How to resolve Tom Clancy Ghost Recon Wildlands launch issues?

If you’re growing frustrated because Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands is no longer launching on your Windows 10 computer, you don’t have to panic anymore or wait around until Ubisoft decides to release another hotfix that might disappoint you. This article packs a lot of information on how to resolve the “Ghost Recon Wildlands won’t launch” issue.

How to Fix Common Ghost Recon Wildlands Launch Issues

The launch issues faced by users come in different forms. For some users, the game crashes back to the desktop once it’s launched, while others complain that they’re stuck with a black screen. Whatever the problem is, though, we believe that one of the fixes in this guide will help you get back to gaming again. Before you start, make sure your PC meets the game’s requirements:

Minimum Requirements

Operating System: 64-bit Windows 7 SP1; 64-bit Windows 8.1; 64-bit Windows 10

CPU: AMD FX 4350 @ 4 GHz; Intel Core i5-2400S @ 2.5 GHz

System Memory: 6 GB

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX660; AMD R9 270X

Dedicated Video RAM: 2 GB

Free Hard Drive Space: 69 GB

Recommended Requirements

Operating System: 64-bit Windows 7 SP1; 64-bit Windows 8.1; 64-bit Windows 10

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 @ 3.5 GHz; AMD FX 8350 @ 4 GHz

System Memory: 8 GB

GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or GTX 1060; AMD R9 390 or RX480

Dedicated Video RAM: 4 GB

Free Hard Drive Space: 69 GB

Fix 1: Install the Game’s Latest Patch

Your computer is likely faultless, and a bug might very well cause the issue in the game. Ubisoft releases regular patches to fix issues with the game. Make sure you install every patch and update that is released by the game’s publishers to strike out the possibility of any in-game issue.

Fix 2: Disconnect Your Xbox Controllers

Surprisingly, many users were able to launch their games after unplugging their Xbox controllers. Try disconnecting yours and launch the game to check if it runs without crashing.

Fix 3: Repair the Game’s Visual C++ Redistributable Package

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands requires some support programs, such as the Visual C++ Redistributable package, to work properly. You could be facing the launch issue because the package is corrupted. Repair or reinstall the program and check if you can run the game. Follow these steps:

1. Launch File Explorer and navigate to the folder where you installed Ghost Recon Wildlands. If Uplay PC is installed in the default directory, then this is the path you should go to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\games\Ghost Recon Wildlands \Support

2. Open the Support folder and double-click the Visual C++ Redistributable installation package.
3. Once the setup comes up, click on Repair and follow the subsequent instructions on the wizard.
4. If the package isn’t installed, make sure you install it.

Fix 4: Update Windows 10

An outdated Windows version might be contributing to the error. Installing every available update for your Windows 10 PC will go a long way in fixing certain dependencies that might be contributing to the problem. Some users were able to get the game running again after installing the latest Windows 10 updates.

Open the Settings app, using the Windows + I combo. Click on Update & Security, and then click on the Check for Updates button. If there are any available updates for your computer, allow Windows to download them. Once the download is complete, let Windows Update restart your PC and install the updates.

Try launching the game once the update process completes.

Fix 5: Disable Overlay Programs

Certain applications that draw over other programs are known to cause problems with Ubisoft games, and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands is not exempted. If you have any overlay program, such as Overwolf, try disabling it.

Fix 6: Verify the Integrity of the Game’s Files

This procedure is known by many gamers and is usually the first thing that they do whenever they encounter an issue with any game. If any of Ghost Recon Wildlands’ files are corrupt or missing, a lot of issues will begin to plague the game. You can verify the game’s files, using the Steam client or Uplay, depending on the launcher you run the game on. We’ll explain both procedures below:

Verifying game files using Steam

1. Launch the Steam client.
2. Go to the top of the window and click on Library.
3. Locate Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands in the library, right-click it, and when the context menu drops down, click on Properties.
4. Go to the main screen of the window and switch to the Local Files tab.
5. Now, click on the “Verify integrity of game files…” button.
6. Allow the client to scan your local game files and compare them with files on the game’s server to check for errors.
7. The client will replace any missing or corrupt game file that it finds.
8. Reboot your PC once the process completes, and then launch the game.

Verifying game files using Uplay

1. Launch the Uplay client.
2. Click on Games at the top of the window once the Uplay client opens.
3. Locate Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands and click on it.
4. Click on Properties on the left pane of the next window, then go to the right pane and click on Verify files.
5. The verification process will now begin.
6. Once Uplay finishes checking your game files, a pop-up will inform you about the results of the scan.
7. If the verification process was successful, reboot your system and check if the problem persists.

Fix 7: Delete the Uplay Cache Folder

If you’re running the game on Uplay, try deleting the client’s cache folder and check if the problem goes away. The cache folder might contain corrupted cache files that have been stored by the client over time. This fix worked like a charm for many users, and it could very well be the solution you’ve been hunting for. Follow the steps below:

1. Press and hold the Windows logo key, then tap the E key to open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the following directory:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher

3. Once the Launcher folder opens, locate the Cache folder and delete it.
4. Reboot your PC and try launching the game through Uplay.

Fix 8: Turn Off Cloud Save Synchronization in Uplay

The Cloud Save Synchronization feature in Uplay allows you to save your game data to the cloud. This feature makes it possible for you to access your game data anywhere in the world, and this means that instances of a system crash won’t wipe your progress.

However, certain gamers found that Cloud Save Synchronization was the reason for the error, and turning it off resolved the issue. Try disabling the feature if you use Uplay. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Open Uplay PC and log into your account.
2. Go to the top-left corner of the window and click on the menu icon.
3. Choose Settings.
4. Uncheck the box associated with “Enable Cloud Save Synchronization for supported games”.
5. Now, relaunch the game.

Fix 9: Remove Your Temporary Files

Temporary files are stored on your PC by system and third-party programs. These files are used over a limited period, and at some point, they become useless. Some of the temporary files in your temp folder might be causing conflicts that are preventing the game from launching. Clear the temp folder and check if the launch issue goes away. Here’s what you should do:

1. Press Windows + R to open Run.
2. Type %Temp% into the Run dialog box and click on Ok.
3. Select all the files and folders in the directory by pressing Ctrl + A, then press the Shift and Delete keys together, and click on Yes.
4. Reboot your PC and launch the game.

Fix 10: Reinstall Uplay PC

In certain cases, some users reported that reinstalling the Uplay client resolved the issue. If some of the files related to the program become corrupt, you won’t be able to launch games from it. Follow the steps below to uninstall and reinstall the Uplay client:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on Uninstall a program under Programs.
3. Once the next window opens, locate the Uplay PC entry, click on it, and then click on Uninstall.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
5. Now, reboot your system.
6. Navigate to the installation folder of Ghost Recon Wildlands, open the Support folder, and then run the UplayInstaller.exe file.

Try launching the game once Uplay is installed.

Fix 11: Check Your Antivirus Program

Antivirus programs are known to be one of the main reasons for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands startup issue. Most system security tools have built the reputation of going overboard and blocking safe programs. You can confirm if this is the reason for the problem by temporarily disabling your antivirus.

The procedure for disabling an antivirus program varies from application to application. If you don’t know how to disable yours, refer to your program’s manual or check for a guide on the website of the developer.

If the game runs after you’ve turned off your antivirus, then you should consider updating the virus definitions of the application or changing the program entirely. There are great antivirus applications, such as Auslogics Anti-Malware, that can keep your system protected against malicious attacks without causing such conflicts.

Fix 12: Change CPU Affinity

CPU affinity, also known as CPU pinning, is another possible cause of the problem. The game might be bound to just one or two processor cores, which can cause load balancing issues. You can fix the problem by rectifying the game’s CPU affinity. Follow the simple steps below:

1. Right-click the space on your taskbar and select Task Manager from the menu.
2. Once Task Manager opens, switch to the Details tab.
3. Locate the Ghost Recon Wildlands process under the Details tab, right-click on it, and then click on Set affinity.
4. Check all the boxes in the Processor affinity dialog and click OK.

Now, restart the game.

Fix 13: Update Your Video Card Drivers

One of the main suspects when it comes to crashing issues for any game is a faulty graphics card driver. If your computer meets the requirements of Ghost Recon Wildlands, the next thing you should do is confirm that your video card driver is the latest version. There are different ways you can update your drivers, and we’ll show you how.

To reduce stress as much as possible, install Auslogics Driver Updater. The tool works by checking your computer for faulty or obsolete drivers. It then goes on to download and install their latest versions from the right source. All you have to do is install the program, run it, and click the button that prompts it to scan your PC. Once the scan is complete, allow it to download and install the latest versions of the problematic drivers.

You can choose to check the current version of your graphics card driver in DirectX and update it via Device Manager. Follow these steps:

1. Open the search function in the taskbar, type “dxdiag” (no quotes) into the text field, and then click on the first entry in the results.
2. Once the DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens, switch to the Display tab.
3. The details of your driver will be displayed in the Driver section under the Display tab of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
4. You can now compare your driver version with the latest one on the website of the card’s manufacturer.

If your graphics card driver isn’t up-to-date, go through Device Manager to update it:

1. Press the Windows + X combo and then click on Device Manager in the menu that appears above the Start button.
2. Click on the arrow next to Display Adapters once Device Manager opens.
3. Under Display Adapters, right-click your graphics card, and then click on Update Driver.
4. On the Update Driver screen, click on “Search automatically for updated driver software”. This will prompt Windows to search for the latest driver for your graphics card and download and install it.
5. Reboot your system once the process completes.

If Windows can’t find the latest driver for the game via Device Manager, you can update your GPU driver using the application provided by your graphics card manufacturer. Here are guides on updating through AMD Radeon Settings and NVIDIA Control Panel:

For AMD Radeon Settings:

1. Right-click your Desktop and select AMD Radeon Settings from the context menu.
2. Click on the Updates button in the lower-left area of the AMD Radeon Settings window.
3. Click on Check for updates on the next screen, and if an update is available for your card, two additional buttons will appear: New Recommended and New Optional.
4. Click on New Recommended or New Optional, depending on your choice, then click on either Express or Custom upgrade.
5. Click on the Proceed option once the program asks you for confirmation to launch the installer.
6. Allow the installer to download and install the driver, then reboot your PC.

For NVIDIA Control Panel:

1. Right-click your Desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel from the context menu.
2. Once the window opens, click on Help and then click on Updates.
3. Under the Updates tab of the NVIDIA Update dialog, click on the Check for Updates button.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen that follows to complete the installation process.
5. If you want to configure updates to be checked and installed automatically, go to the Preferences tab and mark the Automatically check for updates checkbox.

Fix 14: Run the System File Checker Tool

The launch problem might also be connected to corrupted system files. To remove this possibility, try scanning your computer for bad or missing system files, using the SFC command-line tool. If the tool finds any problem file on your PC, it will attempt to replace it. The guide below will walk you through the process:

• Go to the search utility beside the Start button, and then type “command prompt” (no quotes) into the text field.
• Right-click on Command Prompt in the results, and then click on Run as Administrator.
• Once the User Account Control dialog pops up, click on Yes.

Next, type the following command line into the elevated Command Prompt and hit the Enter key:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

This command will prompt the inbox Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to use Windows Update to provide the files that will be utilized by the System File Checker to fix the corrupt system files. Allow the command to execute before moving on to the next step.

Now, type the following command line into the elevated Command Prompt and hit Enter to run the System File Checker tool:

sfc /scannow

Give the tool a while to complete the process as it will scan all your system files. Once the tool is done, it will replace any corrupted file it finds from the compressed folder provided by the inbox Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.

Once the verification is complete and you see a success message that reads, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them”, reboot your computer and try installing your updates again.

Fix 15: Perform a Clean Boot and Check for Software Conflicts

Your next move is to check if a startup program is preventing the game from launching. Restart your computer in a Clean Boot state, where every third-party startup program will be disabled, then check for the error. The guide below contains all the steps you need to follow:

1. Open the Search utility in your taskbar.
2. Type “msconfig” (without the quotes) into the text field, and then click on the first result.
3. Once the System Configuration window launches, switch to the Services tab.
4. Go to the bottom-left area of the Services tab and check the box that reads, “Hide all Microsoft Services”.
5. Next, click on the Disable All button.
6. Still in System Configuration, switch to the Startup tab, and then click Open Task Manager.
7. The link will take you to the Startup tab of Task Manager.
8. Now, disable every program on the list by clicking on each item and clicking on Disable.
9. Once you’re done, close Task Manager, go back to the System Configuration dialog window, and then click OK.

Reboot your computer now, and when it comes up, start the game and check whether it opens. If the game launches successfully, this is an indication that a startup service or program is responsible for the launch failure you’ve been experiencing.

To resolve the problem, you need to identify the culprit. Enable a single service, reboot your PC, and then fire up the game to check if it launches. Repeat this procedure for every startup program and service until the error is triggered. Make sure you note down the startup item you enabled before seeing the error, then you can update or uninstall it.

Fix 16: Reinstall the Game to Your Default System Drive

You might be facing the launch issue because your game isn’t saved to the drive or partition where Windows and Uplay or Steam are installed. Try moving the game to your default system folder and check to see if the problem will go away. This has resolved the issue for many users.

Start by uninstalling your game. You can do this through the Control Panel or your client software.

To uninstall the game via Uplay:

1. Launch the Uplay client.
2. Click on Games at the top of the window.
3. Locate Ghost Recon Wildlands, click on it, and then click on Properties.
4. Click on the Uninstall button in the right pane, and then click on Yes in the pop-up window.

Uninstalling Ghost Recon Wildlands, using the Steam client:

1. Open Steam.
2. Switch to the Library tab.
3. Locate Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands, right-click the game, and then click on Uninstall.

Uninstalling the game via Control Panel:

1. Search for Control Panel in the Start menu and launch the program.
2. Under Programs, click on Uninstall a Program.
3. Locate the game in the next window, click on it, and then click on Uninstall.
4. Follow the instructions on the subsequent screens to remove the game from your system.

Once the game is uninstalled, fire up your Steam or Uplay client, search for the game and install it. This time, however, when you get to the installation screen where you’re asked to provide an installation path, choose the directory where Windows is installed.

Once the installation process completes, the game should open.

Conclusion

If you have further issues that you’d like us to assist you with, do well to let us know in the comments section below. We believe one of the fixes above will help you get back to your exciting shooter game.