If you are having trouble launching the sim please follow the steps below. 

Step 1: Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers

Bugs in graphics drivers can cause a variety of issues. Additionally there are cases where Windows updates can cause issues with drivers that were previously working well. Updating and reinstalling graphics drivers can remedy these issues in most cases.


In both NVIDIA and AMD driver installations there is a checkbox for a 'Clean Install' which will both install the driver and reset any GPU settings to their defaults. Using this option is recommended. 


See this article for information on how to perform a clean install of graphics drivers. 


Step 2: Rename Documents\iRacing Folder

In some cases files in the iRacing documents folder can cause issues with loading the sim. This can sometimes happen after hardware changes. 


Renaming the iRacing documents folder found at C:\Users\*username*\Documents\iRacing to iRacingbackup will cause the sim to regenerate all of the configuration files when you next launch.


Step 3: Reinstall EasyAntiCheat

The first step of launching the sim is starting EasyAntiCheat (EAC). If you are failing very early in the loading process try re-installing EAC by running the EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe found in the iRacing installation directory EasyAntiCheat folder. By default this is located at C:/Program Files (x86)/iRacing\EasyAntiCheat\EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe.


See this article for more information on how to install EasyAntiCheat.


Step 4: Disable 3rd Party Applications

Some 3rd party applications like antivirus/antimalware, firewalls and gaming softwares such as overlays can interfere with the sim launch process. Try disabling any installed 3rd party software and then launch the sim again. 


OneDrive or Windows Controlled Folder Access can also cause issues. See this article for more information on how to disable these. 


Step 5: Disconnect All Devices

Try unplugging all of the computer's peripherals. This would include the steering wheel, pedal set, audio devices like headphones, VR headsets etc. You should leave the mouse and keyboard plugged in. Now try launching the sim. If it launches successfully try plugging each device back in one at a time until the failure occurs again. 


Step 6: Check Reliability Monitor

If none of the above solutions work you may have a more unique issue. In the Start Menu type Reliability Monitor and open the program (this is part of Windows and installed by default). This will show all errors that have occurred on your system in the last two weeks. Check if anything is reported at the time when the sim is failing to load. This may tell you where to investigate next.


See this article for more information on how to use Windows Reliability Monitor.


Step 7: Contact Support

If none of the above solutions have worked you can contact our support team for help at support@iracing.com. To help us better provide assistance please send the following information:

  • A description of the problem
  • Any recently created .dmp and .log files in your Documents\iRacing folder
  • The output from the DirectX Diagnostic tool. This can be generated by opening the Windows start menu and typing dxdiag.exe. Wait until the progress bar has filled and then use the ‘Save All Information…’ button to save the output to a text file. This should already exist as part of the Windows installation.
  • Any information found in Reliability Monitor in step 5