Ways to fix Red Dead Redemption 2 stuck on loading screen
Some Red Dead Redemption 2 players may encounter the issue of the game getting stuck on the loading screen when starting up, preventing the game from launching properly. This article will provide several effective methods to help you fix this issue and restore a smooth gaming experience.
1. Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent the game from launching properly, especially causing it to get stuck during the loading process. Updating your graphics drivers to the latest version can improve game performance and resolve loading issues. It's recommend to use Driver Sentry to automatically detect and update your drivers, saving you time and reducing the risk of downloading or installing incorrect drivers.
Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Sentry, then open the software after installation and click "Scan".
After scanning, a list will show the drivers that need to be installed or updated. Find your graphics driver in the list and click "Upgrade".
After updating, it's recommended to restart your computer to ensure the updated drivers work correctly.
2. Run the Game in Compatibility Mode
Locate the shortcut for Red Dead Redemption 2, right-click on it, and select "Properties".
Go to the "Compatibility" tab.
Check the box for "Run this program in compatibility mode for", and choose an older version of Windows (e.g., Windows 7 or Windows 8).
Click "Apply" and confirm the changes.
Try restarting the game to see if the issue is resolved.
3. Verify Game File Integrity
For Steam Users:
Open the Steam client and go to your Library.
Right-click on Red Dead Redemption 2 and select "Properties".
Under the "Local Files" tab, click "Verify Integrity of Game Files".
Wait for Steam to complete the scan and repair process.
Once verified, try restarting the game to see if the issue is resolved.
For Rockstar Games Launcher Users:
Open the Rockstar Games Launcher and select Red Dead Redemption 2.
Click the settings icon, go to the "My Installed Games" tab, and select Red Dead Redemption 2.
Click "Verify Integrity", wait for the scan to complete, then restart the game to check if it still gets stuck on the loading screen.
4. Set the Game to High Performance Mode
Set Red Dead Redemption 2 Priority to High:
While the game is running, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Details tab, right-click on "Red Dead Redemption 2.exe", and select "Set priority" > "High".
Set the Game to High-Performance Mode:
Right-click on your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
Under "Manage 3D Settings", go to the "Program Settings" tab and add "Red Dead Redemption 2.exe".
For Power management mode, select "Prefer maximum performance".
Also, disable "Triple buffering"and "Vertical sync".
5. Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software
Open your antivirus software's interface.
Find and select the "Disable" or "Stop Protection" option, usually available in the settings or menu.
Choose the time duration for disabling protection, such as 10 minutes, 1 hour, or until the computer restarts.
After disabling the antivirus, restart Red Dead Redemption 2 to see if the problem is resolved.
If the game launches successfully after disabling the antivirus, try adding the game to the antivirus exclusion list to avoid having to disable it every time you start the game.
Note: Ensure to re-enable your antivirus software after playing to keep your computer secure.
6. Check System Files
In the Search box, type "Command Prompt", right-click Command Prompt, and select "Run as Administrator".
In the opened Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Wait for the SFC tool to scan and repair damaged files. This process may take some time, so be patient.
Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and try launching Red Dead Redemption 2 again to check if the issue is resolved.
7. Perform a Clean Boot
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type "msconfig", and press Enter.
In the System Configuration window, select the "General" tab.
Choose "Selective startup", and uncheck "Load startup items".
Go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services", and then click "Disable all".
Click "Apply", then "OK", and restart your computer.
In the clean boot mode, try launching Red Dead Redemption 2 to see if the game loads successfully.
Note: After completing your gaming session, you can restore the original startup settings by going back to the System Configuration window and selecting "Normal startup".
By following the above steps, you can effectively resolve the issue of Red Dead Redemption 2 getting stuck on the loading screen. If the problem persists, it is recommended to contact Rockstar support or consult gaming forums for further assistance.
See also:
Fix Windows 10 network disconnection error
Solve Windows 11 network recognition issue
How to Fix 'This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)' Error
