Overwatch 2 Stuck on Initializing? Fixed

When trying to install Overwatch 2 or an update for the game, there's a chance it might get stuck on initializing. In this scenario, players won't be able to play the game at all, which can be infuriating. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways players can get rid of this issue in order to complete the download.

Now, there are multiple things you have to do if you want to get to the root cause of this specific Overwatch 2 issue. These things include simply restarting the game, disabling your antivirus, and using the built in scan and repair tool of Blizzard. If none of this works then the last thing to do is to uninstall and then reinstall Overwatch 2.

We'll be going through all the potential fixes for your Overwatch 2 being stuck on initializing.

Restart the Game

Hey, we can't forget the one solution that seems to work no matter the issue, now can we? Sometimes, all it takes to get rid of an issue like a download being stuck on initializing or the rank being invisible is to simply restart the client.

To take things to the next level, we recommend that when you're relaunching Overwatch 2, you run the game as an administrator. This way, even if the issue is being caused because of the game not having the required permissions, running as administrator will bypass those said restrictions.

To run Overwatch 2 as admin, simply right click the widget on your desktop and select run as administrator. Alternatively, if you don't have the widget, you can simply search for Overwatch 2 after pressing the Windows key and running the game as administrator from there.

Pause and Unpause Download

For some reason, one very common but lesser known fix for this specific initializing problem is, well, simply pausing and unpausing. Basically, what you have to do is wait for the download for the update to get stuck. You'll know it's stuck when all the assets will have downloaded, but the initializing percentage will not go over 0%.

When this happens, you want to go to Blizzard's download manager. Now, the only download in progress should be Overwatch 2's update. However, you still want to click on 'pause all' and then 'unpause all'. As soon as you click on unpause, the download should finish initializing.

Disable Your Antivirus

The next thing you want to do is disable all security programs that might potentially cause issues for your download. These programs include antiviruses and firewalls as they may mistakenly identify the login module as a security threat and prevent it from progressing. Consider updating or temporarily uninstalling any security programs and see if that resolves the issue.

Now, one rather convenient way of doing this is by simply booting your device with Selective Startup. This essentially closes out background processes and all non-Microsoft services that could potentially be messing with your download. To do this:

1. Press Windows Key+R.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
3. Select Selective Startup and uncheck 'Load startup items'.
4. Select the Services tab.
5. Check Hide all Microsoft services.
6. Click Disable all.
7. Click Apply then click OK.
8. Click Restart.

With your platform restarted, all that's left to do is to launch the Blizzard client once more and you should be able to get past the initializing stage with no problem.

Change Your Region

Sometimes, the specific region you're playing the game in might be causing issues when trying to download or install any update. This can also lead to issues like you not being able to buy coins in Overwatch 2 To change the region: 

1. Open Battle.net and select "Overwatch 2".
2. Click on the globe icon.
3. Change to a different region (e.g. from Asia to the Americas).
4. Pause the update and start it again.
5. Update the Overwatch 2 again.

With this, hopefully, the download should go from 0% straight to 100% and you should be able to initialize the download without any problems.

User Blizzard's Build in Scan and Repair Tool

If you aren't able to find the reason for this issue, then why not have the creators look into it for you? That's right, the blizzard launcher actually has a built in scan and repair tool that should be good if there's an issue with your game's files or software.

To do this:

1. First, launch the Blizzard client
2. Then, interact with Overwatch 2, and below the play button will be a small gear icon.
3. Click the gear icon to bring a pop up menu which will have the scan and repair option

With the scan and repair in process, you simply have to wait a while as the client does all the heavy lifting for you. When the process completes, try installing the download one more and this time there shouldn't be any issue.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Game

If nothing so far has worked for you, then unfortunately, you might have to uninstall Overwatch 2 and then reinstall it. Of course, this should be a last resort as reinstalling a game like Overwatch 2 can potentially take a while depending on how fast or slow your internet connection is.

To uninstall Overwatch 2:

1. Open the Battle.net app on your PC.
2. Navigate to the Library tab and look for Overwatch 2.
3. Once you locate it, click on Settings, and choose 'Uninstall Overwatch 2.'
4. Wait for the uninstallation process of Overwatch 2 to end.

With the uninstallation process completed, all that's left to do is to install the game again by selecting Overwatch 2 from the Battle.net app and clicking install. Wait for the installation to be complete, and you should be able to initialize updates without any issues now.