Many gamers, using gaming software on computers running Windows 10, face various problems in the form of errors and crashes that occur during installation, start of the game, or already in the process. Games and programs that previously functioned without problems may stop running when the system is updated to the “tens” . And there are many reasons for that. The malfunction did not bypass the fans of Syndicate either. Let’s figure out what this launch problem can be connected with and how to fix it, depending on the source of the trouble.
Install DirectX 9.0c
One of the most common reasons Syndicate won’t run on Windows 10 is DirectX incompatibility. To ensure the interaction of the device with multimedia, it requires the presence of a set of components on it, in the specific case, DirectX 9.0c, which is not available by default in Windows 10. The system comes with the 12th DirectX, while Syndicate or other older software requires an earlier version .
So, if the software does not start or the system gives errors, the description of which may contain files of executable libraries (for example, d3dx9_35.dll), you must install the appropriate DirectX package. To do this is simple:
- download the package of components from the official resource. We do not run the file, because the system will give an error that indicates a mismatch between the installed OS libraries (an earlier version of Windows is required to install DirectX 9.0c);
- to activate the compatibility mode, click on the downloaded RMB file and select “Properties” from the context menu;
- in the properties window, go to the “Compatibility” tab and check the “Run this program in compatibility mode” item here, after which we select “Windows Vista” from the drop-down list. Click “OK” at the bottom of the window, then “Apply”;
- now run the downloaded library file, accept the terms of the agreement and click “Next”;
- We are waiting for the installation of components and at the end of the procedure, click “Finish”.
Installing Visual C++ and Microsoft.NET Framework 3.5
In addition to an incompatible version of DirectX , the cause of the problem starting the game is often the outdated Visual C ++ and .NET Framework. The next thing to do if Syndicate does not start, and the start of the software is accompanied by the appearance of errors, the description of which contains the names of the files “MSVCR120.dll”, “VCRUNTIME140.dll” and “runtime-x32.dll”, is the installation of these libraries :
- we download, taking into account the bit depth of the system, from the official website and install on the computer a set of components of the Microsoft Visual C ++ environment, which ensures the launch of applications that were developed in C ++ in Visual Studio;
- download and install the NET Framework 3.5 installation file, which is responsible for the correct operation of the installed software, from the Microsoft website.
The Framework installation process can also be performed through the standard “Control Panel” snap-in. To do this is simple, let’s take a closer look at how:
- go to the Control Panel (for example, go to the context menu “Start”);
- click Programs – Programs and Features, then in the window from the menu on the left select “Turn Windows features on or off” (you can also go to the Windows features window through the Run console (Win + R) using the OptionalFeatures command);
- in the window that opens, in the list of components, mark the line “.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)” and click “OK”;
- in order to install files that are missing from the system, in the window that opens, we allow Windows Update to download them, after which it will be automatically installed on the computer, the process of which can be monitored by displaying the progress bar;
- the system will notify you of the end of the process with a corresponding message on the screen, after which you can try to start the game again.
Update video card drivers
Usually games of this kind refer to the video card, and in case of damage or irrelevance of the drivers, it is likely that nothing will open. So, if Syndicate won’t start, that might be the reason.
You can update video card drivers in many ways, for example, through Windows Update or through Device Manager, but it is better to go to the official website of the graphics adapter manufacturer, where there is always the latest software, and download them manually from there. In the “Drivers” section on the site, you can find and download the appropriate up-to-date software, taking into account the version of the system.
Increasing the paging file
If the software does not have enough RAM to work , a paging file is used, where the necessary components of the game can be placed. So, when it is disabled or its volume is insufficient, this can be the reason why Syndicate does not start on the computer, so let’s consider what to do in this case.
To activate the paging file or increase its size, perform the following steps:
- to configure the function, right-click on the “This PC” shortcut on the desktop and go from the context menu to the properties by selecting the appropriate item (an alternative way to open the window involves accessing the Control Panel, where you need to go to the “System and Security” – “System” section );
- in the left menu of the properties window, select “Advanced system settings”;
- on the “Advanced” tab in the “Performance” block, click “Settings …”;
- in the window of performance parameters, select the “Advanced” tab and in the “Virtual memory” block, click the “Change …” button;
- uncheck the box “Automatically select the size of the paging file”, check “Specify size” and enter the required values in the appropriate fields;
- save the settings by pressing the “OK” button. We close the windows.
Direct Play activation
Early versions of Windows assume the use of Direct Play libraries to start gaming software. In the 10th version of the system, the option is inactive by default, which causes some games, in particular old ones, to not start. The problem is solved by activating the library in Windows 10. You can do this in just a few clicks:
- go to the Windows Features window through the Control Panel or using the Run console (Win + R) and the OptionalFeatures command;
- scroll down the list of components, find here “Legacy Components” and tick the item;
- open the directory by clicking on it and activate DirectPlay, click “OK” at the bottom of the window;
- reboot the system for the changes to take effect.
Enable Compatibility Mode
Another proven way to solve the problem with running old games on Windows 10 is to activate compatibility mode, which allows you to emulate the functioning of earlier versions of the operating system. You can enable it using the standard OS toolkit.
Using the troubleshooter
In the arsenal of the standard Windows utility, there is an option that allows you to easily complete the task in a few steps:
- go to the Control Panel in any convenient way, for example, through the Start menu;
- select the “Troubleshooting” section. To facilitate the search, we set the view type to “Large Icons”;
- in the window that opens, select the “Programs” item (Running programs designed for previous versions of Windows), which will launch the “Troubleshoot compatibility problems” utility;
- click “Advanced” and in the line that opens “Run as administrator”, after which the utility will restart with privileges;
- click “Advanced” again, check the box “Automatically apply changes” and click the “Next” button;
- wait while the utility performs problem detection;
- upon completion of the diagnostics, we will receive a list of problematic software. If the desired application is not displayed in the resulting list, select the item “Not in the list”, then click “Next”;
- the next window involves choosing the path to the directory where the software is located, for which we click “Browse” and in the explorer that opens we find the application, select it with the mouse and click “Open”;
- the line in the window for troubleshooting compatibility issues will be filled with the address of the software, click “Next” to continue;
- the utility will analyze the selected software and find startup problems;
- in the next window, select the line “Diagnostics of the program”;
- mark the first item in the list of problems that appears “The program worked in previous versions of Windows, but is not installed or does not start now”, click “Next”;
- indicate which version of the OS the program used to work with, proceed to the next step of the procedure by clicking “Next”;
- the changes will be applied. Now you can test the program by pressing the corresponding button. If everything works, click “Next”;
- this completes the diagnostics and troubleshooting, we save these parameters for the program;
- we wait for the saving process to complete, after which the window will close, and the user will have access to information about fixing the problem. Close the troubleshooter.
By changing the label properties
If the first method did not give results, we try to complete the task by doing the following:
- we press RMB on the label of the problematic software, go to the properties;
- in the properties window, go to the “Compatibility” tab, where we turn on the option (check the box next to the item) “Run the program in compatibility mode” and select the version of the OS in which the game was launched in the drop-down list;
- in the same window, you can also check the item “Run this program as an administrator”. We press “OK”.
Deactivate conflicting applications
Software conflicts are one of the most common causes of application launch problems. So, to fix this problem with starting Syndicate, you should try to deactivate the software that prevents it from starting. Often it is an antivirus or Windows firewall. Security software usually blocks the launch of programs downloaded from unofficial sources. You can turn off the antivirus to check the assumption, and if so, then add the game to the list of exceptions or remove the program that interferes with the launch if it is not needed. Software removal is performed using the appropriate option of the Control Panel and special utilities.
Now you know what to do if Syndicate does not start on Windows 10. In the comments, tell us if the above methods helped in your case, and if so, which one specifically solved the problem?