How to Fix Installer Error in Star Citizen on PC

The Installer Error is typically encountered when affected users attempting to log into the PTU (Public Test Universe). Other users are reporting that the problem occurs every time they attempt to start the game.

As it turns out, there are several different causes that might end up triggering the Installer Error in Star Citizen:

Method 1: Deleting the USER folder

As it turns out, a lot of affected users that were also encountering this problem have managed to fix the issue by accessing the game folder (Robert’s Space Industries) and deleting the USER folder. This operation is confirmed to work the majority of file integrity issues that might cause the Installer Error with Star Citizen.

If you think this scenario is applicable, follow the instructions below to clear the temporary files associated with your user account and resolve the error inside Star Citizen:

1. First things first, start by ensuring that Star Citizen (game + launcher) is completely closed and no associated process is running in the background.
2. Open File Explorer and navigate to the location where you installed Star Citizen. Unless you installed it in a custom location, you will be able to fix it here:

   C:\Program Files\Roberts Space Industries\StarCitizen\

3. Once you arrive at the correct location, double-click on the USER folder to access its contents.
4. After you are finally inside, Press Ctrl + A to select everything inside, then right-click on a selected item and click on Delete from the newly appeared context menu.

   

5. Once the USER folder has been deleted, go ahead and clear the contents of your Recycle Bin.
6. Launch the game once again and complete the login procedure as instructed. Then, install the update as instructed, and see if the operation completes without seeing the same Installer Error.

   

In case you still end up encountering the same Installer Error, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 2: Using the NEW launcher

Some affected users have managed to fix this problem by using the newest launcher version and ensuring that it is moved in close proximity to the other games files.

As it turns out, this problem might occur if you’re using a launcher that’s not compatible with the current game version of Star Citizen or in case the launcher file that you’re using is stored in a separate location from the game.

If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to resolve the issue by downloading the latest game launcher and installing it in the same location as the main game files.

Note: Before you initiate this procedure, ensure that the game is completely closed and no associated process is running in the background.

Once the installation is complete, launch the game once again, install every pending update and see if the same problem is still occurring.

In case the same issue repeats, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Deleting the RSILauncher and RSI folders from %APPDATA%

As it turns out, this problem can also occur in instances where the problem is actually caused by one or two temporary folders that the game’s installer creates when an update is handled. Under certain circumstances, these folders might become corrupted and effectively prevent the game launcher from updating your game version with any new pending updates.

Several affected users have confirmed that this operation was the only thing that finally allowed them to complete the pending update and play the game without seeing the Installer Error.

If you’re unsure on how to delete the RSILauncher and RSI folders from the Appdata folder, follow the instructions below:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘%appdata%‘ inside the text box and press Enter to open the AppData folder.

   

   Note: Keep in mind that this folder will be hidden by default. In case you want to access the location manually (via File Explorer), you’ll need to go to View and check the box associated with Hidden Items in order to make the folder visible.

   

2.  Once you’re inside the AppData folder, scroll down through the list of items and locate to folders named rsilauncher and RSI. Once you see them, right-click on each one and choose Delete from the context menu to get rid of them.
3. After the two folders are safely deleted, launch the game once again, attempt to perform the update, and see if the operation completes this time.

In case the operation is still halted by the same Installer Error, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Reinstalling the game on a Different Location

If you’re trying to troubleshoot this issue and none of the issues above have worked, you should also try reinstalling the game in a different location (something other than the default patch) and ensuring that you have plenty of space left (over 60 GB).

Several affected users that were previously facing the same problem have confirmed that doing the reinstallation on a different location finally allowed them to circumvent the Installer error. There’s no official explanation on why this is effective, but some affected users are suspecting that this method goes around a hard-coder registry key that actually creates the error.

If this scenario looks like it could be applicable, follow the instructions below to reinstall the game conventionally in a different location:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘appwiz.cpl’ and press Enter to open up the Programs and Files menu.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Programs and Features menu, scroll down through the list of installed applications and locate the entry associated with Star Citizen from the list of options.
3. When you see it, right-click on it and choose Uninstall from the newly prepared context menu.

   

4. Once you get to the Uninstallation screen, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
5. After the operation is finally complete, restart your computer and wait for the next startup to complete.
6. Once your computer boots back up, visit the official download page of RSI and download the same package that you previously had installed.

   

7. Once the installation is complete, launch the game, install the pending updates, and see if the problem is now resolved.

In case you’re still encountering the Installer error and you have installed the game on a dedicated SSD, follow the next method below.

Method 5: Formatting your SDD (if applicable)

In case you’re using a custom SSD drive solely for the purpose of storing game installation folders, you might be able to fix the problem by reformatting your current SSD. This might seem like an unnecessary thing to do, but this potential fix was confirmed to be effective by several different users that were previously seeing the Install Error.

Some users that got this resolved are reporting that this problem was actually caused by some type of logical errors brought about by some of the game updates.

Unless you’re willing to re-install the game on a different drive, the only documented fix that is confirmed to resolve the problem is to format your gaming purposed SSD.

Note: If you have any sensitive data, saved games, and another stuff that you are not willing to lose, back up your drive in advance before initiating the procedure below.

if you are ready to format your SSD (as a secondary drive) in an attempt to fix the Installer error in Start Citizen, follow the instructions below:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘diskmgmt.msc’ inside the text box and press Enter to open up the Disk Management tool.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Disk Management screen, use the menu on the left to right-click on the SSD drive you’re trying to format and choose Format from the newly appeared context menu.

   

3. When you arrive at the Format window, set up the same Volume name, keep the same File System, and set the Allocation unit size to Default. Once you are ready to kickstart the process, press Ok and confirm at the final prompt.

   

   Note: If you want to speed up the process considerably, check the box associated with Perform a quick.

4. Wait until the operation is complete, then install the game once again and see if the problem is now fixed.