How to Fix Hearthstone error starting your game message

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-07-14 10:43:10
Blizzard's popular card battler, Hearthstone, continues to release new expansions and seasonal updates, keeping its player base engaged. However, like many online games, it's not without its technical glitches. If you're encountering the frustrating "There was an error starting your game" message, preventing you from jumping into matches, rest assured you're not alone. Many players have reported this issue on Blizzard support forums and Reddit. This article will share proven workarounds to help you resolve this problem.

Fix Hearthstone error starting your game message

This error often indicates issues with specific deck data, application permissions, or corrupted game files. Here's a breakdown of the most effective solutions:

1. Rebuild Your Deck 🃏

This is frequently cited as the most effective solution, particularly if the error started appearing after importing a deck code or if you suspect a specific deck is problematic. Occasionally, the internal data of a deck can become corrupted or misaligned, preventing the game from recognizing it as a valid deck for play.Steps to Rebuild Your Deck:
  • Access your Hearthstone collection within the game.
  • Locate the deck that is consistently causing the "Error starting your game" message.
  • Copy the deck: Click on the deck's portrait (the image representing the deck), then select the "Copy" option. This action copies the deck's unique code to your clipboard.
  • Delete the original, problematic deck.
  • Create a new deck and paste the copied code to rebuild it. The game will automatically recreate the deck with the same cards.
  • This process essentially creates a fresh, uncorrupted version of your deck, which often resolves the issue. If the error persists, proceed to the other troubleshooting steps below.

    2. Run Hearthstone and Battle.net as Administrator ⚙️

    Permission issues on your operating system can prevent the game or its launcher from accessing necessary files or making proper connections, leading to errors. Running them with administrative privileges can bypass these restrictions.Steps to Run as Administrator:
  • Locate the Battle.net application shortcut on your desktop or in your Start Menu.
  • Right-click on the shortcut.
  • Select "Run as administrator" from the context menu.
  • You can also perform this step directly for the Hearthstone game executable itself, usually found in the game's installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Hearthstone\Hearthstone.exe).
  • After launching with administrator rights, attempt to play a game.
  • 3. Configure Security Software 🛡️

    Firewall and antivirus programs are designed to protect yourcomputer, but they can sometimes mistakenly block legitimate gameprocesses from connecting to the internet or accessing local files theyrequire.

    Steps to Configure Security Software:

  • Add Hearthstone and the Battle.net application as exceptions (or "whitelist" them) in your antivirus and firewall software. The exact steps vary depending on your specific security software, butgenerally involve going into the software's settings, looking for asection like "Exclusions," "Allowed Apps," or "Firewall Rules," andadding the executable files for both Battle.net and Hearthstone.

    • Battle.net executable: Typically found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Battle.net\Battle.net.exe
    • Hearthstone executable: Typically found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Hearthstone\Hearthstone.exe
  • Temporarily disable your security software to see if it's the source of the problem. If the game starts working after disabling it, you've found the culprit. Crucially, remember to re-enable your security software immediately afterward to ensure your system remains protected.
  • 4. Scan and Repair Hearthstone Game Files 🛠️

    Corrupted or missing game files are a common cause of launching issues. TheBattle.net client includes a built-in tool specifically designed tovalidate and repair these kinds of problems.

    Steps to Scan and Repair:

  • Open your Battle.net client.
  • From the left-hand navigation pane, select the Hearthstone game tab.
  • Click on the gear icon (⚙️) next to the "Play" button.
  • From the dropdown menu, select "Scan and Repair."
  • Allow the tool to complete its job. This process will check all game filesand automatically download and replace any that are found to be missingor corrupted.
  • Once the scan and repair is finished, restart the Battle.net client and try to play a game.
  • By systematically working through these solutions, you should be able toidentify and fix the "There was an error starting your game" issue in Hearthstone and get back to battling!

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