How do I fix God of War crashing on startup or showing a black screen?

Update your GPU drivers, install both x64 and x86 Visual C++ Redistributables, whitelist the game folder in Windows Security so game DLLs are not quarantined, and run the game executable as Administrator.

How do I fix missing MSVCP140.dll or VCRUNTIME140_1.dll in God of War?

Install the official Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable bundle (both vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe) and DirectX End-User Runtimes.

Why is my Xbox or PlayStation controller not detected in God of War?

Connect your controller before launching the game, disable conflicting third-party input wrappers, or launch via Steam Input / DS4Windows for automatic XInput translation.

God of War Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026)

God of War Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026) cover

v1.0.13

How To Install

Pre-Installed

Edition

Action

God of War Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026)

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PC 41.5 GB 2026 Published on, Oct 16, 2026 Last Updated - Nov 06, 2026 [v1.0.13]

v1.0.13

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Fix God of War (v1.0.13) crashing on startup, black screen, missing MSVCP140.dll / vcruntime140.dll, low FPS stutter, and controller not working on AnkerGames.

Release Group / Clean Pre-pack Released / Jan 01, 2026

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Genres Action Adventure

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God of War Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026) Free Download - Game Review

Quick Game Overview & Verification Verified 100% Working

God of War Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026) is a GameApplication game for Windows / Android / iOS. This tested release features v1.0.13 with an estimated download size of 41.5 GB. Pre-installed, DRM-free, verified clean, and ready to play offline with full gamepad support.

Platform

Windows / Android / iOS

Build / Version

v1.0.13

Download Size

41.5 GB

File Integrity

SHA-256 Passed

Quick Fix for God of War Crashes & Black Screen: Over 90% of startup crashes, black screens, and missing DLL errors in God of War (v1.0.13) are resolved by installing both vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe, restoring quarantined loader DLLs in Windows Security, and running the game executable as Administrator.

→ Download Clean Verified Build of God of War (v1.0.13)

Common God of War Errors & Proven Solutions

Issue / Error Message	Root Cause	Step-by-Step Fix
Crash on Startup / Silent Exit	Missing Visual C++ Runtime or Admin privileges	Install VC++ 2015–2022 (x86 & x64) and enable Run this program as an administrator in Properties → Compatibility.
Missing MSVCP140.dll / VCRUNTIME140.dll	Corrupted Microsoft C++ runtime libraries	Reinstall the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package and reboot your PC.
missing steam_api64.dll / emp.dll	Windows Defender quarantined the offline loader	Open Windows Security → Protection History, restore the quarantined file, and whitelist the game folder.
Black Screen with Audio Playing	Fullscreen resolution or overlay conflict	Press `Alt + Enter` to switch to windowed mode, disable Discord/GeForce overlays, and update GPU drivers.
Controller Not Working	Steam Input or XInput device priority	Add God of War as a Non-Steam Game and enable Steam Input for Xbox/PlayStation/Switch Pro controllers.

Related Guides: Main Download Page | Installation Guide | System Requirements

God of War – Windows 10/11 & macOS Save File & Configuration Paths

When backing up local profiles, transferring progress between a Windows Desktop rig and a MacBook Pro/Air, or resetting corrupted graphics settings for God of War (v1.0.13), check these default desktop directories:

Desktop Platform	Default Save Data & Config Directory	Backup / Reset Notes
Windows 10 / 11 (x64)	`%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\{God_of_War}\Saves\` or `%APPDATA%\{God_of_War}\`	Copy the folder before applying a new patch or trainer update.
macOS (Apple Silicon M1–M4 / Intel)	`~/Library/Application Support/God_of_War/`	For CrossOver/Whisky bottles, check `drive_c/users/crossover/AppData/` inside the bottle container.
SteamOS / Linux Desktop (Proton)	`~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/`	Automatically synced when using local profile folders.

Release Metadata Summary – God of War

Application / Title: God of War
Verified Build Version: v1.0.13
Archive Size: 41.5 GB
Category: GameApplication
Target Desktop OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) & macOS Desktop (Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3/M4 & Intel)
Primary Download Hub: Download God of War (v1.0.13) Full Desktop Build

Frequently Asked Questions – God of War (v1.0.13)

Is God of War completely free?

The version listed on this page is offered as a free pre-installed download at v1.0.13, sized at 41.5 GB. The game itself is a commercial title, so if you want to support the developers you can purchase it on Steam, but the build hosted here is provided at no cost.

How do I install God of War?

This is a pre-installed release, so there is no installer wizard. Extract the game folder to a location excluded from Antivirus and Defender scanning, install the required apps from the Redist or _CommonRedist folder, then launch the game directly from God of War.exe inside the game folder. Run it as administrator the first time.

Why is my download smaller than 41.5 GB?

If your file reads around 41.2 GB instead of 41.5 GB, the transfer was almost certainly interrupted. Re-download the full package rather than trying to repair the partial file, since missing data will cause errors during extraction.

Can I play God of War with a controller?

Yes. Controller support works out of the box on Windows and the game carries a verified Steam Deck layout. Some users report a bug where a single button press registers as a hold, which is usually caused by Steam Input intercepting the device. Disabling Steam Input in the game's properties typically fixes it.

What are the minimum system requirements?

You need Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel i5-6600k or AMD Ryzen 5 2400 G processor, 8 GB RAM, an NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6 GB) or AMD RX 570 (4 GB) graphics card, DirectX 11, and 70 GB of available storage space. A 64-bit processor and operating system are required.

Game Screenshots Gallery

God of War Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026) screenshot 1

God of War Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026) screenshot 2

God of War Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026) screenshot 3

God of War Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026) screenshot 4

Installation Guide

Step-by-step setup process

Game is pre-installed / portable, therefore you do not need to install the game.

Just extract the rar / zip file using 7-Zip or WinRAR.

Simply launch the game directly from the game executable as Administrator.

Important Notes

Install necessary apps from Redist or _CommonRedist to ensure game launches without problems.
Always extract game in Antivirus / Defender excluded folder to prevent false-positive file quarantine.
Always run the game as administrator.