Troubleshooting Overwatch Launch Issues 'Battlenet Won't Open'

Are you experiencing difficulty getting into a game session in Blizzard's popular team-based shooter, Overwatch? If your desktop app shows that 'Game is Running' but the actual client doesn't launch after clicking play or if no window appears for Overwatch at all when trying to start it up, don't worry – there are some steps you can take to resolve these frustrating issues.

Below we'll cover several potential causes and solutions for why Battlenet won't open properly with respect to playing Overwatch. We will also touch upon general troubleshooting techniques that may help resolve more universal launch problems across different games on the platform as well.

1. Update Drivers & Operating System

Firstly, make sure your graphics card drivers are up-to-date along with the operating system itself (Windows 10/11 or macOS High Sierra or later). Outdated software can sometimes lead to compatibility issues that prevent certain programs from launching correctly. To update these components:

- On Windows: Press Win + I > Update & Security > Check for updates and follow any prompts.

- On Mac: Go to About This Computer > Software Update, then click on 'Update Now' if available.

2. Reset In-game Options

Sometimes simply resetting all in-game options back to their default settings can resolve crashing or performance-related problems that prevent a game from launching properly:

1. Launch the Battle.net client and sign into your account.

2. Click on the gear icon at the top-right corner of the main window (next to your profile picture).

3. Select 'Account' from the drop-down menu.

4. Scroll down until you see 'Reset Game Settings' under 'Game Settings.'

5. Check both boxes next to each game listed below it and click 'Save Changes.'

3. Temporarily Uninstall Security Programs

In rare cases, certain security programs may be interfering with your ability to launch Overwatch or other Battle.net games:

1. Press the Start button + I on Windows (or Command+Shift+A) then select System & Security > Internet Options.

2. Click on the 'Security' tab at the top and uncheck both boxes under 'Intranet sites.'

3. Close all browser windows except for your web browser used to access Battle.net.

4. Reinstall Blizzard's Overwatch Client

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may need to perform a full reinstall of Overwatch through Battle.net:

1. Open up File Explorer (or Finder on Mac) and navigate to C:\Program Files\BattleNet or Applications/Blizzard/Overwatch/.

2. Delete all files & subfolders within this directory.

3. Once complete restart your computer.

4. After booting back up, head over to Battle.net's website and click 'Install Now' for Overwatch.

By following these steps above you should be able to resolve most common launch issues preventing you from playing Overwatch through Battlenet. If the problem persists even after trying all of them please consider reaching out directly via their official support channels or forums so that further assistance can be provided!

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