SOLUTION: Help! - RD Online & RDR2 not opening / Rockstar Game Launcher validation issue

[RavenAUS]

I have spent almost 2 weeks in contact with Rockstar Support to try and solve this issue with no result. I thought maybe the community has a better idea. Rockstar Support has given me very standard trouble shooting. Hoping there may be a technical wizard here somewhere.

Long story short - RD Online [ Standalone ] and RDR2 game does not open in Steam or Rockstar Game Launcher. It will sometimes display "Running in Steam" however does not open or Launch. I have also re-downloaded Grand Theft Auto V and have the same issue.
I purchased the stand alone version of RD Online from Steam first played for months and then purchased RDR2 when it was on sale.

Have tried all the standard trouble shooting. Listed below -

RD Online > Properties > Local files > Verify integrity of game files > all files successfully validated.
Open RD Online > Steam Client opens > Rockstar Game Launcher Redirector > Rockstar Game service opens > Rockstar Game Launcher opens.
Game shows “Running” on Steam then closes.
Rockstar Game Launcher shows RD Online in “My Library” and shows a tab “Play on Steam”
Click “Play on Steam tab” > Rockstar Game Launcher > Nothing.
RDR2 > Properties > Local files > Verify integrity of game files > all files successfully validated.
Open RDR2 > Steam Client opens > Rockstar Game Launcher Redirector > Rockstar Game service opens > Rockstar Game Launcher opens.
RDR2 does not show in “My Library” in Rockstar Game Launcher.

Disabling Programs did not work.
Disabled all Services and restart.
Open Rockstar Game Launcher > Play on Steam Tab > Error Msg:
“Steam Service on your machine needs maintenance. This Service helps Steam install or update games, enables anti-cheat detection in some titles and assists with other systema level tasks. Reinstalling the Steam service requires Administrator privileges.”
> Install Service > Steam Login > Run RD Online > Click Play > Rockstar Games Launcher Redirect > Connecting to Rockstar Games > and now back to Rockstar Game Launcher with “Play on Steam” Tab > Click play > RDR2 shows “running” in Steam but is not displayed on screen.
Task Manager > Processes > RDR2 App not running.
Task Manager > Details > PlayRDR2.exe is running but game did not load to screen

Rockstar Games Launcher > Uninstalled.
Rockstar Games Social Club > Uninstalled.
[ No other Rockstar programs to uninstall ]
Restart.
Open Steam.
Play RDR2 from Steam.
Rockstar Game launcher Redirection.
Rockstar Game Launcher > Language select > English > Welcome page > License Agreement.
Install location > Installing > Finished (Successful) > Close.
[ Error: Rockstar games launcher is already running ]
Rockstar games social club install.
Rockstar Game Launcher opens.
Scan for previously installed titles > OK.
Rockstar Game Launch is open and displaying RD Online & Max Payne 3 under “My Library”
RD Online > Click “Play on Steam tab” > Rockstar Game Launcher Redirector > RDR2 Launching in Steam > RDR2 "running” in Steam > then stops.
RDR2 does not open.
Max Payne 3 in Rockstar Launcher > Play on Steam tab > Running in Steam but has not open the game.
Task manager > Rockstar Games App > End Task.
Task manager > Details > Launcher.exe / LauncherPatcher.exe / RockstarService.exe > End Tasks.
Close Steam.
Open Rockstar Games Launcher > Login > Max Payne 3 > “Play on Steam tab” > Steam Client Services > Max Payne 3 now runs.
Back to RD Online.
Rockstar Game Launcher > RD Online > “Play on Steam”
Rockstar Game Launcher Redirector > Steam opens > RDR2 “Running” > stops.
Task manager > Rockstar Games App > End Task.
Task manager > Details > Launcher.exe / LauncherPatcher.exe / RockstarService.exe > End Tasks.
Close Steam.
Open Steam > Play RD Online > Rockstar Game Launcher Redirector > Game Services > Rockstar Game Launcher opens.
Steam showing RD Online “Running” > Game does not open.
Task Manager > RD App not running in Process.
Task Manager > Details > “PlayRDR2.EXE” running.

Open Event Viewer > Administrative Events > [ Error ] Service Control Manager > Event 7034, Service Control Error > Rockstar Game Library Service, service terminated unexpectedly 5 times.
* [ Warning ] DistributedCOM > Event 10016 > Application specific permissions setting do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID and APPID.

Open Steam.
Validated game files in Steam.
Signed out of Rockstar Launcher.
Signed back in Rockstar Launcher.
Run game in Steam.
Game displays “running” in Steam but does not open.
Close Steam & Rockstar Game Launcher.
Open File Explorer > RDR2 Game folder > RDR2.exe [ Disable fullscreen & Run program as Admin ]
Rockstar Game Launcher opens > Error: This Social Club account does not own Red Dead Online, please ensure you are using the correct account.
The issue is with Rockstar Launcher or Social Club not validating or not being able to validate that I own the games.

Uninstalled RD Online [ Standalone ]
Restart
Open Steam
“Play” RDR2
Launches Rockstar Game Launcher Redirector
Connecting to Rockstar Services
Rockstar Game Launcher opens
Shows RD Online & Max Payne 3 in “My Library”
Game is showing it is running in Steam
Click “play on Steam” in Rockstar Game Launcher
Steam “Opening RDR2”
Error: An error occurred while updating RDR2 ( App Running)
Open Rockstar Game Launcher
Select RD Online
“Play on Steam”
Steam opens but game does not run
Click play
Launches Rockstar Game Launcher Redirector
Connecting to Rockstar Services
Rockstar Game Launcher opens
Steam shows game running but game does not open

RDR2 is missing from Rockstar Game Launcher. Only shows RD Online even after deleting from Steam. I have scanned the PC with the Games Launcher “Complete scan no titles were found”

Redownloaded Grand Theft Auto V – Same issue wont launch

Anyone have this issue or any suggestions?

Thanks.

[IDwLoD]

that's quite a odd way of listing your attempts to fix things.
what exactly did you try? and what amongst the gobble-dee-g00k were msg's that got bounces back at you.
it just reads a bit strange.

and you mention that social club launcher doesn't list RDR2,
this is normal apparently.
i have RDR2 on steam, but it only lists RDO in the social club launcher.

anyway on to your issue:
1 thing that i read wich strike me as strange,
and 1 thing that i see you didn't try yet.

1: the error msg in your post.
>>> Open Rockstar Game Launcher > Play on Steam Tab > Error Msg:
“Steam Service on your machine needs maintenance. This Service helps Steam install or update games, enables anti-cheat detection in some titles and assists with other systema level tasks. Reinstalling the Steam service requires Administrator privileges.” <<<<
this entire section, might indicate that your steam didn't get installed properly?
cause it's lacking admin rights?
* 1st: try to just check for steam updates: open steam > top left "steam" > check for steam client updates.
* 2nd: check your settings that you're not running any Steam Beta's.
* 3rd: try to reinstall steam and force a installation with administrator rights.

2:
i haven't seen you mention that you cleaned up your documents folder related to the rockstar launcher and social club, look into that if you haven't yet.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1174180/discussions/0/3184612220390387502/
go to Users\username\Documents\Rockstar Games\Launcher,
and Users\username\Documents\Rockstar Games\Social Club.
cut and paste these folders to your desktop (to restore if needed).
then launch the social club again.

additional option:
uninstall your rockstar launcher program > redownload from the rockstar website.
remove any left over files from your program files social club installation and the documents launcher + social club folder (as explained above this option).
manually download the launcher from the rockstar website,
don't let steam install the launcher for you.
restart pc, then reinstall the rockstar launcher.

make sure you have your login details on hand, cause you'll have to login again.
oh and make sure that your social club account is Linked with steam ofcourse.

best of luck.

[IDwLoD]

as a addition, after reading your post again.
you posted:
Open Event Viewer > Administrative Events > [] Service Control Manager > Event 7034, Service Control Error > Rockstar Game Library Service, service terminated unexpectedly 5 times.
* [] DistributedCOM > Event 10016 > Application specific permissions setting do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID and APPID.

this apparently has something to do with windows 10 and certain updates trying to push people to windows 11, wich caused some issues like possibly this 1.

so if the first 2 options i mentioned didn't fix anything for you,
then google for:
> Application specific permissions setting do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID and APPID. <

the entire line between > <
you should get 2 top searches:
1 from docs.microsoft,
1 from Appuals.
i think Appuals had a pretty clear step by step approach to solve this specific error.

BUT, BIG BIG BUT!. do these things at your own risk.
i'm not into doing much registry edits at all,
i can't tell you the possible risks or issues you can come across.
so do some research Before you start diving into this specific solution.

again, best of luck.

[RavenAUS]

Thank you for your response. Really appreciate your time.

What I have listed in the post is what Rockstar Support has asked me to try this week to solve the issue. There is quite a bit more but this is the current stuff I have tried. Rockstar has asked to contact Steam to delete my RD Online standalone because that may be causing an issue with RDR2 (containing RD Online) but considering GTAV does not launch either, points me at Rockstar Game Launcher or Social Club.

I believe the issue may of happened when I rolled from Windows 10 to Windows 11 but no other games / programs outside of Rockstar Game Launcher has this issue.

Checked Steam for updates - "Steam client is already up to date."
Not participating in Beta's

Rockstar Support has previously ask to clean up files and folders. Just havent added that in list.

My steam account is permanently linked to my Rockstar account and only have 1 account.

Thank you again for taking the time to read and will follow up on your advice. Yes I understand the risks.

[RavenAUS]

Found a solution - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKCvbHvc7_g

[JuiceWSA]

Be sure to mark that one as the solution - for any other travelers that might need it - and there seem to be a lot.

[RavenAUS]

This solution worked for me. Maybe not for everyone but I hope it may help someone else. Rockstar Game Launcher is a nightmare.

[GeminiGen91]

I personally just finished fixing mine. I right clicked on the windows icon, selected task manager --> services --> open services (at the bottom with a gear icon) --> right click "rockstar game library service" --> properties --> I changed startup type to automatic, cuz, I can always change it back to manual when I'm finished with RDR. I hope this helps if RavenAUS's solution didn't work for you.

[blackember]

I have the same problem and none of the fixes have worked for me
I purchased the game more than 2 weeks ago so my refund request was denied as well
♥♥♥♥ this

[blackember]

Well well, apparently it was Bandicam being a sneaky little ♥♥♥♥♥ in my case, it has a background process that messes with RDR2
Found solution here: https://www.reddit.com/r/PCRedDead/comments/h9v588/a_really_unexpected_crash_on_startup_fix_for_rdr2/
Hope this helps anyone else who runs into the problem

[RavenAUS]

Sorry to hear. I know the frustration and the hours I spent on trouble shooting and Rockstar support couldn't solve it after two weeks.. I've never had a technical issue like it before and I have plenty of games from different publishers. Rockstar Game Launcher is rubbish. Needs to be scrapped or overhauled asap.