Razer Cortex not opening or working on PC

Razer Cortex is a freeware that boosts system performance by managing background processes, freeing up resources, and enhancing frame rates. However, we have noticed at times, it fails to launch on our system. This issue is pretty common and can happen to anyone. In this post, we will talk about all the instances where Razer Cortex is not opening or working on a computer.

Fix Razer Cortex not opening or working on PC

If Razer Cortex is not opening or working on your system, you must first check for updates. At times, users running an older version of Windows but an updated version of Cortex, or vice-versa, encounter this issue. If updating the Windows version does not work, follow the solutions below.

1. Run the program with admin rights
2. Run the program in Compatibility mode
3. Check if the CortexLauncherService is running
4. Download the latest version of the graphics driver
5. Download WebView2
6. Uninstall the latest Windows Update
7. Reinstall Razer Cortex

Let us talk about them in detail.

1] Run the program with admin rights

First, you need to check and make sure that you are opening Razer Cortex with admin rights. This allows the program to access all the files that it couldn’t without the admin privileges. To do so, right-click on the program and select Run as administrator. When the UAC prompt appears, just hit Yes and continue.

2] Run the program in Compatibility mode

If there is a compatibility issue between the current version of Windows and Razer Cortex, you need to run the program in compatibility mode. To do so, follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Right-click on the Razer Cortex and select Properties.
2. Now, go to the Compatibility tab, check  Run this program in compatibility mode for, and select Windows 8.
3. Finally, click Apply > Ok.

Finally, when you enable the compatibility mode, check if the issue is resolved.

3] Check if the CortexLauncherService is running

The CortexLauncherService helps the Razer Cortex manage system resources, ensuring the smooth operation of the application and enhancing gaming performance. We need to check and ensure that it is running fine. To do so, open the Task Manager, go to the Services tab, look for CortexLauncherService, and check if it is running. If it is not running, right-click on the Service and select Start. If it is not running, you need to right-click on the service and select Start.

4] Download the latest version of the graphics driver

You may also encounter this issue if the GPU version required by the application is different from the one that you have currently installed. There are two ways to address this issue. In this solution, we will discuss the first one, which is to update the GPU driver. You can use one of the following methods to do the same.

1. Download and install the latest version of the driver from the manufacturer’s website.
2. Update your driver using the Device Manager.
3. You can also get free driver updater software and use it to keep your drivers updated.

After updating your driver, you can run the application to see if it helps.

5] Download Webview2

WebView2 is a Microsoft tool that allows developers to embed web content, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, into their native applications. There is a possibility that Webview2 is missing from your system and since Razer Cortex needs it to run, the program is just crashing. So, you need to go to developer.microsoft.com and then click on the Download icon. Now, you need to download the latest version of the same. Finally, run the installer and once it is installed, you need to check if the issue is resolved.

6] Uninstall the latest Windows Update

If you recently installed the latest version of Windows, you may have started encountering the issue due to a bug. You can uninstall the latest version of Windows Update, then open Razer Cortex and see if that helps.

7] Reinstall Razer Cortex

If all else fails, our last resort is to uninstall the Razer Cortex and install the latest version. To do so, follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Search for Razer Cortex, click on the three dots, and select Uninstall.
4. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
5. Now, go to razer.com and click on Download Now.
6. Once downloaded the installation media, you need to run it and complete the installation process.

We hope you can resolve the issue using the solutions mentioned in this post.

Read: Razer Cortex crashing games on PC

Razer Cortex not opening

If Razer Cortex is not launching, run it with administrator rights to grant the necessary privileges. If the issue persists, enable compatibility mode for Windows or check if CortexLauncherService is running in Task Manager. Additionally, updating your graphics driver or reinstalling the application can help resolve the problem.

Read: Razer Cortex Game Booster helps boost Gaming performance

Razer Cortex not showing FPS

To address FPS display issues, ensure the overlay is enabled within the Razer Cortex settings and that the game is running in borderless mode. Updating or reinstalling the application might fix any configuration problems if the issue continues.

Read: Razer Synapse does not recognize my Razer device

Razer Cortex not detecting games

If Razer Cortex fails to detect your games, manually add them to the library through its settings. You should also ensure the Razer Game Manager Service is running smoothly and update the software to recognize newer game files.

Read: Razer Synapse not opening on startup in Windows 11

Razer Cortex not uninstalling

When Razer Cortex won’t uninstall, first terminate its processes via Task Manager. Restart the Windows Installer service, and if needed, use the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter to remove the software completely.

Read: Best Free Game Launchers for Windows PC

Razer Cortex not installing

If installation fails, ensure you meet the system requirements and try running the installer as an administrator. Temporarily disabling your antivirus software and performing a clean boot can also resolve conflicts during installation.

Read: Razer Audio Visualizer not working on Windows

Razer Cortex problems

Common issues like launching errors, FPS overlay failure, and game detection problems can usually be resolved by updating the software, verifying services, and reinstalling the application for a fresh setup. We recommend you review the solutions mentioned in this post to resolve the issue.

Also Read: Optimize Windows for gaming; Improve PC gaming performance.