Origin is a popular gaming platform used by millions of people to launch and play games. Unfortunately, it does have a tendency to crash and encounter errors. One problem, which is usually more common on Windows 10, is when Origin won’t launch at all.
Origin users are usually presented with a spinning wheel and no activity from Origin or it is completely unresponsive. Sometimes Origin doesn’t even show up in the Task Manager after it has been launched.
This is quite frustrating when you just want to get on with it and play a game. This can be a difficult problem to fix, but this article will take you through everything that you can do to fix the problem when Origin won’t open.
Why Origin won’t Open
There are a number of possible reasons why Origin won’t open. Normally this problem is caused by:
- Minor bugs on your computer
- Cache and temporary files
- Compatibility problems
- Out of date software
- Problems with the Origin client
- Anti-virus software
- Problematic host files
How do I fix the Origin won’t open problem?
This article will tell you what to do to get Origin up and running again. The fix options in this article will take you through the possible solutions in the order that they are most likely to work.
Things to do first
Before you do anything, try these things first…
Log out of Origin and restart your computer
If there is a minor bug on your computer or a minor compatibility issue, then logging out of Origin and restarting your computer may solve the problem.
Log out of Origin, restart your computer and see if you are able to launch Origin again.
Run as administrator
Running the program as an administrator may allow you to bypass whatever problem is preventing the Origin app from launching properly.
Find the shortcut to Origin on your desktop or look for it in My Computer and then right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator.
You may be able to run the program successfully as an administrator and bypass the problem. In the long run, though, you should resolve whatever problem is preventing Origin from launching normally.
In-depth solutions
Here are our in-depth solutions which should fix whatever issue with your system is preventing Origin from launching.
Option #1: Clear the Origin cache and temporary files
Cache files and temporary files are used to help the Origin app run. However, corrupted files can prevent it from launching. Clearing Origin cache files and temporary files will often resolve this issue.
To clear Origin cache files and temporary files:
- Log out of Origin and close the program
- Press the Windows + R keys to open the run dialog box
- Type in ‘%ProgramData%’ and click OK
- Open the Origin folder
- Delete all the files and folders in the Origin folder, except for LocalContent (be careful not to delete LocalContent)
- Press the Windows + R keys
- Type in ‘%AppData%’ and choose OK
- The Roaming folder will open, which is located inside of AppData
- Delete the Origin folder and then click on the word ‘AppData’ at the top of your window
- Open the Local folder and delete the Origin folder
- Restart your PC and log back into Origin
If Origin won’t open after you have tried this, then move onto our next solution. You should always open Task Manager after you try to launch Origin and see if it is attempting to run.
Option #2: Clear your DNS cache
As with Origin cache files, DNS cache files are used to run programs on your computer system. If any are corrupted they may be preventing your computer from functioning properly.
To clear DNS cache files:
- Search for Command Prompt in the Search bar
- Click on Command Prompt to open it
- Type ‘ipconfig /flushdns’ and press enter
- Allow the process to finish
The DNS Cache on your computer should now be clear. See if Origin won’t open next time you try to run it.
Option #3: Run Origin in compatibility mode
Compatibility problems can prevent Origin from opening. One fix Origin won’t open method is to run this program in compatibility mode. You will need administrator rights in order to do this.
- Right-click the launcher on your desktop and choose Open File Location
- Right-click the Origin launcher file and select Properties
- Click on the Compatibility tab
- Choose Change Settings for all Users
- Tick the tick box next to Run this Program in Compatibility Mode
- Go to the drop-down menu and select Windows 7
- Click Ok and then Ok again on the next window
Try to launch Origin normally and see if it runs successfully after you have done this. If Origin fails to launch, then move on to our next fix.
Option #4: Run the compatibility troubleshooter
The compatibility troubleshooter may be able to resolve compatibility issues that are preventing Origin from launching.
Run compatibility troubleshooter on Windows 10:
- Find the origin shortcut on your desktop or on My computer
- Right-click on it and select Properties
- Go to the Compatibility tab and click Run Compatibility Troubleshooter
- Click on Try Recommended Settings to test the program using the recommended compatibility settings
- Press enter
- Allow the process to complete
The troubleshooter should resolve any compatibility issues with Origin. After you have run it, restart your PC and run the program again and see if Origin won’t open this time.
Option #5: Uninstall and then reinstall Origin
If a program is repeatedly failing you can always try the uninstall a program and reinstall it approach.
To delete Origin and then reinstall it…
- Logout of Origin and close it
- Search for Control Panel in the Search bar
- Click on Programs
- Go to Programs and Features
- You’ll see a list of apps
- Find Origin and right-click on it
- Choose Uninstall
After you have finished, go to the website and download and install the latest version of Origin. Try to launch it.
Option #6: Disable in-game overlays
In-game overlays used in the Origin application can slow it down and prevent it from launching. Make sure this isn’t causing the issue by disabling them. You will only be able to do this if you are able to launch Origin occasionally.
- Make a successful launch of Origin
- Go to Application Settings in the top menu
- You will see a list of all the in-game overlays for Origin
- Disable them all
Once you have disabled in-game overlays, test launching Origin over a period of time and see if your Origin won’t open problem is resolved.
Option #7: Update the Origin client
If the Origin version you are using is out of date, then Origin won’t open. Go to the Origin website and check if any updates are available. If there are any available, download and install them and then restart your computer and see if it is able to launch.
Option #9: Perform a clean boot
Performing a clean boot of your computer may help you to determine what exactly is causing the problem.
To perform a clean boot:
- Type Run into the Search bar and open the Run dialog box
- Type ‘msconfig’ and press enter
- The System Configuration window will open
- Go to the ‘Services’ tab
- Tick the tick box next to ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ and then press Disable all
- Go to startup and then choose ‘Open Task Manager’
- The Task Manager will open
- Disable all services in startup
- Close Task Manager and choose OK in the other window.
After you have finished, restart your computer and try to launch Origin again. If Origin is able to launch then, you should repeat the process, but enabling more services as you go. When eventually you find that Origin won’t open you will know which programs are causing the problem.
When you know which programs are causing the problem, you will be able to resolve the problem with them and carry on using Origin as normal.
Option #10: Add Origin As An Exception In Third-Party Antivirus Software
Sometimes anti-virus programs will flag Origin as an issue and prevent it from opening. If you have a third party anti-virus, then you will need to find out how to do it for your particular antivirus.
For Windows Firewall:
- Search for Control Panel in the Search bar
- Open the Control panel
- Go to Windows Firewall
- Go to the Exceptions tab and Click on Add a Program
- Select the Origin and Choose OK
After you have done this, you should restart your computer and then try to launch Origin again. This will often fix Origin won’t open errors.
Option #11: Update Windows
Windows updates are often necessary to run the Origin application correctly. If you haven’t carried out an update recently, check that your system is up to date.
- Open the notifications center in the bottom right of your desktop and select the All Settings section
- Go to Updates and Security
- Click on Check for Updates
- Windows will check if any updates are available
- If updates are available, they will be displayed
- Install any updates which are available
Option #12: Delete origin.exe and rename ‘originTMP’ to ‘origin’
Some Origin users have found that renaming and deleting some Origin files can resolve the Origin won’t open error.
Deleting the ‘origin.exe’ file and, also renaming the ‘OriginTMP’ file to ‘Origin’ has been suggested by users of the gaming platform to run the Origin application more successfully. Find your Origin file on my computer and rename and delete the files as suggested.
We hope this guide has helped you to fix your Origin not opening problem and that you are now able to run the program successfully. If you are faced with this problem again, then come back here and check if any of our other solutions are able to resolve the issue.
