Published by Embark Studios, THE FINALS, a free first-person shooter game has just been released and is now available on all supported platforms. While there have been mixed reviews about the game, one thing for sure is the performance errors. Amongst others is the Fatal Error, which appears while trying to download THE FINALS game on Steam. For a recently published title, it can be worrisome as many of you might want to try it out. Worry not, as we will guide you on how to fix the error.
THE FINALS Fatal Download Error on Steam: Causes and Fixes
As the beta testing phase for The Finals is closed now, players are eager to experience it. As per complaints raised by users, whenever they launch the game, Downloading Failed, Fatal Error pop-up appears on their screen or it just turns black. Now there can be multiple reasons why this error might trigger, such as:
- Corrupt Game Files
- Network Issues
- Interference caused by Overlays
- Outdated GPU drivers
- Overclocking
Quick Answer
Relink your Steam account from Embark Studios to fix the error.
1. Visit the Embark Studios website and Log in to your Embark Studios account.
2. In the account settings or profile section, click on Connected platforms, followed by UNLINK next to Steam.
3. Type UNLINK and click on CONFIRM.
4. Open Steam, launch the game, and relink it to your newly created Embark ID.
Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Solutions
Firstly, we will start with some basic solutions that might effectively and easily fix the error.
Run Finals as Administrator: Games, especially on platforms like Steam, often use anti-cheat systems to ensure fair play, which might require elevated privileges to function correctly. So you can run the client as an administrator. Right-click on the Steam shortcut on Desktop and choose Run as administrator.
Close Background Applications: Closing unnecessary background applications and programs can optimize resources, prevent conflicts, and ensure a smoother gaming experience with a reduced risk of fatal errors.
Fix Internet Connectivity: Fatal Error, particularly with a Downloading Failed message, could be linked to network-related problems. You must fix the network connectivity on the device. Refer to our guide on How to Increase Internet Speed in Windows 11 for more help.
Method 2: Verify Game Files
Incomplete downloads, unexpected shutdowns, or disk errors could affect the game installation files as well. You can verify the files to fix such errors caused by corrupt data.
1. Launch the Steam client, move to the LIBRARY tab, and right-click on THE FINALS game.
2. Select Properties from the context menu and in the LOCAL FILES tab, click on the Verify integrity of game files… button.
3. Restart both Steam and THE FINALS again.
Method 3: Use DirectX 11 Launch Option
Even though DirectX 12 is compatible and smoothly handles modern-day titles, occasionally there could be issues that could cause the fatal error in THE FINALS on Steam. In such cases, we suggest you force the client to launch using DirectX 11.
1. Open Steam, go to your LIBRARY and right-click on THE FINALS game.
2. Select Properties from the context menu, navigate to the GENERAL tab, and in the LAUNCH OPTIONS text field, set the command to -dx11.
You can also try other launch options such as: -d3d11, -force-d3d11, -windowed -d3d11, and -dx12.
Also Read: 11 Popular Steam Games of All Time
Method 4: Unlink and Relink Steam
Game progress or profile data corruption can occur in certain cases, leading to fatal errors. Unlinking and relinking your Steam account with Embark Studios allows you to start with a fresh connection and a new Embark ID.
Note: Unlinking Steam will permanently delete your Embark account, meaning you’ll lose all of your game progress.
1. Visit the Embark Studios website and Log in to your Embark Studios account with Steam.
2. Navigate to the account settings or profile section in the top-right corner.
3. On the left side, click on Connected platforms and then click on the UNLINK option next to Steam.
4. Type UNLINK and click on CONFIRM.
5. Go back to the Steam client, launch the game, and relink it to your newly created Embark ID.
Method 5: Disable Overclocking
While overclocking can improve the system performance to its maximum limit, it can also lead to unexpected errors in the game. So, if you have enabled overclocking on the PC, disable it. Refer to our guide on 8 Ways To Fix System Clock Runs Fast Issue.
Moreover, if you have any overclocking software such as MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, or any other application, uninstall them completely.
Method 6: Disable Conflicting Overlays and Uninstall RGB Software
Overlays also sometimes interfere with the game downloading process or cause it to crash, leaving a black screen behind. Disabling it can minimize the risk of the discussed error. Refer to our guides on How to Disable Steam Overlay in Windows 10 and How to Disable Discord Overlay.
Even if other overlays such as GeForce Experience, Nvidia Shadow Play overlay, and AMD overlay are running in the background, close them.
Similarly, you must disable or uninstall third-party RGB software such as Fusion 2.0, Razer Synapse, MSI Dragon Center, and others.
Method 7: Disable Full Screen Optimization and Compatibility Mode
Full-screen optimization prioritizes the use of the CPU and GPU for the game and aims to improve its experience on Windows. However, sometimes that could cause the fatal error as well.
1. Right-click on the Steam shortcut and select Properties from the context menu.
2. In the Compatibility tab, uncheck the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode for and check the box next to Disable fullscreen optimizations.
3. Click Apply and then OK.
Also Read: How Much Does Steam Charge to Sell a Game?
Method 8: Clear Corrupt Steam Files
Steam saves temporary files over time, which might get corrupt or damaged. It can lead to the discussed fatal download error on Steam and to fix it, we can remove the files.
Clear Steam Web Browser Data
1. Open Steam, click on Steam at the top left corner and choose Settings.
2. In the In Game tab, click on Delete next to Delete Web Browser Data.
Delete Steam Downloads Cache
1. In the Settings menu on Steam, move to the Downloads tab.
2. Click on Clear Cache next to Clear Download Cache.
Method 9: Update Steam, then Windows
Fatal errors in THE FINALS can occur if the Steam client app is outdated or the Windows OS isn’t compatible with running the game. Hence, you must update both.
1. Open Steam, click on Steam at the top left corner, followed by Check for Steam Client Updates…
2. Wait until Steam checks for available updates. Download and Install it.
3. Finally Update Windows and Restart the PC.
Method 10: Update GPU Drivers
Graphics drivers are designed to provide better compatibility and performance for specific games. If updating Windows does not work, you can try updating your Graphics driver, as it is more game-centric. Follow our guide on How to Update Graphics Drivers in Windows 11.
Method 11: Allow Steam through Firewall
In THE FINALS, the discussed fatal error could result from failed communication attempts between the game, Easy AntiCheat, and the game servers. That could be if the connection is blocked by Windows Firewall. You can add Steam as an exception by following the steps given in our guide on How to Block or Unblock Programs In Windows Defender Firewall.
Method 12: Reinstall Steam
Lastly, if none of the above methods worked, the last option remaining is to reinstall Steam entirely. Doing so resets its registry entries and configuration settings to default, which can be particularly helpful if there are conflicts or misconfiguration. Make sure to create a backup of your Steam games.
1. Open the Control Panel and select Uninstall a program under Programs.
2. Right-click on Steam and select Uninstall.
3. Select YES in the UAC prompt to confirm.
4. Visit Steam’s official website and click on INSTALL STEAM.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions and once installed, Log In to your account and try downloading the game.
We hope this guide helped you fix THE FINALS Fatal Download Error on Steam. If you have any queries or suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Stay tuned to TechCult for solutions to such game-related errors.
