The game won't load or connect: fixes

Almost every connection or start-up problem with a 3.3.5a client comes down to a handful of causes. Go through this list in order; most people are fixed by step 1 or 2.

1. Check the realmlist

• The file is Data\<locale>\realmlist.wtf, where the locale folder is the language of your client (esES, esMX, enUS, enGB…). If you have several locale folders, edit the one that matches the language you play in, or all of them.
• It must contain only the line shown on Getting started. No other lines, no spaces at the start.
• Open WTF\Config.wtf and delete any line that starts with SET realmList or SET realmName. An old value there can send you to another server.
• Make sure Windows did not save the file as realmlist.wtf.txt: enable "File name extensions" in Explorer to check.

2. Start the right executable

Launch Wow.exe directly. Launcher.exe and Repair.exe try to contact Blizzard's patch servers and can overwrite your files or hang.

3. Clear the cache

With the game closed, delete the Cache folder. It is rebuilt automatically. This fixes invisible items, wrong names and many crashes after changing realms. If your interface is broken, rename WTF and Interface to WTF_old and Interface_old to start clean (you can copy your settings back later).

4. Run it as a normal desktop program

• Do not keep the game inside Program Files: move the whole folder to something like C:\Games\WoW335.
• If it closes on start on a modern Windows, right-click Wow.exe → Properties → Compatibility and try "Run as administrator". Compatibility modes for old Windows versions rarely help and sometimes hurt; try them last.
• Check that your antivirus has not quarantined Wow.exe.

5. Connection problems

• Stuck on "Connecting" or "Retrieving realm list": your firewall, antivirus or router may be blocking the client. Allow Wow.exe in the Windows firewall and try another network (a phone hotspot is a quick test).
• "Unable to validate game version": your client is not 3.3.5a build 12340 or its files were modified.
• Wrong password but you are sure it is right: log in with your account name, not your e-mail. If you forgot it, use the password recovery on the website.
• The realm appears offline: the online indicator at the top of this website shows the live status. During maintenance, wait a few minutes.

6. Graphics errors and black screens

The client can render with DirectX 9 or OpenGL. If you get a black screen, flickering or a crash when entering the world, switch API by adding one of these lines to WTF\Config.wtf (game closed):

• SET gxApi "opengl"
• SET gxApi "d3d9"

Also try windowed mode with SET gxWindow "1" and SET gxMaximize "1", and update your graphics driver. On very old or very new hardware, our low-end PC guide has more settings.

7. Corrupted game files

Random crashes in the same places (entering a city, opening the map) usually mean damaged .MPQ files in the Data folder. Compare their sizes with a known-good copy or download the client again. Never mix files from different builds or language packs.

8. About the "4GB patch"

Some players patch Wow.exe so the 32-bit client can use up to 4 GB of RAM on 64-bit Windows. It can reduce out-of-memory crashes in crowded places, but:

• Back up the original Wow.exe before touching it.
• Only use tools you trust; a modified executable from an unknown source is a real security risk.
• If problems start after patching, restore the original first.

Still stuck? Open a ticket on Support with the exact error message and, if it crashes, the latest file from the Errors folder.