Age Of Empires III Steam Won't Start: Troubleshooting Guide

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The Age of Empires series has been a staple in real-time strategy (RTS) gaming for decades, but even with regular updates and patches, players still encounter various issues. One common problem that many fans face is when trying to launch the game through Steam on Windows 7 or earlier versions.

In this article, we'll explore some potential reasons why Age of Empires III won't start on your PC and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve these issues.

Reasons Why Age Of Empire III Won't Start On Steam

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### 1. Incompatible Operating System

Age of Empires III is not compatible with older operating systems like Windows XP, Vista, or even Windows 7/8/10 x86 (32-bit) versions. To run the game smoothly and without any compatibility issues, it's recommended to switch to a more modern OS such as Windows 10 or later.

### 2. Missing Direct3D Runtime

DirectX is an essential component for running many games on PC, including Age of Empire III. If your system doesn't have the latest version installed or if there are any corrupted files related to DirectX, it might prevent the game from launching correctly. To resolve this issue:

1. Visit Microsoft's official website and download and install 'DirectX'(https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=53043) (32-bit for x86 systems).

2. Follow the installation instructions carefully until you reach the 'Finish' button.

3. Restart your PC once the process is complete.

### 3. Corrupted Age of Empire III Installation

Sometimes, a corrupted or incomplete game installation can cause Age of Empire III to fail to launch properly. To resolve this:

1. Open Steam and navigate to your library.

2. Right-click on 'Age of Empires III' and select 'Properties.'

3. In the Properties window, click on the 'Local Files' tab.

4. Select 'Verify integrity of game files.'

### 4. Outdated Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can also lead to compatibility issues with Age of Empire III. To resolve this:

1. Visit your GPU manufacturer's official website (e.g., 'NVIDIA'(https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?os=5&snr=3886) for NVIDIA users, or 'AMD Radeon Drivers'(http://support.amd.com/us/download/manuals/radeon-puma-rx-390/Radeon-Cyberpunk-2077-drivers)).

2. Download and install the latest drivers compatible with your graphics card.

3. Restart your PC once the installation is complete.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

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### 1. Reinstall Age of Empires III

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it might be necessary to perform a full uninstallation and reinstallation of Age of Empire III:

1. Open Steam and navigate to your library.

2. Right-click on 'Age of Empires III' and select 'Uninstall.'

3. Follow the prompts until the removal process is complete.

### 2. Perform System File Checker (SFC) Scan

System file corruption can also cause Age of Empire III to fail to launch properly:

1. Press `Windows + R` simultaneously on your keyboard.

2. Type in 'cmd' and press Enter.

3. In the Command Prompt window, type in `sfc /scannow`.

4. Wait for the process to complete.

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Age of Empires III is a classic RTS game that many players still enjoy today. However, as with any older title, occasional compatibility issues may arise due to changes in operating systems and hardware configurations. By following these troubleshooting steps outlined above, you should be able to resolve most if not all problems related to Age of Empire III failing to launch on Steam.

Remember always keep your system updated with the latest patches and drivers installed for a smooth gaming experience. If after trying all of these solutions, you still encounter issues launching Age of Empires III, consider reaching out to 'Valve's Support Forums'(https://forums.steampowered.com/steamcommunity/thread-1) or contacting 'Age of Empire's Official Support Team'(mailto:support.ageofempires@microsoft.com).

Age of empires 3 steam won't start