How to Fix Rockstar Games Launcher Not Working?

When Rockstar Games stops working, it’s often because it can’t connect to the Rockstar Games services. This means the Rockstar Launcher is unable to establish a connection, which prevents access to the games.

Common causes for this issue include an antivirus program blocking Rockstar Games, corrupted application files, or interference from Microsoft OneDrive. Many users have found that uninstalling Microsoft OneDrive and performing a clean installation of the Rockstar Games Launcher can resolve the issue.

If you encounter this problem, first ensure that the Rockstar Games Launcher has the necessary permissions to access the required files and services. Often, if the application lacks adequate permissions, it can become unresponsive during startup. Therefore, before attempting the solutions below, try running the Rockstar Games Launcher as an administrator.

1. Add Rockstar Games Folder to the Exclusions

Adding the Rockstar Games folder to your antivirus exclusion list stops the antivirus from scanning its files. Ensure that the files you exclude are safe and do not pose threats to your device, particularly if you’ve downloaded Rockstar Games from the official website.

1. Click the Start Menu and type Windows Security.
2. Press Enter to open Windows Security.
   
3. Navigate to Virus and Threat Protection and click Manage Settings.
   
4. Scroll down and click Add or Remove Exclusions.
   
5. Click Add an Exclusion and choose Folder.
   
6. Navigate to Programs Files (x86) and select Rockstar Games.
   
7. Click Select Folder and then check if the issue is resolved.

2. Clean Re-install the Rockstar Games Launcher

Performing a clean installation is recommended to remove any part of the application that could cause issues. This can be helpful if the problem is due to a problematic cache or corrupted files.

1. Open File Explorer and go to Documents.
2. Delete the Rockstar Games folder.
   
3. Next, go to C:\Program Files (x86) and delete the Rockstar Games folder.
   
4. Open the Start Menu and search for Installed apps.
5. Press Enter to open the Settings.
   
6. Find Rockstar Games and click the three dots on the right.
7. Click Uninstall twice to confirm.
   
8. Download and install Rockstar Games from the official site to ensure the Launcher is working correctly.

3. Uninstall Microsoft OneDrive

Many users found that Microsoft OneDrive can interfere with the startup process of the Rockstar Games Launcher. Uninstalling OneDrive may resolve the issue.

1. Click the Start Menu and type appwiz.cpl.
2. Press Enter to open Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
   
3. Double-click on OneDrive to uninstall it.
   
4. Once done, try launching Rockstar Games to see if the issue is resolved.

4. Uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ from 2015 to 2022

Uninstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ libraries from 2015 to 2022 can ensure that Rockstar Games accesses the correct runtime libraries. Many users resolved this issue by removing these libraries, so it’s worth trying.

Important: Just a heads up before you proceed with uninstalling Microsoft Visual C++ libraries from 2015 to 2022: Doing this may affect other applications on your system that rely on these libraries to function properly. Before you start, it’s a good idea to create a system restore point, so you can revert any changes if needed. Once you’ve completed this step, be sure to reinstall the necessary Visual C++ redistributables to ensure your system and other applications continue to run smoothly.

1. Open the Run Program by pressing Win + R.
2. Type appwiz.cpl to open Programs and Features.
   
3. Uninstall all instances of Microsoft Visual C++ from 2015 to 2022.
   
4. Verify if the issue is resolved afterwards.

If you still encounter issues after trying these methods, contacting Rockstar Games might be your best option. Ensure that the Rockstar Games servers are functioning and there are no network issues on your end. You can also reset your network settings before reaching out to Rockstar Games if the issue persists.