How to Fix GTA 5 Not Launching on PC
GTA 5 is a popular open-world game, but some players face launch or crash issues on their PC. This article offers solutions to help you fix these problems and get the game running smoothly again.
Method 1: Check Your PC Specifications
Press Windows + X, select "System", and check processor details and installed RAM under "Device Specifications".
Press Windows + R, type "dxdiag", press Enter, and check graphics card details under the "Display" tab.
Open This PC and ensure you have at least 100GB of free space on the C: drive for the game and updates.
Method 2: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers are a common cause of game launch issues. Make sure you're using the latest version of your graphics drivers. It's recommended to use Driver Sentry for automatic driver updates, saving time and avoiding incorrect installations.
Download the latest version of Driver Sentry, install and open the software, then click "Scan".
After the scan, the software will display which drivers are outdated or missing. Find your graphics driver in the list and click "Update".
Once updated, restart your PC to ensure the new drivers take effect.
Method 3: Adjust Game Compatibility
Right-click the GTA 5 desktop shortcut or installation file and select "Properties".
Go to the "Compatibility" tab, then check "Run this program in compatibility mode".
From the drop-down menu, select an earlier version of Windows, such as Windows 7 or 8.
Check "Run this program as an administrator" to ensure the game has the necessary permissions.
Click "Apply" and "OK", then try launching the game again.
Method 4: Verify Game File Integrity
Open Steam, go to the Library tab, right-click on GTA 5, and select "Properties".
Choose the "Installed Files" tab, then click "Verify integrity of game files".
Once verification is complete, restart GTA 5 and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 5: Manage Background Programs
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
In the "Processes" tab, find programs using a significant amount of CPU, memory, or disk resources.
Right-click these programs and select "End Task" to close them, especially resource-intensive applications like downloaders, browsers, or media players.
After closing unnecessary programs, relaunch GTA 5 to see if the issue is fixed.
Method 6: Disable Antivirus or Firewall
Disable Firewall
Press Windows + I to open Settings, go to "Update & Security", and select "Windows Security" on the left.
Choose "Firewall & network protection" and click on the current network to turn off the firewall.
Disable Antivirus
Open your antivirus software and locate the "Real-time protection" or "Antivirus" settings.
Temporarily disable the antivirus or add GTA 5 to the exclusions or whitelist.
Method 7: Reinstall the Game
In Steam or Epic Games, right-click GTA 5 and select "Uninstall".
After uninstalling, restart your PC to ensure all resources are released.
Reopen Steam or Epic Games, find GTA 5, and click the "Install" button.
Once the download and installation are complete, try launching the game to see if the issue is resolved.
By following these steps, you should be able to fix the issue of GTA 5 not launching on your PC. If the problem persists, it's recommended to contact the game developer's technical support for further assistance.
See also:
Guide to Adjusting Logitech Mouse Sensitivity
How to Fix No Sound on an External Monitor Connected via HDMI
