How to Fix PUBG Not Launching on PC

When you click Play on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS in Steam, Steam may briefly show “Launching,” and you might even see a PUBG process such as TslGame.exe (sometimes ExecPubg.exe / anti-cheat components) appear in Task Manager, but the game window never opens.

This usually means PUBG starts, then fails during early initialization, most often due to corrupted/missing game files, a broken intro video (Movies) file, a DirectX/driver initialization conflict, interference from security software, or conflicts from overlays/injectors.

Try the fixes below in order (least intrusive to most). After each method, launch PUBG again to see if it opens normally. If PUBG is stuck in the background, end TslGame.exe in Task Manager before retrying.

1. Add the Launch Option -dx11

Forcing DirectX 11 can help if PUBG can’t properly initialize its graphics pipeline (common with unstable drivers, hybrid GPU setups, or overlay hooks). DX11 is typically the most compatible option for troubleshooting startup/no-window issues. If you were already running DX11, move to the next fix.

1. Open your Steam Library.
   
2. Right-click PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and select Properties.
   
3. In the Launch Options box, type:

   -dx11

   

4. Close the Properties window and start the game again.

   Note: If you already had other launch options set, remove them temporarily and leave only -dx11 while testing. This helps you isolate what’s causing the launch failure.

2. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

If PUBG starts in the background but never shows a window, missing or corrupted files are a top cause. Steam’s verification checks the install and re-downloads anything broken or missing (including files damaged by a bad/partial update).

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
   
2. Right-click PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and click Properties.
   
3. Go to Installed Files and click Verify integrity of game files.
   
4. Wait for the process to complete, then launch the game.

3. Delete (or Rename) the Movies Folder

PUBG loads intro/splash videos during startup. If a file inside the Movies folder is corrupted, the game can stall or close before it ever creates a window. Deleting the folder (or renaming it) forces PUBG to skip those videos.

1. Open Steam and go to Library.
   
2. Right-click on PUBG and go to Properties.
   
3. Go to Installed Files and click Browse.
   
4. Open: TslGame > Content
5. Locate Movies and delete it (or rename it to Movies.bak).

   Important: Only remove TslGame\Content\Movies, do not delete the entire Content folder.
   

6. Launch PUBG again.

   Tip: To restore the original videos, run Verify integrity (Method 2) to re-download missing files.

4. Add PUBG as a Windows Security Exclusion

Windows Security (or third-party antivirus) can sometimes disrupt PUBG at launch, by quarantining a component, blocking an anti-cheat file, or slowing file access while scanning. Adding an exclusion for PUBG’s executable reduces false blocks and can fix the “process appears but no window” issue.

1. Search for Virus & threat protection and open it.
   
2. Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
   
3. Click Add or remove exclusions.
   
4. Click Add an exclusion and select File.
   
5. Navigate to this folder (adjust if your Steam Library is on another drive):

   SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\PUBG\TslGame\Binaries\Win64

6. Select the PUBG executable: TslGame.exe
   
7. Save changes and try starting the game again.

   Extra check: If you recently saw a block/quarantine, open Protection history in Windows Security and restore/allow PUBG-related items before retrying.

5. Reinstall PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS

If nothing works, reinstalling is the cleanest reset. It replaces the entire installation (including damaged updates and stubborn cached components) with a fresh copy, often fixing issues verification can’t fully repair.

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
   
2. Right-click PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and select Manage.
3. Choose Uninstall and confirm.
   
4. After it’s removed, reinstall PUBG and launch it.