8 Ways to Fix Red Dead Redemption 2 Not Launching on a Windows PC

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a great game when you can play it. However, sometimes RDR2 fails to start on Windows PCs because of technical issues. Such game startup issues can arise for many reasons and crash RDR2 at launch in different ways. Players may or may not see error messages when Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t launch. However, the result of all such RDR2 startup issues is the same. These are the more widely confirmed ways to fix Red Dead Redemption 2 not launching on a Windows 11/10 PC.

Read also: 8 Ways to Fix the Red Dead Redemption 2 Unknown Error FFFFFFFF on Windows PC

Set Rockstar Games Launcher to Run With Admin Rights

Quite a few players say setting the Rockstar Games Launcher to run as administrator fixed RDR2 not starting on their PCs. So, applying this potential resolution could be a good troubleshooting starting point. This is how you can set the Rockstar Games Launcher software for Red Dead Redemption 2 to run with admin rights.

1. Right-click your Rockstar Games Launcher desktop shortcut to select Properties.
2. Click on Compatibility within the Rockstar Games Launcher Properties window.
3. Select Run this program as administrator to set Rockstar Games Launcher to run with elevated rights.
   
   

   The Compatibility tab

4. Click Apply to set the selected options.
5. Select OK to exit the Rockstar Games Launcher properties window.

Disable Fullscreen Optimizations for Red Ded Redemption 2

Disabling fullscreen optimization for the Red Ded Redemption 2 game has worked for some players. To do that, press the Windows logo + E hotkey, open the Read Dead Redemption 2 installation directory, right-click on the RDR2.exe file, and select the Properties option. Select the Disable fullscreen optimization and Run this program as administrator options on the Compatibility tab and click Apply.

Run a Red Dead Redemption 2 Integrity Scan

Although not an especially widely confirmed way to fix Red Dead Redemption 2 not launching, repairing RDR2’s files could work for some players. You can select scan options in Steam and Epic Games that verify the integrity of game files. Check out the Steam and Epic Game help pages linked below for instructions about how to verify the integrity of game files.

• Steam
• Epic Games

The Verify Files button

Set a High Performance Option for Red Dead Redemption 2

Does your Windows PC have two graphics cards? If it does, try setting Red Dead Redemption 2 to run with the high-performance dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics card. You can select a High performance option for Red Dead Redemption 2 as follows.

1. Press the Windows logo + S keyboard buttons to activate the search box.
2. Type in a graphics settings keyword and select the matching search result.
3. Click Browse to select the RDR2.exe file for running the game in the Red Dead Redemption 2 installation folder.
   
   

   The Graphics settings options

4. Select the Add option.
5. Next, click on Red Dead Redemption 2 game added.
6. Press the Options button.
7. Select the High performance radio button and click Save.
   
   

   The High performance radio button

Clear the Settings Folder

Corrupted data in the Settings folder for Red Dead Redemption 2 can cause startup issues to arise. To address such a potential cause, try clearing the Settings folder like this.

1. Click the File Explorer shortcut pinned on the taskbar.
2. Next, click This PC > Documents > Rockstar Games > Red Dead Redemption 2 > Settings in File Explorer.
3. Press the Ctrl + A hotkey to select all files within the opened Settings folder.
   
   

   The Settings folder

4. Right-click and select Delete to erase the files.

Add Red Dead Redemption 2 to Your Antivirus Software’s Exclusion List

Some players have fixed Red Dead Redemption 2 not launching by adding RDR2 to antivirus exclusion lists. Users without third-party antivirus utilities can do that by adding the RDR2.exe game file to the Microsoft Defender antivirus exclusion list in Windows Security. You can do that by following the instructions for adding antivirus exceptions on this Microsoft help page.

The Exclusion settings in Windows Security

If you utilize a third-party security app, add Red Dead Redemption 2 to the exclusion list for whatever antivirus software you’ve installed. Pretty much all third-party antivirus utilities have exclusion lists to which you can add programs. Have a look through your antivirus tool’s Settings tab to find its exclusion list.

Delete Local Profile Data in Rockstar Games Launcher

Corrupted profile data could be another possible reason for Red Dead Redemption 2 not launching on your PC. Doing this erases profile details but won’t affect saved game data. This is how you can delete local profile data within the Rockstar Games Launcher software.

1. Open the Rockstar Games Launcher software.
2. Click the Settings option.
3. Select Account Information on the left side of the Rockstar Games Launcher window.
4. Press the Delete button for the Delete local profile option.
   
   

   The Delete local profile option

5. Select Confirm when prompted.
6. You’ll then need to sign back into the Rockstar Games Launcher software.

Uninstall Bandicam

The Programs and Features uninstall utility

Bandicam is recording software that some RDR2 players have confirmed conflicts with Red Dead Redemption 2, as in this Reddit post. Those players fixed Red Dead Redemption 2 not starting by uninstalling Bandicam. So, uninstall Bandicam if you have installed that software on your PC. You can uninstall Bandicam with the Program and Features Control Panel applet as covered on this Microsoft support page.

Other Ways to Fix Red Dead Redemption 2 Not Launching on a Windows PC

There are also various other ways you can feasibly fix Red Dead Redemption 2 when it doesn’t start. Here are some other suggestions:

• Undo any CPU or GPU overclocking applied with software like MSI Afterburner by restoring default values.
• Add Red Dead Redemption 2 to the Windows firewall’s allowed list. This help page on the Microsoft site includes guidelines for allowing apps through the Windows Defender Firewall.
• Install the latest NVIDIA or AMD graphics driver for your PC’s graphics adapter. You can download the latest graphics driver packages from these NVIDIA and AMD driver download pages.
• Disable third-party startup items by clean-booting your PC.
• Repair Windows files by running the System File Checker utility.

There’s a good chance one of the troubleshooting methods above will fix Red Dead Redemption 2 not launching on your Windows PC. They don’t come with a 100-percent guarantee, but players have confirmed they’ve kick-started RDR2 by applying those potential solutions. If you need more potential resolutions, try sending a message to the Rockstar Games help service by clicking Contact Us on this R Support page.

Best Guides for Red Dead Redemption 2

8 Ways to Fix the Red Dead Redemption 2 Unknown Error FFFFFFFF on Windows PCs

6 Ways to Fix the Red Dead Redemption 2 ERR_GFX_STATE Error on a Windows 11/10 PC

6 Ways to Fix Regular In-Game Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) Crashing on PCs

5 Ways to Fix the Red Dead Redemption 2 ERR_GFX_D3D_DEFERRED_MEM Error

6 Ways to Fix Red Dead Redemption 2 Fullscreen Not Working on a Windows PC

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