How to Fix Google Earth Not Launching on Windows?

Google Earth fails to open when the launch sequence breaks during initialization. You may click the icon, see the process start in Task Manager, then nothing renders, the window freezes, crashes on launch, or shows a black screen.

Prerequisites: Update your GPU drivers first and confirm your device supports DirectX 11 or OpenGL 2.0. Driver updates frequently resolve black screen, freeze, and instant crash at launch.

This can be caused by:

• Graphics driver or API issues: Outdated or faulty GPU drivers block OpenGL initialization, which leads to black screen, instant crash, or a stuck splash phase.
• Corrupted app data: Damaged preferences or cache in the user profile stops the app from completing early checks that occur before the window is shown.
• Broken launch path: A desktop shortcut that points to an invalid location prevents Windows from loading the correct executable.
• VPN or proxy interference: Network filtering can delay or block early service calls during startup, which can stall or abort the session.
• Window placement errors: After a display layout change, the window can open off screen with valid process activity but no visible UI.

Now that you know the issue and its likely causes, follow the steps below to fix it. 

1. Open Google Earth Using Search Bar

Launching Google Earth from the Windows search bar avoids broken desktop shortcuts and ensures Windows runs the executable from the correct installation folder. It bypasses a corrupt or stale shortcut target and calls the executable from the installation folder. If this resolves the issue, create a fresh desktop shortcut from the running app.

1. Press Win + S, type Google Earth, then select Open.

2. Disable VPN or Proxy

VPN or proxy services can interrupt a stable connection to Google Earth servers, which prevents the app from launching correctly or loading maps. Disabling the VPN on your computer allows the app to connect normally.

1. Open your VPN client.
2. If the VPN is enabled, click Disconnect to turn it off.
3. Restart the computer, then relaunch Google Earth.

Note for managed networks: If your organization requires a proxy, verify credentials and allow-list Google Earth domains such as kh.google.com and related service endpoints instead of turning the proxy off.

3. Repair Corrupted Files Using Repair_tool.exe

Repair_tool.exe installs with Google Earth and checks for issues such as corrupted installation files and missing or broken registry entries. Running the tool restores default settings and repairs files that block the app from launching.

Before you begin: Close Google Earth completely. The repair tool runs while the app is closed. Default path: C:\Program Files\Google\Google Earth Pro\client\repair_tool.exe.

1. Right click Google Earth > Open file location.
2. Locate Repair_tool.exe.
3. Run Repair_tool.exe as administrator.
4. Click Restore default settings.
5. Click Reset to confirm.
6. Restart the computer, then relaunch Google Earth.

4. Restore Hidden Google Earth Window

In some cases, Google Earth launches but does not appear on the screen. This can happen when the window opens off screen after you change your monitor setup, for example moving from a dual monitor to a single monitor. The program may be running, but you do not see it because the window is positioned outside the visible display area.

Use the keyboard shortcut Alt + Space, press M, use the arrow keys to move the window onto the main display, then press Enter.

If Move does not appear: Press Alt + Tab to focus the app, then repeat the shortcut. On Windows 11, you can also press Win + Arrow keys to snap the window back or open Task View with Win + Tab and drag it onto the active display.