The platform will not start, or crashes on launch in Quantower

What is causing it

A missing or outdated runtime, an incomplete update, graphics driver problems, or a corrupted workspace being loaded at startup.

Why this happens

A desktop trading platform depends on a runtime, on graphics support and on a set of local files. A failure in any of them prevents startup, and the symptom is usually the same regardless of the cause.

A corrupted workspace is a distinctive case because the platform starts and then fails while loading state, which is why testing with a clean workspace is such a quick way to isolate it.

The fix, step by step

1. Make sure your operating system and graphics drivers are up to date, as chart rendering depends on both.
2. Install any runtime the platform's installer or documentation says it requires, and let the installer complete without interruption.
3. Reinstall the platform from a freshly downloaded installer in case the previous download or update was incomplete.
4. Temporarily allow the platform through security software, which can block a newly updated executable.
5. If it starts but crashes when loading your usual workspace, start with a clean workspace to establish whether the workspace is the problem.
6. Keep a copy of any error the platform or the operating system reports, as it is the fastest route to an answer from support.

How to confirm it is fixed

The platform starts reliably several times in a row and loads your usual workspace without incident.

Stopping it happening again

Keep the platform, the operating system and graphics drivers updated, and keep a backup of a workspace you know works.