Why is Rocket League not Launching? How to Fix Rocket League Not Launching?

Discover the reasons behind Rocket League's failure to launch, including compatibility issues, corrupted files, software conflicts, and more. Explore troubleshooting solutions to overcome this frustrating challenge and enjoy seamless gameplay.  

by Vignesh L | Updated Aug 09, 2023

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Rocket League

Psyonix developed and published the captivating vehicular soccer video game known as Rocket League. Its initial release took place in July 2015, launching on PlayStation 4 and Windows. Subsequently, it found its way onto Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

The distribution landscape shifted in June 2016 when 505 Games introduced a physical retail edition for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. This role was later assumed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment by the close of 2017. Additionally, macOS and Linux versions surfaced in 2016, although online service support for these platforms ceased in 2020. A significant milestone came in September 2020, when the game adopted a free-to-play model.

Rocket League is often described as a fusion of soccer and rocket-powered cars. Players, organized into two teams of up to eight members each, utilize rocket-propelled vehicles to maneuver a ball into the opposing team's goal, accumulating points throughout the match.

The game offers a range of modes, encompassing both single-player and multiplayer options that extend to local and online play. An impressive feature is its cross-platform compatibility, enabling players across all versions to engage in matches together. Subsequent updates introduced the flexibility to tweak core rules and introduced new game modes, including adaptations based on ice hockey and basketball.

Rocket League Not Launching

Rocket League not launching refers to a situation where the popular vehicular soccer video game developed by Psyonix fails to start or open properly on a player's system. When encountering this issue, players may experience various problems such as the game not starting at all, starting briefly and then closing abruptly, or displaying error messages that prevent it from launching successfully.

This frustrating situation prevents players from being able to enjoy the gameplay and features of Rocket League, hindering their ability to participate in exciting car-based soccer matches. Troubleshooting and resolving these launch issues involve investigating potential compatibility problems, verifying game files, adjusting settings, updating drivers, and exploring other technical solutions to ensure the game can be launched and enjoyed without hindrance.

Why is Rocket League not Launching? 

Rocket League may fail to launch due to a variety of reasons. Some common causes include:

  1. Compatibility Issues: The game might not be compatible with your system's configuration, leading to startup problems.
  2. Corrupted Game Files: Corrupted or missing game files can prevent Rocket League from launching.
  3. Software Conflicts: Interference from other software, especially third-party applications or security software, can hinder the game's startup.
  4. Outdated Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers or other hardware drivers can cause compatibility issues and prevent the game from launching.
  5. DirectX or Visual C++ Redistributables: Issues with DirectX or missing Visual C++ Redistributables can impact the game's ability to start.
  6. Firewall or Antivirus Blocking: Firewall or antivirus software might block Rocket League's access to necessary network resources, causing it not to launch.
  7. Overlay Features: Overlay features from platforms like Steam or GeForce Experience could potentially interfere with the game's startup.
  8. Graphics Settings: Incorrect graphics settings or resolution configurations can lead to launch problems.
  9. Administrator Permissions: Insufficient administrator permissions can prevent the game from accessing necessary files.
  10. Background Processes: Background processes or applications could be conflicting with the game's launch.

How to Fix Rocket League Not Launching?

1. Adjust Compatibility and Administrator Settings

Some players have been able to fix Rocket League not launching by changing compatibility settings and running the game as an administrator. Follow these steps to adjust the settings:

  • If you have a desktop shortcut for Rocket League, right-click it and select Properties. If not, locate the game's EXE (executable) file in its installation folder and right-click it.
  • Go to the Compatibility tab.
  • Check the "Run this program in compatibility mode for" option and choose Windows 8 from the drop-down menu.
  • Also, check the "Run this program as administrator" option.
  • Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.

2. Verify Rocket League Files

To ensure that the game files are intact, use the verification option in the Epic Games Launcher:

  • Open the Epic Games Launcher and navigate to Library.
  • Under Rocket League, click the ellipsis button and select Verify to scan the game files.

Steam users can achieve this by right-clicking the game in Steam, going to Properties > Local Files, and clicking "Verify integrity of game files."

3. Rename Rocket League Folder

Renaming the game folder can trigger the creation of a new one:

  • Open File Explorer using Win + E.
  • Navigate to the DocumentsMy Games folder.
  • Right-click the Rocket League folder and choose Rename. Name it "Rocket League Old."

4. Delete Cache Folder

Fix potential runtime or NTDLL startup issues by deleting the cache folder:

  • Open File Explorer and navigate to DocumentsMy GamesRocket LeagueTAGameCache.
  • Right-click the Cache folder and select Delete.
  • Restart your computer before attempting to launch Rocket League again.

5. Remove d3d9.dll File

If Rocket League crashes on startup, try deleting the d3d9.dll file:

  • Open File Explorer and navigate to Rocket League's installation folder.
  • Open the Binaries and Win32 folders.
  • Right-click the d3d9.dll file and select Delete.

6. Launch Rocket League with Novid Parameter

Disable intro sequences by adding the "-novid -nomovie" parameter:

  • Open the Epic Games Launcher and click your user profile.
  • Go to Settings > Games and expand Rocket League.
  • Check the "Additional Command Line Arguments" box and enter "-novid -nomovie."

7. Add Rocket League to Firewall Exclusions

Ensure Windows Defender Firewall isn't blocking Rocket League:

  • Open Windows Defender Firewall settings.
  • Click "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall."
  • Click "Change settings" and "Allow another app."
  • Browse and select RocketLeague.exe from the game's installation folder.
  • Check Public/Private checkboxes and click OK.

8. Update Graphics Card Driver

Ensure compatibility by updating your graphics card driver:

  • Update your graphics driver to the latest version available.

9. Disable Steam Overlay Feature

For Steam users, consider disabling Steam's overlay feature:

  • Launch Steam and go to Settings > In-Game.
  • Uncheck "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game."

10. Reinstall Rocket League

If other solutions fail, try reinstalling the game:

  • Open the Epic Games Launcher, go to Library, and click Rocket League.
  • Select Uninstall and confirm the action.

Steam users can uninstall Rocket League by right-clicking the game in the Library and choosing Manage > Uninstall.

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Why is Rocket League not Launching-FAQs

1. 1. What is Rocket League and when was it initially released?    

Rocket League is a vehicular soccer video game developed by Psyonix, initially released in July 2015 on PlayStation 4 and Windows.

2.  How did Rocket League's distribution evolve after its initial release?  

Following its debut, Rocket League was made available on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, with physical editions introduced by 505 Games and later taken over by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

3.  When did macOS and Linux versions of Rocket League emerge and what happened to their online support?  

Versions for macOS and Linux were released in 2016, but online service support for these platforms was discontinued in 2020.

4. What significant change occurred in September 2020 regarding Rocket League?  

In September 2020, Rocket League transitioned to a free-to-play model.

5. How is Rocket League's gameplay often described, and what is the main objective?  

Rocket League is often described as a fusion of soccer and rocket-powered cars, where players aim to maneuver a ball into the opposing team's goal using rocket-propelled vehicles.