Rockstar Games Error Code 1005

Last Updated: July 26, 2024

Question: When I try to start Grand Theft Auto V or Red Dead Redemption 2, I receive the following error message. What can I do to resolve this?

• Rockstar Games failed to initialize. Error code: 1005. Press OK to view an online support article to help resolve this issue. Press CANCEL to exit.

Answer: This error occurs when there is a communication error between your device and Rockstar Games servers. You can resolve this issue by verifing that Rockstar Games is not being blocked by your system’s firewall, making sure to launch the game as an Administrator, and verifing yourgame files.

Make an Exception to your firewall or antivirus

Depending on your firewall software, you may be able to add the folder below to your firewall’s list of Exceptions, allowing Rockstar Games to communicate with Rockstar servers without being flagged as malware. 

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

If using Windows Defender, follow the steps in the link below to make the exception:

• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add-an-exclusion-to-windows-security-811816c0-4dfd-af4a-47e4-c301afe13b26

Run Steam/Epic Games Launcher as an Administrator

Steam

1. Open Steam

2. Click Library

3. Right-click your game and select Properties

4. Click on Local Files

5. Click on Browse…

6. Right-click on your game’s .exe file (it will either be GTAV.exe or RDR2.exe)

7. Select Properties

8. On the Compatibility tab, check Run this program as administrator

9. Click OK

10. Return to your Library in the Steam Launcher

11. Launch your game

Epic Games Launcher

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher

2. Click Library

3. Click the three dots next to your game’s tile

4. Click Manage

5. On the Installation tab, click the folder icon

6. Right-click on your game’s .exe file (it will either be GTAV.exe or RDR2.exe)

7. Select Properties

8. On the Compatibility tab, check Run this program as administrator and disable full screen optimization

9. Click OK

10. Return to your Library in the Epic Games Launcher

11. Launch your game

Verifying the integrity of your game files

Steam

1. Open Steam 

2. Right-click your game in your Steam library 

3. Click Properties 

4. Click the Local Files tab on the left sidebar 

5. Click Verify integrity of game files… 

6. When file validation is done, open your game

Epic Games Launcher 

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher 

2. Click Library on the left sidebar 

3. Find and click the three dots next to your game

4. Click Manage 

5. Click Verify

6. When file validation is done, open your game