Need for Speed Unbound launch error is frustrating many gamers. If you are facing the same issue as the game app crashes without showing an error and the pattern is repetitive, then you are not alone. In this article, I will guide you through steps using which you can fix the issue and play NFS Unbound on PC without any hurdles.
The reasons for crashing of a game are plenty. But most of the time it is the graphic drivers or the system configuration issues which contradict the requirements or needs of the app that is attempting to run on the screen. Nonetheless, these are not the sole culprits as there could be other problems too.
Fixing Need for Speed Unbound Launch Error
Now if you are trying to play the game on your Windows-run PC and the game is crashing right at the start-up you need to go for the following options:
- Delete DX12 file
- Verify Game Files’ Integrity
- Change Firewall and Antivirus settings
- Go for Graphics Drivers Update
- Run Game on Graphic Card
- Clean Boot Your PC
Don’t know how to do these? Don’t worry, just follow the proper guidelines in the paragraphs below.
Delete DX12 file
This is important to get rid of the corrupted content and files that have resulted from shader cache files. Which most often makes game apps unable to launch at the start. Here is the proper way to deal with it:
- Open the game installation folder or path. If it is the default i.e. you have not changed the installation folder then it should be like this: EA play: C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts
- Origin Games: C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games
- Now look for the ‘Shader cache folder.’ On the screen.
- Simply copy ‘0.Generic.PcDx12’ and paste it to a different location. After that just delete it.
- After that open the document folder and locate ‘Need for Speed Unbound’ and the Cache folder.
- Now create the backup of the DX12 file and hit the ‘Delete’ button on the keyboard and then confirm your action.
Once this is done, simply launch the game and it will run smoothly if the issue was because of the DX12 file.
Verify Game Files’ Integrity
This is to make sure the game files are intact and in the same state as they were at the start of installation. But sometimes due to crashes and power failure, they could go missing or corrupt resulting in Need for Speed Unbound launch error among other issues.
By verifying the integrity of game files you can fix the missing files and replace the corrupt ones with fresh copies. Here is what you need to do:
- Open Steam and go to the ‘Library’ section.
- Right-click on NFS: Unbound and choose ‘Properties.’
- Here, click on ‘Verify the Integrity of the Game.’
Now wait until the process is complete. After it is done, you can relaunch Steam and open the game to check if the issue is fixed. If not, don’t worry, here are other options too.
Change Firewall and Antivirus settings
Firewall settings and active antivirus apps on Windows devices are known interferers especially when it comes to games. By allowing Need for Speed Unbound app to escape the firewall net, you can give it relief.
- Go to Windows Defender Security Center and choose ‘Firewall and Network Protection.’
- Here choose ‘Allow an app through firewall.’
- Then select ‘Change Settings’ with administrative privileges. In the menu, you will find NFS: Unbound. Choose both networks that are public and private.
- Now click on the ‘OK’ button to save changes.
Right after this, disable any anti-virus application that is running on your computer. When done go to start and launch the game. If the Firewall and Antivirus were the culprits, these steps should solve the issue for you.
Update Graphics Drivers
Check out the graphics drivers if they are up to date or not. If they are not up to date then no matter what you do, until you get the latest version of drivers on your machine, the issue is not going to be fixed.
- Open Windows settings.
- Go to ‘Windows Update’ on the left side.
- Choose advanced options from the right side.
- Now choose optional updates on the right side.
Expand the list and check if the drivers are up to date. If not, the system will show the most recent and advanced drivers if available. Get them right away and Need for Speed Unbound launch error will no longer bother you.
Run Game on Graphic Card
- Right-click on the desktop and choose ‘NVIDIA Control Panel.’
- Go to 3D Settings and find the ‘Manage 3D settings’ option from the left side.
- Go to the ‘Program Settings’ tab and choose the ‘Add’ button.
- Here select ‘NFS: Unbound’ and click on the ‘Add Select Program’ button.
- Now set the Preferred Graphics Processor to ‘High-Performance NVIDIA Processor.’
- Click on the ‘Apply’ button and save the changes.
After this, if you launch the game, it will use the graphics card resources only and will launch properly if the reason for the crash is the graphic drivers of the CPU.
Clean Boot Your PC
This is the final and the last solution. If none of the above-mentioned fixes work for you then you need to start a Clean boot of your computer. This will get rid of all the peripheral processes and set the Windows in a minimum driver’s setup where only the important apps which help in identifying the cause of the problem will be active. Using this you can find the root cause.
Final Words
Need for Speed Unbound launch error can be fixed using the methods listed above. If none of these seem to work for you then the final step is to uninstall the game and then install it back. Tell others what worked for you by using the comments box.