Fix: Rockstar Games Launcher Not Working

Rockstar Games Launcher is an official gaming client for Rockstar Games available for Windows OS. By using this launcher, you can play all the Rockstar Games titles on your computer like Grand Theft Auto, Max Payne, Bully, etc. It’s a free-to-use launcher that also offers automatic game updates, cloud saves, and more. Although the Rockstar Games Launcher is very much popular and optimized to play its own games really well, some of the unfortunate players are experiencing a couple of issues, and the Rockstar Games Launcher Not Working problem is one of them. If you’re also facing the same, make sure to check out this troubleshooting guide to fix it.

Also Read: Fix: Failed to Connect to the Rockstar Games Library Service Error

Here we’ve provided a couple of possible workarounds that you should follow properly to quickly resolve the problem. There can be several reasons behind such an issue on the Windows platform such as incompatibility with the system or an outdated launcher version or an outdated Windows OS build. Sometimes temporarily saved DNS cache or networking glitch, unnecessary background running programs, corrupted game launcher, etc can be other reasons as well.

1. Grant Administrator Privilege

You can simply use the properties option of the game launcher to allow it with the administrator privilege by following the steps below:

Right-click on the ‘Rockstar Games Launcher’ shortcut icon.
Go to Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.
Enable the ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’ checkbox.
Similarly, you’ll need to enable the ‘Run this program as an administrator’ checkbox.
Once done, click on Apply and then OK to save changes.
Finally, run the Rockstar Games Launcher again to check the problem.

2. Update Windows OS Build

Updating Windows OS build is very important to keep running all of your installed applications or programs properly. To do this:

Press Windows + I keys to open up the Windows Settings menu.
Next, click on Update & Security > Select Check for updates under the Windows Update section.
If there is a feature update available, select Download and install.
It may take a while to complete the update.
Once done, restart your computer to install the update.

3. Clear DNS Cache

By just flushing the DNS cache on your computer, you can fix multiple issues with the launching of programs or crashing. To do so:

Press the Windows key to open the Start Menu.
Now, type cmd and right-click on the Command Prompt from the search result.
Select the ‘Run as administrator’ option > If prompted by UAC, click on Yes to proceed.
Next, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter to execute the DNS cache flushing:

ipconfig /flushdns

Once done, restart your computer.

You should be able to fix the Rockstar Games Launcher Not Working issue on your Windows computer. However, if the problem is still bothering you, make sure to follow the next method.

4. Run a Clean Boot

Clean Boot is one of the troubleshooting methods that disables all unnecessary background running apps and startup programs which may cause multiple issues.

Press Windows + R keys to open up the Run dialog box.
Now, type msconfig and press Enter to open the System Configuration.
Click on the Services tab > Enable the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ checkbox.

Click on the ‘Disable all’ button > Go to the Startup tab.
Select the ‘Open Task Manager’ option.

Next, click on the Startup tab > Click on the program and select ‘Disable’.
You can do the same for all startup apps that you want to turn off.
Once done all, close the Task Manager.
Finally, go back to the System Configuration window, and click on OK.

You can restart your computer to check for the issue again. However, if the problem doesn’t fix your issue, make sure to reinstall the Rockstar Games Launcher & Social Club App on your Windows again.

Well, some of the affected players may find it time-wasting or not so useful but it can also come in handy for sure.

Press Windows + R keys to open up the Run dialog box.
Now, type appwiz.cpl and hit Enter to open the Programs and Features.
Locate the ‘Rockstar Games Launcher’ and ‘Rockstar Games Social Club’.
Right-click on it and select Uninstall one by one.
Once the uninstallation process is completed, you can download the Rockstar Games Launcher from the official site again.
Finally, reinstall the Rockstar Games Launcher, and check whether it’s working or not working.

Fix: Rockstar Games Launcher Not Working