Updated November 4, 2026
Metro 2033 Redux not launching after the next-gen update? If Steam briefly changes from Play to Stop before returning to Play, the game may be closing before its main window appears. Some players also encounter a black screen, a missing DLL error, or a crash during the opening credits.
Start by launching the game's executable directly to check for missing dependencies. If no error appears, an older DINPUT8.dll mouse-fix modification, damaged installation files, or incompatible settings may be responsible.
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This guide walks through the most relevant startup fixes, explains which solution matches each symptom, and shows how to restore the official legacy version if the updated build remains unplayable.
Quick Answer: How to Fix Metro 2033 Redux Not Launching
If Steam briefly displays Running or Stop before returning to Play, follow these steps:
- Run metro.exe directly from the installation folder to check for a missing DLL or runtime error.
- Repair DirectX components if Windows reports a missing d3dx11 library.
- Install or repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables if the error identifies a missing Visual C++ DLL.
- Check for a legacy DINPUT8.dll modification and temporarily move the confirmed third-party file out of the game folder.
- Verify the game's files through Steam.
- Temporarily disable overlays and custom graphics overrides if the game opens briefly before crashing.
- Back up and reset user.cfg if the problem may involve saved graphics settings.
- Try the official legacy branch if the updated version still refuses to launch.
Important: Do not download individual DLL files from unofficial websites. Use Microsoft's official installers to repair missing runtime components.
📋 Table of Contents
- Identify Your Metro 2033 Redux Startup Problem
- Fix 1: Run metro.exe Directly to Find the Error
- Fix 2: Repair Missing DirectX Files
- Fix 3: Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables
- Fix 4: Check Legacy DINPUT8.dll Conflicts
- Fix 5: Verify Steam Game Files
- Fix 6: Fix Black Screen or Intro Crashes
- Fix 7: Reset user.cfg Safely
- Fix 8: Restore the Official Legacy Version
- Epic Games Store LS-0013 Error
- Has the Metro 2033 Redux Launch Bug Been Fixed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Identify Your Metro 2033 Redux Startup Problem
Before reinstalling the game or changing Windows settings, check what happens when you attempt to launch it.
Start with the fix that matches your symptom. If Windows identifies a specific missing DLL, address that dependency before trying unrelated settings changes.
Fix 1: Run metro.exe Directly to Find the Startup Error
When Metro 2033 Redux closes silently through Steam, launching the executable directly can sometimes reveal an error that Steam does not display.
How to find metro.exe
- Open Steam.
- Go to your Library.
- Right-click Metro 2033 Redux.
- Select Manage → Browse local files.
- Find the game's executable, usually named metro.exe.
- Double-click it and check whether Windows displays an error.
If the executable is not visible, look for an application named metro. Windows may hide the .exe extension.
What does the error mean?
Missing d3dx11 library
The game may require a legacy DirectX component that is missing or not installed correctly. Continue to Fix 2.
Missing MSVCR110.dll or MSVCP110.dll
These DLL names indicate a dependency associated with Microsoft Visual C++ 2012. Continue to Fix 3.
No error message appears
If the game still closes silently, check for incompatible legacy modifications and other startup conflicts.
Tip: Write down the exact DLL filename or Windows error code before changing anything. Different missing dependencies require different repairs.
Fix 2: Repair Missing DirectX Files (d3dx11 Error)
If launching metro.exe directly displays an error identifying a missing d3dx11 component, try repairing the legacy DirectX runtime.
The exact DLL filename can vary. Follow the error shown on your PC rather than assuming every DirectX-related startup failure has the same cause.
Why can DirectX files be missing on Windows 11?
Windows 10 and Windows 11 include modern DirectX components, but some older games still depend on optional legacy libraries.
Installing the latest graphics driver or having DirectX 12 available does not necessarily install every older component.
How to repair legacy DirectX components
- Download Microsoft's official DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010).
- Run the downloaded redistributable.
- Choose a temporary folder to extract its installation files.
- Open the extracted folder.
- Run DXSETUP.exe.
- Complete the installation.
- Restart Windows if prompted.
- Launch Metro 2033 Redux again.
Important: Extracting the downloaded package does not install DirectX. You must run DXSETUP.exe from the extracted files.
This installer supplies legacy DirectX components alongside the newer DirectX features already installed in Windows.
What if the error remains?
Check whether Windows reports the same missing DLL after installation.
If the error changes to a Visual C++ dependency, continue to Fix 3. If no error appears but the game still closes, move to Fix 4.
Do not download individual DLL files from third-party websites or manually copy unknown files into Windows system directories.
Fix 3: Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing Visual C++ runtime libraries can prevent Metro 2033 Redux from starting.
Two relevant error messages are:
- MSVCR110.dll is missing.
- MSVCP110.dll is missing.
These filenames are associated with Microsoft Visual C++ 2012.
The newest Visual C++ Redistributable does not automatically replace every older, version-specific runtime.
How to repair Visual C++ 2012
- Open Microsoft's official Visual C++ 2012 Update 4 Redistributable download page.
- Download the package matching the application's requirements.
- Run the installer.
- Choose Install or Repair, depending on what is available.
- Complete the process.
- Restart Windows if prompted.
- Try launching Metro 2033 Redux again.
Should you install x86 or x64?
The required runtime architecture depends on the application, not just your Windows version.
- x86: Required by 32-bit applications.
- x64: Required by 64-bit applications.
A 64-bit Windows PC can require the x86 redistributable when running a 32-bit application.
Both packages can coexist on 64-bit Windows. If you cannot determine which architecture the game requires, installing both official Visual C++ 2012 packages is a reasonable compatibility test.
For other runtime errors, consult Microsoft's Visual C++ Redistributable documentation.
What if Visual C++ is already installed?
Try the Repair option if it is available.
If the missing-DLL error disappears but the game still fails to launch, continue to the next fix.
Fix 4: Check Legacy DINPUT8.dll Mouse-Fix Conflicts
An older mouse-fix modification can interfere with the updated Metro 2033 Redux executable.
Some third-party modifications place a file named DINPUT8.dll inside the game directory. A DLL left behind from the legacy version may no longer work correctly with the updated build.
How to test for a DINPUT8.dll conflict
- Open Steam → Library.
- Right-click Metro 2033 Redux.
- Select Manage → Browse local files.
- Look for DINPUT8.dll in the installation folder.
- Check whether the file belongs to a mouse fix, mod, or another third-party tool you previously installed.
- Create a backup folder outside the game installation directory.
- Move the confirmed third-party DINPUT8.dll into that backup folder.
- Launch Metro 2033 Redux again.
If the game starts successfully, the older modification was likely causing the startup conflict.
What if removing DINPUT8.dll does not help?
Close the game and restore the backed-up file if you still need that modification.
Then continue to Steam file verification.
What if DINPUT8.dll is not present?
That is normal for some installations.
Do not download or add a DINPUT8.dll file just because it is missing from the game folder.
Also, do not remove Windows system DLLs. This troubleshooting step applies only to an identified third-party modification in the game's installation directory.
Fix 5: Verify Metro 2033 Redux Game Files on Steam
If Metro 2033 Redux still refuses to launch, verify its installation through Steam.
This checks the installed game files and downloads replacements for files that do not match the expected installation.
How to verify game files
- Open your Steam Library.
- Right-click Metro 2033 Redux.
- Select Properties.
- Open Installed Files.
- Click Verify integrity of game files.
- Wait for Steam to finish.
- Launch the game again.
If Steam downloads replacement files, allow the process to finish before testing.
Will verification fix every startup crash?
No.
Steam verification can repair missing or damaged game files, but it does not necessarily install missing Microsoft runtime components or remove incompatible third-party DLLs.
If you use mods, verification may also restore original game files that those modifications replaced.
If verification completes successfully and the game still crashes, continue to the black-screen troubleshooting section.
Fix 6: Fix Black Screen, Intro Crash, or Immediate Desktop Crash
Not every Metro 2033 Redux startup failure occurs before the game window appears.
Some players encounter a brief black window, a fullscreen transition followed by a crash, or a crash during the opening sequence.
These symptoms may involve graphics initialization, saved display settings, overlays, or another compatibility issue.
Try the following checks one at a time.
A. Temporarily disable overlays
Close or disable overlays that interact with the game's rendering process.
Examples include:
- NVIDIA Overlay
- AMD recording and overlay features
- Discord's in-game overlay
- Third-party monitoring and FPS overlay tools
Launch the game after disabling the relevant overlays.
If Metro 2033 Redux starts successfully, re-enable them individually to identify the conflicting feature.
B. Restore custom graphics overrides
If you previously changed driver settings specifically for Metro 2033 Redux, temporarily restore that game's graphics profile to its defaults.
For NVIDIA users:
- Open the NVIDIA App or NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Find the graphics settings applied to Metro 2033 Redux.
- Restore custom per-game overrides to their default values.
- Apply the changes.
- Launch the game again.
AMD users can perform a similar test using the game's profile in AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
Avoid resetting unrelated global settings unless necessary.
C. Test a different audio output device
Some older PC games can encounter startup compatibility problems with particular audio devices.
If you use a Bluetooth headset, USB audio device, or virtual audio output, temporarily switch Windows to another available output.
For example, test wired headphones or your monitor's audio output.
This is a secondary troubleshooting step, not a confirmed universal fix for the next-gen update.
D. Check fullscreen and display settings
If the game opens briefly before crashing:
- Confirm that Windows is using your monitor's intended resolution.
- Temporarily disable unnecessary third-party display overrides.
- Test the game using your primary display.
If the game remains open, press Alt + Enter to test switching between windowed and fullscreen modes.
If the problem began immediately after changing in-game graphics settings, try resetting the configuration file in Fix 7.
E. Check Windows Event Viewer
If the game crashes without showing an error, Windows Event Viewer may provide additional information.
- Press Windows + R.
- Enter eventvwr.msc.
- Open Windows Logs → Application.
- Find an error recorded at the time of the crash.
- Check the faulting application and module names.
A faulting module associated with a third-party DLL or graphics component may help identify the problem.
Event Viewer does not always reveal the exact cause, but it can provide a useful diagnostic clue.
Fix 7: Back Up and Reset user.cfg Safely
Metro 2033 Redux stores graphics and other settings in a configuration file named user.cfg.
If the game stopped launching after changing display settings or installing the update, testing a fresh configuration may help.
Where is user.cfg located?
Depending on your installation, the file may appear in one of these locations.
Windows local configuration:
Steam user data:
Replace the placeholders with the relevant folder names on your PC. The exact location can vary.
How to reset user.cfg without losing your backup
- Close Metro 2033 Redux and Steam.
- Locate the relevant user.cfg file.
- Copy it to a backup folder outside the game directory.
- Rename the original file to user.cfg.old.
- Restart Steam.
- Launch Metro 2033 Redux.
- Check whether the game creates a fresh configuration.
If Steam Cloud restores the old settings, you may need to temporarily disable Steam Cloud synchronization for the game while testing.
Do not delete save files or entire configuration folders. Only reset the identified settings file, and keep a backup.
If the game still fails to launch, restore your original configuration if desired.
Fix 8: Restore the Official Metro 2033 Redux Legacy Version
If the updated Metro 2033 Redux build remains unplayable, you can try the official legacy version.
This is a fallback for players who cannot run the updated build reliably. It does not repair the next-gen version.
How to switch to the legacy version on Steam
- Open Steam.
- Right-click Metro 2033 Redux.
- Select Properties.
- Open Betas.
- Find the beta participation dropdown.
- Select:
- Allow Steam to download the required files.
- Launch the game again.
What do you lose by using the legacy version?
The legacy branch restores the older build, so newer graphics enhancements and upscaling features introduced by the update may not be available.
Back up your save files and configuration settings before switching, particularly if you have already played the updated version.
To return to the latest build, open the same Betas menu and select the normal release branch.
Epic Games Store LS-0013 Error
Some players experience a separate launch failure through the Epic Games Launcher, including error LS-0013.
This error should be investigated through Epic's launcher troubleshooting rather than automatically treated as the same issue as Steam's Play-button crash.
What to try
- Completely close the Epic Games Launcher.
- Reopen the launcher.
- Verify the Metro 2033 Redux installation.
- Check for pending launcher and game updates.
- Remove unnecessary compatibility-mode or administrator overrides if you previously applied them.
Follow the official Epic Games Support instructions for LS-0013.
These are troubleshooting steps, not a guaranteed solution for every LS-0013 report.
Has the Metro 2033 Redux Startup Bug Been Fixed?
The next-gen update introduced stability and compatibility improvements for modern Windows systems and newer hardware, including changes intended to address launch crashes, black screens, and startup freezes.
However, some startup problems can still occur because of missing runtime components, incompatible legacy modifications, damaged game files, or system-specific conflicts.
There is no single confirmed fix for every case where Metro 2033 Redux briefly shows Running in Steam before returning to Play.
For official updates and support information, check the Metro 2033 Redux Steam announcements or PLAION Player Support.
Game launches, but DLSS causes low FPS?
If Metro 2033 Redux starts successfully but performance drops sharply after enabling DLSS, that is a separate problem from a startup crash.
See our Metro 2033 Redux DLSS Low FPS After Next-Gen Update? Stuttering & Fixes guide for Neural Rendering, DLAA, 4A TSR, NVIDIA settings, and stuttering troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Metro 2033 Redux return to the Steam Play button?
The game may be closing during startup because of a missing runtime dependency, an incompatible third-party DLL, damaged installation files, or another initialization problem. Launching metro.exe directly can sometimes reveal a more specific error.
How do I fix Metro 2033 Redux not launching after the next-gen update?
Start by launching the executable directly, repairing any identified DirectX or Visual C++ dependency, checking for legacy DINPUT8.dll modifications, and verifying Steam files. If the updated build remains unplayable, try the official legacy branch.
What is DINPUT8.dll, and should I delete it?
DINPUT8.dll is associated with Microsoft's DirectInput system, but some third-party mouse fixes also place a file with that name in the game folder. Back up and temporarily remove only a confirmed third-party modification. Do not delete Windows system files.
How do I fix a missing d3dx11 DLL error?
Install the required legacy DirectX components using Microsoft's official DirectX End-User Runtimes redistributable. Extract the package, run DXSETUP.exe, and test the game again. Avoid unofficial individual DLL downloads.
Does Metro 2033 Redux require Visual C++ 2012?
Some installations may fail with missing MSVCR110.dll or MSVCP110.dll errors, which indicate a Visual C++ 2012 dependency. Install or repair the appropriate official Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable if you receive either error.
Why does Metro 2033 Redux show a black screen and close?
A black-screen crash may involve graphics initialization, display settings, overlays, drivers, or another startup conflict. Try disabling third-party overlays, restoring custom graphics overrides, and testing a backed-up configuration reset.
Can I play the old version of Metro 2033 Redux?
Yes. On Steam, open the game's Properties, select Betas, and choose metro_2033_redux_legacy. This restores the older build rather than fixing the updated version.
Does this startup problem also affect Metro: Last Light Redux?
Both Redux games received the next-gen update, and launch problems can occur in either title. However, a fix that works for Metro 2033 Redux is not guaranteed to work for Last Light Redux. Diagnose each game's error separately.
Final Thoughts
If Metro 2033 Redux won't launch after the next-gen update, start by identifying the cause rather than repeatedly reinstalling the game.
A missing d3dx11 component points toward a DirectX runtime repair. Missing MSVCR110.dll or MSVCP110.dll indicates a Visual C++ 2012 dependency. An old DINPUT8.dll mouse-fix modification may also prevent the updated executable from starting.
If none of those applies, verify the game files, test graphics and overlay conflicts, and try a backed-up configuration reset.
For players who still cannot run the updated build, the official legacy branch provides a practical alternative while troubleshooting continues.
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