch. Microsoft documents using msconfig for selective startups and isolation of third‑party services. (learn.microsoft.com, dell.com)

Ordered troubleshooting checklist (practical flow you can follow)​

Critical analysis: strengths, limits, and risks of these fixes​

Strengths​

  • The fixes are focused and incremental: they move from harmless (verify files, admin launch, DX11) to more invasive (disabling services, registry edits, driver clean installs). That minimises downtime and preserves user data.
  • Many of the steps are vendor‑backed: Steam/Epic verification tools and Easy Anti‑Cheat’s repair utility are official and safe. Microsoft documents msconfig, ipconfig and netsh usage for troubleshooting, which validates the recommended commands. (help.elderscrollsonline.com, easy.ac, learn.microsoft.com)
  • Community evidence is strong for certain edge cases — e.g., Varjo Base conflicting with Hell Let Loose — and multiple independent reports show disabling Varjo services helps; the fix is reversible and low‑risk in the short term. (reddit.com, support.varjo.com)

Risks and caveats​

  • Disabling services or killing processes changes system behaviour; disabling the wrong service can cause system instability. Always use "Hide all Microsoft services" in msconfig and only disable third‑party entries you know or recognize. (windowscentral.com)
  • Deleting AppData config folders will remove local settings (keybinds, graphics presets). Back up before deleting.
  • Temporarily disabling antivirus or Memory Integrity reduces security. If you must turn these off to install EAC, re‑enable protections after confirming the game and anti‑cheat run correctly, or add targeted exclusions instead. Microsoft warns about Memory Integrity blocking unsigned drivers; EAC and publisher support pages document this as a common cause. (help.ea.com, easy.ac)
  • Driver clean installs (DDU, AMD cleanup tools) or registry edits such as ReleaseVersion are advanced and carry risk. Treat them as last resorts and create system restore points or full backups first. Many community posts recommend these only when safer steps fail.

When to escalate to official support (Team17)​

If you've exhausted the checklist above, collected logs (game logs, Windows Event Viewer entries) and repeated repairs/installations without success, escalate to Team17’s support portal. Their Hell Let Loose Help Center includes a contact form and troubleshooting articles for EAC errors and launch problems; be prepared to include the HLL log files, a description of the steps you tried, and any evidence that EAC failed to install or the driver is missing. Team17 support can triage whether the issue is a game build problem, a known driver conflict, or a deeper system-level failure requiring a vendor patch. (team17.helpshift.com, hellletloose.com)

Real‑world examples and community context​

  • Several players successfully resolved HLL launch failures simply by disabling Varjo Base autostart or killing the Varjo Service; those fixes are widely reported in community threads and make sense because VR middleware often injects system hooks and overlays that can interfere with non‑VR game launches. These reports are community‑sourced but consistent across multiple users. (reddit.com, support.varjo.com)
  • Anti‑cheat driver issues are a recurring theme across modern multiplayer titles — repair or reinstall of EAC is a validated, official step and Microsoft documentation explains why Windows security features can block driver installation. When EAC fails repeatedly, it's often due to driver signature/security policies or a conflicting third‑party kernel driver. Collecting driver and event logs is vital before asking publisher support to escalate. (easy.ac, support.microsoft.com)

Practical safety checklist before you start experimenting​

  • Create a System Restore point or full disk backup for your Windows drive if you plan to uninstall drivers or run DDU.
  • Back up the entire HLL Saved/Config/AppData folders before renaming or deleting them.
  • Note exact driver versions (GPU/chipset) so you can roll back if necessary.
  • If you disable Memory Integrity or AV tools, note the change and re‑enable them once the diagnostic is complete or after a controlled fix.
  • Keep a copy of the EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe file and the productid from Settings.json (EAC’s installer may require the productid to reinstall). (easy.ac)

Final assessment and recommendations​

Hell Let Loose startup failures are rarely a single one‑size‑fits‑all bug; they’re the product of several moving parts: the game client, the anti‑cheat service, GPU drivers and other background software (including VR middleware). The KeenGamer checklist is an excellent, community‑vetted starting point: it gathers low‑risk, high‑impact steps first (verify files, force DX11, run as admin), then moves to repair EAC and disable suspicious services like Varjo when applicable.
Follow the ordered troubleshooting flow in this article, keep backups, and escalate to Team17 support with logs if the problem persists. When you file with support, include the HLL logs and the exact steps you tried (EAC repair log, GPU driver versions, any msconfig changes). That gives the publisher the context they need to identify whether the issue is client configuration, driver incompatibility, or a bug that needs a patch. (team17.helpshift.com)
If the game still will not launch after every step above, assemble the following items before contact:
  • HLL log files from the game's Saved/Logs directory.
  • The output of an elevated Command Prompt command: sc query EasyAntiCheat (shows EAC service presence).
  • A short list of actions you tried, including whether Varjo services were running, whether Memory Integrity was toggled, and the results of a Steam/Epic verify. (easy.ac)
These artifacts speed diagnostics for Team17 and for community helpers who can read logs and advise targeted fixes.
Hell Let Loose’s startup issues are solvable in most cases with careful, ordered troubleshooting. Start with the reversible checks (verify files, force DX11, run as admin), then repair the anti‑cheat, and only then progress into temporary service disabling or driver resets — always with backups and a documented rollback plan. The KeenGamer checklist is a useful condensed reference for this flow and community threads add real‑world context to the more obscure fixes like Varjo service interference.
Conclusion: Systematic, cautious troubleshooting recovers the majority of HLL startup failures; keep logs, keep backups, and escalate to Team17 support with detailed diagnostics when a clean install and EAC repair don’t clear the problem. (easy.ac, team17.helpshift.com)
Source: KeenGamer 6 Ways to Fix Hell Let Loose Not Launching on a Windows PC
 
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