Are you having trouble opening Razer Cortex and getting it to work as it should? Razer Cortex is a handy tool for boosting your gaming performance by managing unnecessary background tasks.
Yet, a growing number of users are encountering issues with Razer Cortex on their Windows 11/10 PCs. Problems range from the application failing to launch or starting up unsuccessfully, to instances of locked accounts. Some users have also faced issues like the FPS counter overlay not showing, the inability to add games, and difficulties with recording or streaming gameplay.
Razer Cortex problems can occur due to various reasons like administrative issues, software glitches, outdated graphics drivers, or damaged system files.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to resolve the problem and get Razer Cortex up and running smoothly on your Windows 11 computer. Let’s get started!
Many users complain that they have installed the Razer game booster and it’s not opening even after 30 minutes, the app’s interface won’t show up. Try these fixes:
1. Re-install the Program Completely
Most of the time simply reinstallation fixes the problem. In some cases, users see Razer Central Service running in the task manager but the program still won’t open. It’s because installation might have failed and the app is broken.
Uninstall the Razer Cortex from your PC:
Press Windows + I to open settings.
Click on Apps, here you will a list of installed programs.
Find Razer Cortex and Uninstall it.
Download the Registry Cleaner tool and clean your PC registry.
Now Download the latest version of Razer Cortex from their site.
Now open the program to see if not opening or running problem is resolved.
2. Uninstall 3rd Party Apps and Run in Compatibility Mode
Are you running multiple game booster software on your PC? If yes remove all of them also make sure that antivirus software is also disabled or removed.
The Razer Cortex not opening issue arises because 3rd party apps create errors in system settings while antivirus software sometimes doesn’t permit to running of certain apps due to security reasons.
Once you remove these apps try to run Razer Cortex in compatibility mode. To do that:
Right-click on the App and click on Properties.
In the following windows choose the Compatibility Tab.
Check the box “Run this program in the compatibility mode for“
Select Windows version, Apply, and OK.
Now again check if the Razer Cortex, not opening problem is fixed.
3. Run the Program .EXE file from Folder
If you have uninstalled and installed the app, run it as admin, or in compatibility mode and still it won’t open. Then try to run Razer Central.exe as Admin.
Locate the folder where you have downloaded the Razer Cortex usually it is found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer\Razer Services\Razer Central.
It will fix Razer Cortex’s not opening problem.
4. Download the Latest GPU Driver
To ensure your computer runs graphics-oriented applications smoothly, it’s crucial to keep your graphics driver up to date. Although graphics drivers usually update automatically during Windows updates, you can manually update them as well. Here’s how:
Open the Power menu by pressing the Win + X hotkeys.
From the context menu, select Device Manager. You can also access Device Manager using other methods.
In Device Manager, double-click on Display adapters to expand the category.
Right-click on the installed graphics driver and choose “Update driver.”
A window will appear; select “Search automatically for drivers.”
Windows will now search for and download any available updates for the graphics driver.
5. Run SFC and DISM Scans
Frequent inaccessibility of third-party applications may result from corrupted or damaged system files. To resolve this, you can run System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) scans.
Run the SFC Scan
Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt” in the search bar.
Select “Run as administrator” from the left panel.
In the elevated Command Prompt window, type: sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Run the DISM Scan
After completing the SFC scan, follow these steps:
In the same Command Prompt window, type: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.
The DISM scan will connect to Windows Update to download and replace damaged files if needed. Ensure you’re connected to the internet during this scan.
In case the DISM scan appears to be stuck, do not close the Command Prompt, and let the scan finish.
Running these scans can help repair any damaged system files, potentially resolving the issue with Razer Cortex.
How To Fix Razer Cortex Not Launching Problems
If the game booster won’t launch then you need to close all the running tasks. Then launch the program, it will take some time, so wait a bit until it runs.
Follow these steps:
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl +Alt + Delete.
Select Services Tab and locate FPSRunner (32 & 64-bit) + Game Manager Service (32 & 64-bit) + PMRunner + Razer Central + Razer Central Service.
Right-click on these services and End Task.
How To Fix Razer Cortex Failed to Start Error
Many users consistently reported that when they open Razer Cortex they receive this error message “Cortex star failed, please try again.”
This error appears when the installation of Razer Cortex is not complete. So try to reinstall the software afresh after completely uninstalling it from your PC.
Fix. Disable & Enable All Razer Services
If you keep getting failed to start error then try this:
Open Task Manager click on the startup tab and enable Razer Cortex startup.
Then press the Windows logo key + R and type MSConfig.
Click on the Service tab and disable all the services related to Razer Cortex.
Press on Apply, and OK
Now again Re-enable these services in msconfig. Apply and OK.
Restart your computer.
How To Fix Razer Cortex Account Locked Error
If you have made too many log-in attempts to enter a Razer account with the wrong credentials then you may get your Razer account locked temporarily.
The Razer Cortex locked problem only freezes the account for 5-10 minutes. After that time, you will be able to retry the login.
If you have recently created an account and verified with the email, still the account is locked then first try to reinstall Cortex.
In case, the problem doesn’t go away, then try to log in to Cortex using a dummy account and check how this goes.
You can also contact Razer ID Support if your problem isn’t solved.
How To Fix Razer Cortex FPS Not Showing
Does the Razer Cortex FPS counter not show while playing games? Or its FPS overlay readings are not accurate.
First, keep in mind that the Razer Cortex FPS counter is only in regards to how fast your screen is refreshing. It has nothing to do with the application/game. So you may see 120fps even though you are limited to 60FPS.
1. Run in Borderless Mode
If Razer FPS overlay won’t show up it’s because you are running games in Window mode or FullScreen. In this mode, the FPS counter and Gamecaster won’t display.
All you need to do is to run games in borderless mode. Here’s how to Do it:
Steam users follow these steps:
In Steam, go to your Library
Right-click on the game title.
Select Properties
Click Set Launch Options…
Paste these lines into the provided text box -popupwindow
Click OK, then Close.
PC users follow these commands:
Open a command line window
Navigate to the folder containing tld.exe
Type “tld.exe -popupwindow“
2. Change Razer and Game Settings
A lot of players forget to enable the built-in razer feature to show FPS and save it. First, make sure that you have enabled FPS overlay options for any specific game.
Then comes the game’s settings. Many games have a feature that enables the Razer to display FPS. Turn on that option.
3. Use Alternate FPS Counter
You can always switch to the Razer alternate software that also has the ability to show FPS overlay. You download MSI Afterburner and use its FPS counter. (Read: How to Enable FPS Counter in MSI Afterburner).
Users can optimize game performance while playing on a Windows PC. However many users are complaining that they can’t add games in Razer Cortex, it’s failed, or the added game won’t show up.
1. Link the .exe File
The reason why users can’t add a game in the razer is that they add Launcher or Shortcut and not the .exe file.
All you have to do is to open a proper game path and find the game’s .exe file.
How to Add Games to Razer Cortex?
Supposing if you have League of Legends, follow these steps to add games:
Open Razer Cortex
Games > My Library > Press on this big + on the left upper corner.
At the same time Browse for a game press on the grey folder icon and copy [YOUR HARDDRIVE]\Riot Games\League of Legends\RADS\solutions\lol_game_client_sln\releases\0.0.1.167\deploy\ in the explorer window.
Double-click the “League of Legends.exe“
Press on “Add” in Razer Cortex and you are done.
2. Uninstall Antivirus Software
Many antivirus software like Malwarebytes and Avast detects and disables Razer Game Scanner Service. These tools mistakenly think that it’s a virus threat to your system.
Simply use the control panel to uninstall these tools and then run this game. You can also add this service to the exception list.
How to Fix Razer Cortex Not Recording Game
You can record and stream gameplay using Razer Cortex but you may face an issue where this tool won’t record gameplay. The problem lies in Razer Cortex Settings and Game Settings.
When you open Razer Cortex system cleaner to do a system clean, the scan stops at exactly 20% on the file HTML help. This is a major problem while scanning games.
To fix the scanning problem you need to contact support and send them a ticket. They will look into the matter and resolve the issue.
How to Uninstall Razer Cortex
The process is very simple, open the Control Panel and click on Programs and Features. A list will appear locate the program and right-click on it to uninstall.
