Game fails to load, "Failed to initialize the physics system."

[Barstigal]

I recently purchased Mass Effect 3 and it won't even load.   I keep getting the message, "Failed to initialize the physics system. Please ensure you have an updated version of the PhysX System Software installed."

I've got the latest drivers and I have a NVidia Gforce GTX 650 graphics card.    Is there any reason why this is occuring, and how can it be fixed?

[Fred_vdp · Accepted solution]

This was a problem in ME2 as well. I googled it for you and found the following fix:

Click "Start" --> "Control panel" --> Uninstall a program" locate PhysX in the list, --> "Right click PhysX" --> "Choose Repair"

Source: http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/106/index/843882/1#2567357 (Edit: The forum has been deleted.)

[Fred_vdp · Accepted solution]

This was a problem in ME2 as well. I googled it for you and found the following fix:

Click "Start" --> "Control panel" --> Uninstall a program" locate PhysX in the list, --> "Right click PhysX" --> "Choose Repair"

Source: http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/106/index/843882/1#2567357 (Edit: The forum has been deleted.)

[jto168]

Fred - thanks!

[Findios]

When I go onto my control panel right click PhysX in the list of programs, the only option is "uninstall/change." Whenever I click on it, PhysX automatically starts to uninstall itself. Any advice?

[Findios]

When I go onto my control panel right click PhysX in the list of programs, the only option is "uninstall/change." Whenever I click on it, PhysX automatically starts to uninstall itself. Any advice?

[valentin123491]

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@jto168 wrote:
Fred - thanks!

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[LoopDog94]

Thanks!  You solved my problem in 10 seconds!

[istrucki]

I Have the same problem .. But i dont have the physix program in the program files ...

[Trippid]

I ran into the same issue as you SkullBoy. If you use a NVIDIA video card, it may not be listed as PhysX in the program list, it'll be NVIDIA PhysX.

Using the repair option on that fixed the problem completely for me.

[Stele]

Excellent solution.  Just built a new PC with an Nvidia card so I knew PhysX was installed.  Tried to fire up the old ME3 and got this error.  Repair fixed it.