Battlenet Hit Play and It Tries to Repair Game: Solutions to Fix Launch Issues

Have you ever hit the “Play” button on your Battle.net launcher only to find yourself frustrated when the game fails to launch? If you’re experiencing this issue, you are not alone. Many players have reported that after initiating the game, it shows as “Running” in the Battle.net app yet fails to open or crashes shortly after launch. This article covers common solutions to fix such launch issues, allowing you to get back into your game as quickly as possible.

1. Check for Game Updates

One of the first steps you should take is to ensure that your game is up-to-date. Sometimes, incomplete updates can cause launch problems. To check for updates:

Open the Battle.net desktop app.
Click on the game you are trying to play.
Look for the gear icon (cogwheel) next to the Play button.
Click on it and select “Check for Updates.”

If there are any available updates, install them and try to launch the game again.

2. Scan and Repair the Game Files

If your game is up-to-date yet still refuses to launch, the game files may be corrupted. Battle.net provides a built-in tool to scan and repair the game files. To use this feature:

Open the Battle.net app and select your game.
Click the gear icon next to the Play button once again.
Select “Scan and Repair.”
Let the process complete, which can take several minutes depending on the size of the game files.
After it finishes, attempt to launch the game again.

3. Make Sure the Game is Not Running in the Background

Sometimes the game may be running without a visible window due to some technical glitches. In such cases, the Battle.net app might show “Game is Running,” while the game isn’t actually visible on your desktop. To resolve this:

Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Look for instances of your game (e.g., Overwatch, World of Warcraft) running under the “Processes” tab.
End task for any running instances of the game.
Return to the Battle.net app and try clicking Play again.

4. Temporarily Disable Security Software

In some situations, your antivirus or firewall might block components of the Battle.net app or the games themselves. To check if this is the issue:

Temporarily disable your firewall/antivirus software.
Launch the game through Battle.net to see if it successfully opens.
If the game launches, make sure to add Battle.net and your game to the exceptions list in your security software before re-enabling it.

5. Reinstall the Battle.net App

If the aforementioned solutions don’t work, it might be worthwhile to reinstall the Battle.net app. This can fix any glitches or corrupted files within the launcher. Here’s how to do it:

Uninstall the Battle.net app from your computer via Control Panel.
Go to the official Battle.net website and download the latest version of the app.
Install it and log back into your account.
Try launching the game again.

6. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can often lead to issues when trying to launch modern games. Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date by visiting the manufacturer’s website (such as NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and downloading the latest drivers.

7. Check for Windows Updates

Sometimes, system-level issues can cause launch failures. Ensure your Windows operating system is fully updated by:

Opening Settings.
Click on “Update & Security.”
Select “Windows Update” and click “Check for updates.”

If any updates are available, download and install them, then try launching the game once more.

Conclusion

Encountering issues when trying to launch a game through the Battle.net client can be frustrating, but fortunately, these problems are often fixable. By following the steps outlined above—from checking for updates and repairing game files to reinstalling the app—you can troubleshoot many common launch issues. If problems persist, consider reaching out to Battle.net’s customer support for further assistance. Happy gaming!