Error: Game Already Running

[MMM]

What the hell? Ive restarted my PC, Restarted steam numerous times, Cannot launch the damn game it says its already running. From Wolf:

For people searching and finding this post, end the Easy Anti Cheat process because for some reason this is running when the Rust client is not and I cannot start the game. This is what worked for me.

[129]

Open Task Manager (ctrl+shift+escape) and see if there is a process related that is running that you can end. Seems weird to me that you have the problem even after system reboot though, check msconfig / taskman to see what programs run on boot of your computer. I’d also try verifying the integrity of the installed files.

[MMM]

It was weird. There was no process running, a restart and it kept doing it.. I restarted again and it seems to be working now. Still very strange.. thanks for reply

[129]

I have seen this case before also but I’ve always been able to resolve it by either ending process in Task Manger or a system reboot. Maybe a different associated file was running causing issue, not certain, good you got it working though.

[Thug]

IMPRESSIVE, thanks man, you helped me

[Wolf]

For people searching and finding this post, end the Easy Anti Cheat process because for some reason this is running when the Rust client is not and I cannot start the game. This is what worked for me.

[Voyager]

Originally posted by Wolf:

For people searching and finding this post, end the Easy Anti Cheat process because for some reason this is running when the Rust client is not and I cannot start the game. This is what worked for me.

Worked like a charm, thanks!

[Spat]

@Wolf thank you! that worked for me perfectly

[GrizzlyHawk]

ending anit cheat and lanching rust worked for me thanks guys for the help here

[stew]

Originally posted by IMPRESSIVE:

I have seen this case before also but I’ve always been able to resolve it by either ending process in Task Manger or a system reboot. Maybe a different associated file was running causing issue, not certain, good you got it working though.

this saved my a** from getting murdered by my my clan thanks man

[.skl - TheBestOf...]

Originally posted by Wolf:

For people searching and finding this post, end the Easy Anti Cheat process because for some reason this is running when the Rust client is not and I cannot start the game. This is what worked for me.

DUUDEEEEEEEE U SAVED MY LIFE I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ LOVE YOU

[gratefulgryphon1]

@wolf how do we end the anti cheat?

[Schloser]

I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE, to fix it i would just have to close the easyanticheat in task manager, and shut down steam to close whatever app was still running. however, my friend came over and was trying to use an outlet, and unplugged my whole computer setup. so i plugged it back in and booted up windows, started steam, and launched rust and now it is closing just fine.

[M0stlyHarmless]

Originally posted by Wolf:

For people searching and finding this post, end the Easy Anti Cheat process because for some reason this is running when the Rust client is not and I cannot start the game. This is what worked for me.

Got this error first time today, simple fix thank you.

[zakchque]

Unfortunately, none of the solutions posted here have helped me. Searching through Task Manager, there was no program related to Easy Anti Cheat running on boot up of the computer, nor whilst starting up rust. Using the properties section in the drop-down for Rust, I was able to verify the integrity of the game files. Although it proved to find weaknesses and fixing them, the game still did not load, still showing the 'Unexpected error. (Game already running)' message. I attempted to reinstall the Easy Anti Cheat files, to no success. I realise that I have installed the programs Rust & Rust - Staging Branch on another computer, yet this does not affect other games.

So how did I solve my problem after reinstalling the game three times? (For those of you wondering,)

If you close your Steam application and go to Task Manager, scroll to the 'Background' section. Originally when checking Task Manager, I only observed the top section of the applications running. Clicking 'More Details,' you will be able to see the background applications running on your computer. (This small detail had not been included in other solutions.) Right click the Easy Anti Cheat program to reveal the drop-down, so that you can end that task. Reopen Steam, and run the Rust application. If it shows the message again, look for the Easy Anti Cheat program in the background section of Task Manager again. End the task. I was then able to play the game.

TL;DR: Check the background noise in Task Manager, not the current applications running.

I hope you found this useful.

[Samuelson McBanquet Magonahew Jr]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Ix80aV0PM

This youtube video explains what to do, it fixes everything in less than 5 minutes. Try it, it worked for me.