When launching GOG Galaxy, users encounter issues preventing the app from starting correctly. This results in an inability to manage their GOG library or play any game. The problem typically arises during the app’s launch phase and could stem from various causes, such as connection errors to GOG services, conflicts with other programs, internet connectivity issues, or corrupted installation files.

How to Fix GOG Galaxy Not Launching Issue? - 1

In this article, we’ll address this issue, guide you through troubleshooting steps to successfully launch GOG Galaxy, and enable you to start playing games with ease.

1. Preliminary Fixes

  • Check Internet : Verify your internet connection’s status and speed at Fast.com. Poor internet connectivity might be the reason GOG Galaxy fails to launch, as an active connection is required for the app’s operation.
  • Check Server Status : Server-related issues could also disrupt GOG Galaxy. You can monitor the server status at Downdetector .
  • Disable Antivirus : Occasionally, antivirus programs may conflict with other software, preventing proper function. Learn how to temporarily disable your antivirus in our guide here .

2. Reset Winsock

Connectivity issues might prevent GOG Galaxy from launching. Resetting Winsock is known to resolve temporary misconfigurations or glitches affecting communication between your computer and the internet.

  1. Enter ‘ cmd ‘ into the Search Box and select Run as Administrator .
  2. Execute the following command: netsh winsock reset
  3. Consider resetting network settings for further troubleshooting, as explained here .
  4. Restart your computer and verify if the issue is resolved.

3. Enable DirectPlay

DirectPlay, an API of DirectX that facilitates networking functionalities primarily for online gaming, can help resolve compatibility problems. Since GOG Galaxy is a multiplayer gaming platform, activating DirectPlay might repair the launching issue.

  1. Access the Search Bar , type “ Turn Windows features on or off” , and open the feature.
  2. Locate Legacy Components , enable DirectPlay , and click OK .
  3. Restart your computer following the changes.

4. Update Graphics Driver

An outdated graphics driver may also be a contributing factor to GOG Galaxy failing to launch. Updating the graphics driver may resolve the issue.

Our guide on updating graphics drivers can be found here .

5. Run Communication Process Manually

The file GalaxyCommunication.exe is essential for ensuring smooth communication between the GOG Galaxy client and GOG servers. Running this file manually could solve the issue if it’s not launching automatically.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialogue box.
  2. Enter the following path and click OK: C:\ProgramData\GOG.com\Galaxy\redists\GalaxyCommunication.exe

6. Add GOG as an Exclusion in Windows Security

Windows Security may inadvertently be blocking GOG Galaxy. Adding the GOG folder as an exclusion can prevent potential conflicts.

  1. Type ‘ Virus and Threat Protection ‘ into the Search Bar and access it.
  2. Navigate to the Virus & Threat Protection settings and select ‘Manage settings’.
  3. Scroll to Exclusions , then choose Add or Remove Exclusions .
  4. Select Add an exclusion > Folder .
  5. Include the following directory path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Gog Galaxy\
  6. Attempt to launch the application once again.

7. Uninstall Conflicting Programs

Certain third-party applications can interfere with GOG Galaxy’s functionality. Reported culprits include Advanced System Care, Driver Booster, Malwarebytes , among others. Uninstalling any program that appears to be causing interference is advisable.

Our tutorial on uninstalling programs can be found here .

8. Launch Game Directly

If your objective is to play a game without the need for GOG Galaxy, you can directly run the game’s executable file from its installation directory.

  1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the game is installed.
  2. Locate and execute the .exe file to launch the game autonomously.

Should none of the above solutions prove effective, it may be time to consider reinstalling GOG Galaxy. Using Revo Uninstaller is recommended for a comprehensive removal of all related files.

Instructions on using Revo Uninstaller can be accessed here . To reinstall GOG Galaxy, visit the official website .

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

The error “ WinRAR Error: Next Volume Is Required ” usually appears when you’re extracting a multi-part RAR archive and WinRAR can’t find (or can’t correctly identify) the next file in the sequence . This often happens when a volume is missing , stored in a different folder , or renamed in a way that breaks the archive’s expected order .

How to Fix GOG Galaxy Not Launching Issue? - 2

In this guide, we’ll go over the most reliable fixes confirmed by affected users, along with what each method is doing behind the scenes so you can choose the right one for your situation.

Important: To extract multi-volume archives, you should always start extraction from the first file in the set. This is usually file.part1.rar , or (in older sets) the main .rar file that comes before .r01 , .r02 , and so on.

1. Download and Place the Missing RAR File

WinRAR needs all parts of a multi-volume archive to complete extraction. This error usually appears when one of the volumes in a set like .part2.rar , .r01 , .r02 , .001 , and similar naming formats is missing . Downloading the missing volume and placing it in the same folder as the other parts allows WinRAR to continue extracting normally .

  1. Look at the error message or review the list of archive parts in the folder.
  2. Identify which volume is missing (for example, part2.rar , .r02 , .001 , etc.).
  3. Go back to the website or source where you downloaded the archive.
  4. Locate and download the exact missing file using the same naming format as the others.
  5. Make sure the new file name matches the pattern of the rest. Example: If you have file.part1.rar and file.part3.rar , the missing one must be file.part2.rar .
  6. Move the downloaded missing volume into the same folder as the other archive parts.
  7. Confirm that all parts are in a single folder before extracting.
  8. Right-click the first file in the series (usually part1 or the main .rar file) and select Extract Here or Extract to Folder .
  9. WinRAR should now detect all volumes and continue extraction normally .

2. Manually Browse & Select the Next Volume

Use this method only if the next volume already exists , but WinRAR is failing to detect it automatically. This can happen due to incorrect naming , the file being in a different location , or a temporary file access issue. Manually browsing helps WinRAR locate the correct volume and resume extraction without interruption .

  1. Right-click the first file in the series (usually .rar or part1.rar ) and select Extract Here or Extract to Folder .
  2. When WinRAR cannot find the next volume, it will show the “ Next Volume Is Required ” message.
  3. A small window will appear, allowing you to manually select the next volume .
  4. Use the file explorer window to locate the folder where the other archive parts are saved.
  5. Select the next part based on the naming order (example: select file.part2.rar after file.part1.rar ).
  6. Make sure the selected file matches the naming format of the archive (no extra characters like (1) and no mismatched numbering).
  7. WinRAR will resume extraction using the selected volume .
  8. If additional volumes are missing or stored separately, WinRAR may prompt you again. Repeat the same process until extraction completes.

3. Rename the RAR files in Order

WinRAR relies on a proper naming sequence (such as file.part1.rar , file.part2.rar , file.part3.rar ) to extract multi-volume archives. If a file is named incorrectly, contains extra characters, or is out of order, WinRAR may fail to locate the next volume and show this error. Renaming the files correctly helps WinRAR follow the sequence and extract the archive without interruptions .

Note: Renaming only changes the file name , not the file contents. The goal is to restore the correct sequence so WinRAR can detect the next volume.

  1. Go to the folder where all the RAR files are saved.
  2. Make sure all parts of the archive are present and stored in the same folder .
  3. Check how the parts are currently named . Common patterns include:
file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar, file.part3.rar
file.rar, file.r01, file.r02, file.r03
  1. Look for files that don’t match the expected numbering pattern (for example, file.part01.rar , file.part1(1).rar , or unrelated names).
  2. Rename each file so it follows the same order without extra characters or mismatched numbering. Example:
Incorrect: file.part1.rar, file.part3.rar, file.part2(1).rar
Correct: file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar, file.part3.rar
  1. Make sure the text before the number is exactly the same for all files.
  2. Only the last part number should change.
  3. Right-click the first file in the series (usually part1.rar or the main .rar file) and select Extract Here .
  4. WinRAR should now recognize the sequence and continue extraction normally .

If you still get the same prompt: the archive set is likely incomplete (a part was never downloaded or was removed), or one of the volumes is corrupt and must be re-downloaded from the original source.