Minimum Specs
Check and make sure your PC meets our minimum required specifications to play EMPULSE. If your PC is below minimum specs then you may encounter issues with launching the game. You can find our minimum specifications here.
We've received reports from players using recent AMD drivers that they may encounter issues with launching the game. AMD recommends rolling back to version 26.3.1 or earlier and it should resolve the issue.
If you are playing on Windows 11 and are getting an Unable to Start the game process popup or Launcher Errors that say a .dll or .exe file was blocked along with error code 0xc0e90002 you may need to turn off Smart App control in your Windows Settings.
To turn off Smart App Control on Windows 11. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > App & browser control. Click Smart App Control settings, then switch it to Off. Confirm by clicking "Yes, I am sure"
Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Sometimes the simplest solution is to see if restarting your computer resolves the issue as it could be a one-off technical issue. To restart you computer follow these steps:
- Open the Windows start menu
- Right-click the Windows icon and hover over Shut down or sign out
- Click Restart
Verifying your local game files can help resolve file corruption issues that could be causing crashes.
For Steam follow these steps:
- Right click on EMPULSE in your Steam library and click Properties
- Click on Installed Files on the left hand side
- Click Verify integrity of game files
- Restart the game after verification is complete
Sometimes reinstalling the game can resolving issues with launching the game or if you are experiencing crashes.
For Steam follow these steps:
- Right click on EMPULSE in your Steam library and click Manage
- Click on Uninstall and click Uninstall again when prompted
- Return to your Steam library and locate EMPULSE.
- Click Install and go through the prompts to reinstall
Disable Third-Party Applications
Third-party applications can sometimes interfere with the game in unexpected ways. By preforming a Clean Boot in Windows this will disable third party applications which can help with isolating the issue. Microsoft has a support guide on how to do this on both Windows 10 and 11.
- On the Clean Boot guide click on the tab for your Windows version.
- On step 3 make sure to check Hide all Microsoft Services - Necessary Microsoft services will be disabled if this isn't checked.
- Make sure to restart your computer once you've completed all of the steps and then open the game to see if the issue persists.
- If that resolves the issue, then you may consider following the section on the Clean Boot guide titled How to determine what is causing the problem after you do a clean boot - This will help you determine what specific application or driver was causing the issue
Graphics Driver Update
Making sure your graphics drivers are up to day is important as they often provide important bug fixes, improved performance, and additional graphics driver features. They can also help help with resolving issues with launching the game or if you experience crashes. Use the links below to make sure you have the latest drivers.
Anti-Virus Troubleshooting
Anti-Virus software is great for protecting your PC from suspicious software but it also sometimes can block safe programs from being launched properly. If you have third-party Anti-Virus software active on your PC, then make sure it's fully up-to-date. You may need to add EMPULSE to your Anti-Virus exception list. If those steps don't work, then you may consider temporarily disabling your Anti-Virus and attempting to launch the game again.