"Error, a game instance of Grand Theft Auto V is already running"

[PrudenT_]

(this is on epic games launcher)

I cant open gta at all, whenever i try the to boot up the game it will load then the error message in the title of this discussion pops up and i need to log in to rockstar social club again. Ive tried uninstalling and reinstalling the rockstar launcher. Ive also tried closing rockstar launcher on task manager but nothing has worked. any help would be appreciated :)

[BlueLightning]

You maybe have better luck in epic game forums

[PrudenT_]

I didnt even know epic games forums existed. why tf cant you access it in the game launcher? On top of that the forums seem jank af. I guess you are right though, id probably have better luck there...

[psykoteky]

If this thread gets locked <---click

#Pressing play does nothing, toggles to playing, and not playing, in seconds.
Launcher already running, gtav already running, etc. Launcher crashes. New - rockstar games library service failing to correctly work, install, start/stop, etc. Opening in steam just opens launcher and sits there. Launcher doesn't recognize game. Infinite loading.

(Yes, you can add me- and I can chat, answer questions, give directions (heavy preference you try first) - just add me on steam - there is no other way.. NOTE - FAR LESS LIKELY AFTER JAN 1, 2023 / profile note. Teamviewer is also off the table. I don't help like that anymore unless in 'extreme' circumstances, and I chose to. -.-

**Jun2022+ below are 2 quick things that are common 'recently' after the update -
1-RENAME my documents / rockstar games to rockstar games-old. Do not use cloudsave/sync if/when it asks, use local saves. Test. If it works, you can try pulling your rockstar games-old/gtav/settings.xml, and profiles folder to the 'new' one the test recreated, and test again. Renaming this folder helps rule out permissions, corrupt files, saves, issues with settings, etc. Do it, it is easy. Like I said - RENAME. -.-

2-Open c / program files / rockstar games / launcher - rightclick launcher.exe, properties, compatability tab, put a check in run as admin. accept. test. Some users may need steam.exe as well. More info below regarding variations of this. Some need it removed.

3- Open gtav game folder. Delete dinput8.dll (mods are now disabled).

Otherwise - onward to the rest of the post -.-

There are a few different reasons to have this problem.
When I'm asked to teamviewer/fix it - I first make sure -
That mandatory ASLR in windows defender/exploit protection is OFF.
(win10 - search exploit protection - should take you right to it)
Then I check/install media feature pack IF ON A N/KN windows version <-- click for info.
(windows key + pause/break, run / winver - search 'about' - should give you the info)
Then I then remove ANY files they put in gtav folder~ -.- <---click for instructions .
Then I check launcher.log /other logs, crash reports for extra details/narrowing of 'fixes'. Test. Check logs again for 'progress' / changes in errors and move forward.
After all that - I end up using an AIO (run as admin) to remove/clean/reinstall the vcredists (normal uninstall/reinstall does not always work). (not 'always' necessary - but since the release of the launcher this step alone has cured many issues with it) -
One example - http://m.majorgeeks.com/mg/getmirror/visual_c_runtime_installer,2.html
or another -
https://m.majorgeeks.com/mg/getmirror/visual_c_redistributable_runtimes_aio_repack,2.html

*March2022- some users reporting simply installing vcredist 2022, an AIO up to 2022, etc etc - as 'working'. Which isn't any more different than the previous instructions - and signifying you had an issue with vcredists. The launcher is still only installing 2015-2019 (2024 - checked is now 2015-2022 - yay 'progress'). Example -
https://www.techpowerup.com/download/visual-c-redistributable-runtime-package-all-in-one/

*also possible for links to be broken, removed, updated, so on. Can search site for files by name, recent/top downloads, google, find other tools, etc. -.-

^^*** - after running the above AIO/installers and no progress for 2 users, manually uninstalling, and reinstalling (run as admin) the c / program files / rockstar games / launcher / redistributables / vcred / x86 and x64 versions there - they started working.

*June-2022 --- 3+ instances now in last month where the AIO's 'worked' but upon closer inspection, were not. After attempting to manually uninstall all vcredists from apps/programs - and reinstall them. Some gave errors uninstalling, and others gave errors while installing. Both variations also were capable of adding/not removing their entry from the installed apps/programs list. You can try using this tool - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed-cca7d1b6-65a9-3d98-426b-e9f927e1eb4d to go in and fix/repair the install/uninstall of the various vcredists giving you issues. Personally, I'd straight up remove ALL of them. Run tool, try cleaning up the uninstalls first, then the installs. Then, either re-manually install them all, or run the AIO again. Some of the cleaning/fix process via this app looked like it froze and took 5-10 minutes. YMMV.

Verify cache. -.-
(and/or if there was any mod use ever - remove all mods, or atleast dinput8.dll if exist - which is quite literally the 3rd step I listed above. Remove the mods, rule that out. If you are excluding 'cheats' because they aren't 'mods' or you think you need them - remove them anyway and rule that out - 3 people have wasted my time since tuners rolled out - by NOT removing that garbage, and having me lead them through my directions - and finally giving me screenshots of their folders just to prove it was clean - and was not -.-)

Afterwards, (when I teamviewer'n) - I will do my usual - rename my docs / rockstar games to rockstar games-old. Then exit steam. Then bounce from all the .exe's (steam, r* launcher, gtav) involved and see what stuff is set as - run as admin, or not. Removing all 'run as admin' then test. Doesn't work? Then only running epic launcher (or steam(for steam version), or r* launcher (for R* version)) as admin, and test. Some users regardless of the 3 versions - need R* launcher .exe's as admin, some may also need social club .exe's, and even gta5 .exe's That 'usually' fixes it. Be aware I used plurals. Not just gta5.exe... but gta5, gtavlauncher, playgtav, etc. Be methodical.

In a few cases, have had to close other 3rd party apps, add the r* launcher, social club, and gtav folders to whitelists/exclusions in some av/security (including windows defender/controlled folders access, and search/defaulting exploit protection settings - especially 'mandatory ASLR' to OFF (on x2, off x1, on x4), or even manually remove or recreate some folders necessary for the game to save settings/info/etc (my docs / rockstar games doesn't always generate correctly like it should due to permissions - onedrive usually the issue with that one). Yep, this includes Onedrive screwing with my docs / rockstar games folder (stop backing up/sync'n this folder if you need onedrive). Depending on what was done in this paragraph - possibly even starting this link of instructions over again. sfc /scannow from an admin command prompt may also be valid if you are this far without progress.

**Note - for mandatory ASLR/exploit protection - overtighten your security, deal with the consequences. This is doubly to those that use the program settings tab and need/want to actually configure individual exploit protection configurations for these things. Remember that social club can/will update/install out of 2 locations:
steam/steamapps/common/gtav/installers
AND
c/programfiles/rockstargames/launcher/redistributables/socialclub

If you still have issues - you can also go through and delete:
program files / rockstar games / social club folder -
program files / rockstar games / launcher folder - and manually reinstall both social club and launcher as admin too from steam/steamapps/common/gtav/installers. You could also download the updated launcher from R* and try that (also as admin) - this is 'usually' the latest version, the steam one usually has to self-update (connection issues could cause more problems here). There is also a c / programdata / rockstar games folder to rename to -old - and users / <username> / appdata / local / rockstar games to also rename to -old. Usually when you take this route - you only install the launcher/social club, and never attempt to run gtav UNTIL after you've ran the launcher individually, and had it update itself, and CLOSED IT entirely (or restart pc), then - you restart and try gtav from steam.

Once the launcher reaches that point of causing issues (from a single launch) - you usually need to either restart the pc or use tasklist/taskkill in admin command prompt to force close it via pid or name (which sometimes doesn't work) - especially if you can't seen the processes in task manager. 'Sometimes' - you can close steam (for steam version -.-;; can't believe I have to specify this). At no point should you need to be clicking in the launcher to play gtav if you are launching gtav from steam. Doing so, or being impatient, signals there is a problem/causes more.

YMMV though - when I do this, everything seems to work (I use that lightly, because people quite frequently change stuff after I've fixed things - I even had one person install a cheat menu while I was STILL on teamviewer - start gtav, it not work - and attempt to berate me for 'not fixing it' - I'm dead serious). For others - may/may not - because who knows what else anyone has done/ (or skipped -.-), like leftover mods, missed .exe's, not installed/updated media feature pack for N/KN windows, missed programs that can interfere/etc, not restarted computer, and can also be from network/service related issues(which can appear, and disappear randomly), and more. Stuff really hard to sort out when servers having issues. In general - just complete methodical thoroughness (or lack thereof -.-).

Yes, I can teamviewer and sort it out - when I have time. Just add me - been doing it for years. (and if you are a random coming from this thread - explain the issue.. blind invites = go nowhere unless I've directly msg'd with you.) Also, heavy preference to not do this anymore since most people don't do anything, claim they did, you can see where I'm going with this. -.-

**Dec2022/times in 2023 - seeing already running errors in relation to gpu drivers/laptops (both gpu's in case of multi gpu/onboard/discrete/etc). Updating gpu drivers worked outright in some cases - others had multiple errors.

**Dec2021 - Some users having problems after the mid Dec update - and were resorting to creating a new windows user, giving it admin, and playing there. Of course, that shouldn't be necessary. Some stated 'after' doing that - they went back to original user and tried, and it still crashed. Others, said it 'crashed' but it still appeared to be loading, so they didn't hit anything, and the game eventually loaded fine - and was fine since. Others having the same exact issue after that update - I looked at/talked with/walked through some things and it was fixed without the windows user. YMMV - obviously.

**July2021 - Note -- Recent/potential issue since Tuner update? going around for some with the R* games library service resetting itself/needing to have an actual login/password(possibly administrator account - can even create one specifically for gtav) applied to the service on startup (services.msc, rockstar games library services, properties, logon tab, 'this account' / add details --- and/or changing the service to manual(I use manual)/automatic in case they disabled it while previously trying to cleanboot windows). Personally- not needed to use on anyone I fixed. Some others rumored to have been corrected after windows finished its updates (which could possibly be fixing corrupt system files mentioned below) - though that has been an issue/common knowledge on/off for years now. Some also claim the R* library service doesn't exist - although I've personally not been able to tv/look at/troubleshoot any of those to gather info. -.-

**April2021? - Note -- some version of ghub are currently preventing gtav from closing correctly, possibly also keeping the launcher from closing correctly, possibly updating correctly - and making other troubleshooting issues worse. Force close, update, or uninstall it while testing. 2020.11.9270 <--- I am on this version without issue currently.


**May/Jun2020/recent issue (not the new 'Nov5/win7' issue)-
---- supposedly fixed -----
https://steamcommunity.com/app/271590/discussions/0/2450469119947082025/#c2450469119947683880


Other recent/similar links/info -
https://steamcommunity.com/app/271590/discussions/0/2450469119955082985/#c2450469119955133320

And the above is still just for 'immediate' launcher issues - still completely plausible to be crashing past the launcher, or with the game itself, and there is many more issues/reasons related to that in the info below.

...my usual copypasta when there isn't any info, logs, reports, error codes...
Here's a link that covers many -common- problems/fix AND a link with more steps for methodically cleaning/reinstalling various components - and info regarding log files/crash reports to further 'attempt' to help if that link/steps didn't resolve the problem.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/271590/discussions/0/1368380934244197003/#c1368380934244499526

Of course - R* support, if you'd prefer they fixed it, or have issues with free time help-
https://support.rockstargames.com/categories/360002126893?step=13cce8c9
Webtickets, livechat, and even phone callbacks are available. The options may 'move' around and appear under different catagories. Poke around and /goodluck.

[PrudenT_]

i should've mentioned sooner but after logging on today it started working randomly... idk, either way thanks for the really big and detailed response, i appreciate it!

[panda_rob0t17]

not work

[psykoteky]

^ Maybe you need someone who knows how to fix it to do it than provide 'not work'. Hopefully your response is after you found my link on your own, and spent some time with it - 7 minutes response after I gave you the link is unacceptable. Every time I do it - it works.

Or at minimum, provide the logs of your problem in case you have more than a single issue affecting it. You know, like... all the additional zero info complaints, steps, info provided at the bottom of the link that.. result in a log file. Steps not done. -.-

[76561199276201087]

i have 3000.108 error help

[Andrewar1738]

uh....i understood some of this, but really, i remember teamviewer above the rest, but i did read the whole thing

[Spipa7]

it worked ily bro ive been trying for weeks

[anishrajusis]

puurchased the game and installed! play button does nothing rockstar launcher comes in for a few sec and goes away! i mean is this game suppose to play right after the installation ? or do i need to hire a game engineer for this to work ?

[psykoteky]

^It 'should' work after you install it and hit play. However, there are many.. many.. many ways for a pc to be configured before the game is installed that can/do cause many problems. And, that is just 'configured' - that isn't counting any other issues like missing media feature packs, missing/corrupt vcredists, messed up permissions, lack of admin, and more.

Yes, it is annoying. Sadly - even 'if' the game is working properly after an install... you could even simply tighten your pc's security, to a file cleanup, or even install another game/app - or even fix a different game/app - and break gtav that way too. Many files, settings, apps, etc are involved with a functioning game.

The info up above in my large post is a compilation of everything -I've- seen, used, or experienced while fixing this problem for 100's of people. That isn't to say there aren't possibly 'new' problems with the update, or new windows 11, or some other recent circumstances. That is just the info I have, and is in no way the definitive 'only' way/answer. Unfortunately, most of this was all gathered first hand via chat/teamviewer/remote access --- something I've largely cut back on because it always turned into me doing what I said, and seeing zero proof that anyone attempted before asking (yep, this includes even cleaning out a file or 2, or renaming a folder /smh). This means anything 'new' is reliant upon the person with the issue to actually notice/mention the little/strange details that bring forth all the *'s regarding steps in the info above.


edit ---- fluffy below was fixed.
edit ---- NoTUMAR9982 below fixed using info.

[Fluffy]

Originally posted by psykoteky:

If this thread gets locked <---click

#Pressing play does nothing, toggles to playing, and not playing, in seconds.
Launcher already running, gtav already running, etc. Launcher crashes. New - rockstar games library service failing to correctly work, install, start/stop, etc. Opening in steam just opens launcher and sits there. Launcher doesn't recognize game.

(Yes, you can add me- and I can chat, answer questions, give directions (heavy preference you try first) - just add me on steam - there is no other way..

**Jun2022+ below are 2 quick things that are common 'recently' after the update -
1-RENAME my documents / rockstar games to rockstar games-old. Do not use cloudsave/sync if/when it asks, use local saves. Test. If it works, you can try pulling your rockstar games-old/gtav/settings.xml, and profiles folder to the 'new' one the test recreated, and test again. Renaming this folder helps rule out permissions, corrupt files, saves, issues with settings, etc. Do it, it is easy. Like I said - RENAME. -.-

2-Open c / program files / rockstar games / launcher - rightclick launcher.exe, properties, compatability tab, put a check in run as admin. accept. test. Some users may need steam.exe as well. More info below regarding variations of this.

Otherwise - onward to the rest of the post -.-

There are a few different reasons to have this problem.
When I'm asked to teamviewer/fix it - I first make sure -
That mandatory ASLR in windows defender/exploit protection is OFF.
(win10 - search exploit protection - should take you right to it)
Then I check/install media feature pack IF ON A N/KN windows version <-- click for info.
(windows key + pause/break, run / winver - search 'about' - should give you the info)
Then I then remove ANY files they put in gtav folder~ -.- <---click for instructions .
Then I check launcher.log /other logs, crash reports for extra details/narrowing of 'fixes'. Test. Check logs again for 'progress' / changes in errors and move forward.
After all that - I end up using an AIO (run as admin) to remove/clean/reinstall the vcredists (normal uninstall/reinstall does not always work). (not 'always' necessary - but since the release of the launcher this step alone has cured many issues with it) -
One example - http://m.majorgeeks.com/mg/getmirror/visual_c_runtime_installer,2.html
or another -
https://m.majorgeeks.com/mg/getmirror/visual_c_redistributable_runtimes_aio_repack,2.html

*March2022- some users reporting simply installing vcredist 2022, an AIO up to 2022, etc etc - as 'working'. Which isn't any more different than the previous instructions - and signifying you had an issue with vcredists. The launcher is still only installing 2015-2019. Example -
https://www.techpowerup.com/download/visual-c-redistributable-runtime-package-all-in-one/

*also possible for links to be broken, removed, updated, so on. Can search site for files by name, recent/top downloads, google, find other tools, etc. -.-

^^*** - after running the above AIO/installers and no progress for 2 users, manually uninstalling, and reinstalling (run as admin) the c / program files / rockstar games / launcher / redistributables / vcred / x86 and x64 versions there - they started working.

*June-2022 --- 3+ instances now in last month where the AIO's 'worked' but upon closer inspection, were not. After attempting to manually uninstall all vcredists from apps/programs - and reinstall them. Some gave errors uninstalling, and others gave errors while installing. Both variations also were capable of adding/not removing their entry from the installed apps/programs list. You can try using this tool - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed-cca7d1b6-65a9-3d98-426b-e9f927e1eb4d to go in and fix/repair the install/uninstall of the various vcredists giving you issues. Personally, I'd straight up remove ALL of them. Run tool, try cleaning up the uninstalls first, then the installs. Then, either re-manually install them all, or run the AIO again. Some of the cleaning/fix process via this app looked like it froze and took 5-10 minutes. YMMV.

Verify cache. -.-
(and/or if there was any mod use ever - remove all mods, or atleast dinput8.dll if exist - which is quite literally the 3rd step I listed above. Remove the mods, rule that out. If you are excluding 'cheats' because they aren't 'mods' or you think you need them - remove them anyway and rule that out - 3 people have wasted my time since tuners rolled out - by NOT removing that garbage, and having me lead them through my directions - and finally giving me screenshots of their folders just to prove it was clean - and was not -.-)

Afterwards, (when I teamviewer'n) - I will do my usual - rename my docs / rockstar games to rockstar games-old. Then exit steam. Then bounce from all the .exe's (steam, r* launcher, gtav) involved and see what stuff is set as - run as admin, or not. Removing all 'run as admin' then test. Doesn't work? Then only running epic launcher (or steam(for steam version), or r* launcher (for R* version)) as admin, and test. Some users regardless of the 3 versions - need R* launcher .exe's as admin, some may also need social club .exe's, and even gta5 .exe's That 'usually' fixes it. Be aware I used plurals. Not just gta5.exe... but gta5, gtavlauncher, playgtav, etc. Be methodical.

In a few cases, have had to close other 3rd party apps, add the r* launcher, social club, and gtav folders to whitelists/exclusions in some av/security (including windows defender/controlled folders access, and search/defaulting exploit protection settings - especially 'mandatory ASLR' to OFF (on x2, off x1, on x4), or even manually remove or recreate some folders necessary for the game to save settings/info/etc (my docs / rockstar games doesn't always generate correctly like it should due to permissions - onedrive usually the issue with that one). Yep, this includes Onedrive screwing with my docs / rockstar games folder. Depending on what was done in this paragraph - possibly even starting this link of instructions over again. sfc /scannow from an admin command prompt may also be valid if you are this far without progress.

**Note - for mandatory ASLR/exploit protection - overtighten your security, deal with the consequences. This is doubly to those that use the program settings tab and need/want to actually configure individual exploit protection configurations for these things. Remember that social club can/will update/install out of 2 locations:
steam/steamapps/common/gtav/installers
AND
c/programfiles/rockstargames/launcher/redistributables/socialclub

If you still have issues - you can also go through and delete:
program files / rockstar games / social club folder -
program files / rockstar games / launcher folder - and manually reinstall both social club and launcher as admin too from steam/steamapps/common/gtav/installers. You could also download the updated launcher from R* and try that (also as admin) - this is 'usually' the latest version, the steam one usually has to self-update (connection issues could cause more problems here). There is also a c / programdata / rockstar games folder to rename to -old - and users / <username> / appdata / local / rockstar games to also rename to -old. Usually when you take this route - you only install the launcher/social club, and never attempt to run gtav UNTIL after you've ran the launcher individually, and had it update itself, and CLOSED IT entirely (or restart pc), then - you restart and try gtav from steam.

Once the launcher reaches that point of causing issues (from a single launch) - you usually need to either restart the pc or use tasklist/taskkill in admin command prompt to force close it via pid or name (which sometimes doesn't work) - especially if you can't seen the processes in task manager. 'Sometimes' - you can close steam (for steam version -.-;; can't believe I have to specify this). At no point should you need to be clicking in the launcher to play gtav if you are launching gtav from steam. Doing so, or being impatient, signals there is a problem/causes more.

YMMV though - when I do this, everything seems to work (I use that lightly, because people quite frequently change stuff after I've fixed things - I even had one person install a cheat menu while I was STILL on teamviewer - start gtav, it not work - and attempt to berate me for 'not fixing it' - I'm dead serious). For others - may/may not - because who knows what else anyone has done/ (or skipped -.-), like leftover mods, missed .exe's, not installed/updated media feature pack for N/KN windows, missed programs that can interfere/etc, not restarted computer, and can also be from network/service related issues(which can appear, and disappear randomly), and more. Stuff really hard to sort out when servers having issues. In general - just complete methodical thoroughness (or lack thereof -.-).

Yes, I can teamviewer and sort it out - when I have time. Just add me - been doing it for years. (and if you are a random coming from this thread - explain the issue.. blind invites = go nowhere unless I've directly msg'd with you.)

**Dec2021 - Some users having problems after the mid Dec update - and were resorting to creating a new windows user, giving it admin, and playing there. Of course, that shouldn't be necessary. Some stated 'after' doing that - they went back to original user and tried, and it still crashed. Others, said it 'crashed' but it still appeared to be loading, so they didn't hit anything, and the game eventually loaded fine - and was fine since. Others having the same exact issue after that update - I looked at/talked with/walked through some things and it was fixed without the windows user. YMMV - obviously.

**July2021 - Note -- Recent/potential issue since Tuner update? going around for some with the R* games library service resetting itself/needing to have an actual login/password(possibly administrator account - can even create one specifically for gtav) applied to the service on startup (services.msc, rockstar games library services, properties, logon tab, 'this account' / add details --- and/or changing the service to manual(I use manual)/automatic in case they disabled it while previously trying to cleanboot windows). Personally- not needed to use on anyone I fixed. Some others rumored to have been corrected after windows finished its updates (which could possibly be fixing corrupt system files mentioned below) - though that has been an issue/common knowledge on/off for years now. Some also claim the R* library service doesn't exist - although I've personally not been able to tv/look at/troubleshoot any of those to gather info. -.-

**April2021? - Note -- some version of ghub are currently preventing gtav from closing correctly, possibly also keeping the launcher from closing correctly, possibly updating correctly - and making other troubleshooting issues worse. Force close, update, or uninstall it while testing. 2020.11.9270 <--- I am on this version without issue currently.


**May/Jun2020/recent issue (not the new 'Nov5/win7' issue)-
---- supposedly fixed -----
https://steamcommunity.com/app/271590/discussions/0/2450469119947082025/#c2450469119947683880


Other recent/similar links/info -
https://steamcommunity.com/app/271590/discussions/0/2450469119955082985/#c2450469119955133320

And the above is still just for 'immediate' launcher issues - still completely plausible to be crashing past the launcher, or with the game itself, and there is many more issues/reasons related to that in the info below.

...my usual copypasta when there isn't any info, logs, reports, error codes...
Here's a link that covers many -common- problems/fix AND a link with more steps for methodically cleaning/reinstalling various components - and info regarding log files/crash reports to further 'attempt' to help if that link/steps didn't resolve the problem.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/271590/discussions/0/1368380934244197003/#c1368380934244499526

Of course - R* support, if you'd prefer they fixed it, or have issues with free time help-
https://support.rockstargames.com/categories/360002126893?step=13cce8c9
Webtickets, livechat, and even phone callbacks are available. The options may 'move' around and appear under different catagories. Poke around and /goodluck.

Bro you're using so many complicated words. can you add me on discord or something and help me out? Ive had this problem the past 2 days

[Kepi]

Thank you man, you resolved my issue !! <3

[NoTUMAR9982]

Help me, when I launch Gta 5 from steam it opens rockstar luncher then it say gta 5 is currently running and it also runs in back ground but not opens help

[Soloplayer]

Originally posted by NoTUMAR9982:

Help me, when I launch Gta 5 from steam it opens rockstar luncher then it say gta 5 is currently running and it also runs in back ground but not opens help

i don't understand why games run but don't walk