The “Rockstar Games Launcher is not responding” issue can be frustrating, especially if you’re all set to play your favorite games like GTA V or Red Dead Redemption 2. This problem can be caused by different reasons like server problems, software conflicts, corrupted files, or network connectivity issues. This guide will walk you through the most effective solutions to fix the “not responding” error and restore smooth gameplay.
Why are Rockstar Game Services not working
If you’re facing the Rockstar games launcher not responding, it could be due to several issues.
Here are some common reasons –
- Rockstar Games’ servers might be down for maintenance or experiencing technical difficulties.
- Network Connection Issues.
- DNS issues could be preventing the launcher from reaching the server.
- Antivirus Blocking the Launcher.
- Outdated Windows.
- Software conflicts, such as other background apps interfering with the Rockstar Launcher, might cause connection issues.
How To Fix Rockstar Games Launcher Is Not Working
Before you put on your troubleshooting hats and fix the Rockstar games launcher, which is stuck on a loading issue, check these basics:
- Check Rockstar’s official social media channels, website, or server status page to see if there’s a known outage. If there is, you’ll need to wait until it’s resolved.
- Restart your modem and router.
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Method 1 – Grant Administrator Rights
To fix the Rockstar games launcher stuck on loading, grant administrator access to the Rockstar launcher. Microsoft allows Windows users to provide admin rights to third-party apps. Here are the steps-
1. Right-click the Rockstar launcher app icon and choose Properties from the context menu.
2. Next, click on the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the box before the “Run This Program As An Administrator” option.
4. Click on Apply and then OK.
5. Double-click the Rockstar launcher icon to initiate the app in admin mode.
Method 2 – Download/Install Windows Updates
Microsoft regularly releases updates to enhance features, improve security, and fix bugs. To keep your PC up to date at all times, it is essential to keep Windows Updated. Follow these steps for a complete Windows Update.
1. Press Win + X to open the Power menu and select Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update in the left panel.
3. Then, click on the Check For Updates button in the right section.
4. Wait a moment while Windows automatically downloads and installs the updates.
5. Once the updates are complete, select “Advanced Options” and select “Optional Updates.”
6. Next, look for driver updates, select the updates, and click on Download & Install.
7. After all the updates are completed, you must reboot your Computer.
Method 3 – Update Graphics Drivers
Also, Read – Why Is It Important for Gamers to Keep Their PC Drivers Updated and How Do They Do So
The next step to fix the Rockstar launcher stuck on connecting is to update the drivers, particularly the graphics card drivers. You have three options for updating drivers:
1. Manufacturer’s Website
2. Device Manager
3. Advanced Driver Updater
Let’s go over each option:
Manufacturer’s Website
This option requires you to visit the official website of your device’s manufacturer and search for the appropriate drivers using your PC’s model number. Once you find the drivers, download and install them manually.
While effective, this method can be time-consuming and requires some technical knowledge, making it less popular among most users.
Device Manager
The Device Manager is an inbuilt tool in Windows. To use it, press Win + X and select Device Manager. In the open window, find the driver you want to update, right-click it, and select Update Driver.
This method is semi-automatic but limited: it can only search for updates from Microsoft’s servers, meaning you might not get the most up-to-date drivers.
Advanced Driver Updater
This third-party tool scans your system for outdated, missing, or corrupted drivers. It then finds the latest compatible versions online and automatically downloads and installs them for you.
While this is a more automated and user-friendly option, the free version allows you to update only one driver at a time. You would need to purchase the premium version to update all drivers at once.
Method 4 – Flush The DNS Cache
Flushing the DNS cache on Windows can help resolve issues caused by outdated or corrupted DNS entries and resolve the Rockstar launcher error. Here’s how to do it –
1. Press `Win + S` to open the search bar, then type `cmd` or `Command Prompt.`
2. Right-click “Command Prompt” from the search results and select `Run as administrator` to open it with elevated privileges.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
`ipconfig /flushdns`
4. You should see a message confirming that the DNS Resolver Cache has been successfully flushed.
5. Once you see the confirmation, you can close the Command Prompt window.
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Method 5 – Disable Antivirus
Some antivirus programs can be overly cautious and mistakenly flag a legitimate app as a false positive. In such cases, it’s advisable to temporarily disable the antivirus and attempt to launch the Rockstar app. Here’s how to disable the Windows Security app –
1. Press the Win key and type Windows Security.
2. Click on the relevant result under Best Match.
3. Next, click on Virus & Threat Protection.
4. Click on Manage Settings.
5. Slide the toggle button under Real-Time Protection towards the left to disable it.
Note : After playing the Rockstar app, you must repeat the steps to enable Real-Time Protection.
Also Read – Resolve Epic Games Launcher Not Working on Windows
Method 6 – Clean Boot Your PC
Some apps may conflict with each other for unknown reasons, and it’s difficult to predict which specific apps might cause issues. This could be one of the reasons if the Rockstar Not responding. We recommend performing a clean boot to see if any apps conflict with the Rockstar Launcher. Here are the steps –
1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type “msconfig” and click OK.
2. Next, navigate to the ‘Services’ tab.
3. Check the box for ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ to ensure these services are hidden. Then, click ‘Disable All’.
4. Click on the Startup tab and the “Open Task Manager” link.
5. A new window will open with a list of apps starting when your computer boots. Right-click on each app and choose Disable.
6. Close the Task Manager window and click ‘OK’ on the System Configuration when finished.
7. Restart your system to apply the changes.
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Method 7 – Reinstall Rockstar Launcher
The final step to fix the Rockstar games launcher stuck on loading is reinstalling the Rockstar Launcher app. Here is what you need to do –
1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app and click on the Apps tab in the left panel.
2. Next, click on the Installed Apps option on the right, and a list of apps installed on your system will appear on your screen.
3. Type “Rockstar” in the search box to be highlighted.
4. Click on the three dots next to Rockstar and choose Uninstall from the context menu.
After uninstalling the app, you can reinstall it from the official website.
Fixed – Rockstar Games Launcher
To fix Rockstar Games Launcher issues, try the following: check for server outages, restart the launcher, ensure a stable internet connection, disable any antivirus/firewall blocking the connection, and verify or reinstall the launcher. If the problem persists, contact Rockstar Support for further assistance. We hope that the issue has been resolved and that you can play your favorite Rockstar games. Drop a note in the comments section describing your experience with the problem.
FAQs
Why are Rockstar Game Services not working?
Rockstar’s servers may be down for scheduled maintenance or experiencing technical issues. Check Rockstar’s official website or social media for updates on server status.
How do I fix Rockstar Games Launcher not logging in?
To fix the error, refer to the troubleshooting methods and try these steps-
- Ensure Rockstar servers are online by checking their official website or social media for outages.
- Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus, as they might block the connection.
- Uninstall and reinstall the Rockstar Games Launcher if other steps don’t work.
If the issue persists, contact Rockstar Support for further help.
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