What is the first troubleshooting step if the Ashes of Creation launcher fails to open?

The first step is to ensure you are **running the launcher as an administrator** by right-clicking the icon and selecting 'Run as administrator'. This often resolves permission-related launch issues.

Why might the game client crash after the launcher closes?

This frequently indicates an issue with outdated or corrupted **graphics drivers (NVIDIA/AMD)**. Ensure your drivers are updated to the latest stable version provided by the hardware manufacturer.

What should I do if the game client starts but displays a black screen?

The black screen issue is often caused by an incompatible screen mode. Try pressing **Alt + Enter** repeatedly to force the game into Windowed mode, then adjust the display settings from within the game.

Ashes of Creation Won’t Launch Fix Guide

If Ashes of Creation refuses to start or keeps freezing before the launcher appears, you’re not alone. A few key setup and connection issues are behind most failed starts right now, and most can be fixed without reinstalling the game.

Why Ashes of Creation Might Not Launch

The most common reason for the game failing to open is a broken connection between your Steam client and the Intrepid launcher. This happens when the verification system can’t confirm your Steam ownership fast enough, especially during peak times. It can also fail to launch when Easy Anti-Cheat doesn’t initialize or if required Windows services aren’t active.

Quick Fix Steps

Try these steps one by one. Don’t skip the restarts since they reset your Steam and launcher tokens.

Close the Ashes of Creation launcher completely. End it through Task Manager if needed.
Fully exit Steam and reopen it.
Launch the game again from your Steam Library.
If it still fails, restart your PC once before trying again.
Make sure Steam is logged into the same account that’s linked to your Intrepid Studios account.
Check that Easy Anti-Cheat isn’t blocked by your antivirus or firewall.
Run Steam as Administrator before launching the game again.
Verify the integrity of your game files inside Steam.

If you see the error “Unable to verify Steam account,” it means the launcher couldn’t connect to Intrepid’s verification servers. In that case, simply restarting Steam or trying again later usually resolves it once the servers stabilize.

Check These System Requirements

Ashes of Creation only runs on Windows 10 or 11 64-bit. The launcher and game won’t start on Linux or Steam Deck since Easy Anti-Cheat isn’t supported there. Make sure your PC meets the official minimum setup.

OS: Windows 10 or 11
CPU: Intel i5 8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
RAM: 12 GB
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1070 or equivalent discrete card
Storage: SSD with at least 120 GB free
DirectX: Version 12

Running the game on an HDD, integrated GPU, or older CPU can prevent it from launching or cause crashes before login.

When the Launcher Still Won’t Open

If the launcher keeps looping or shows authorization attempt not found, it’s likely just server overload. Wait a few minutes and try again. Do not unlink your Steam and Intrepid accounts since doing that while the site is under maintenance can break the connection permanently.

If the launcher keeps closing instantly, delete the Ashes of Creation folder under AppData and reinstall it through Steam. This resets corrupted cache data from failed updates.

Final Blurb

Ashes of Creation failing to launch is almost always caused by a Steam verification timeout or missing permissions. Restart both Steam and the launcher, confirm Easy Anti-Cheat isn’t blocked, and give it a few minutes if servers are overloaded. Once the link verifies correctly, the game should start without issues.

FAQ

Why does nothing happen when I click Play in Steam

The launcher sometimes fails to open when Steam’s verification token expires. Restarting Steam usually fixes this.

Does it work on Steam Deck or Linux

No, Ashes of Creation doesn’t officially support Linux or Proton. Launch attempts there fail due to EAC incompatibility.

Can antivirus software block it

Yes, Easy Anti-Cheat can be flagged by overprotective security tools. Whitelist the Ashes of Creation and EAC folders if needed.

Should I reinstall the game

Only if verifying files and restarting Steam doesn’t work. Reinstalling should be your last option.

What if I’m still stuck

Submit a ticket to Intrepid Support with a screenshot of your launcher error. They can confirm if your account link or launcher install needs a manual reset.