The game won't start / crashes at start-up

If your game client is crashing at start-up, it’s typically due to a few common causes.

These steps are the result of multiple feedbacks from the community. If you come up with another solution, please mention it in the comments.

• [Solution A] DirectX 12 only : When NZXT CAM (ver 4.2.x) software is running, Hitman 2 freezes at start with a black screen and crashes in DirectX 12 mode with 0x80000003 error code. You have to update NZXT CAM software to version 4.5.0 or above in order to play Hitman 2.
  Official blog post[blog.nzxt.com].

• [Solution B] DirectX 12 only : When your shader cache is corrupted (after a BSOD for example), game won't start and crashes with 0x80000003 or 0xc0000005 error code. Remove the following file :
  C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Local\IO Interactive\HITMAN2\ShaderCache.bin
  
  The game will generate a new one. If this file doesn't exist, make sure the game can create it. Hitman 2 cannot start in DirectX 12 mode without this file.

• [Solution C] Press "ENTER" screen crash only : Your steam saves may be corrupted. Rename the folder 863550 here :
  C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\XXXXXXX\863550
  
  Then disable Steam Cloud Sync (right-click on Hitman -> Properties -> Updates -> Enable Cloud Sync (uncheck this)), launch the game, press enter, close the game, and enable Steam Cloud Sync. You can safely remove your saves because all your progression is stored on IOI's servers.

• [Solution D] Both launcher options and game crash : If you've ever had a Razer device or software on your computer, follow this guide to fix that :

  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1990770504&searchtext=Razer

  • Or follow Blizzard's Technical Support guidelines (made for Overwatch but applies for Hitman 2 too). https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/known-technical-support-issues-updated-april-12-2020/25/16

  • Or uninstall Razer Chroma SDK from your computer and remove Chroma DLLs :
    - C:\Windows\System32\RzChromaSDK64.dll
    - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\RzChromaSDK.dll
    - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\RzAPIChromaSDK.dll
  
  
• [Solution E] New York map loading crash only : Lowering the graphics settings because your computer can't handle them properly on this map. Then remove the following file if you use DX12 :
  C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Local\IO Interactive\HITMAN2\ShaderCache.bin
  
  Then restart your computer, that should do it. This technique can work on other maps, but the most common one reported by community feedbacks is New York.

• [Solution F] Use Windowed or Fullscreen mode, not Exclusive Fullscreen in launcher settings.

• [Solution G] Close any application that can lead to instability like MSI Afterburner, EVGA Precision...etc.

• [Solution H] Close any application that add an overlay like StreamLabs OBS, Discord...etc

• [Solution I] Add Hitman's EXEs into your antivirus solution whitelist or disable it completely.

• [Solution J] Use Display Driver Uninstaller[www.guru3d.com] (DDU) to completely uninstall AMD/NVIDIA graphics card drivers and tools like NVIDIA GeForce Experience. Then install the latest drivers.

• [Solution K] Disable Nvidia Ansel using :
  C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\Ansel\Tools\NvCameraConfiguration.exe
  
  
• [Solution L] Try either DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 in the launcher settings.

• [Solution M] Reinstall the game entirely.