AC Valhalla Not Working on Windows 11: Troubleshooting Guide

Are you experiencing issues running Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on your Windows 11 system? Many gamers have encountered problems, ranging from launch failures and performance drops to outright crashes. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough to help you troubleshoot and resolve these issues, allowing you to return to exploring the Viking Age.

Common Issues and Solutions

Before diving into specific fixes, let’s outline the common problems users face and then address each with targeted solutions:

  • Game Crashing or Freezing: The game abruptly stops working, often without warning.
  • Launch Failures: The game doesn’t start at all, possibly displaying an error message.
  • Performance Issues (Low FPS, Stuttering): The game runs poorly, even on high-end hardware.
  • Graphical Glitches: Textures are missing, corrupted, or display incorrectly.
  • Audio Problems: Sound effects are absent or distorted.

Troubleshooting Steps

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to resolving these issues:

1. Verify Game File Integrity

Corrupted game files are a primary cause of crashes and launch failures. Verify the game files through the Ubisoft Connect launcher or the platform where you purchased the game (e.g., Steam, Epic Games).

  • Ubisoft Connect:
    • Open Ubisoft Connect.
    • Go to the “Games” tab.
    • Click on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
    • Select “Properties” in the left menu.
    • Under “Local Files,” click “Verify files.”
  • Steam:
    • Open Steam.
    • Go to your Library.
    • Right-click on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and select “Properties.”
    • Go to the “Local Files” tab.
    • Click “Verify integrity of game files…”

2. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers are a common culprit for performance problems and graphical glitches. Ensure you have the latest drivers installed from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.

  • NVIDIA:
    • Download GeForce Experience from the NVIDIA website.
    • Open GeForce Experience and go to the “Drivers” tab.
    • Click “Check for Updates” and install the latest driver.
  • AMD:
    • Download AMD Adrenalin from the AMD website.
    • Open AMD Adrenalin and go to the “Drivers & Software” tab.
    • Check for updates and install the latest driver.
  • Intel:
    • Download the Intel Driver & Support Assistant from the Intel website.
    • Run the tool and follow the instructions to update your drivers.

3. Run the Game as Administrator

Granting the game administrator privileges can resolve permission-related issues that prevent it from running correctly.

  • Right-click on the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla executable file (ACValhalla.exe).
  • Select “Properties.”
  • Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
  • Check the box labeled “Run this program as an administrator.”
  • Click “Apply” and then “OK.”

4. Compatibility Mode

Try running the game in compatibility mode for an older version of Windows.

  • Right-click on the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla executable file (ACValhalla.exe).
  • Select “Properties.”
  • Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
  • Check the box labeled “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”.
  • Select “Windows 8” or “Windows 10” from the dropdown menu.
  • Click “Apply” and then “OK.”

5. Disable Background Applications

Background applications can interfere with game performance. Close unnecessary programs before launching the game.

  • Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).
  • Go to the “Processes” tab.
  • Identify resource-intensive applications.
  • Select each application and click “End Task.”

6. Adjust Graphics Settings

Lowering the graphics settings can improve performance, especially on less powerful systems.

  • Launch Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
  • Go to the “Options” menu.
  • Select “Graphics.”
  • Reduce settings like “Shadow Quality,” “Texture Quality,” and “Anti-Aliasing.”
  • Experiment with different settings to find a balance between visual quality and performance.

7. Update Windows 11

Ensure your Windows 11 operating system is up to date with the latest patches and updates. Microsoft frequently releases updates that include performance improvements and bug fixes.

  • Go to “Settings” (Windows key + I).
  • Click on “Windows Update.”
  • Click “Check for updates” and install any available updates.

8. Reinstall DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables

Missing or corrupted DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables can cause game crashes and other issues.

  • Navigate to the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla installation directory.
  • Look for folders named “DirectX” and “VC Redist.”
  • Run the installers (DXSETUP.exe and the VC Redist executables) in each folder.
  • Restart your computer after installation.

9. Check Hardware Compatibility

Ensure your system meets the minimum or recommended hardware requirements for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

  • Minimum Requirements:
    • CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
    • RAM: 8 GB
    • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon R9 380
    • Storage: 50 GB
  • Recommended Requirements:
    • CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
    • RAM: 16 GB
    • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 570
    • Storage: 50 GB

10. Disable Overlays

Game overlays (e.g., Discord overlay, NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay) can sometimes interfere with the game. Try disabling them to see if it resolves the issue.

Conclusion

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most of the issues preventing Assassin’s Creed Valhalla from running correctly on your Windows 11 system. Remember to systematically test each solution to identify the root cause of the problem. Happy gaming!