Alex Ruben
How To Fix The Last of Us Part I Not Launching in 2025 with FitGirl Repack
If The Last of Us Part I from FitGirl Repack refuses to start or keeps crashing right after hitting that play button, you’re probably stuck in some weird startup limbo. It’s annoying, because the game files might be missing, corrupted, or maybe antivirus software is interfering — you know, the usual suspects. This guide is a bit of a patchwork to help get that game running again without uninstalling and reinstalling over and over. After following these steps, there’s a good chance you’ll finally be able to jump into the story without tears.
How to Fix The Last of Us Part I Launch Problems
Check for Missing Files — Especially steam_api64.dll
This is kinda weird, but missing some critical DLL files — specifically steam_api64.dll — can cause launch issues. Sometimes, the repack doesn’t include all the necessary files or they get corrupted. Here’s what to do:
- Navigate to your game install folder (probably under Program Files or wherever you chose to put it).
- Look for the
steam_api64.dllfile. If it’s not there, that’s likely the culprit. - Since you’ll need a replacement, you might have to get it from a reliable source. The simplest way is to download the Goldberg Emulator. Yeah, weird name, but it’s a common fix for non-legit copies, and it includes the DLL you need.
On some setups, this might seem to do nothing at first, but hey — worth checking before messing with more complex stuff.
Download and Extract the Goldberg Emulator
This is kinda sketchy, but on one install it worked, on another… not so much. The emulator provides the missing DLLs and helps bypass some launch restrictions.
- Head over to the Goldberg Emulator site and grab the latest build.
- Once downloaded, go to your Downloads folder and right-click the zip.
- Select Extract All and unzip it to a temporary folder.
Copy the Necessary DLL Files
Now, this part is kind of touchy. Open the extracted folder, find the DLLs like steam_api64.dll, and copy them. These files are often the key to getting the game to launch, especially if it crashes at startup with errors related to missing DLLs.
Paste Files into the Game Folder
Next, you gotta put these DLLs where the game can find them:
- Right-click the game’s shortcut and select Open File Location. If you don’t see this option directly, right-click the icon and choose Properties then look for the Target or Open File Location.
- Drop the DLL files into this folder.
Because Windows loves to make this harder than it needs, sometimes you need to run the game as admin or double-check if the files copied properly.
Launch the Game and Check for Antivirus Blocks
This step is a gamble — if your antivirus thinks DLLs are malware, it might quarantine or block them. The game may launch fine if the DLLs aren’t flagged, but otherwise, it won’t open at all. Here’s what to do:
- Temporarily disable your antivirus software — just for testing. Don’t forget to turn it back on afterward.
- Whitelisted the game folder (usually in your Exceptions or Allow List in your antivirus settings).
- Try launching again, and see if it works.
On some machines, the antivirus is the main reason the game refuses to load. Because of course, Windows has to make everything more complicated.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting
Other things that might help: update your graphic card drivers (especially the newest one), verify game files if you’re using any launcher (like Steam), and check if there’s an update for the Goldberg Emulator — sometimes an older version causes issues. Also, make sure your Windows is up to date. It’s like giving the game the best chance to run smoothly.
Wrap-up
These steps often fix the most common startup headaches with The Last of Us Part I from a repack. The DLL thing is kinda typical with cracked or repacked games, so don’t be surprised if installing missing files or whitelisting them solves your problem. If not, it’s worth poking around support forums or Reddit — sometimes specific issues crop up with different hardware setups. Good luck, and happy gaming!
Summary
- Check if
steam_api64.dllis missing in your install folder. - Download the Goldberg Emulator from their official site.
- Extract and copy DLL files into your game folder.
- Whitelist game files in your antivirus, or disable it temporarily.
- Launch and see if it sticks.