Fix Ground Branch Not Starting Error On PC

Last update: 04/10/2024

Ground Branch made a lot of waves in the tactical FPS community when it first entered early access. And while the developers have managed to build a loyal community around the game, there are still plenty of technical issues that detract from the experience. One of the most common issues with the game is that, for some players, it is error Ground Branch does not start on PC.

We understand how annoying this can be, so we have prepared this post to help you understand this error and resolve it satisfactorily.

Error Ground Branch Does Not Start On PC

What causes Ground Branch not starting error on PC?

When we read about this issue in depth, we realized that there are actually different reasons why you can expect to face the error. Ground BranchHere we show you a list of potential scenarios that could be the main cause of this failure:

  • Administrator access is missing: The first thing you should focus on is doing an investigation to verify if the failure is due to Steam this lack of administrator privileges. This scenario helps you prevent the launcher from updating the game, meaning you can have access simply by launching the game.
  • Outdated Steam or game version: In case you have taken some measures to prevent Steam from continuing to launch, you will need to resolve the issue by forcing the launcher to update and then verifying that the game is actually updated to the latest version.
  • Corruption in game files: It is not uncommon for this error to appear in situations where certain game files are affected by corruption. It may be due to a false positive or an interrupted update. In this scenario, you can enable an integrity check via the Steam menu to resolve the error.
  • Conflicting Steam download cache data: If you started seeing this error after attempting a failed update download, you may be able to resolve the issue by simply clearing your Steam download cache.
  • The beta participation channel is not enabled: Many users who have faced this error have tried to solve the problem completely by choosing to participate in the Steam beta participation channel. This can be done by entering from the Steam settings menu.
  • Corrupted HTTPChunkInstaller folder: In case you didn't know, the HTTPChunkInstaller folder is prone to being affected by the corrupt filesFortunately, many users affected by this error have discovered that they can be removed so that the game will start and run properly. Once you do this, the game will automatically regenerate the folder and the problem will be solved.

Methods to Fix Ground Branch Not Starting Error on PC

To put an end to this problem effectively, you can apply one of the methods mentioned below. Many of them have been used by other users and the results have been satisfactory.

Run Steam with administrator access

The first thing you should investigate if you notice that Ground Branch no longer starts is a possible permissions issue.

If there is a version discrepancy, Steam you will not be able to update the game unless you force the launcher to open with administrator access.

Several affected users have confirmed that once they forced Steam to run with administrator access, the launcher eventually launched without issues and they were able to play the game normally.

If you are unsure whether Steam is running with administrator access, follow the instructions below to ensure that administrator access is granted every time Steam is launched:

  • Start this process by closing Steam and making sure it is not running in the background (by checking the taskbar menu).
  • After this, you should check the Steam icon that you usually use to launch it. Then, right click on Steam.
  • From the context menu that just appeared, click on Run as administrator from the context menu that just appeared.
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  • Once you've completed step 3, launch Ground Branch once again and see if you can get past the initial screen.
  • If you can now start the game normally, congratulations! You have just identified the culprit.

Nota: Now you just need to make this behavior permanent to ensure that the permission issue does not recur in the future.

  • To do this, right-click on the icon. Steam and click on Properties in the context menu.

  • Once you are inside the screen Properties From Steam, go to the tab Compatibility using the horizontal tape at the top.
  • Next, scroll down to the section Configuration and check the box associated with Run this program as administrator.

  • Now all that's left is to make the behavior permanent: click Apply before attempting to launch Ground Branch once again and see if you can get past the initial screen.

If the same type of problem recurs, move on to the next possible solution below.

Steam + Land Branch Update

Once you have made sure that the Gorund Branch not launching error on PC is not caused by a permissions failure, the next thing you need to do is check that both Steam and the game are running on their latest versions.

Depending on your settings, Steam may not be able to update without user intervention. In addition to this, a bad Steam update has also been known to cause a crash. Windows 10 Steam update feature fails.

If you find that this scenario applies to you, you can simply update Steam automatically by restarting the app. In case the update doesn't start this way, you can also force the store to update by going to the ribbon bar at the top and clicking on Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates.

If this doesn't work, follow the instructions below to uninstall your current version of Steam and then update a fresh version from scratch:

  • Start by pressing Windows key + R to open a Run dialog box.
  • Following this, you have to write the command "Appwiz.cpl" and press the key Log in so that the window can be opened Programs and characteristics.
  • When you are inside the screen Programs and Features, locate the Steam installation, right click on it and select uninstall in the context menu.

  • From the uninstall screen, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation. Once the operation is complete, restart your PC.
  • After your PC restarts, visit the Official Steam Download Page.
  • Within the Steam download page, click on Install Steam  and follow the instructions to reinstall the digital store.

  • Once Steam is reinstalled, log in with your account once again and make sure Ground Branch is updated to the latest version before launching it again.

In case the game still refuses to launch, move down to the next potential solution below.

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Verify game files on Steam

If none of the methods so far have been effective in your case, you need to start troubleshooting a possible corruption issue that is affecting the Ground Branch installation folder.

Many community members have testified that they have finally been able to start the game normally once they activate the Ground Branch integrity check.

Nota: This is an operation that will scan each of the game's files for any corruption. It will also replace any files that are corrupted with a healthy equivalent. In case you encounter any inconsistencies, the utility will automatically replace all corrupted files with their respective healthy equivalents.

If you have not yet verified the validity of your game files with an integrity check, please follow the instructions below to do so:

  • Start by starting your steam client, then log in with your account credentials.
  • After you log in with your respective Steam client, you have to right click on the listing associated with Ground Branch, right in the tab Library. Now, you have to click on Properties in the context menu that just appeared.
  • Inside the screen of Properties of the affected games, go ahead and click on Local archives, then click  Verify the integrity of the game cache.

  • Click on Yes in the message to confirm the integrity check and wait until the operation is completed.
  • Once the operation is complete, restart your computer if you are not prompted to do so automatically.
  • After your computer restarts, you need to launch the game through Steam and make sure the game is launching normally.

If the same problem persists, try the next method below.

Clear Steam Download Cache

Please note that reinstalling your Steam client will not actually clear the download cache that the release builds up with There.

You will need to perform this action manually and doing so may fix your Ground Branch launch issue.

Some of the Ground Branch players who suddenly no longer have access to the game launch have noticed that they have several pending items in the download queue that they simply did not bother to complete. This is why, when they clear the Steam Download cache, the Ground Branch error does not launch on PC finally disappears and they can launch it normally.

If you haven't already tried clearing your Steam download cache, please do so by following the instructions below and see if this ends up fixing your launch issue with Ground Branch:

  • Start by opening your Steam client and making sure you are logged in with the account that owns the Ground Branch.
  • Use the ribbon bar at the top of the screen and click on Steam.
  • In the context menu that just appeared, click on Configuration.
  • Once you are in the main Settings menu, select the tab Downloads in the vertical menu on the left.
  • Go to the right panel and click on Clear download cache (bottom of screen).
  • In the confirmation message, click Yes in the confirmation message to clear the locally stored cache.
  • Please log back in with your Steam account and launch Ground Branch again to see if the issue is now resolved.
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If you are still unable to launch the game even though you cleared the download cache, please move on to the next method below.

Enable the beta participation channel (if applicable)

Since the game is still in Early Access, it's helpful to make sure you're participating in the Steam Beta channel in case you run into issues launching Ground Branch.

Several affected users have confirmed that the game finally launched after they signed up for the Steam Beta opt-in channel and restarted the launcher.

Updated: Signing up for the Steam Beta opt-in channel is now a potential solution recommended by the developers at Ground Branch (BlackFoot Studios).

Here is a simple guide to help you sign up for the Steam Beta opt-in channel:

  • Start by opening Steam and making sure you are logged in with the account that owns the game.
  • Within the Steam main menu, use the ribbon bar at the top to click on Steam > Settings.
  • On the menu Configuration dedicated, click on the menu Account in the vertical menu on the right.
  • Next, move to the right panel and click on the button Change associate with Beta Participation.
  • Once you are inside the Beta Participation screen, change the dropdown menu from Beta participation in one of the active Beta channels. It doesn't matter which channel you choose.
  • Click on Accept To save the changes.
  • Restart your Steam client when prompted, confirm the transition to the Beta channel by following the update instructions.
  • Launch Ground Branch once more and see if you can get past the initial screen.

If this method was not applicable to your particular scenario, please scroll down to the final solution below.

Delete the HTTPChunkInstaller folder

If you've made it this far and none of the fixes you've tried so far have worked for you, the last thing you can try is to simply delete the HTTPChunkInstaller folder from Ground Branch.

Nota: This solution is likely to be effective if your Steam error logs contain the error “The plugin 'HTTPChunkInstaller' could not be loaded because "Could not find module 'HTTPChunkInstaller'."

This is a rather unconventional approach as it is removing a dependency from the game, but some of the community members who tested this solution confirmed that the game eventually launched without any issues. What's more, the HTTPChunkInstaller folder will be regenerated after the next successful launch.

To delete the folder HTTPChunkInstaller, use File Explorer to navigate to the following location:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\GroundBranch

  • Once you are inside the correct location, right click on HTTPChunkInstaller and click Delete in the context menu.

Nota: Before deleting this folder, make sure the game is not open and Steam is closed.

  • Once the folder is deleted, launch Steam and start Ground Branch once again to see if the issue is now resolved.

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