Lorene Melone
How To Fix Broken Arrow Not Launching on PC
If Broken Arrow refuses to start on your Windows machine, a few things could be going sideways — corrupted files, driver issues, conflicts with overlays, or even weird Windows settings. Sometimes, even after trying the obvious fixes like rebooting, the game just sits there not launching. This guide is here to help troubleshoot a bunch of common culprits, hopefully saving some time and frustration. Expect to check and tweak everything from display drivers to system settings, all aimed at getting the game to finally fire up.
How to Fix Broken Arrow Not Launching on Windows
Allow the Game Executable Through Windows Defender / Antivirus
This sounds obvious, but security apps can sometimes treat your game like a threat. So, if Windows Security or your third-party antivirus is blocking it, the game might just not launch. Turning off that block can help — on some setups, the game launches fine after adding it as an exception.
- Open Windows Security via Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security.
- Head to Virus & threat protection.
- Click on Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
- Scroll down to Exclusions, then add your game’s folder or the actual game executable (it’s usually inside your Program Files or a custom folder).
- For third-party AVs, open their settings and look for exceptions or exclusions, then add the game folder there.
Sometimes, just doing this on one machine makes the game launch, on another — not so much. Weirdly, Windows tends to be quirky about this, so don’t forget to revisit your antivirus settings if something still feels off.
Verify Game Files to Fix Corruption
If some game files are corrupted or missing, the game might refuse to start. Verifying integrity in your game client (Steam, Epic, etc.) often fixes this. It’s kind of weird, but sometimes, a quick file check restores everything.
- Open your game launcher and head over to your library.
- Right-click on Broken Arrow and select Properties.
- Find and click on Verify Integrity of Game Files. On Steam, that’s under Local Files.
On some setups, this might be slow or fail the first time — just rerun it once or twice; it’s a necessary step to clear up those pesky corrupt files.
Temporarily Disable VPN or Proxy Settings
If you’re running a VPN, it can interfere with your connection and prevent the game from launching or connecting to servers properly. Sometimes, turning it off helps the game load normally. Other times, switching to a different VPN server or disabling it entirely can make a difference.
- Turn off your VPN or proxy service.
- Try launching the game again.
- If still no go, switch to a different server or temporarily disable VPN-related overlays like Nord or Express apps from running.
Not sure why it works, but VPN interference is real — especially with newer online or DRM-powered games. On one machine, disabling VPN fixed launch issues instantly; on another, it was an utter fail. Worth a shot, at least.
Ensure .NET Framework Is Enabled
Broken Arrow needs .NET Framework (preferably 3.5 and 4.8) to run smoothly, especially if it throws errors on startup. Windows sometimes disables or corrupts the .NET components after updates or third-party installs.
- Search for Turn Windows features on or off in the Start menu.
- Make sure both .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) and .NET Framework 4.8 are checked.
- If you toggle anything, click OK, then restart your PC.
It’s kind of weird, but if this isn’t enabled, the game might just not launch without much explanation.
Clear or Reset the Game’s Local Data
If the game’s config files or saved settings are causing trouble, replacing or resetting them might help. Navigate to:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\LocalLow\SteelBalalaikaStudio\BrokenArrow
Replace YourUsername with your actual Windows username. You can back up this folder in case you want to restore settings later. Delete or rename the folder to reset configs, then try launching again.
This is kind of a “shotgun” fix, but it often clears stubborn settings or corrupt temp files that block startup. And yes, Windows hides AppData folders — you might need to enable hidden items in File Explorer.
Disconnect Peripherals & Disable Virtual Controllers
Tools like vJoy or certain gaming peripherals can trigger input conflicts that crash launch attempts. Disconnecting all extra USB devices like racing wheels, flight sticks, or virtual controllers can sometimes fix that. Disabling virtual joystick software temporarily (like vJoy, JoystickMapper, or similar) is worth trying too.
It sounds silly, but in a few cases, the game just doesn’t cooperate with hardware emulators or virtual input software. Simplify the setup, then hit launch.
Reset Overclock Settings and Disable Overclocking
If your CPU or GPU is overclocked, that instability can mess with game startup. Reset BIOS overclocks or disable overclocking tools like MSI Afterburner. After doing that, try launching again.
Additionally, disable overlays — Steam overlay, Discord overlay, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, etc. — because they sometimes conflict during startup.
Run the Game Using the Dedicated Graphics Card
Sometimes, Windows doesn’t prioritize the right GPU, especially on laptops with integrated graphics. To force the game to run on your higher-performance GPU:
- Open Graphics Settings via Start menu > Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
- Add your game executable and set it to High Performance.
This helps if the game is running on the integrated GPU, which often isn’t powerful enough to launch or run well.
Try Launching Directly From the Game Folder
If the game refuses to start via shortcuts or launcher, go straight to its install folder. Right-click the game executable, choose Run as administrator. This sometimes circumvents app permission issues.
Modify Launch Options in the Game or Launcher
Adding specific launch parameters like -dx11 or -dx12 can sometimes resolve compatibility issues, especially if a game crashes during startup. You can usually add these in the game’s properties or through your launcher’s advanced settings.
- Right-click the game in Steam, choose Properties.
- In the Launch Options box, add
-dx11or-dx12.
Keep Windows Updated
Outdated Windows versions or missing patches have a knack for causing odd behaviors. Visit Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any pending updates. Reboot, then test again.
Install Visual C++ Redistributables
Some game startup failures happen because the required Visual C++ runtime files are missing. Head over to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable page, download, and install the latest versions. Reboot afterward and give it a shot.
Increase Virtual Memory (Page File)
If your system is low on RAM, increasing virtual memory can help Windows handle game loading better:
- Open Advanced System Settings (search for it in Start).
- Click on Environment Variables.
- Under System variables, find and double-click Pagefile size.
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size.
- Select your main drive, choose Custom size, and set the initial size to 1.5× your RAM, max to 3×.
Update BIOS (Advanced but Sometimes Necessary)
This is probably only if you’ve tried everything else and still get nowhere. Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s site for BIOS updates and follow their instructions carefully. Do this only if you’re comfortable with flashing BIOS, because a mistake can brick your system.
Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)
If none of the above works, try uninstalling and reinstalling. Sometimes game files get corrupted beyond repair, and a clean install resets everything to a working baseline.
- Uninstall via the game launcher or Windows Apps & Features.
- Manually delete leftover files in the install directory to ensure a clean slate.
- Reinstall fresh from your source.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
- Always check for game updates — devs fix known launch issues periodically.
- Verify your PC meets the minimum specs.
- If issues keep happening, check forums or contact support; maybe it’s a known bug or compatibility problem.
Wrap-up
Fixing game launch problems can be a balancing act — it’s like chasing ghosts sometimes. But covering the basics, keeping drivers up-to-date, disabling overlays, and checking your system settings usually do the trick. Just remember, each PC is a little different, so some methods are more effective than others depending on your setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if nothing works even after all these steps?
Sometimes, the issue is more obscure — like Windows permissions or hardware conflicts. In that case, contacting the game’s support or checking dedicated forums might be your best bet.
Can I skip some of these steps?
Probably, but it’s safer to follow the list chronologically. Some fixes build on previous ones, and skipping might mean missing out on the root cause.
Is updating BIOS safe?
It’s generally safe if you follow instructions carefully. Just ensure your system is connected to a reliable power source because a BIOS flash failure can make your PC unbootable.
Summary
- Add exceptions for the game in your antivirus/firewall.
- Verify game files.
- Disable VPN or overlays.
- Ensure .NET Framework is enabled.
- Reset game configs or cache files.
- Disconnect peripherals or virtual controllers.
- Disable overclocking, reset BIOS if needed.
- Run the game on dedicated GPU.
- Launch directly from the game folder.
- Add launch options like
-dx11. - Update Windows, install Visual C++ redistributables.
- Increase virtual memory or update BIOS if necessary.
- Reinstall if all else fails.
Most of the time, following these tips makes the game run. It’s kind of a pain, but hey, at least it beats giving up and missing out on that session.