Brave won't open on Windows 11

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1

I recently built a new PC and downloaded Brave but whenever I try to open Brave a window very briefly pops up and then closes and I am not able to open Brave. I have restarted the PC and every other app I download works except for Brave.

The Brave version is 131.1.73.104 and I am running the most up to date Windows 11.

1 Like
2

My usual boilerplate - hit it with a hammer - suggestions:

Notice the BraveSoftware folder in the following path:

  • %LOCALAPPDATA%\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Default

Exit / Quit everything.

Move that folder to the Desktop.

Restart the Windows OS machine.

Change the path within the Brave Browser shortcut on your computer’s Desktop, to include switches that are intended to:

  • Start up Brave Browser, showing a New Private Window
  • Disable all experiments at brave://flags
  • Disable extensions
  • Disable GPU ie disable Hardware Acceleration
  • Enable leak detection and if that failure occurs, then crash the browser (–enable-leak-detection --crash-on-failure are a combo)
  • Produce error/log output to a file named ‘brave_console_out.txt’ on the Windows OS Desktop

The Brave Browser executable, brave.exe, is located in one of:

64 architecture

  • "C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe"

x86 architecture

  • "C:\Program Files(x86)\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe""

Changed Paths:

64 architecture (change the path to):

"C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe" --incognito --no-experiments --disable-extensions --disable-gpu --enable-leak-detection --crash-on-failure 2> %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\brave_console_out.txt

x86 architecture (note the switches to add):

"C:\Program Files(x86)\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe" --incognito --no-experiments --disable-extensions --disable-gpu --enable-leak-detection --crash-on-failure 2> %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\brave_console_out.txt

Notice that the existing path, BEFORE the additions, is enclosed by double-quote marks. And, everything added to the existing path, is located after the existing path.

Here, hoping that Brave Browser runs. It will create a new “BraveSoftware” folder in the aforementioned path.

When you think appropriate, restore the Brave Browser shortcut . . .

64 architecture

  • "C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe"

x86 architecture

  • "C:\Program Files(x86)\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe"
3

Try these troubleshooting steps:

  1. Run as Administrator: Right-click the Brave shortcut and select “Run as Administrator.”
  2. Reinstall Brave: Uninstall and then reinstall the latest version of Brave to ensure no files are corrupted.
  3. Check Antivirus/Firewall: Ensure that your antivirus or firewall isn’t blocking Brave.
  4. Check for System Updates: Make sure your Windows 11 system is fully updated.
  5. Clear Cache or Profile: Try launching Brave in a new user profile or clear its cache if possible.

If the issue persists, you might want to check Brave’s support or logs for more specific errors.

4

I moved the BraveSoftware folder to desktop, changed the path within the shortcut and I’m still having the same issue. Brave will very breifly open and then close right away.

The only fix I’ve found to work is if I change the name of the Brave.exe file. For example, I changed to Brave1.exe and now it lets me open Brave. However now the shortcut and .exe icon have gone away. Is there any way to fix this?

5

Suggest that you study:

Brave does not launches, even after deleting User Data - #39 by clifton

and from there, on down that page, for ideas on what to do.

In particular, the Brave team member who would be interested in your crash data and logs, seems to be @szilardszaloki - as you will see in your reading that page.

Also, the following might eventually work:

https://support.brave.com/hc/en-us/articles/22281484910221-How-do-I-manually-submit-crash-reports

And, you should have a file, now, on your Desktop:

“brave_console_out.txt”