Microsoft is investigating a known issue triggered by the KB5023774 March 2023 preview update and causing Red Dead Redemption 2 to stop opening on some devices.
This issue affects only users who launch the game via the Rockstar Games Launcher on Windows 11 21H2 systems where the KB5023774 optional update was installed.
“After installing KB5023774 or later updates, Red Dead Redemption 2 might not open,” Microsoft says in a new entry added to the Windows health dashboard today.
“When attempting to open it from the Rockstar Games Launcher by selecting the ‘Play’ button, it will switch to ‘Loading,’ but Red Dead Redemption 2 might not open, and the button will revert to ‘Play’.”
Microsoft and Rockstar Games are currently investigating and will provide more details when available.
Rockstar Games, the developer and publisher of Red Dead Redemption 2, has had a support page dedicated to the game’s often-encountered launching issues since November 2019.
Rockstar Games advises gamers to remove legacy AMD graphics card details, update video card drivers or the Rockstar Games Launcher, temporarily disable their antivirus software, or clear local Rockstar Games Launcher profile details to address the problem.
The game studio also recommends installing the latest Windows update, which coincides with the workaround provided by Microsoft that should help gamers immediately fix the game not opening on their Windows 11 21H2 device.
This requires updating to Windows 11 22H2, the latest available version, which is not impacted by this issue, given that the KB5023774 update cannot be installed to trigger it.
“To mitigate this issue, you can upgrade to Windows 11, version 22H2,” Microsoft said in today’s health dashboard update.
“If you are interested in moving to Windows 11, version 22H2, open Windows Update settings and select Check for updates. If your device is ready, you will see the option to Download and install.”
Red Dead Redemption 2 was launched on December 5, 2019, and it has more than 350,000 ‘Very Positive’ reviews on Valve’s Steam video game digital distribution platform.
