Fix Slay the Spire 2 Not Launching on Windows PC

You click Play on Slay the Spire 2 and absolutely nothing happens, leaving you staring at your desktop instead of starting your run. This usually happens because a game file is corrupted during the initial installation or your security software is being overprotective.

Why this happens

Most launch failures are caused by missing game files, permission blocks from Windows, or outdated GPU drivers that cannot initialize the game engine.

What you'll need

You will need your Steam credentials and an active internet connection to download any missing or corrupted files.

Steps

1. 01
   Open Steam, right-click Slay the Spire 2 in your library, and select Properties.
2. 02
   Navigate to the Installed Files tab and click Verify integrity of game files to let Steam check for and repair any corrupted or missing data.
3. 03
   If the game still won't open, right-click the game in your library, select Manage, then Browse local files.
4. 04
   Find SlayTheSpire2.exe, right-click it, and select Properties.
5. 05
   In the Compatibility tab, check the box for Run this program as an administrator, then hit Apply and OK.
6. 06
   If the issue persists, visit your GPU manufacturer's website (NVIDIA or AMD) to download and install the latest graphics drivers, then restart your PC.
7. 07
   Finally, if the game remains unresponsive, temporarily disable your Windows Firewall or antivirus to ensure the game is not being blocked from creating its initial connection.

Still not working?

If the game still fails to launch, check the Windows Event Viewer under Windows Logs/Application to see if a specific DLL file is crashing the game on startup. If you see an error related to 'dx12' or 'd3d12', ensure your Windows version is fully updated via Windows Update, as the game requires a modern DirectX 12 environment.

Frequently asked questions

Will verifying my game files delete my saved progress?

No, verifying game files only checks the integrity of the game's executable and asset files; it does not touch your local save data.

Does this issue happen with other Steam games?

If you are experiencing launch failures across multiple games, the problem is likely your graphics driver or a system-wide DirectX issue rather than the game files themselves.