Ethan Brooks
How To Fix REMATCH Not Loading or Getting Stuck on the Loading Screen on PC
If REMATCH just won’t load properly, you’re probably pulling your hair out trying to figure out why. It’s kinda frustrating when a game just hangs on that loading screen, or worse, crashes completely. Sometimes it’s a simple fix, other times it’s a deep dive. The good news: these steps cover most common causes and solutions, so hopefully, you’ll get back to gaming sooner rather than later. Expect a mix of quick resets, fiddling with files, updating drivers, and some system tweaks. Not everything is guaranteed, but if one method doesn’t do the trick, move on to the next. Just bear in mind, some fixes require a bit of patience and a little risk — like deleting config files or updating BIOS. So, go slow and back stuff up if needed. Totally worth it to avoid losing your settings or saved games.
How to Fix REMATCH Loading Problems on PC
Method 1: Restart Steam and Your PC
This is basically the first thing everyone suggests, but it works surprisingly often. Steam or Windows can have a weird hiccup, and a quick restart clears out that junk. Make sure to fully close Steam (check in Task Manager if needed), then restart your PC. After reboot, launch Steam first, then try to start REMATCH again. On some setups, this just resets whatever’s causing the freeze or endless load screen. Worth a shot before messing around with files or drivers. On certain machines, this fails the first time, but usually, a second restart or a quick PC cycle helps. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Method 2: Switch Steam to Offline Mode and Back
This tricks Steam into resetting its online status, sometimes fixing sync issues or server-related hiccups during launch. Open Steam, click Steam menu, then choose Go Offline. Confirm and wait for it to switch to offline mode. Once offline, go back to the same menu and select Go Online. Now, try launching REMATCH again. It’s kind of weird, but on some setups, this refreshes network connections or license verifications that might be stuck. Expect a quick toggle, and if it doesn’t help, move on to other steps. When it works, it feels like magic.
Method 3: Install Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing or corrupt Visual C++ libraries can cause game load failures—especially if the game relies on certain DLLs. Head over to the official Microsoft download page for the latest Visual C++ Redistributables and install both x86 and x64 versions. Sometimes they get corrupted or aren’t installed properly, which throws errors during startup. Installing fresh copies generally solves this and is easy to do. It’s a common cause of loading screens hanging or game crashes right at launch. Expect to restart after installing these libraries, and maybe verify if the problem persists.
Method 4: Launch the Game with start_protected_game.exe
Sometimes, the launcher or Steam isn’t the problem — it’s the game’s executable itself. Navigate to your game folder, usually something like C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Rematch. Right-click on the game folder, choose Manage, then Browse Local Files. Look for start_protected_game.exe — this is often the direct way to launch the game bypassing certain Steam checks or launcher bugs. Double-click that file and see if it loads properly. It’s a handy workaround when the main launcher is flaky. On some setups, it takes a few tries (sometimes you need to run as administrator), but it can get around launch issues caused by Steam or other conflicts.
Method 5: Rename or Delete sl.pcl.dll
This DLL sometimes causes conflicts, especially if it’s corrupted or incompatible. First, back it up somewhere safe, just in case. The path is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Rematch\Engine\Plugins\Marketplace\StreamlineCore\Binaries\ThirdParty\Win64. Rename the file to something like sl.pcl.dll.bak. Deleting it sometimes works too, but backup first. After doing this, try launching the game again. Why it helps? Not entirely sure, but on some systems, this DLL gets in the way or crashes the game’s startup routine. A lot of people report success here, but be aware it can reset certain game settings.
Method 6: Verify Game Files via Steam
If some files are borked or missing, the game might hang on load. In Steam, right-click REMATCH in your library > Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files. Steam will check and replace corrupted files. Sometimes, updates or interrupted downloads leave things half-done, causing loading loops or crashes. Expect this to take a few minutes. If issues persist, go ahead with other fixes.
Method 7: Make Sure Antivirus Isn’t Blocking the Game
Antivirus programs can be overly paranoid sometimes, blocking game files or the executable itself. Open your antivirus settings and add the REMATCH game folder or the main executable to the *exclusions* or *exceptions* list. For example, in Windows Defender, it’s under Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings > Add or Remove Exclusions. On other AVs like Norton or Avast, just find the exclusions section. Expect this to stop false positives from interfering with game startup. It’s a simple fix but one often overlooked.
Method 8: Run the Game as Administrator & Set Compatibility Mode
Right-click the game’s executable, select Properties. Under the Compatibility tab, check Run this program as an administrator. Also, tick Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 10 or 11, depending on what you’re using. This helps if Windows security settings or corrupted permissions are preventing the game from initializing correctly. Expect a prompt for UAC (User Account Control) approval when launching. Sometimes, this solves persistent load failures caused by permissions issues.
Method 9: Run UEPrereqSetup_x64 to Install Redist Components
Find the file UEPrereqSetup_x64 in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Rematch\Engine\Extras\Redist\en-us. Running this will install runtime prerequisites needed for Unreal Engine games, which REMATCH apparently uses. Double-click and follow the prompts. It might fix problems related to missing DirectX components or other dependencies. When it works, the game loads without hanging or crashing. If it doesn’t, no harm in trying.
Method 10: Update Graphics Drivers & Perform Clean Install
Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers are a classic cause. Head over to your GPU vendor’s site — NVIDIA or AMD — grab the latest drivers, and during install, pick *Custom Install* with the *Clean Install* checkbox checked. This wipes out old driver leftovers that might interfere. After that, restart and try again. Sometimes, just updating drivers is enough to fix the loading hang.
Method 11: Ensure the Game Uses Your Dedicated Graphics Card
If your PC has integrated graphics, make sure REMATCH runs on your dedicated GPU. Open your graphics control panel (like NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings), go to Manage 3D Settings, find the game in the list or add it if needed, then set the preferred GPU to your high-performance card. On laptops, you can usually specify this per-application. This often helps with performance issues and loading glitches originating from insufficient graphics resources.
Method 12: Delete Config Folder & Backup Saved Games
Sometimes old config files cause conflicts or errors. Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Rematch. Copy your save files elsewhere first so they’re safe. Then delete or rename the Config folder. When you start the game again, it recreates the configs with default settings, which might clear corrupt configs — but you’ll lose your custom settings. It’s worth trying if all else fails.
Method 13: Change Launch Options to -dx11 or -dx12
In Steam, right-click the game > Properties > General. Under Launch Options, type -dx11 or -dx12. This forces the game to run with a specific graphics API, which can bypass compatibility issues. Sometimes, a different DirectX mode helps the game load properly instead of hanging during startup. Expect this to be a quick test and switch back if it doesn’t help.
Method 14: Disable/Enable VPN or Switch Network
VPNs can mess with server communication or licensing checks, so turn it off temporarily if you’re using one. Conversely, if there’s some network routing issue, toggling VPN might help. Alternatively, switch to a different network — maybe try a wired connection or mobile hotspot. Network issues can cause loading failures if the game can’t reach servers or verify your license properly.
Method 15: Run Network Commands for Resetting DNS and Winsock
This involves opening Command Prompt as admin (search for cmd, right-click > Run as administrator) and typing these commands one after another:
ipconfig /flushdnsipconfig /releaseipconfig /renewnetsh winsock resetnetsh int ip reset
After that, restart your PC. This often fixes weird network or DNS issues that could block game loading or verification processes.
Method 16: Keep Windows Updated & Increase Virtual Memory
Check for system updates under Settings > Update & Security. Installing the latest patches can fix bugs that interfere with modern games. Also, if experiencing crashes or load issues, bump up virtual memory (pagefile). Search for Advanced System Settings, go to the Advanced tab, click Settings under Performance. Then select Change in the Virtual Memory section. Set custom size based on your total RAM — a common guideline is 1.5 to 3 times your total RAM. Sometimes, a bit more virtual memory can prevent crashes or long load times.
Method 17: Revert Overclocking & Disconnect External Devices
If your PC is overclocked (CPU or GPU), try reverting to default speeds. Overclocking can cause instability, especially when launching demanding games. Also, unplug extra peripherals — controllers, multiple monitors, USB devices — that are not essential. These can sometimes interfere during startup or cause conflicts.
Method 18: Update Your Motherboard BIOS
This is more advanced, but sometimes the BIOS needs updating to improve hardware compatibility. Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s site, look for BIOS updates, and follow their flashing instructions carefully. Making a mistake here can brick your motherboard, so proceed with caution. On some systems, a BIOS update improves PCIe or memory stability, indirectly helping game loads.
Method 19: Perform a Clean Reinstall of the Game
If nothing’s worked so far, uninstall REMATCH completely. Delete its installation folder to ensure no leftover files cause issues. Then, reinstall fresh — either from Steam or elsewhere. Sometimes, a fresh install fixes corrupt files or misconfigured settings that block the game from loading. It’s a hassle, but if you’re desperate, it’s worth trying.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Keep your graphics drivers always up to date. Check for updates regularly, especially after big Windows updates. Verify game files after each patch, especially if the game updates itself. System restore points are your friend before making major changes, so create one in the Control Panel. It’s kind of annoying, but backups save lots of trouble if things go sideways.
Wrap-up
Most loading issues boil down to driver problems, corrupted files, or system quirks. Going through these steps should cover the majority of causes. Each fix addresses a specific layer of the problem—whether it’s file corruption, network glitches, or driver conflicts. Usually, a combination of restarting, verifying files, updating drivers, and tweaking settings does the trick. If not, support forums or the game devs might have more tailored solutions. Hopefully, this saves someone a bunch of time trying random stuff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if none of these solutions work?
In that case, check the game’s support forums or contact their customer support. Sometimes, issues are tied to specific hardware combinations or recent patches that require their input. Also, keep an eye on official updates or patches which might fix the problem in the long run.
Can I back up my save files before messing around with configs?
Definitely. Usually, save files are stored in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Rematch. Just copy that folder to somewhere safe before deleting or editing config files. It’s a good habit to avoid losing progress if something goes sideways.
Is updating BIOS safe?
It can be, if done properly. BIOS updates often improve stability and compatibility, but a wrong update or interruption can cause major problems. Follow manufacturer instructions carefully, and only update if you’re comfortable doing so or if a specific update is recommended for your hardware.