How to fix Civilization 7 not launching on PC plus common causes

gabhernandez Published 14/02/2025

Many Civilization 7 players reported their game not launching, and to understand the fixes, they must know the common causes.

Civilization 7 launched to a mixed reception for PC players. The new gameplay elements received universal praise, with many supporting Firaxis’ changes to Civilization 7. These changes made a classic franchise feel fresh, and the combinations of leaders and civilizations alone captivated fans. Unfortunately for players, Civilization 7 lacks in technical polish.

Players have reported screen glitches, issues with the UI, and Civilization 7 not launching outright. These issues have led to the mixed reception Civilization 7 is currently experiencing. The potential causes for these issues are numerous, but players have narrowed down the most common causes (and how to fix them).

Faulty Installation

Before anything else, the first thing players should do is check if their installation worked. Steam players should follow these steps.

Right-click on Civilization 7 from the Steam library
Select Properties
Open the Installed Files Tab
Click “Verify Integrity of Game Files”

Those who brought Civilization 7 from the Epic store should instead do this:

Click on the three dots below Civilization 7 from the Epic Games library
Click Manage
Select “Verify” on the Verify Files tab

These should find any missing files that were not properly installed by the initial installation. If the game still does not work, uninstall and reinstall the game. After reinstalling Civilization 7, shut down and unplug the PC for five minutes. Make sure to drain the excess power by holding the power button for 15 seconds. Plug the PC back in and check if Civilization 7 is working.

Outdated Drivers

As a next-generation Civilization title, it needs the latest drivers to work properly. Each driver will have its in-system app. Players should check their GPU and follow the instructions to update system drivers.

In addition to drivers, players on Windows hardware should ensure they have the latest versions of DirectX (DX12 Ultimate) and Microsoft Visual C+++ Resitributable Runtimes (2022). These programs ensure Civilization 7 will launch smoothly for new machines.

Wrong API

Depending on the system used, players will have to use a specific graphics API to maximize their performance. Before launching Civilization 7, players will have to choose between DX12 or Vulkan. Microsoft Windows users should opt for DX12 while players on other platforms should use Vulkan.

Civ 7 not launching

DX12 is optimized for Windows systems. In most cases, players who aren’t used to customizing their API should opt for DX12. Vulkan users are typically on alternative PC platforms such as Linux. Some users on low-end machines also reported better stability on Vulkan, regardless of platform. Players should try both APIs to see what works best for them.

Blocked by Antivirus

Antivirus programs may accidentally block Civilization 7 even if it’s not a threat. Turn off the antivirus temporarily and see if Civilization 7 opens. If it does, then that confirms the antivirus as the cause.

Exit the game, then open the antivirus whitelist/exceptions list. Add Civilization 7 to the antivirus so it doesn’t block the game. For extra security, add Steam/Epic Games to the whitelist as well.

Admin Permissions

Finally, Civilization 7 may not be launching due to blocked permissions. This is especially apparent when running the game from an account without admin permissions. Here are the steps to running Civilization 7 as an administrator on Windows.