Rockstar Games Error Code 16

Last Updated: May 28, 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 16). Please exit the game and re-install the latest version of Rockstar Games.

Answer: This error can occur in response to any of the following: 

  • Pending updates to installed games 

  • Required redemption of a Rockstar Activation Code 

  • Pending updates to the Rockstar Games Launcher, other game launchers, or supporting components 

  • An incomplete installation of the Rockstar Games Launcher 

Performing the methods below should help resolve the issue. 

Checking for updates to installed games

Rockstar Games Launcher

  1. Open the Rockstar Games Launcher

  2. Sign in

  3. Select Settings

  4. Select the game you want to update from under the My installed games list

  5. Select Verify game file integrity

    • Wait for the progress bar below to fill before trying to launch your game again

Steam Client

Epic Games Launcher

Redeeming a Rockstar Activation Code in the Rockstar Games Launcher

  1. Sign in with your Rockstar Games account

  2. Click your avatar in the top right

  3. Select Redeem Code

  4. Enter your Rockstar Activation Code into the field

Important: Review the details at the bottom of the screen to ensure that you are activating the code on the correct Rockstar Games account. Once used, a Rockstar Activation Code will not work again, and you cannot transfer its content from one Rockstar Games account to another.

Note: A valid internet connection is needed to redeem a code.

  1. Select Check to ensure the code is entered correctly

  2. Look over the list of items your selected Rockstar Games account will receive upon the code’s activation

  3. Check the checkbox at the bottom of the list once you’ve verified the items

  4. Select Redeem

You will then be able to find the game associated with the redeemed code under the Games section of the Rockstar Games account that the code was redeemed on.

Checking for game launcher updates:

Rockstar Games Launcher

  1. Open the Rockstar Games Launcher

  2. Sign in

    • Select Update Launcher if the alert “Rockstar Games Launcher requires an update” appears before you can sign in

  3. Select “Restart now to install” at the top of the screen

    • If you do not see this prompt, you already have the latest version of the Rockstar Games Launcher

  4. Select Restart Now

Steam Client

Epic Games Launcher

Performing a clean reinstall of the Rockstar Games Launcher

If redeeming your code didn’t work, or you had already redeemed your code at the time of the error’s appearance, then you may need to reinstall the Rockstar Games Launcher, which you can do by following the steps below:

Uninstalling 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

Removing 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

Reinstalling the Rockstar Games Launcher

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

  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.

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