All fixes / GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2

"Rockstar Games Launcher failed to initialize" (GTA V / RDR2)

Rockstar Games Launcher failed to initialize Error 15 Error Code 1014

The Rockstar Games Launcher itself is broken, so no Rockstar game can start. A clean reinstall of the launcher fixes this almost every time.

Why it happens

Every Rockstar PC game runs through the launcher, even if you bought it on Steam or Epic. If a launcher update fails partway, its files get corrupted, or antivirus blocks part of it, the launcher can't start and takes your game down with it.

How to fix it

1. Close every Rockstar game and the launcher. Check Task Manager for leftover Rockstar or Social Club processes and end them.
2. Uninstall the launcher: open C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Launcher and run uninstall.exe. If it asks about removing game data, choose to keep it.
3. Delete the leftover launcher folders if they're still there: Documents\Rockstar Games\Launcher, Documents\Rockstar Games\Social Club, C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Launcher, C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Social Club, and C:\Program Files (x86)\Rockstar Games\Social Club. Do not delete your game folders (like 'Grand Theft Auto V') or the GTA V / Red Dead Redemption 2 folders in Documents.
4. Restart your PC.
5. Download the launcher fresh from rockstargames.com and install it. When it asks to scan for installed games, say yes so it finds your existing install.
6. If it still won't start, add the Rockstar Games folder in Program Files to your antivirus exclusions and try again.

Still broken?

Make sure Windows is fully updated, since older Windows builds can stop the launcher from starting. If it still fails, contact Rockstar Support with your launcher log, or book a session with us.

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