Fix: Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update Service Error

We have been getting increasingly more reports from users encountering “Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update Service” errors. The error appears either at launch or during the installation process with games like Smite, Paladin and a few other multiplayer games.

What causes the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update Service error?

After investigating the issue and looking at various user reports, we discovered a couple of scenarios that might trigger this type of error:

• HiRez Authentication Service is glitched – Most of the time, this error occurs because the game application is not able to start the service. This can be fixed by uninstalling the HiRezService and reinstalling it via the application folder.
• The HiRez Authentication Service needs to be started manually – This typically happens during the installation phase of the game. In this case, the HiRezService needs to be started from the Services screen.
• The HiRez Authentication is prevented from running by 3rd party security suite – Certain security suites (Bullguard is the most reported one) will be overprotective with your system and prevent the HiRezService from communicating with the game server.

How to fix the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update Service error

If you’re struggling to resolve a game error related to the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update Service, this article will provide you with a collection of troubleshooting steps. Down below you have a list of methods that other users in a similar situation have used to either resolve or circumvent the issue.

For the best results, start with the first method and work your way down following every set of steps until you encounter a fix that enables you to resolve the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update Service error. Let’s begin!

Method 1: Reinstall the HiRezService from the game folder

If you get this error when trying to run the Pre-Req application that is used to launch Smite or Paladin, there’s a high chance that the issue is related to a fairly common glitch that causes the HiRezService to malfunction.

In this case, the solution is to uninstall the HiRezService and then reinstall it from the game application folder. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:

1. Navigate to your game application folder and navigate to the Binaries > Redist folder.
   Note: If you run your game through steam, navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\*Game folder*\Binaries\Redist. Keep in mind that *Game Folder* is only a placeholder of the game that is displaying the error message.
2. Double-click on HiRezService and you’ll be prompted to uninstall all related files. Hit Yes to complete the uninstallation.
3. When the uninstallation is complete, close the prompt and re-run the pre-req application that is used to start the game.
4. The HiRezService will automatically be reinstalled and your game should start without the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update Service error.

If this method was not effective or you’re getting the error when trying to install the game, move down to the next method below.

Method 2: Manually starting the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update service

If the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update error is preventing you from installing the game altogether, you might be able to circumvent the issue by starting the service manually.

Other users encountering a similar issue have managed to get it resolved by using the Services screen to force the service to start manually. Here’s a quick guide on doing this:

1. Close the installation wizard of the game that is showing the error.
2. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run box. Next, type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services screen. If prompted by the UAC (User Account Control), choose Yes.
   
3. In the Services screen, with the center pane (Services Local), to locate the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update service and double-click on it.
4. In the properties screen of the service, go to the General tab and click on the Start button (under Service status). This will force the service to start. Also, set its startup type to “Automatic”.

   

5. With the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update service enabled, re-run the installation wizard and see if the issue has been resolved.

If you’re still encountering the same error, continue down with the next method below.

Method 3: Prevent any antivirus interference

Some users have reached to the bottom of the problem after discovering that the HirezService.exe service was prevented from running by Bullguard or a similar antivirus or firewall suite.

If you’re using any third-party security suite (Windows Defender doesn’t count), try uninstalling the firewall antivirus or disabling firewall and see if the error is resolved. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:

Note: Keep in mind that disabling the real-time protection of the security suite will not make any difference since the current rules will remain firmly in place.

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run box. Next, type “appwiz.cpl” and hit Enter to open Programs and Features.
   
2. Locate your third-party antivirus (or firewall), right-click on it and choose Uninstall. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall the software completely.
3. Visit this link (here) and download the specialized removal tool associated with your 3rd party security suite to remove every trace of it.
4. Restart your computer and attempt to install or launch the game that was previously showing the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update.

If the error is still showing up, continue down with the next method below.

Method 4: Reinstall the game application

Another way to force the re-installation of the Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update Service is to reinstall the game completely along with all associated components.

Other users in a similar situation have reported that the error was resolved after reinstalled the game along with all related components. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run box. Next, type “appwiz.cpl” and hit Enter to open Programs and Features.
   
2. Scroll down through the application list, right-click on the game that is displaying the error and choose Uninstall.
3. Follow through with the on-screen prompts and choose to uninstall all related services when prompted.
4. Once the uninstallation is complete, reboot your computer.
5. Now run the game installer and while it displays “Starting Hi-Rez Studios Authenticate and Update Service“, quickly press “Ctrl+Alt+Del” and open the Task Manager.

   

6. In the task manager, stop the “Windows Installer Service” and then let the installation of the game proceed.

   

7. Now, navigate to the game folder and search for Hi-Rez Diagnostics and Support executable.
8. Start the executable as an administrator and wait for it to complete.
9. Check to see if the issue persists.