[SOLVED]Can't play the game suddenly because it wants an activation code.

[Salem Graves]

Edit: Doing a clean re install of the Rockstar launcher fixed this issue.
When I launch the game I get a window asking me to activate the game and when I click okay, it asks for a key. I've input the cd key from steam and it tells me it's already in use. I haven't changed Rockstar accounts or steam accounts so I have no idea what's going on? I've got over 900 hours in this game and now suddenly I can't play it, any help would be appreciated.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3152016249

[[-iD-]]

did you recently enable controlled folder access? you may need to add gtav and its counterparts as an exception. gtav.exe socialclub.exe and socialclubhelper.exe i believe. i could be wrong but you can see what is being blocked through CFA in windows and just add the proper exceptions.
otherwise sync date and time maybe. or any firewall/av security blocking etc.
if that dont work you may need to directly contact rockstar support.

[Salem Graves]

Originally posted by -iD-:

did you recently enable controlled folder access? you may need to add gtav and its counterparts as an exception. gtav.exe socialclub.exe and socialclubhelper.exe i believe. i could be wrong but you can see what is being blocked through CFA in windows and just add the proper exceptions.
otherwise sync date and time maybe. or any firewall/av security blocking etc.
if that dont work you may need to directly contact rockstar support.

I've not enabled that that I'm aware of and I've tried the sync time thing and it didn't solve anything. I'm currently submitting a support ticket but I've never had good experiences with customer support and I can't imagine Rockstar's will be any better.. xD

[[-iD-]]

just type into windows search "Controlled folder access" to see if its enabled. and disable it or allow exceptions if its on.
also reapply av/defender rules by deleting anything related to social club / gtav and when you run the game again create the rules again.

[Salem Graves]

So Rockstar support actually helped, all I had to do was a clean re install of the Rockstar launcher.

[Shadicals]

Could someone please explain to me what a clean re install is? Just had the same problem.

[PabloPBS940]

Originally posted by Shadicals:

Could someone please explain to me what a clean re install is? Just had the same problem.

Uninstall and install again. Restarting your computer can fix the problem sometimes

[Shadicals]

Originally posted by PabloPBS940:

Originally posted by Shadicals:

Could someone please explain to me what a clean re install is? Just had the same problem.

Uninstall and install again. Restarting your computer can fix the problem sometimes

Uninstall only GTA or the launcher too? And do I need to delete any other data stored?

[PabloPBS940]

Originally posted by Shadicals:

Uninstall only GTA or the launcher too? And do I need to delete any other data stored?

He's only talking about uninstall the launcher, not the game. And about deleting data, he didn't mentioned that so idk

[Shadicals]

Originally posted by PabloPBS940:

Originally posted by Shadicals:

Uninstall only GTA or the launcher too? And do I need to delete any other data stored?

He's only talking about uninstall the launcher, not the game. And about deleting data, he didn't mentioned that so idk

Alr, thanks, i'll reinstall it just to be sure.

[PabloPBS940]

Originally posted by Shadicals:

Alr, thanks, i'll reinstall it just to be sure.

Have you tried restarting our PC? I had this problem a while ago and just doing this solved it for me

[Shadicals]

Originally posted by PabloPBS940:

Originally posted by Shadicals:

Alr, thanks, i'll reinstall it just to be sure.

Have you tried restarting our PC? I had this problem a while ago and just doing this solved it for me

I will reinstall all the stuff and then restart my pc, I really hope for the love of god that this isn't something permanent.