Bandicam Not Opening but Running in Task Manager — Fix for Windows 11/10

Quick Summary

• Start with admin privileges and security exceptions
• Check for graphics driver and overlay conflicts (Game Bar/Discord/Afterburner, etc.)
• Install/repair both Visual C++ 2015–2022 x86 and x64
• Test in Clean Boot or new user account to isolate the issue

Table of Contents

1. Common Causes of Bandicam Not Opening
2. Symptom-Based Comparison
3. Step-by-Step Solutions
4. Special Cases and Alternatives
5. Common Questions
6. Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
7. FAQ

Common Causes of Bandicam Not Opening

When you double-click Bandicam and nothing happens, or you only see the process in Task Manager without a visible window, several factors could be at play.

• Permission and Security Blocks: Insufficient admin rights, Windows Defender or antivirus blocking execution, or Controlled Folder Access (Ransomware Protection) terminating the program immediately.
• Graphics Driver and Overlay Conflicts: Corrupted GPU drivers or hook conflicts with GeForce Experience, Discord, Steam, MSI Afterburner (RivaTuner), Xbox Game Bar, Nahimic/Sonic Studio, Radeon/NVIDIA Overlay, and similar programs.
• Runtime Library Dependencies: Damaged Visual C++ Redistributable packages (.dll files) causing initialization failures.
• Corrupted Settings or Leftover Files: Remnants from previous versions or temporary cache files causing the program to freeze during startup.
• System Security Policies: Corporate or school PC policies (AppLocker, WDAC) restricting execution.

Symptom-Based Comparison

Symptom	Possible Cause	Immediate Solution to Try
No response after double-clicking	Security block / Corrupted runtime	Run as admin, add Defender exception, repair VC++
Process appears in Task Manager only	Overlay conflict / Corrupted settings	Close overlays, run Safe Mode, Clean Boot
Closes immediately after logo screen	Driver/hook conflict	Clean reinstall GPU driver, disable overlays
Fails only on specific user account	Profile permissions/path issue	Test with new local user, check permissions/policies

Step-by-Step Solutions (Follow in Order)

1. Run as Administrator — Right-click the Bandicam shortcut and select Run as administrator. If it works, go to Properties > Compatibility and check "Run this program as an administrator" for permanent admin privileges.
2. Add Security Exceptions — Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Exclusions, then add both the Bandicam installation folder and recording save folder. Do the same for any third-party antivirus software.
3. Close All Overlay Programs — Exit GeForce Experience, Discord, Steam, MSI Afterburner (RTSS), Overwolf, Xbox Game Bar, Nahimic/Sonic Studio, and the NVIDIA/Radeon overlays, then try launching again.
4. Launch Bandicam in Safe Mode — Open the installation folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\Bandicam) and run bdcam_safemode.exe. If it works in Safe Mode, you likely have a graphics driver or overlay conflict.
5. Force Close bdcam.exe in Task Manager — If the window doesn't appear but the process is running, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select bdcam.exe, and click End task to fully terminate it before relaunching.

   

   Selecting bdcam.exe in Task Manager and ending the task with End task

6. Clean Reinstall Graphics Driver — Uninstall via Device Manager, then reinstall the latest driver from the manufacturer's website. If problems persist, use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in Safe Mode for a complete removal before reinstalling.
7. Repair Visual C++ Redistributables — Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 (both x86 and x64), select each entry, click Modify, then Repair, and restart your PC.
8. .NET Framework and Windows Updates — (secondary) Install all cumulative updates and restart. (The main culprits are usually VC++/drivers/hook conflicts)
9. Clean Uninstall and Fresh Install Latest Version
   • Uninstall Bandicam from Control Panel
   • Press Win+R, type %LocalAppData%\Temp, and delete temporary files
   • Restart, then install the latest version from the official website to a new folder (don't overwrite)
10. Perform Clean Boot to Isolate the Issue — Press Win+R, type msconfig, check "Hide all Microsoft services," click "Disable all," disable startup programs, restart, and test Bandicam alone.
11. Test with New Local User Account — Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, create a new account, and test there. If it works, your original profile may be corrupted or have permission issues.
12. Check Event Viewer Logs — Press Win+X, open Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application, and look for errors. If Faulting module repeatedly shows d3d11.dll, nvwgf2umx.dll, RTSSHooks64.dll, etc., suspect graphics driver/overlay conflicts first.

Important Note — If Controlled Folder Access (Ransomware Protection) is enabled, it may block initial settings and log file creation, causing the program to close immediately without error messages. Temporarily disable it in Windows Security > Ransomware protection, or add Bandicam and its save folders to the allowed list.

Special Cases and Alternatives

When Organizational (Corporate/School) Security Policies Block Execution

Organizational policies (AppLocker/WDAC) may prohibit execution. Contact your IT administrator, explain your legitimate use case, and request permission to run the software.

Repeated Crashes Even in Clean Boot/Safe Mode

System file corruption is likely. Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. If the issue persists, consider a Windows In-Place Upgrade to restore system components (keeps personal files and apps).

Installer and OS Bitness Note

The current Bandicam installer targets 64-bit Windows (7/8/10/11). For 32-bit Windows, use the legacy build from the official site.

Warning — Avoid indiscriminate use of "registry cleaner" tools, as they can damage hook configurations and may even cause boot failures or login loops.

Common Questions

The process appears in Task Manager but no window opens. Where should I start?

Close all overlays → try Safe Mode launch → run as admin → add Defender exception → perform Clean Boot. Following this sequence will reveal the cause in most cases.

Will reinstalling the program fix the issue?

Not if the problem is runtime/driver/policy related. You need to install/repair Visual C++ (both x86 and x64) and perform a clean driver reinstall alongside the program reinstall.

Do I really need to disable game/Discord overlays?

Recording software uses screen hooking. Multiple hooking layers can cause initialization failures, so disabling all overlays during diagnosis is standard troubleshooting practice.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist (5-Step Summary)

• Run as administrator + add security exceptions
• Close all overlays (Game Bar/Discord/RTSS, etc.)
• Launch in Safe Mode to identify conflict source
• Clean reinstall GPU drivers
• Install/repair Visual C++ 2015–2022 x86 and x64

Following these 5 steps in order will diagnose and resolve most Bandicam launch issues.

FAQ

Can I fix this without a Windows repair install?

Most cases are resolved through the combination of admin privileges, security exceptions, closing overlays, installing/repairing Visual C++ (x86 and x64), and reinstalling drivers. If Event Viewer shows repeated .dll loading failures, prioritize runtime repair.

Will my recording files or settings be deleted during reinstall?

Standard reinstalls and cache cleanup don't delete recording files. However, if you're using a custom save folder, backing up is recommended just in case.

What if it still doesn't work in Clean Boot/Safe Mode?

System file corruption is highly likely. Run sfc /scannow and DISM repair. If the problem persists, consider an In-Place Upgrade to restore system components.

References

• Official Bandicam Download Page
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable Official Page