Table of Contents
Introduction
The Rockstar Games Launcher is a digital platform that was introduced in 2019 by Rockstar Games, Inc. This launcher is a must-have for playing popular video games like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption 2, which are developed and published by Rockstar Games. Users who wish to utilize the Rockstar Games Launcher need to create a Rockstar Games Social Club account. At the store of Rockstar Games Launcher, around 11 games are accessible to users.
Common Issues with Rockstar Games Launcher
Despite the convenience it offers, several gamers have reported facing a commonly encountered problem - the Rockstar Games Launcher not working. This can be incredibly frustrating, as it inhibits the users from accessing and enjoying their favorite games. The issues are experienced across different Windows platforms including Windows 11 and 10 operational systems.
Preliminary Steps Before Trying Fixes
Prior to applying any of the fixes, it's sensible to perform some preliminary steps. Ensure that your PC has been restarted. A simple system restart often helps clear minor glitches and bugs. Also, it's important to confirm that your internet connection is stable and working well. Only after performing these checks should you move on to the list of fixes described to solve the issue.
Method 1: Running Rockstar Games Launcher in Compatibility Mode and as an Administrator
In several circumstances, the Rockstar Games Launcher might fail to work due to compatibility issues. To rectify this, it can be beneficial to run the launcher in compatibility mode and grant it administrative privileges. Here are the steps on how to do this:
Right-clicking on Rockstar Games Launcher and Selecting Properties
Firstly, close the Rockstar Games Launcher if it's running. Then locate the Rockstar Games Launcher icon on your desktop, right-click on it and from the dropdown menu, select Properties.
Checking the Box to Run in Compatibility Mode
Once the Properties window opens, locate and select the Compatibility tab. Here, look for the option titled 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:', and check this box.
Selecting the Correct Compatibility Version
After checking the 'Run this program in compatibility mode for' box, make sure to select a previous version of Windows from the dropdown menu. This could be Windows 8 or Windows 7, as these are generally known to be compatible with most programs.
Checking the Box to Run as an Administrator
Still in the Compatibility tab, scroll down to the Settings section. Here, you'll find the 'Run this program as an administrator' option. Check this box to grant administrative privileges to the Rockstar Games Launcher.
After following these steps, click on Apply and then OK to save the changes made. Finally, you can run the Rockstar Games Launcher and verify if it works appropriately.
Method 2: Clearing Rockstar Games Launcher and Rockstar Social Club Cache
If none of the above methods solve the issue, it might be helpful to clear the cache of both the Rockstar Games Launcher and the Rockstar Social Club application. Here's how you can do it:
Opening the File Explorer to Navigate to the Rockstar Games Folders
Start by pressing the Windows + E keys simultaneously to open the File Explorer. Then navigate to the Rockstar Games folder at either of the following file paths: C:Users\*YourUserName*\Documents or C:Users\*YourUserName*\OneDrive\Documents.
Deleting the Launcher and Social Club Folders
Once you've located the Rockstar Games folder, back up the files inside it and then proceed to delete the folder. This will clear all the cache files associated with the Rockstar Games Launcher and Rockstar Social Club application.
Uninstalling Rockstar Games Launcher and Rockstar Games Social Club
After clearing the cache, you need to uninstall both the launcher and the Social Club application. To do this, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog box. Type in "appwiz.cpl" and press Enter. Find Rockstar Games Launcher and Rockstar Games Social Club in the list, right-click on each and select Uninstall. Make sure you wait for one program to finish uninstalling before you uninstall the other.
Re-installing the Launcher and Social Club
Once everything has been uninstalled, head over to the official Rockstar Games website and download the launcher. Launch the downloaded file and install the launcher. Once the Rockstar Games Launcher is successfully installed, the Rockstar Games Social Club application will automatically begin to reinstall as well.
After these steps are completed, re-open the launcher and sign in. This method has proven to be effective for many users and might be the solution you need.
Method 3: Performing a DNS Flush
If internet connectivity issues are suspected, another potential solution to resolve the Rockstar Games Launcher not working issue is to perform a DNS flush. This method can assist in clearing any network path issues that may be hampering the functionality of the launcher. The steps involved in performing a DNS flush are easy and straightforward as highlighted below:
Opening the Run Dialog and Typing in CMD to Open Command Prompt
Start by pressing the Windows logo key on your keyboard to open the Start menu. Type "cmd" into the search bar. In the results, right-click Command Prompt and select 'Run as administrator' to launch the command line interface with full administrative privileges.
Typing in Command to Clear DNS and Reset DNS Resolver Cache
Once the Command Prompt window appears, type in the following commands:
ipconfig /flushdns netsh Winsock reset Hit the Enter key after inputting each command. After the 'ipconfig /flushdns' command is executed, the Command Prompt should return a message stating “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache”, if successful.
Restarting PC
After successfully flushing the DNS, the final step is to restart your PC. This allows changes made to fully take effect. After the system restarts, open the Rockstar Games Launcher to check if it's working properly. This method often resolves internet connectivity issues, including those that could be causing problems with the Rockstar Games Launcher.
