Dota 2 Not Responding After Launching, How to Fix on Windows and Mac?

2013’s Dota 2 is a popular multiplayer online battle arena video game by Valve which is a sequel to Defense of the Ancients (a community-created mod for Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos). As the game runs really well in the market, it seems that there are plenty of new players joining it every day. However, some players are facing the Dota 2 Not Responding After Launching issue on Windows and Mac, which is frustrating & happens quite often.

Now, if you’re one of the victims to encounter such an issue then make sure to follow this troubleshooting guide to fix it. There are several possible reasons that can be found behind such an issue that we’ve mentioned. Talking about Dota 2 not responding properly after running on the computer, it seems that the incorrect game configuration, outdated game version, outdated system software, issues with the installed game files, and more can be the main reasons.

Fix Dota 2 Not Responding After Launching on Windows

Luckily, here we’ve shared a couple of possible workarounds for you that should come in handy. It’s better to follow all the troubleshooting methods below to resolve such an issue on your Windows computer. Even a basic workaround can help you a lot in some scenarios for some of the players. So, you can try out each method until the problem gets fixed.

1. Run the game as an Administrator

If you’re not running the game file as an administrator on your PC then make sure to do the same. Otherwise, the user account control (UAC) might gonna prevent the game file to run properly without the system administrator account access.

• Open the Steam client on the PC > Click on Library.
• Now, right-click on Dota 2 > Click on Manage.
• Select Browse local files > Right-click on the Dota 2 file.
• Choose Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.

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

2. Disable fullscreen optimizations

Sometimes turning off the fullscreen optimizations by the Windows system for your specific game application file should fix the compatibility issues for some PCs. Though it comes disabled by default, you should cross-check it to ensure that the fullscreen optimization isn’t enabled. To do this:

• Open the Steam client > Click on Library.
• Right-click on Dota 2 > Click on Manage.
• Click on Browse local files > Head over to the Insurgency Sandstorm installed folder.
• Right-click on Dota2.exe > Click on Properties.
• Go to the Compatibility tab > Ensure to click on Disable fullscreen optimizations to checkmark it.
• Once done, click on Apply and then OK to save changes.

3. Update DOTA 2

You should check for the DOTA 2 game update because an outdated game version can trouble you a lot. So, if you haven’t updated your game for a while, then follow the steps below to check for updates and install the latest update. To do so:

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Click on DOTA 2 from the left pane.
• It’ll automatically search for the available update. If there is an update available, click on Update.
• Wait for some time to install the update > Once done, close the Steam client.
• Reboot your PC to apply changes and launch the game again.

4. Verify and Repair DOTA 2 Files

In some cases, corrupted or missing game files on the PC may eventually occur several issues with the game running properly. You should verify the installed game files and repair them by using the Steam launcher automatically to reduce launch crashes and other errors. To do so:

• Launch the Steam client > Click on Library.
• Right-click on Dota 2 from the list of installed games.
• 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. Force Run DX11 for DOTA 2

It’s also recommended to forcefully run the DirectX 11 version on the Steam client for Dota 2 via the ‘set launch options’. To do so:

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Locate and right-click on Dota 2 from the list of installed games.
• Click on Properties > From the General tab, press the Set Launch Options button.
• Make sure to type the following command line in the field:

-dx11

• Click on OK to save changes.
• Finally, run the Dota 2 game again via Steam to check for the issue.

6. Update Graphics Driver

It may also be possible that an outdated GPU drive is causing a couple of issues with your Windows computer whatsoever. It’s always recommended to simply update your graphics driver manually if you haven’t done it for a while. To do so:

• Press the Win+X keys to open the Quick Start Menu.
• Click on Device Manager > Now, double-click on Display adapters.
• Right-click on the dedicated graphics card that you’re using.

• Select Update driver > Choose to Search automatically for drivers.
• If there is an update available, it’ll automatically download & install the latest version.
• Once done, reboot the system to check for the issue.

However, if you can’t find any update then make sure to go to the official graphics card website and search manually for the latest update. If a new version is available, just download the file on your PC and install it. Whatever graphics card you use, jump to the link below as per the manufacturer.

• Nvidia GPU
• AMD GPU
• Intel GPU

7. Update Windows OS Build

Sometimes an outdated Windows system version can cause several issues with the program launching or running the game properly on the PC. You can follow the steps below to check for the system update.

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

• If there is an update available, you can click on Download and Install.
• Wait for the process to complete the update process.
• Once done, make sure to reboot your computer to apply changes.

8. Try Installing Microsoft Visual Studio

Some affected Dota 2 players have suggested installing or updating the Microsoft Visual Studio on the Windows PC to fix potential issues with the Microsoft .NET or Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables file.

9. Adjust Texture Settings

You can also adjust the in-game texture settings from the game menu by following the steps below:

• Open the Steam launcher > Go to Library > Click on Dota 2 from the left pane.
• Click on Play to launch the game > Once you’re inside the game, click on Settings.
• Head over to the Graphics (Visual) Settings > Adjust Textures Settings to Low or Medium.

10. Use a Dedicated Graphics Card

First of all, it’s highly recommended to use the dedicated graphics card on the PC to be able to run graphics-intensive games like Dota 2 smoothly. It’ll basically reduce game stutters, lags, and frame drops. If you don’t know which settings you need to adjust then follow the steps below.

For Nvidia:

If you’re using the Nvidia graphics card then you can do the following.

• Right-click on the desktop blank screen > Click on NVIDIA Control Panel.
• Click on 3D settings > Select Manage 3D settings in the left pane.
• Select the Program Settings tab.
• Choose Dota 2 from the drop-down list.
• Now, select a High-performance NVIDIA processor.
• Save changes and reboot the PC to apply changes.

For AMD:

AMD graphics card users can do the following.

• Right-click on the Desktop blank screen > Select AMD Radeon Settings from the context menu.
• Now, click on System > Select Switchable Graphics.
• Make sure to save changes and reboot the PC to apply changes.

11. Perform a Clean Boot

Multiple users claimed that performing a clean boot on the PC did fix the system boot-up issue because some apps or tasks start at the very beginning. These tasks run all the time and consume a lot of system resources. You should follow the steps below to do so:

• Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Type msconfig and hit Enter to open System Configuration.
• Go to Services > Click on Hide all Microsoft services to enable it.

• Now, click on Disable all so that rest of the services gets turned off.
• Click on Apply and then OK to save changes.
• Next, go to Startup > Click on Open Task Manager.
• Click on the Startup tab > Ensure to select the specific task that has a higher startup impact.
• Now, click on Disable to turn it off > Reboot the system to apply changes.

Please Note: Do the same steps for each program that has a higher startup impact except for the audio or graphics service.

12. Set Launch Options for Dota 2

You should also try using the safe mode on Steam to play Dota 2 to ensure there is no issue with the game launching. You can prefer the set launch options method for Dota 2 below.

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Locate and right-click on Dota 2 from the list of installed games.
• Click on Properties > From the General tab, press the Set Launch Options button.
• Make sure to type the following command line in the field:

-safe

• Click on OK to save changes.

Fix Dota 2 Not Responding After Launching on Mac

If in case, you’re one of the Mac users and facing issues with Dota 2 not responding after the start then make sure to follow the methods below.

1. Set Steam Games Automatically Up-To-Date

You should cross-check whether your installed Steam games are up-to-date or not on Mac. Outdated game versions can always trouble you a lot to run properly. To do so:

• Open the Steam client on Mac > Press the Control key + Left-click on the Dota 2 game.
• Click on Properties > Click on Updates.
• Make sure to Set the Automatic Options update to High Priority – Always auto-update.

2. Check for the Minimum Requirements

If you’re using an outdated macOS version or an outdated Mac machine configuration then make sure to check for the game’s minimum requirements and whether your Mac specification is compatible or not.

• OS: OS X Mavericks 10.9 or newer
• Processor: Intel Dual-core
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA 320M or higher, Radeon HD 2400 or higher, or Intel HD 3000 or higher
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 15 GB available space

3. Update macOS

The chances are high that you’re using an outdated macOS version on your machine which can cause several issues with the game launching and more. To do that:

• From the Apple menu on the top-left side of your screen.
• Click on System Settings > Click on General in the sidebar.
• Choose Software Update on the right. [Choose System Preferences then click on Software Update]
• If Software Update is available, click on the Update Now or Upgrade Now button to install it.
• Enter your administrator password, if prompted. During installation, your Mac might restart, and you might see a progress bar or blank screen several times.
• If Software Update says that your Mac is up-to-date then no new software is currently available for your Mac model. Software Update shows only updates and upgrades that are compatible with your Mac.

Note: If you don’t see Software Update in System Settings or System Preferences then make sure to follow the steps below:

1. Use Search in the corner of the window to search for it.
2. If your older Mac doesn’t include Software Update, open the App Store app.
3. Click on the Updates tab in the App Store to check for updates.

4. Run the Game as an Administrator

Several players have reported that running the Dota 2 application as administrator access on Mac fixed the Dota 2 Not Responding After Launching issue. To do that:

• Click on System Preferences.
• Go to Users > Select the Lock icon.
• Choose your valid account > Select Allow User to Administer This Computer.

5. Reset NVRAM and Reboot the Game

Try Resetting the NVRAM on Mac can help you in some cases whenever a game crashes. This Apple Support document has more information on resetting the NVRAM in your Apple Mac computer.

6. Check for JAVA Updates

If you’re having trouble with a game crashing you should make sure you’re running the latest version of Java. To do that:

• Click on System Preferences > Select Java.
• Click on Update Now > Once done, you can reboot the system to apply changes.

7. Clear the Game Cache

Multiple video games like AAA titles are prone to have corrupted cache data which can trouble you a lot. By following the steps below, you can clear the game cache data manually to fix such an issue.

• Go to the User/System folder > Head over to the Caches folder.
• Choose to Go > Navigate to Folder > Enter ~/Library/Caches.
• Now, close the Dota 2 game, and delete the cache data.
• Finally, restart the machine to check for the issue.

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