Why Is My Minecraft Launcher Not Working?
Minecraft is an immensely popular game that has been played by millions around the world. However, there are instances when players experience issues with the launcher of the game.
This can be frustrating as it can hinder their ability to play the game effectively. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the Minecraft launcher not working and find solutions to fix the same.

Third-Party Applications
Third-party applications are applications that are developed by individuals or organizations other than the original manufacturer of the device or software.
These applications are used to enhance the functionality of the device or software but at times, they may not be compatible with the existing software, causing various issues.
Third-party applications are one of the most common reasons for Minecraft Properties to malfunction. When these applications are installed on a computer, they may overwrite essential Minecraft files, leading to property damage.
For instance, some applications may occupy the Minecraft memory, thus preventing the Launcher from opening.
Some of the common examples of third-party applications that cause problems with Minecraft Properties include antivirus utilities and background services.
Antivirus utilities can recognize certain Minecraft files as viruses and quarantine them, thereby damaging the properties. Background services, on the other hand, can occupy the Minecraft memory, rendering it slow or unresponsive.
To identify which application is causing the problem, you need to follow a few steps. First, check the list of applications running in the background and close any unnecessary applications to free up memory. You can also disable background services, such as automatic updates.
If this still does not work, uninstall the recently installed third-party application and restart your computer. This process will enable you to check if the Minecraft Properties are working effectively.
Third-party applications can cause problems with Minecraft Properties. The best solution is to uninstall them and restart your system. This will help prevent any complications from recurring, as all files will be restored to their original state.
Additionally, it is advisable to avoid installing unnecessary third-party applications to enhance the performance of your computer.
Background Services
Background services are programs that run in the background of your operating system without any user interface or visible windows. These programs manage tasks such as automatic updates, system backup, and system security.
Sometimes these background services can interfere with the normal functioning of Minecraft Launcher, causing issues like crashing or failing to launch.
How Background Services Can Interfere With Minecraft Launcher
Background services can interfere with Minecraft Launcher in various ways. These services use system resources like CPU, memory, and disk space in the background, which can slow down the performance of Minecraft Launcher.
They can also block certain ports or TCP/IP connections, which may result in Minecraft Launcher not working correctly. Additionally, they may conflict with the security settings of Minecraft Launcher, resulting in security issues.
Common Examples of Background Services That Cause Problems
Some common examples of background services that can cause problems with Minecraft Launcher are antivirus software, firewall programs, and automatic update services.
Antivirus software is designed to scan and protect your system from viruses and malware, but sometimes it mistakenly identifies Minecraft Launcher as a threat and blocks its access.
Firewall programs, while necessary for system security, can also cause issues by blocking Minecraft launchers from accessing the internet.
Automatic update services, such as Windows Update, can run in the background and consume system resources, which may slow down Minecraft Launcher or cause it to crash.
How to Disable Specific Background Services
To disable specific background services that may be interfering with Minecraft Launcher, follow these steps:
- Press the “Windows key + R” combination to open the “Run” dialog box.
- Type “services.msc” in the box and press Enter to open the Services window.
- Locate the service you want to disable and double-click on it to open its properties.
- Change the “Startup type” to “Disabled” and click “Apply” and “OK”.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Background services can cause problems with Minecraft Launcher by consuming system resources, blocking internet access, or conflicting with security settings.
Disabling specific services that may be interfering with Minecraft Launcher can help resolve these issues, but it is important to remember to re-enable them if they are necessary for system security or functionality.
Antivirus Utilities
Antivirus utilities are software programs designed to protect your computer from malicious viruses, malware, and other online threats. These antivirus utilities work by monitoring your system and scanning files and applications for any signs of a potential threat.
However, sometimes these antivirus utilities can interfere with the Minecraft launcher, causing it to malfunction or prevent it from opening altogether.
One of the primary ways antivirus utilities interfere with Minecraft is by detecting it as a potential threat and quarantining or deleting it. This happens because antivirus software may mistake some of Minecraft’s files or behavior as malware.
Therefore, it is essential to understand how antivirus utilities work and how to configure them to leave Minecraft alone. Common examples of antivirus utilities that cause problems with Minecraft’s launcher include Avast, Norton, McAfee, and AVG.
These antivirus utilities are known to scan and quarantine files that may be associated with Minecraft. Therefore, it is essential to add an exception for Minecraft in your antivirus utility.
Adding an exception for Minecraft in your antivirus utility is a simple process. The first step is to open your antivirus software and navigate to the settings menu.
Once there, look for an option that mentions “exclusions,” “exceptions,” or “add an exception.” Click on that option and add Minecraft’s launcher as an exception.
This will allow the antivirus utility to exclude Minecraft from being scanned or quarantined, preventing it from causing any more issues. Antivirus utilities can interfere with the Minecraft launcher, causing it to malfunction or prevent it from opening altogether.
Understanding how these antivirus utilities work and how to add an exception for Minecraft in your antivirus software is essential to ensure that Minecraft runs smoothly on your computer.
Adding an exception for Minecraft in your antivirus software will make sure that Minecraft is not quarantined or flagged as a potential threat by your antivirus utility.
Reinstall Minecraft
Minecraft is a popular sandbox-style game known to many gamers. However, there are instances when the game’s launcher does not open, rendering the game unplayable.
This error can be caused by third-party applications, background services, and antivirus utilities that interfere with the game’s properties. Reinstalling Minecraft is the easiest solution to fix launcher issues.
The process involves uninstalling the current version of Minecraft from your computer and then reinstalling the game from scratch. This can fix any corrupted files that may have been causing the launcher to malfunction.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Reinstalling Minecraft
To reinstall Minecraft, follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Close the Minecraft launcher and any other programs that may be running in the background.
- Step 2: Open the Windows Start menu and select “Settings” (gear icon) to access the Windows Settings menu.
- Step 3: In the Settings menu, click on “Apps” and scroll down to find the Minecraft app.
- Step 4: Click on Minecraft, and then click on “Uninstall.”
- Step 5: Once Minecraft is uninstalled, restart your computer.
- Step 6: After restarting your computer, open your preferred web browser and go to the official Minecraft website at Minecraft.net.
- Step 7: Click on the “Download” button.
- Step 8: Select the appropriate version of Minecraft for your operating system and click on the “Download” button again.
- Step 9: Once the download is complete, open the installation file and follow the prompts to reinstall Minecraft on your computer.
- Step 10: Once the installation is complete, launch Minecraft and log in using your account details.
Reinstalling Minecraft is a straightforward solution for fixing launcher issues. The process is quick and easy to follow, and it can save gamers a lot of time and frustration.
If this does not work, resetting the Microsoft Store can also be a viable solution. Minecraft is a fun game, and it is essential to keep it running smoothly for maximum enjoyment.
Reset Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store is the official marketplace for Windows users to download and install applications, including Minecraft. If there’s a problem with the Minecraft Launcher, it could be due to an issue with the Microsoft Store.
Resetting the Microsoft Store can fix the issue with the Launcher and other applications. When Microsoft Store is reset, all the temporary files, settings, and preferences are deleted, and it’s returned to its default settings.
This can fix any corrupted or damaged files that might be causing issues with Minecraft or any other apps installed in the store.
Step-by-step instructions for resetting Microsoft Store
Here’s how to reset Microsoft Store on Windows 10:
- Step 1: Press the “Windows key + R” combination on your keyboard.
- Step 2: A “Run” dialog box will appear. Type “wsreset.exe” and press “Enter.”
- Step 3: A new command prompt will open, and it will run a command to reset the Microsoft Store. This process may take a few minutes, depending on your system’s performance.
- Step 4: After the process is finished, Microsoft Store will open automatically. You can check if the Launcher is working correctly. If you still face issues, you can try reinstalling Minecraft.
If resetting the Microsoft Store doesn’t help, you can also try disabling any third-party antivirus or firewall temporarily. In some cases, they might interfere with the Launcher from opening correctly.
Once you’ve re-enabled the antivirus or firewall, check if the Launcher is still working correctly.
Resetting the Microsoft Store can sometimes fix issues with the Minecraft Launcher. By clearing temporary files and settings, users might be able to fix issues that were causing the problem.
If you still face issues, try reinstalling the game, or check for any third-party apps that could be interfering with the Launcher.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
Minecraft is a popular sandbox video game that allows players to build and explore virtual worlds. Unfortunately, sometimes players may experience issues with the game, such as the launcher, not opening. In this article, we will explore different troubleshooting tips that can help resolve issues with Minecraft.
Clearing Cached Data
Cached data can accumulate over time, causing Minecraft to slow down or malfunction. To clear cached data, follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu and type “%appdata%” in the search bar.
- Click on the Roaming folder that appears.
- Find the .minecraft folder and delete it.
- Open the Minecraft Launcher to download the game again.
- Disabling Third-Party Applications
Third-party applications, background services, and antivirus utilities can interfere with Minecraft, preventing the Launcher from opening. To disable these applications, follow these steps:
- Press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” to open the Task Manager.
- Find the applications listed under the “Processes” tab that are consuming high CPU, memory, or disk usage.
- Right-click on the application and select “End Task”.
- Open the Minecraft Launcher again to see if the issue has been resolved.
- Reinstalling Minecraft
If disabling third-party applications doesn’t work, reinstalling Minecraft might help. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key and search for “Apps and Features”.
- Scroll down to locate the Minecraft app and click on it.
- Select “Uninstall” and follow the prompts.
- Restart your computer.
- Open the Microsoft Store, search for Minecraft, and install the game again.
- Resetting the Microsoft Store
If the Launcher still doesn’t open, resetting the Microsoft Store might help. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press the “Windows key + R” combination.
- Type “wsreset.exe” in the Run box and press “Enter”.
- Wait for the process to complete.
- Open the Microsoft Store, search for Minecraft, and install the game again.
If none of the above steps help, try the following:
- Using the Minecraft Repair Tool: Minecraft has an in-built repair tool that can help repair corrupted game files.
- Updating graphics drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can cause issues with Minecraft. Updating them can help.
- Checking for Windows updates: Updating Windows to the latest version can help resolve any compatibility issues.
- Contacting Mojang support: If all else fails, contacting Mojang support can help troubleshoot the issue.
Troubleshooting issues with Minecraft requires patience and a bit of technical knowledge. By following the above steps, players can resolve most issues with the game and enjoy countless hours of fun and creativity.
Can I Delete Minecraft Launcher?
- Minecraft Launcher is the official game launcher for Minecraft.
- It is used to download and run the game on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- The launcher allows players to access different versions of the game and manage their game settings.
Can You Delete Minecraft Launcher?
Yes, you can delete Minecraft Launcher from your computer. However, if you want to play Minecraft, you will need to download and install the launcher again.
How to Uninstall Minecraft Launcher?
To uninstall Minecraft Launcher, go to your computer’s Control Panel and select “Uninstall a Program.”
- Search for “Minecraft Launcher” and click on the three dots to the left of the title.
- Choose “Uninstall” to remove the launcher from your computer.
Should You Delete Minecraft Launcher?
It is not recommended to delete Minecraft Launcher unless you no longer play the game.
- Keeping the launcher installed allows for easy access to the game and updates.
- Deleting the launcher may also cause issues with your Minecraft account and saved game data.
Alternatives to Minecraft Launcher
There are third-party launchers available for Minecraft, such as MultiMC and ATLauncher. These launchers offer different features and customization options not available in the official Minecraft Launcher.
However, be careful when downloading any third-party software and make sure to only download from trusted sources.
To Recap
The Minecraft launcher not working can be caused by several factors like third-party applications, antivirus utilities, and background services that interfere with the game’s properties.
The solutions, as discussed earlier, include reinstalling Minecraft or resetting the Microsoft Store. By following these solutions, players can quickly get back to enjoying the immersive Minecraft experience.
However, If the issue persists despite trying out these solutions, it’s best to seek technical support or contact Minecraft’s customer service team for further assistance.