Rockstar Games Error Code 1002

Last Updated: November 1, 2024

Question: What can I do about the following error when trying to launch a Rockstar Games title or service on PC? 

• Rockstar Games failed to load due to an incomplete installation (code 1002). Please exit the game and re-install the latest version of the Rockstar Games Launcher. 

Answer: This error occurs either because of an improperly installed Rockstar Games Launcher or because another application is preventing communication with Rockstar Games servers. 

You can resolve error code 1002 by doing the following:  

Restore the default Documents folder location in Windows 

1. Open File Explorer 

2. Right-click Documents 

3. Click Properties 

4. Click the Locations tab 

5. Click Restore Default 

6. Click Apply 

7. Click Yes 

8. Click Ok 

Perform a clean install of the Rockstar Games Launcher 

If the above does not work, you will need to uninstall and then reinstall the Rockstar Games Launcher, which you can do by following the steps below: 

Uninstall the Rockstar Games Launcher

1. Close any Rockstar Games titles that are running

2. Navigate to the Rockstar Games Launcher installation folder

   • Default: C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Launcher

3. Double-click the uninstall.exe program and uninstall the Rockstar Games Launcher

4. Leave uninstall the game data unchecked

Remove any remaining Rockstar Games Launcher files

1. Once the uninstaller has completed, delete all of the following folders:Note: Do not delete any other folders or files as you may lose game data.

   • C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Rockstar Games\Social Club

   • C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Rockstar Games\Launcher

   • C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Launcher

   • C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Social Club

   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Rockstar Games\Social Club

2. Restart your computer

Reinstall the Rockstar Games Launcher

1. Download the Rockstar Games Launcher from the Rockstar Games website:

   • https://socialclub.rockstargames.com/rockstar-games-launcher

2. Double-click the Rockstar Games Launcher icon to begin installing

3. Select your preferred language and click CONTINUE

4. Click CONTINUE at the Welcome screen

5. Check I accept the terms of the License Agreement box and click CONTINUE

6. Choose an install location and click CONTINUE

7. When installation is complete, click CLOSE

When you first start the Rockstar Games Launcher, you’ll be asked if you want to scan for previously installed Rockstar Games titles on your computer.