Hollow Knight Crashing on Startup or Not Launching on PC

Hollow Knight Crashing on Startup or Not Launching on PC: How to FIX

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Hollow Knight Crashing on Startup or Not Launching on PC: When Hollow Knight (or Silksong) fails to start or crashes instantly at launch, there are a number of possible root causes. Understanding them helps you target the right fix. Common causes include:

  1. Corrupted or missing game files / bad installation

  2. Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers

  3. Conflicting overlays, monitoring software, or background apps

  4. Conflicting software (Citrix, RivaTuner, etc.)

  5. Wrong GPU in use (laptop using integrated instead of discrete GPU)

  6. Missing system libraries (DirectX, Visual C++ redistributables)

  7. Mod loader / mod conflicts

  8. Launch options / graphics API mismatch

  9. Permissions / compatibility / DPI scaling interference

  10. Hardware issues or display device issues (e.g. TV hooking problems)

Users have reported scenarios like the game showing a black window or cursor before crashing, or nothing happening at all when launching. Reddit+1
Mods are often culprits — e.g. Scarab causing immediate crash unless game is updated. Reddit
Some users report crashes only when the game is displayed on a TV (versus a monitor), pointing to display/HDMI/TV compatibility issues. Reddit

Step-by-Step Fixes & Troubleshooting

Below is a structured checklist. Go step by step, testing whether the game launches after each change.

1. Verify & Repair Game Files

This is one of the most common first fixes:

  • In Steam: go to your Library → right-click Hollow Knight (or Silksong) → Properties → Local Files → Verify integrity of game files.

  • Let Steam scan and replace any corrupted or missing files.

  • For other launchers (e.g. GOG, or Microsoft Store version), use their “repair” or “verify” features.

Many users report that this step solves startup crash / launch failure cases. Games Manuals+2The Geek Page+2

2. Update / Clean Install GPU Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers are a common cause of crashes:

  • Go to Nvidia / AMD / Intel’s official driver download pages and get the latest version.

  • Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in Safe Mode to remove old drivers cleanly, then install the new driver fresh.

  • Reboot and test launching the game again.

One Reddit user said updating Intel drivers (for his integrated GPU) solved his crash issue. Reddit

3. Disable Overlays and Monitoring / Recording Tools

Overlays and certain utilities often conflict with Unity / 2D engines like Hollow Knight:

  • Turn off Steam Overlay.

  • Disable Discord overlay.

  • Close GeForce Experience overlay, MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner Statistics Server, EVGA Precision, OBS, etc.

  • Exit or disable other performance monitoring or mod tools while testing.

In Steam forums, the recommended list of software to disable includes: MSI Afterburner / RTSS, Xbox Game Bar, Logitech G Hub, and more. Steam Community
Silksong crash-fix guides also emphasize disabling overlays. Xbox & Play Games+2The Geek Page+2

4. Disable or Uninstall Conflicting Software

Some software is known to interfere with Hollow Knight’s launch:

5. Force Use Discrete GPU (on Laptops)

If your system has both integrated and discrete GPU:

  • In Nvidia Control Panel / AMD Control Center, assign Hollow Knight / Silksong to use the high-performance GPU (discrete) rather than integrated.

  • Sometimes launching the game from the discrete GPU manually (right-click → “Run with graphics processor → High performance …”) helps.

Silksong guides explicitly include “Run on dedicated graphics card” as a fix. The Geek Page

6. Install Required System Libraries

Missing or outdated runtime libraries can prevent launch:

  • Install or repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, etc.).

  • Update DirectX (use the DirectX end-user runtime installer).

  • Confirm your Windows OS is up to date.

Crashes on startup are often caused by missing DirectX / C++ runtimes. Sportskeeda+2Xbox & Play Games+2

7. Set Correct Permissions / Compatibility Options

Sometimes Windows compatibility or permissions block the game:

  • Navigate to the game .exe (e.g. HollowKnight.exe or Silksong.exe).

  • Right-click → Properties → Compatibility tab:

    • Check “Run this program as administrator”.

    • Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations”.

    • Under “Change high DPI settings”, enable Override high DPI scaling behavior and set it to Application.

  • Apply changes and try launching again.

These options help with permission or scaling conflicts that block launch.

8. Use Launch Options / Switch Graphics API

If the default method of launching fails, try forcing a different mode or API:

  • In Steam: Properties → General → Set Launch Options.

  • For Silksong, many guides suggest using -dx12 (or -dx11) to force a specific DirectX version. LagoFast+3Deltia’s Gaming+3The Geek Page+3

  • If the game already uses DX12 by default, try forcing DX11 to see if the crash goes away.

  • You might also try -windowed or other mode flags to see if launching in windowed vs fullscreen helps.

9. Reinstall / Clean Install the Game

If all else fails:

  • Uninstall Hollow Knight (or Silksong).

  • Delete leftover files/folders (in installation directory, and local app data / config folders).

  • Reinstall from scratch.

  • After install, test without any mods or plugins before adding anything.

Many users reported that a fresh reinstall stopped the crash loops. Deltia’s Gaming+2The Geek Page+2

10. Check for Display / Monitor / Cable Issues

In some cases, the game may crash because of how it’s being output:

  • If you’re using a TV instead of a monitor, try switching to a monitor to see if the crash persists. Some users found stability issues when playing on TVs. Reddit

  • Try different cables (HDMI, DisplayPort).

  • Ensure your display’s refresh rate / resolution settings are stable and supported.

11. Mod / Mod Loader Conflicts

If you use mods:

  • Remove or disable all mods and mod loader (Scarab, Lumafly, etc.), then test launching the clean game.

  • A known case: Scarab mod caused crash until game version updated. Reddit

  • If the game starts clean, add mods one at a time to identify which one causes crash.

In Xbox Game Pass versions modding can be trickier — ensure the mod loader is correctly pointing to the right executable. Reddit

12. Review Crash / Event Logs

To get more precise insight:

  • Open Event Viewer: Windows Logs → Application → look for error entries referencing the game or modules (Unity, d3d11.dll, etc.).

  • Some mods / the game may produce logs in its folder. Check for .log or error.txt files to see stack traces or errors.

  • Look especially for “Access Violation,” “Unhandled Exception,” or module names.

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Putting It Together: Suggested Workflow

Here’s a sample flow:

  1. Verify game files → test launch

  2. Clean install GPU drivers → test launch

  3. Disable overlays / recording tools → test launch

  4. Disable Citrix / RivaTuner / conflicting software → test

  5. Force discrete GPU (if applicable) → test

  6. Install / repair C++ / DirectX runtimes → test

  7. Set admin / compatibility properties → test

  8. Use launch options (e.g. -dx11 / -dx12) → test

  9. Reinstall game clean → test

  10. Test on another display or with different cable

  11. If using mods, disable them and reintroduce carefully

  12. Review logs / community / support

After each step, try launching the game to see whether it now opens or crashes.

FAQs

Q1. I click “Play” but nothing happens (no window, no crash). What should I check?
A: This often points to missing dependencies, permissions, or overlays interfering. Try:

  • Verify files

  • Run as administrator

  • Disable overlays / conflicting software

  • Check logs for silent errors

  • Launch from the .exe directly

Q2. The game shows a black screen + cursor then crashes.
A: That suggests initialization begins but then fails. It may be mod conflicts, graphics API mismatch, missing runtime, or driver issue. Try removing mods, force -dx11 / -dx12, and update drivers.

Q3. I have mod loader (Scarab / Lumafly) enabled, but the game crashes immediately.
A: Likely mod or version mismatch. Disable all mods and try launching vanilla. Ensure your mod loader is targeting the correct executable. On Xbox Game Pass versions especially, ensure Lumafly is pointed to correct path. Reddit

Q4. I use a TV instead of a monitor, and the game crashes every time I play.
A: This has happened to other users. Try switching to a monitor or different display setup. Use a different cable. Sometimes TVs have compatibility issues with refresh rates or HDMI enhancements. Reddit

Q5. After reinstalling the game, it still doesn’t launch.
A: If reinstalling didn’t fix it, then do a clean reinstall: uninstall, delete leftovers, remove mods, then fresh install. Also be sure dependencies (C++ / DirectX) are installed.

Q6. Does Windows version matter (Win 10 vs Win 11)?
A: It shouldn’t in most cases. But ensure your OS is up to date. Some game / engine compatibility patches depend on minimum Windows builds. Silksong crash guides often mention requiring Windows 10 version 1909 or later. The Economic Times+1

Q7. Should I force -dx11 or -dx12?
A: Yes — sometimes the default graphics API causes a crash on some systems. If one fails, try the other. Silksong guides often recommend -dx12 or switching to -dx11. Deltia’s Gaming+2The Geek Page+2

Q8. I have all drivers updated, mods off, but still crash. What then?
A: Then check hardware (GPU / RAM / PSU stability), run memory tests, check logs in Event Viewer, try different monitor / cable, or contact support with crash logs. Sometimes it’s a corner-case bug in that build.

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