Age of Mythology Retold Not Launching on Steam? Here’s How to Fix It

As a lifelong Age of Mythology fan, I was beyond excited to jump into Age of Mythology: Retold on Steam. But like many of you, I hit a frustrating roadblock—the game just wouldn’t launch. After spending some time troubleshooting (and a few moments of panic!), I found a few solid solutions that got me back to conquering with my mythical armies.

If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry. I’ve put together this guide based on my own experience and the fixes that worked for me and other players.

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1. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

One of the most common reasons Age of Mythology: Retold won’t launch is due to missing or corrupted files. Steam has a built-in tool to check and repair these files.

How to Verify Game Files:

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click on Age of Mythology: Retold and select Properties.
3. In the Local Files tab, click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
4. Let Steam scan and repair any corrupted files. Once completed, try launching the game again.

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2. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can prevent the game from launching. Make sure your drivers are up to date by visiting your graphics card manufacturer’s website:

• NVIDIA: Download latest drivers
• AMD: Download latest drivers
• Intel: Download latest drivers

Updating your drivers often solves compatibility issues and improves overall game performance.

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3. Run the Game as Administrator

Sometimes, launching the game with administrative privileges can bypass permissions issues that prevent the game from starting.

Steps to Run as Administrator:

1. Right-click on the game in Steam and select Manage > Browse Local Files.
2. Find the game’s main executable file (usually named AoM.exe or similar).
3. Right-click the file and select Properties.
4. Go to the Compatibility tab and check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.
5. Click Apply and then OK.
6. Try launching the game through Steam again.

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4. Disable Background Applications

Other programs running in the background can interfere with the launch of Age of Mythology: Retold. Disable unnecessary background applications, especially game overlays (such as Steam Overlay, Discord, or GeForce Experience), as these can sometimes conflict with the game.

How to Disable Steam Overlay:

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click on Age of Mythology: Retold and select Properties.
3. In the General tab, uncheck the box that says Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.

After turning off overlays, try launching the game again.

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5. Check for Windows and DirectX Updates

Your operating system and DirectX may need to be updated to the latest version to properly support Age of Mythology: Retold. Here’s how to check for updates:

Update Windows:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

Update DirectX:

1. Go to the Microsoft DirectX website and download the latest version.
2. Install or update DirectX as instructed, then restart your computer.

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6. Adjust Compatibility Settings

If you’re running Age of Mythology: Retold on a newer version of Windows, you may need to adjust compatibility settings.

Steps to Adjust Compatibility:

1. Navigate to the game’s executable file (right-click in Steam and select Manage > Browse Local Files).
2. Right-click on the game’s executable and select Properties.
3. In the Compatibility tab, check the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode for:, and choose Windows 7 or Windows 8 from the dropdown menu.
4. Click Apply and OK.
5. Try launching the game again.

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7. Reinstall the Game

If none of the above solutions work, your game installation may be corrupt. Reinstalling the game can often fix persistent issues.

Steps to Reinstall:

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click on Age of Mythology: Retold and select Uninstall.
3. After uninstalling, reinstall the game by clicking Install on the game’s page in your Library.
4. Once reinstalled, try launching the game again.

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8. Check System Requirements

Ensure your system meets the minimum requirements to run Age of Mythology: Retold. If your system is below the required specs, the game might struggle to launch. Check the game’s requirements on the Steam store page to compare with your hardware.