Verifying game ownership failed and your offline activation data could not be loaded when launching Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC
Last Updated: June 13, 2024
Question: How can I fix the following error when trying to play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC?
Activation Required – Verifying game ownership failed and your offline activation data could not be loaded. Please ensure your internet is connected and restart Red Dead Redemption 2. If this issue persists, please contact Rockstar Games Customer Support at https://support.rockstargames.com/
Answer: This issue is caused when RDR2 cannot make a connection with the Rockstar Games servers to verify that you own the game. This can be resolved with the following steps:
Check your network connection and Rockstar Games Service availability
Check to make sure your internet connection is working properly
Check the Rockstar Games Service Status for server outages or scheduled maintenance:
If Rockstar Games Launcher Authentication and Red Dead Online are up, the problem may be related to some connection types conflicting with other players, or other problems with your network setup.
Check your internet connection speed
Use an online speed test to measure your connection speed. Below are good targets for minimum upload and download speeds:
Download Speed: 7.5 Mbps
Upload Speed (recommended): 1 Mbps
Upload Speed (minimum): .5 Mbps
Note: If you are on a wireless connection and still having issues, try a wired connection.
Check your open network ports
Red Dead Online requires the following ports to be open:
Port 6672 (UDP)
Port 61455 (UDP)
Port 61457 (UDP)
Port 61456 (UDP)
Port 61458 (UDP)
Change your Domain Name Servers (DNS)
Go to Settings
Select Network and Internet
Under Advanced network settings, select Change adapter options
Right-click on your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, depending on which you are currently using, then select Properties
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and make sure the box is checked
Select Properties
Select Use the following DNS server
Enter the following DNS addresses in their respective text box:
Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
Select Validate settings upon exit
Select OK
Select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and make sure the box is checked
Select Properties
Enter the following DNS addresses in their respective text box:
Preferred DNS server: 2001:4860:4860::8888
Alternate DNS server: 2001:4860:4860::8844
Select Validate settings upon exit
Select OK
Reset your network router
You can reset your router by unplugging it and leaving it unplugged for about 10 minutes. Once you plug your router back in and can connect to the internet, launch Red Dead Online and check to see if your issue is resolved.
Note: If you have any Rockstar Games Launcher or file path arguments setting the game to offline mode, they will need to be disabled until after entitlement verification is complete.
Delete your local profile details from your PC
Open the Rockstar Games Launcher
Select Settings
Under My installed games, select Red Dead Redemption 2
Make sure Enable cloud saves is checked
Under Launcher settings, select Account information
Next to Delete local profile, select Delete
Select Confirm
After your profile is deleted, sign back into the Rockstar Games Launcher and launch RDR2
Note: This will remove all profile details from your local device and require you to sign in to the Rockstar Games Launcher again. It will not delete your Rockstar Games account or any saved games. Signing in to Rockstar Games will recreate your local profile.