Problem The game won't start.

Discussion in 'Community Support' started by Eck Simpson, Mar 27, 2026.

  1. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    Alo all, I've tried all the usual stuff to no avail. The start up goes through the red screen, then just hangs on an empty black screen with the cursor. I've not started the game in a long time, so no idea if it's update related. What has this old fool done this time?.
     
  2. Maskerader

    Maskerader Well-Known Member

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    What was "the usual stuff"?

    If you haven't tried it yet:
    - Verify Raceroom files on Steam;
    - delete Documents\My games\SimBin\RaceRoom Racing Experience\BrowserData folder;
    - if it doesn't help, rename Documents\My games\SimBin to Simbin-backup (and it works, move your control settings, replays, etc. from this backed up folder to the new one that the game will create automatically).
     
  3. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    All of the above and anything else that's worked in the past. Of course, it's worth trying again (cause you know 'puters are a pita). So, I did them again and I'm not getting it to work. Thank you though, any help gratefully received.
     
  4. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    I've been meaning to post this for days but as has become the norm of late, I've got ticked off with the 'puter n just left it. Anyhoo, whatever is pertinent in this, is beyond my feeble tiny mind. So, here's the entire folder.

    Oh and (yeah it's all flooding in today) when starting the game in first option, it fails to produce a "my games" folder. When starting in DXVK, "my games" is produced but the game still fails to start.

    Here's hoping someone has a clue.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Mar 31, 2026
  5. Maskerader

    Maskerader Well-Known Member

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    Looks like the game can't create anything there and that's why it fails to run. Probably something about permissions in Windows, but I'm not sure how things like that are solved. I'd just search the internet for "videogame can't write in documents" and see what comes up.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2026
  6. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    Thank you, after trying some of the things listed in my search, the "My Games" folder is produced with either start option. Unfortunately, the game still refuses to start up. Hindsight being what it is, I wish I'd waited to buy the new stuff... lol.
     
  7. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    Incidentally, I continue to post in here 'cause I can't raise a ticket from any browser.
     
  8. Maskerader

    Maskerader Well-Known Member

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    The folder itself and all its content? This is what it should look like:
    Folders:
    - BrowserData
    - PortalDownloads
    - ReplayData
    - sentry-errors
    - TimeAttack
    - UserData
    Files:
    - GameInstallDir.ini
    - Launcher.log

    If it's only created with sentry-errors, then this looks like what I said before, permission issues in Windows.
     
  9. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    Everything except PortalDownloads
     
  10. Maskerader

    Maskerader Well-Known Member

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    How long have you waited on that black screen? Also, if you have a VPN, I'd try it too, maybe it's a connection issue.
     
  11. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    A few times, I've walked away and come back later, no idea how long though. Now, are there freebie vpn's?, obviously most come with a trial period. I'm a Scot, I loath parting with my pennies.
     
  12. Maskerader

    Maskerader Well-Known Member

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    Yes, for example Proton and Windscribe have free options.
     
  13. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    Sorry, I just gave up for a couple of days. Tried it today after the update, still nought.
     
  14. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    Yesterday, I had to admit I understand little to nothing at all, finally installed a VPN (Windscribe). Then realised, I didn't have a clue what to do with it. No farther forward, I gave up (again). I guess if I was using the game, I'd be more interested.
     
  15. Maskerader

    Maskerader Well-Known Member

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    Run VPN, find and press a button called "Connect" or something (I never used this one, don't know). Then just run the game.
     
  16. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    Thank you again, push the big power button and sit back. Too clever for me or I tried to over complicate things.

    Anyway, still no joy. A real pita.
     
  17. Maskerader

    Maskerader Well-Known Member

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    Someone found that their other PC connected to the same router can interfere with Raceroom: https://steamcommunity.com/app/2115...62229567/?tscn=1775827468#c797840845858553000

    Could it be the case for you?

    @Andi Goodwin Could you send this to devs, maybe? At this point I think devs really need to investigate how to make Raceroom less sensitive to possible quirks of people's connection because connection issues seem to only multiply as the game moves forward, instead of going away.
     
  18. Bitfulmind

    Bitfulmind New Member

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    Was this solved in any way?
    I am struggling with a similar issue. RaceRoom just won't start. Not even the splash page or the menu screen. Nothing. The Steam's Play button changes to Cancel, I see some text changing, but then nothing at all. I also tried verifying, deleting the SimBin folder, uninstalling, reinstalling, firewall, VPN, authorization of folders... The evening I was racing. The next morning nothing would start.
     
  19. Eck Simpson

    Eck Simpson Active Member

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    No, I gave up, uninstalled. I re-installed for the most recent update, still no joy, uninstalled again.
     
  20. Bitfulmind

    Bitfulmind New Member

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    So sorry!
    I digged in with AI this morning. At least I found the reason, but still not satisfactorily. I use Sophos Endpoint as my antivirus (I get the premium for free due to my job). Since yesterday, it blocks RaceRoom to run, but it does not give me any notification or allow me to grant any exceptions. Even if I add the exclusions in the Sophos dashboard, the game won't start. However, if I disable Sophos, it starts like a charm. Of course, this is not the way I want to use it and expose my PC to online threats while I play. So I am stuck at not knowing what to do. In the meantime, I wrote to Sophos support.