Last updated: July 8, 2026
If PUBG briefly shows a loading window, Steam changes to Running, and then the button returns to Play, the game is failing before the main window opens. In some cases, TslGame.exe, BattlEye Launcher, or a BattlEye service remains visible in Task Manager even though no game window appears.
This guide focuses on PUBG launch failures that happen before reaching the lobby. If the game opens normally but later crashes during a match, loses monitor signal, or displays only a black screen, the cause may be different.
Close PUBG and BattlEye processes → restart the PC → remove all Steam launch options → verify the game files → repair BattlEye only when a BattlEye error appears → repair Microsoft Visual C++ → close overlays and security conflicts → check storage if launch takes several minutes → perform a clean reinstall only as the final step.
This article is for cases where the PUBG window never opens. A crash after entering the lobby or a match, a black game window with audio, and a monitor reporting No Signal require different troubleshooting.
- Identify the launch symptom
- Close stuck PUBG and BattlEye processes
- Remove Steam launch options
- Verify the game files
- Repair BattlEye errors
- Repair Visual C++ and Steam initialization
- Check overlays and security software
- Fix extremely slow startup
- Test fullscreen optimization
- Perform a clean PUBG reinstall
- Collect information for PUBG Support
- Frequently asked questions
Identify the PUBG Launch Symptom First
| Symptom | Likely area | First check |
|---|---|---|
| A small loading window appears and disappears | Game files, BattlEye, or Visual C++ | Verify the game files and record any error |
| Steam changes to Running and returns to Play | Launch options, stuck processes, or Steam initialization | Restart and clear launch options |
| TslGame.exe remains in Task Manager | Frozen launch process or software conflict | End PUBG and BattlEye processes |
| Starting BattlEye Service never finishes | BattlEye service or damaged BattlEye files | Check the service and rebuild the folder |
| Failed to initialize BattlEye | Service loading, security software, or file corruption | Record the full error code |
| VCRUNTIME or MSVCP DLL error | Microsoft Visual C++ runtime | Repair official x64 and x86 packages |
| Failed to initialize Steam | Steam session, permissions, or installation | Restart Steam and remove launch options |
| PUBG opens only after 10 to 20 minutes | Storage, antivirus scanning, or background disk activity | Check disk usage in Task Manager |
1. Close Stuck PUBG and BattlEye Processes
After an abnormal shutdown, PUBG may disappear from the screen while one of its background processes continues running. A second launch attempt can fail because Steam or BattlEye still considers the first session active.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Look for PUBG, TslGame, BattlEye Launcher, BEService, or similarly named BattlEye processes.
- Select each remaining PUBG or BattlEye process and choose End task.
- Exit Steam completely from the system tray.
- Restart the PC.
- Open only Steam and PUBG for the first test.
Repeated launch attempts while TslGame or BattlEye is still running can make the Steam and anti-cheat state harder to diagnose. End the processes, restart once, and test again.
2. Remove All Steam Launch Options
Old performance commands, forced DirectX modes, custom resolutions, and window-mode parameters can conflict with the current PUBG build. Test the game with an empty launch-options field.
- Open the Steam Library.
- Right-click PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS.
- Select Properties.
- Open the General section.
- Copy any existing launch options into a text file as a backup.
- Delete all text from the launch-options box.
- Restart Steam and launch PUBG again.
Commands such as -malloc and -USEALLAVAILABLECORES are often copied from old guides. They may no longer provide a benefit and can complicate launch troubleshooting.
3. Verify the PUBG Game Files
A failed PUBG or BattlEye update can leave missing, damaged, or incomplete files. Steam can compare the local installation with the current official files and replace anything that is missing.
- Restart the computer before beginning.
- Open Steam and start the verification process.
- Wait until the check and any replacement downloads finish.
- Restart Steam.
- Launch PUBG without overlays or custom launch options.
A complete reinstall takes longer and may leave local settings behind. Verify the files first unless PUBG specifically displays a corrupted-data message that recommends a clean reinstall.
4. Repair BattlEye Only When a BattlEye Error Appears
Use the following steps when the message specifically mentions Starting BattlEye Service, Failed to initialize BattlEye, or BattlEye: Corrupted Data.
Check the BattlEye service
- Press Windows key + R.
- Type
services.mscand press Enter. - Look for a BattlEye-related service.
- If it is stopped, try starting it.
- If an error appears, record the full message and error number.
Rebuild the PUBG BattlEye folder
- Close PUBG and Steam completely.
- Back up the BattlEye folder to another location.
- Delete the BattlEye folder from the PUBG installation.
- Verify the PUBG game files in Steam.
- Restart the PC.
- Launch PUBG again.
When no BattlEye message is shown, begin with stuck processes, launch options, and file verification. Changing anti-cheat files too early makes it harder to identify the original cause.
5. Repair Visual C++ and Steam Initialization Errors
| Error message | Possible cause | Recommended direction |
|---|---|---|
| VCRUNTIME or MSVCP DLL missing | Visual C++ runtime missing or damaged | Repair official x64 and x86 packages |
| 0xc000007b | Runtime, DLL architecture, or damaged files | Repair Visual C++ and verify PUBG files |
| Failed to initialize Steam | Steam session, permissions, or installation issue | Restart Steam and compare permissions |
- Open Microsoft’s official Visual C++ Redistributable download page.
- Download or repair the current x64 package.
- Download or repair the current x86 package.
- Restart the PC.
- Open Steam and launch PUBG again.
Replacing one DLL from an unofficial website can introduce the wrong version, incorrect architecture, or malicious software. Use Microsoft’s official runtime installers.
You can test Steam and PUBG once with administrator privileges when a permissions error is suspected. If the game works only in administrator mode, compare the permission level of both programs and check whether security software is blocking one of them.
6. Close Overlays, Monitoring Tools, and Conflicting Software
Programs that inject overlays, filters, recording features, hardware monitoring, macros, or input hooks can interfere with PUBG or its anti-cheat system.
- Discord Overlay
- Steam Overlay
- NVIDIA or AMD recording and game filters
- Xbox Game Bar background recording
- MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server
- OBS and other screen-recording applications
- RGB, mouse, or keyboard macro software
- ReShade and unofficial helper programs
- Close all nonessential background applications.
- Check Windows Security protection history for blocked PUBG or BattlEye files.
- Confirm the file path and digital signature before allowing anything.
- Launch PUBG in the simplified environment.
- If the game opens, re-enable programs one at a time.
Use a short controlled test, then turn protection back on. Do not allow an unknown file only because its name resembles a PUBG or BattlEye component.
7. If PUBG Takes 10 to 20 Minutes to Open
If the game eventually opens rather than closing immediately, check storage performance, free space, antivirus scanning, and other disk-heavy background tasks.
| Check | Warning sign | Action |
|---|---|---|
| PUBG installed on an HDD | Disk usage remains at 100% | Move the game to an SSD when possible |
| Low free space | Updates and temporary files take a long time | Free space on the installation drive |
| Real-time antivirus scan | Disk usage rises while PUBG files are read | Check protection history and active scans |
| Background file activity | Cloud sync, file copying, or decompression is active | Pause large disk tasks |
| Too many startup programs | High CPU, memory, and disk use after login | Disable unnecessary startup applications |
Moving PUBG to an SSD can reduce loading delays, but it will not fix a specific anti-cheat service error, missing runtime, or damaged installation by itself.
8. Test Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
After the basic checks, you can compare PUBG with fullscreen optimizations disabled. Return the setting to its original state if it makes no difference.
- Right-click
TslGame.exe. - Select Properties.
- Open the Compatibility tab.
- Enable Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- Apply the change and test the game.
- Remove the check mark if there is no improvement.
9. Perform a Clean PUBG Reinstall as the Final Step
A normal uninstall may leave local settings, damaged anti-cheat components, or residual game folders. Back up anything important before removing these folders.
Deleting %localappdata%\TslGame can reset local graphics, control, configuration, and saved data.
- Uninstall PUBG from the Steam Library.
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
%localappdata%. - Back up and delete the
TslGamefolder. - Delete the remaining PUBG folder under
Steam\steamapps\common. - Open Steam Settings.
- Open Downloads and select Clear Download Cache.
- Restart Steam and the PC.
- Reinstall PUBG.
- Launch the game without overlays or custom launch options.
Do not remove shared BattlEye service files unless a BattlEye initialization or corrupted-data error continues and the official support procedure specifically requires it.
10. Collect Information for PUBG Support
If the game still does not launch, stop changing several settings at once. Record the failure stage and submit useful system information to PUBG Support.
- Date and time the problem first appeared
- Whether the failure happens before or after the loading window
- Full error message and error number
- CPU, GPU, RAM, and Windows version
- Graphics-driver version
- Installed overlays, antivirus, macro, and monitoring software
- DxDiag system-information file
- The newest crash folder, when one is created
Start with stuck processes, a PC restart, empty Steam launch options, and game-file verification. Repair BattlEye only when the error specifically names BattlEye. Repair Visual C++ when VCRUNTIME or MSVCP errors appear. Use a clean reinstall only after the simpler checks fail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the PUBG loading window appear and disappear?
A game file, BattlEye component, runtime, or background program may be stopping the game before the main window opens. End remaining processes, restart the PC, clear launch options, and verify the game files.
Why does Steam return from Running to Play?
PUBG is closing during its startup sequence. Stuck TslGame processes, old launch options, damaged files, BattlEye, Visual C++, or a software conflict can cause this behavior.
What should I do when Starting BattlEye Service is stuck?
Check the BattlEye service, close remaining BattlEye processes, rebuild the PUBG BattlEye folder, and verify the game files.
Why does PUBG take more than 10 minutes to open?
Check Task Manager for 100% disk usage, low storage space, antivirus scanning, cloud synchronization, file copying, and excessive startup applications.
Should I run PUBG as administrator?
Use administrator mode only as a short permissions test. If it works only in that mode, compare the permissions of Steam and PUBG and check for security-software blocking.
Should I reinstall PUBG immediately?
No. Stuck processes, launch options, BattlEye, and local configuration can remain or be fixed without downloading the entire game again. Use a clean reinstall after the basic checks fail.
