So I just picked up FIFA 24 yesterday, super stoked to jump in. Figured since I’ve done this dance before, it’d be smooth. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t always.
The Hype Before the Install
Opened my laptop, fired up the EA app. Account was already logged in. Searched for FIFA 24, clicked the big shiny Pre-Order button I’d hit months ago. Saw it changed to Install. Heart did a little happy dance. Smacked that install button like it owed me money.
Where It Got Stupid
Progress bar crawled. Like, molasses-in-January slow. Thought maybe my Wi-Fi was sulking. Restarted the router. Still slow. Restarted the EA app. Same deal. Then remembered the golden rule: PC users, restart your PC before big installs! Why did I forget? Who knows. Restarted the whole dang machine. Boom, install speed picked up like magic. Shoulda done that first.
Install finishes. Launched the game straight away. Big mistake. Got hit with this message straight off: “Failed to start game. Please try again later.” Panic mode, slightly. Tried launching three more times. Same stupid error.
The “Aha!” Moment (And Facepalm)
Took a breath. Closed the EA app entirely. Actually ended the task in Task Manager, just to be sure. Launched the EA app again. Opened FIFA 24. Boom. Splash screen. Welcome to FIFA 24. Felt like an idiot, but also relieved.
Then it hit me: Regional Settings. My EA account is based in… let’s say, Region A. But my PC’s system region was accidentally set to Region B after a recent update. FIFA checks that stuff! Went into Windows settings:
- Control Panel
- Clock and Region
- Region Settings
- Switched back to match my EA account region perfectly.
- Restarted PC again (just to be safe).
Launched FIFA 24. This time, zero hiccups.
Files and Drivers Matter
Game started! Awesome. Created my manager profile, started setting up… then noticed some slight graphics weirdness during a cutscene. Texture flicker. Annoying. Instinct kicked in:
- Updated graphics drivers right away. Nvidia GeForce Experience. Hit ‘update’.
- While that downloaded (slowly…), went into the EA app.
- FIFA 24 -> Manage -> Repair Game. Let it run.
After both those finished? Game ran smooth as butter. No more glitches.
Stuff That Tripped Me Up (So You Don’t)
Look, it’s basic crap, but we mess it up:
- Restart PC after Install: Don’t be lazy. Just do it.
- Close EA App / Restart it: If launch fails. Force close it first!
- Region Settings MUST match: EA account region & PC system region. Check both!
- Update Graphics Drivers Before Playing: Seriously. Just do it ahead of time.
- Repair Game Files: If anything looks weird after launch or driver updates. Quick fix.
Wasted a good 45 minutes figuring this out yesterday. Hopefully, this saves you the headache. FIFA’s fun, but man, getting in the door can be a fight sometimes. Just remember: restart, repair, drivers, region. You’ll get there!
