8 Ways to Fix Roblox Not Launching on a Windows PC

Roblox is a game players can play from web browsers or with its UWP app. However, some players report Roblox games don’t start on their Windows PCs. For example, this is what one player’s Reddit post said, “When I click play on the Roblox website, the Roblox Player pops up saying ‘starting Roblox’ but then nothing happens after that.” Players can’t play the game because of issues like that. Here are some ways you can fix Roblox not launching on a Windows 11/10 PC.

Check the Roblox Server Status

First, note that Roblox can occasionally fail to launch because of server issues. For example, the Roblox server went down in October 2023, which was a significant outage. You can check if there’s a server issue on this Roblox status page. If that page shows there’s an outage, wait until that issue gets resolved before attempting to launch the game again.

The Roblox server status page

Set Roblox Player to Run as an Administrator

Roblox Player is the client software needed for playing Roblox via web browsers. Setting that client to run as an administrator will give it full administrative access to system folders and files. This is how you can permanently set Roblox Player to run with elevated rights.

1. Right-click on the Roblox Player desktop shortcut to select Properties. If you don’t have a shortcut for the client software, you’ll need to open the Roblox installation folder and right-click the Robloxplayer.exe file.
2. Select Compatibility to access the options on that tab.
3. Next, click on the Run this program as an administrator box to enable that setting for your Roblox game.
   
   

   The Run this program as an administrator option

4. Select Apply to save your Roblox compatibility settings.
5. Close the Roblox Player Properties window by clicking OK.

Disable Proxy Server

Some players confirm disabling the proxy server setting can fix Roblox not launching. Even if you can’t recall enabling a proxy server on your PC, check to see if Use a proxy server option is selected. This is how you can disable the proxy server via Internet Properties.

1. Bring up the file finder tool by pressing the magnifying glass button or clicking inside the search box on the taskbar.
2. Type internet properties in the file finder tool and click Internet Options.
3. Click Connects in the Internet Properties window’s tab bar.
4. Press the LAN settings button.
5. Deselect the checkbox for the Use a proxy server setting there if that option is selected.
   
   

   The Use a proxy server checkbox

6. Select OK to save the changed settings.
7. Restart Windows 11/10 after disabling the Use a proxy server option.

Close or Uninstall MSI Afterburner

Do you have MSI Afterburner installed on your PC? If you do, make sure that the program isn’t running in the background when you try to play Roblox. Players confirm closing the MSI Afterburner has fixed Roblox not launching on their PCs. This is how you can close an MSI Afterburner app running in the background.

1. Open the window for the Task Manager utility by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc hotkey.
2. Click Process to view background program processes.
3. Select any MSI Afterburner process you see there and click End task.
   
   

   The Task Manager window

4. If you have any alternative overclocking software running, disable its background process as outlined in the steps directly above.
5. Try launching Roblox after closing MSI Afterburner or alternative overclocking software.

Erase the Roblox Data Folder

Corrupted Roblox data is another possible cause for Roblox not launching. You can address that potential cause by erasing Roblox’s data folder like this.

1. Activate File Explorer on your PC by holding the Windows logo key and pressing E.
2. Navigate to this Local folder: C:\Users\<user folder name>\AppData\Local.
   
   

   The Roblox data folder

3. Right-click on the Roblox folder and select its Delete context menu option.
4. Reboot your Windows 11/10 desktop or laptop.

Reinstall Roblox Player

Reinstalling Roblox Player is a widely confirmed way to fix Roblox not launching. However, you should also erase all Roblox app data before reinstalling the software. Try reinstalling the Roblox Player as follows.

1. Start the Run accessory with the Windows logo key + R keyboard shortcut (or right-click the Start taskbar icon to select it).
2. Enter appwiz.cpl inside the Run dialog and click the OK button.
3. Select Roblox Player in Programs and Features.
   
   

   The Programs and Features Control Panel applet

4. Click the Uninstall button for the selected Roblox Player app.
5. Next, start Command Prompt by inputting CMD into Run and clicking OK.
6. Type cd Appdata/Local into the Command Prompt and press Enter.
7. Input the command rmdir /s Roblox and press Return to execute.
   
   

   The rmdir /s Roblox command

8. Press Y to confirm deletion.
9. Next, click Download Windows App on this Roblox webpage.
10. Double-click the downloaded RobloxPlayerInstaller.exe file in whatever folder includes it to reinstall Roblox Player.

An alternative option here is to install the Roblox UWP app instead. To do that, click Get on this Microsoft Store page. Select Open Microsoft Store and click the Get option for Roblox from there.

Allow Roblox Through the Windows Firewall

Roblox must be allowed through the Windows firewall because it’s an online game. If Roblox isn’t allowed through the firewall, the game can’t connect with servers. This is how you can allow Roblox through the Windows firewall.

1. Launch the search tool using the Windows logo + S activation hotkey.
2. Enter Allow an app through firewall into the Type here to search box.
3. Click the matching Allow an app through firewall search resultType here to search box.
4. Select Change Settings in Allowed apps.
   
   

   The allowed apps firewall settings

5. Next, select the Public and Private boxes for the Roblox app if those checkboxes are checked (ticked).
6. Click on OK to save the changes.

If you can’t see Roblox in the firewall app list, you’ll need to add it. Click Allow another app > Browse and select the RobloxPlayer.exe file. Press the Open and Add options to add the selected Roblox Player to the firewall.

Users with third-party firewalls will need to check Roblox is allowed through them. Remember that many antivirus tools have firewall components. So, look through the settings for any third-party antivirus software installed to see it if has a firewall exceptions list.

Select the Repair and Reset Options (Roblox UWP App Resolution)

If you utilize the Roblox UWP app downloaded from the Microsoft Store, try troubleshooting that app with its Repair and Reset options. Windows has Repair and Reset options to help users fix Microsoft Store apps that aren’t starting. You select those options for Roblox like this.

1. Activate the file search box and input the keyword Apps & features.
2. Select Apps & features to view the uninstaller tool in Settings.
3. Click Advanced options under the Roblox app if you’re utilizing the Windows 10 Settings app. Windows 11 users will need to click the menu button for Roblox to select that option.
4. First, press the Repair button.
   
   

   The Repair and Reset options

5. Click Reset twice to clear the app’s data.
6. In addition, select the Repair and Reset options for the Microsoft Store app.

Other Possible Ways to Fix Roblox Not Launching on a Windows PC

Aside from the possible solutions above, there are other ways you might be able to fix Roblox not launching. Here are some additional suggestions:

• Update the driver for your PC’s graphics card by manually downloading a driver package from the Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD website.
• Make sure the Windows 11/10 time and date options are set correctly for your location.
• Set Roblox Player to run in compatibility mode with Windows 7 selected. To do that, open the Compatibility tab for Roblox, as covered in this guide’s first resolution, and select the Run this program in compatibility mode checkbox.
• Repair Windows system files with the SFC utility as instructed on this Microsoft page.

I hope one of the resolutions in this guide kick-starts Roblox on your Windows PC. They’re worth a try because many players have confirmed those potential resolutions fix Roblox not launching. You can also get in touch with the Roblox help service from this contact form page if more possible fixes for that game not starting are required.