Fix: Crab Game Won’t Launch or Not Loading Issue

As a free-to-play, first-person psychological horror multiplayer video game, it seems that Crab Game is doing pretty well in the market and players having a great time with it. This game allows players to go through a couple of different minigames sessions similar to child games and the last man standing will win. Although the indie developer Dani has done a good job, some players are facing the Crab Game Won’t Launch or Not Loading Issue on the PC.

This specific issue happens whenever unfortunate players are trying to start the game that’s quite similar to the startup crashing issue a first glance. Additionally, some players are encountering in-game lags, stutters, visual glitches, and more that we can’t deny. Now, if you’re also one of the victims facing such an issue then make sure to follow this troubleshooting guide to easily fix it. Here we’ve shared some workarounds that should come in handy.

Why Won’t Crab Game Open or Load?

The chances are high that somehow the Crab Game has multiple issues with the launching or gameplay due to multiple potential reasons. Such as an outdated graphics driver, outdated game version, missing or corrupted game files, unnecessary background tasks, etc. The startup crashing or not launching issues with the game may also occur due to an outdated Windows version, startup services, antivirus-related issues, incompatible PC hardware, overlay apps, etc.

While an overclocked CPU/GPU, DirectX-related issues, startup apps, conflicts with the background processes, and more might also occur game launching issues whatsoever.

Fix: Crab Game Won’t Launch or Not Loading Issue

As you’re now aware of the potential reasons behind such an issue, it’s time to get into the troubleshooting methods below. It’s worth mentioning to follow all the methods one by one until the problem gets fixed. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it.

1. Check System Requirements

First of all, you should cross-check whether your PC configuration is meeting the system requirements of the game or not. In some cases, problems with the incompatible PC configuration might trigger several issues with the game launching. We’ve mentioned the game requirements for you that should come in handy.

Minimum Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7
• Processor: Intel Core i3 2.00 GHz
• Memory: 2 GB RAM
• Graphics: Intel HD 520
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 200 MB available space

Recommended Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core I5-4440 3.10 GHz
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX650
• Storage: 200 MB available space

2. Run the game as an Administrator

The chances are high that you’re not running the Crab Game as administrator on your PC which is basically preventing the game file to run properly. You’ll need to allow the user account control privilege to run the program without any additional permissions. You can follow the steps below to do so:

• Right-click on the Crab Game application file on your PC.
• Now, select Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.

• Make sure to click on the Run this program as an administrator checkbox to checkmark it.
• Click on Apply and select OK to save changes.

Note: You can also run the Steam client by following the same step to enable admin access for the first time.

3. Update Crab Game

Another thing you should do is to update the Crab Game on your PC by following the steps below. If you’re running an outdated game version for a while then make sure to check for the latest updates. A new update mostly brings improvements and stability over the previous version.

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Click on Crab Game from the left pane.
• It’ll automatically search for the available update.
• If there is an update available, click on Update.
• Wait for a while to install the update.
• Once done, close the Steam client.
• Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes.

4. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

If in case, your game files become corrupted or missing for some unexpected reasons then verifying and repairing the game files using the game launcher can help you a lot. To do this:

• Launch Steam > Click on Library.
• Right-click on Crab Game from the list of installed games.
• Now, click on Properties > Go to Local Files.
• Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• You’ll have to wait for the process until it gets completed.
• Once done, just restart your computer.

5. Update Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

You should try updating the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable program on your PC by following the steps below to ensure there is no issue with the game launching.

• Head over to the following path on your PC:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared\_CommonRedist\vcredist

• You should see the following folders:
  • 2012\vc_redist.x64.exe
  • 2013\vc_redist.x64.exe
  • 2019\vc_redist.x64.exe
• Just make sure to run all of these executable files that are present. (If you’ve different folders, then run the vc_redist.x64.exe file in those folders)
• Finally, restart your PC to fix the issue.

6. Update DirectX

Make sure to check for the DirectX version update on your PC by following the steps below. It’s recommended to have the latest version installed to avoid any kind of compatibility issues with the game launching whatsoever.

• Go to the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared\_CommonRedist\DirectX folder path.
• Next, run the DXSETUP.exe file to reinstall/update DirectX.
• Once done, restart your computer to apply changes.

7. Update GPU Drivers

An outdated graphics driver on the Windows machine might trouble you a lot whenever you try launching any games that are graphics-hungry. Make sure to check for the latest update of your graphics driver and then try running the game again. To do that:

• Press the Win+X keys to open the Quick Link Menu.
• Click on Device Manager from the list > Double-click on Display adapters.
• Right-click on the dedicated graphics card that you’re using.

• Next, select Update driver > Choose to Search automatically for drivers.
• If there is an update available, the system will automatically download & install it.
• Once done, restart the computer to apply changes.

This method should fix the Crab Game Won’t Launch on PC issue. If not, you can head over to the next method.

8. Disable Overlay Apps

According to some of the affected players, disabling the Steam overlay on the Windows computer has helped them to easily fix the game not launching issue. As the in-game overlay app is always running in the background whenever you launch the game client, it’s quite possible to have issues with the processes or system resources.

For Steam Overlay:

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Now, right-click on Crab Game > Select Properties.
• Head over to the General section > Uncheck the Enable Steam Overlay checkbox.
• Go back to Library > Open the game to check for the issue.

Disable Discord Overlay:

• Launch the Discord app > Click on the gear icon at the bottom.
• Click on Overlay under App Settings > Turn on the Enable in-game overlay.
• Click on the Games tab > Select Crab Game.
• Finally, Turn Off the Enable in-game overlay option.
• Make sure to reboot your PC to apply changes.

Disable Xbox Game Bar:

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Gaming > Go to Game Bar.
• Turn Off the Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar option.

If in case, you’re unable to find out the Game Bar option then just search for it from the Windows Settings menu.

Disable Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:

• Launch the Nvidia GeForce Experience app > Head over to Settings.
• Click on the General tab > Disable the In-Game Overlay option.
• Finally, restart the PC to apply changes, and launch the game again.

Also do keep in mind that you should disable some other overlay apps like MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB software, or any other third-party overlay apps that run in the background always.

9. Install All Pending Windows Updates

It may possible that somehow any of the Windows bugs or system files conflict with the game to run it properly. Sometimes an incompatibility issue can also take place when you didn’t update the software for a while. So, make sure to install all the pending Windows updates one by one and keep it to the latest OS build whatsoever. To do that:

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Update & Security > Select Check for updates under the Windows Update section.

• If there is a feature update available, select Download and install.
• Wait for some time until the update gets completed.
• Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes immediately.

10. Disable Antivirus and Firewall Program

The chances are high that you’re trying to run the Crab Game on the PC and somehow the default Windows firewall and antivirus software preventing the game files. It’s suggested to disable the security protection program on the PC temporarily to ensure the game is running fine.

• Click on the Start menu > Type Control Panel and click on it.
• Now, type firewall in the search box > Click on Windows Firewall.
• Click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
• Select Turn off Windows Firewall for the respective network settings.
• Finally, reboot the PC to apply changes, and try checking the issue.

Now, you’ll have to disable the anti-virus protection (Windows Defender) as well by following the steps below:

• Head over to Windows Settings > Click on Privacy and Security.
• Go to Windows Security > Select Virus & threat protection.
• Click on Manage settings > Turn off the Real-time Protection option.
• Once done, make sure to reboot your PC to apply changes.

If you’re using any third-party antivirus program then make sure to turn it off manually.

11. Launch the Game in Windowed Mode

Try launching the game in Windowed display mode to check if that helps you or not. Sometimes a computer with an average hardware specification can cause several issues with the fullscreen display mode while running the game.

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Right-click on Crab Game > Select Properties.
• In the General section, click on Set Launch Options.
• Next, copy & paste the following command-line argument:

 -windowed -noborder

• Make sure to save changes and try running the game again to check if Crab Game launching properly or not.

12. Perform a Clean Boot

You should also try performing the clean boot method by following the steps below to ensure third-party programs aren’t blocking the game files while running. Startup apps do consume a lot of system resources in the background since you boot up the Windows OS. So, startup apps should be disabled manually.

• Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Now, type msconfig and hit Enter to open the System Configuration window.
• Go to the Services tab > Enable the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.

• Click on Disable all > Click on Apply and OK to save changes.
• Next, click on the Startup tab > Click on Open Task Manager.
• Go to the Startup tab > Click on the specific task which is enabled for startup boot.
• Ensure to click on Disable to turn it off from startup.
• Do the same steps again to select the high-impact startup programs and disable them individually.
• Once done, you can restart your PC to apply changes.

13. Close Background Processes

Multiple reports are also claiming that unnecessary background running tasks are preventing the game files to launch properly. It’s better to manually close the specific task to close background processes by following the steps below.

• Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open Task Manager.
• Click on the Processes tab > Select the specific task that you want to close.

• Once selected, click on End Task.
• Make sure to do the steps for each task individually.
• Once done, restart your PC to apply changes.

14. Reset Crab Game

You might also reset the Crab Game on your PC by following the steps below to ensure there is no issue with the cache data or game save data whatsoever.

• Press the Win+X keys to open the Quick Link Menu.
• Select Apps and Features > Click on Crab Game from the list of installed programs.
• Once selected, click on Advanced options > Click on Reset.
• Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes.

15. Reinstall Crab Game

If none of the workarounds come in handy for you, try reinstalling the Crab Game game to check whether the problem has been fixed or not. To do that:

• Launch the Steam client on your PC.
• Now, go to Library > Right-click on the Crab Game game.
• Head over to Manage > Select Uninstall.
• If prompted, click on Uninstall again and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
• Once done, make sure to reboot your computer to apply changes immediately.
• Open the Steam client again and install the game again using the existing Steam account.
• You’re done. Enjoy! This can resolve the Crab Game Won’t Launch on PC issue.

That’s it, guys. We hope this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.