If you get the “Initialization Failed” error when initializing Age of Empires 3 in your Windows 10 PC, this tutorial is useful for you.
Age of Empires 3 Initialization Failed
Many Windows 10 users have solved the Age of Empires 3 initialization failed problem with the fixes below. We would recommend you try the solutions below each one in turn to resolve the Initialization Failed issue in the Age of Empires 3.
- Enable DirectPlay.
- Download latest version of DirectX.
- Install the latest patch/ Reinstalling.
Notes: Make sure that you have an administrator account when following the fixes listed.
How to fix Age of Empires 3 initialization failed
Method 1. Modify the DirectPlay setting
This fixes works for many players who have received the Initialization Failed error in Age of Empires 3. To do that, follow these steps below:
1. First, open Control Panel and navigate to Programs and Features.
2. Click Turn Windows features on or off on the left pane.
3. When the Windows features pops up, scroll down and double click “Legacy Components“. Then enable the module “DirectPlay”.
Enable DirectPlay in Windows 10
4. Click OK to save the changes. Restart your Windows 10 PC.
See also: How To Enable DirectPlay in Windows 10
After restarting your PC, launch Age of Empires 3 to check if it works now.
Method 2. Download and install the latest version of DirectX
If your Windows 10 PC doesn’t have DirectX, you should visit the official website and download the latest version of the API. DirectX is an API that offers tools for developers to develop games and in the modern world, almost every game uses DirectX somewhere in their package.
Once you have downloaded the package, install it using administrative privileges.
VIDEO TUTORIAL: Fix Age of Empires 3 Failed to Initialize
Method 3. Install the latest patch / Reinstalling
If the issue still persists despite having the two solutions listed above, you need to make sure that your Age of empires is the latest version released. Sometimes, the game developers keep releasing patches to improve their games and fix any errors. Hence, you need to check whether there is any update in Age of Empires 3 and install the latest patch to keep your game up to date.
If Age of empires is the latest version, you should reinstall the whole module after deleting the temporary files as well from the user. There are few methods to do that, but the most effective one is to use an uninstaller software such as Your Uninstaller. Your Uninstaller is a special application that can remove any application, including all its files and registry entries. After that, you need to install the game in a new administrator user.
You may also like:
– Age of Empires 3 initialization failed Steam: This issue happens when the game is installed through the client Steam and fails to initialize properly.
– Age of Empires 3 initialization failed Direct3D: This error signifies that the issue is with the module Direct3D.
– Age of Empires 3 won’t start: This error occurs when the game is unable to start when tried to launch on Windows 10/8/7.
