How to Fix NBA 2K23 Won’t Launch or Not Responding?

NBA 2K23, developed by Visual Concepts and 2K Games, is a highly anticipated sports co-op simulation video game that offers an immersive basketball experience. With the return of The City in NBA 2K23, players can showcase their talent in MyCAREER and build their dynasty in MyGM with MyTEAM. However, like many newly launched games, NBA 2K23 also faces some issues, such as the game not launching or not responding. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this problem and provide practical solutions to fix it.

Why Won’t NBA 2K23 Launch?

There are several reasons why NBA 2K23 may fail to launch or become unresponsive. These include outdated graphics drivers, outdated game versions, missing or corrupted game files, unnecessary background tasks, an outdated Windows version, issues with the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, startup services, antivirus-related issues, incompatible PC hardware, overlay apps, overclocked CPU/GPU, DirectX-related issues, and more. It’s important to identify the specific cause to apply the appropriate solution.

How to Fix NBA 2K23 Won’t Launch?

Here are several methods you can try to fix the NBA 2K23 won’t launch or not responding issue. Make sure to follow each method carefully until the problem is resolved. If the issue persists, it is recommended to contact support for further assistance.

1. Check System Requirements

Before troubleshooting any issue, it’s essential to ensure that your PC configuration meets the system requirements of the game. Incompatible PC hardware can cause various problems with game launching. Here are the minimum requirements for NBA 2K23:

Ensure that your PC meets these requirements before proceeding with the troubleshooting steps.

2. Run the Game as an Administrator

Running the game with administrator privileges can sometimes resolve issues with game launching or startup crashing. To run NBA 2K23 as an administrator, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the NBA 2K23 exe shortcut file on your PC.
• Select Properties and click on the Compatibility tab.
• Check the “Run this program as an administrator” checkbox.
• Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.

3. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

If your game files are missing or corrupted, verifying and repairing them using the game launcher can help resolve the issue. Follow these steps to verify the integrity of NBA 2K23 game files:

• Launch Steam and click on Library.
• Right-click on NBA 2K23 from the list of installed games.
• Click on Properties and go to the Local Files tab.
• Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• Wait for the process to complete and restart your computer.

4. Update Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Outdated or missing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable files can cause issues with game launching. To update these files, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the following path on your PC: C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonSteamworks Shared_CommonRedistvcredist.
• Run all the executable files present in the folders, such as 2012vcredist.x64.exe, 2013vcredist.x64.exe, and 2019vc_redist.x64.exe.
• Restart your PC to complete the update.

5. Update DirectX

Updating DirectX can help resolve compatibility issues and improve game performance. Follow these steps to update DirectX:

• Go to the C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonSteamworks Shared_CommonRedistDirectX folder path.
• Run the DXSETUP.exe file to reinstall/update DirectX.
• Restart your computer to apply the changes.

6. Update GPU Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause compatibility issues with NBA 2K23. Updating your GPU drivers can help resolve these issues. Here’s how you can update your GPU drivers:

• Press Windows + X keys to open the Quick Link Menu.
• Click on Device Manager and double-click on Display adapters.
• Right-click on the dedicated graphics card you’re using.
• Select Update driver and choose to Search automatically for drivers.
• If an update is available, the system will automatically download and install it.
• Restart your computer to apply the changes.

7. Disable Overlay Apps

Overlay apps, such as the Steam overlay, can sometimes interfere with game launching. Disabling the overlay app can help resolve the issue. Here’s how you can disable the Steam overlay:

• Open the Steam client and go to Library.
• Right-click on NBA 2K23 and select Properties.
• Go to the General section and uncheck the Enable Steam Overlay checkbox.
• Reopen NBA 2K23 to check if the issue persists.

8. Install All Pending Windows Updates

Installing pending Windows updates can resolve compatibility issues between the operating system and the game. Here’s how you can install Windows updates:

• Press Windows + I keys to open the Windows Settings menu.
• Click on Update & Security and select Check for updates under the Windows Update section.
• If there is a feature update available, select Download and Install.
• Wait for the update to complete and restart your PC.

9. Disable Antivirus and Firewall Program

Sometimes, antivirus and firewall programs can interfere with game launching. Temporarily disabling them can help troubleshoot the issue. Here’s how you can disable the Windows Firewall:

• Click on the Start menu and type Control Panel, then click on it.
• Type firewall in the search box and click on Windows Firewall.
• Click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off from the left pane.
• Select Turn off Windows Firewall for the Private, Domain, and Public Network Settings.
• Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

If you’re using a third-party antivirus program, make sure to turn it off manually.

10. Launch the Game in Windowed Mode (Steam)

Launching the game in windowed mode can sometimes resolve issues with fullscreen display mode. Here’s how you can launch NBA 2K23 in windowed mode:

• Open the Steam client and go to Library.
• Right-click on NBA 2K23 and select Properties.
• In the General section, click on Set Launch Options.
• Copy and paste the following command-line argument: -windowed -noborder.
• Save the changes and try running the game again.

11. Perform a Clean Boot

Performing a clean boot can help identify and resolve conflicts between the game and other background processes. Here’s how you can perform a clean boot:

• Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Type msconfig and hit Enter to open the System Configuration window.
• Go to the Services tab and enable the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
• Click on Disable all.
• Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
• Click on the Startup tab and open Task Manager.
• Disable the high-impact startup programs one by one.
• Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

12. Close Background Processes

Closing unnecessary background processes can free up system resources and resolve conflicts with the game. Here’s how you can close background processes:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
• Click on the Processes tab and select the tasks you want to close.
• Click on End Task for each selected task.
• Restart your computer to apply the changes.

13. Reset NBA 2K23

Resetting NBA 2K23 can help resolve issues with the game. Here’s how you can reset NBA 2K23:

• Press the Windows (Start) + X keys to open the Quick Link Menu.
• Select Apps and Features and click on NBA 2K23 from the list of installed programs.
• Click on Advanced options and select Reset.
• Restart your computer and try to launch the game.

14. Reinstall NBA 2K23

If none of the methods mentioned above worked, reinstalling NBA 2K23 can help resolve the issue. Here’s how you can reinstall NBA 2K23:

• Launch the Steam client on your computer.
• Go to Library and right-click on NBA 2K23.
• Select Manage and choose Uninstall.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
• Restart your computer and open the Steam client.
• Install NBA 2K23 using your existing Steam account.
• Enjoy the game!

Conclusion

Experiencing issues with game launching or unresponsiveness can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can resolve them and enjoy NBA 2K23 without any interruptions. In this article, we explored various methods to fix NBA 2K23 won’t launch or not responding issues, including checking system requirements, running the game as an administrator, verifying game files, updating Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable and DirectX, updating GPU drivers, disabling overlay apps, installing Windows updates, disabling antivirus and firewall programs, launching the game in windowed mode, performing a clean boot, closing background processes, resetting NBA 2K23, and reinstalling the game. By following these steps, you should be able to get NBA 2K23 up and running smoothly.