Retroarch Not Working Heres A Bunch Of Fixes

RetroArch is a powerful frontend for various console emulators, but it can sometimes run into issues that prevent it from working properly. Here are several fixes to help you troubleshoot and resolve common problems with RetroArch.

Updating Graphics Card Drivers

One of the most common reasons for RetroArch not working is outdated graphics card drivers. This is particularly relevant for users with mid-to-lower-end systems. To update your graphics card drivers:

• Go to the Device Manager: Right-click on the Start menu and select "Device Manager."
• Find Your Graphics Card: Under "Display Adapters," find your graphics card.
• Update Drivers: Right-click on the graphics card and select "Update driver."
• Follow the Prompts: Follow the on-screen instructions to update the drivers.

Updating your graphics drivers can resolve issues such as RetroArch crashing before the game loads.

Changing Video Drivers in RetroArch

If updating your graphics drivers doesn't solve the issue, you might need to change the video driver settings within RetroArch:

• Open RetroArch: Launch RetroArch and go to the main menu.
• Change Video Driver: Scroll down to "Settings" > "Video" and change the "video_driver" from "gl" to "d3d."
• Save Changes: Press Ctrl + S to save the changes.

This can help if you're experiencing crashes or if the game fails to load.

Disabling Integrated Graphics

For users with both integrated and discrete graphics, disabling the integrated graphics can sometimes resolve issues with RetroArch:

• Go to Device Manager: Right-click on the Start menu and select "Device Manager."
• Find Integrated Graphics: Under "Display Adapters," find your integrated graphics.
• Disable Integrated Graphics: Right-click on the integrated graphics and select "Disable device."
• Re-enable After Use: Once you've finished using RetroArch, re-enable the integrated graphics if needed.

This fix can help if you're experiencing issues with Vulkan drivers.

Ensuring Correct ROM File Settings

If you're using Launchbox to launch games via RetroArch, ensure that the ROM file settings are correct:

• Edit Metadata: Select the game in Launchbox and press Ctrl + E to edit the metadata.
• Set ROM File: In the "Launching" section, set the "ROM File" to the correct CUE file for single-disc games or the M3U file for multi-disc games.

Updating Databases and Scanning ROMs

To ensure RetroArch can detect and scan your ROMs correctly:

• Update Databases: Go to the RetroArch main menu, scroll to the bottom, and click "Update Databases."
• Scan ROMs: Use "Scan Directory" or "Scan File" to add new ROMs. Ensure the file types match the installed cores.

For PS1 games, having a CUE file along with the main image file (BIN or ISO) is crucial. You can use the Niels Buus online tool to generate the CUE file if needed.

Using MSVC Versions of RetroArch

For users on older systems or with older hardware, using the MSVC versions of RetroArch can be beneficial:

• Download MSVC Version: Go to the Libretro download page and select the desired MSVC version of RetroArch.
• Install: Download and install the MSVC version. This can help even on newer operating systems like Windows 10.

Running RetroArch with Verbose Mode

If RetroArch fails to launch, running it in verbose mode can help diagnose the issue:

• Run RetroArch Manually: Open a command prompt, navigate to the RetroArch directory, and run RetroArch with the --verbose command.
• Analyze Output: The verbose output will show detailed information about why RetroArch might be exiting, helping you identify the problem.

Fixing Issues with Integrated Tools

If you're using tools like RetroBat and experiencing issues with RetroArch not launching, you might need to adjust the configuration:

• Check Paths: Ensure the paths to RetroArch and its cores are correct within the RetroBat configuration.
• Use External RetroArch: If necessary, point RetroBat to an external installation of RetroArch and its cores, and delete the version included with RetroBat.

By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and resolve many common issues that prevent RetroArch from working properly.