BlueStacks is one of the most popular Android emulators available for Windows. Due to its easy-to-navigate user interface and best-in-class performance, BlueStacks is loved by millions of gamers across the globe.
Although it is constantly updated, it still crashes from time to time. In some cases, certain games cannot be played with BlueStacks, games start to lag or shut down automatically, etc. If BlueStacks is not working on your computer, the following 9 fixes should help you make the program work normally again.
Does your computer meet the minimum system requirements?
Before starting the fixes, you should double check that your PC meets the system requirements. You can check them out by visiting the official Bluestacks website, which explains the recommended and minimum requirements.
You’ll need to upgrade your computer if it doesn’t meet these requirements. However, if the system is more powerful than what is required, implement the following fixes:
1. Check whether BlueStacks is working or not.
The first step is to ensure that the BlueStacks backend is not experiencing downtime. To be sure, visit the official updownradar.com website and check the status of the app, as well as any bugs reported there.
If the problem is in the BlueStacks backend, wait until the problem goes away on its own. However. If everything is fine, then the problem may be with your computer, which needs a closer look.
2. Turn off anti-virus software
Depending on how you set up your antivirus, BlueStacks can be interpreted as a threat to the system, preventing apps from running. So, temporarily turn it off to avoid anti-virus software interfering with BlueStacks’ operation.
Alternatively, you can temporarily disable the Windows Defender Firewall to ensure that the firewall does not interfere with application execution. If the cause is a firewall, add BlueStacks to the exclusion list as directed by Microsoft support.
3. Restart the device and BlueStacks
If neither of the first two fixes solves the problem, try restarting BlueStacks and see if that works. If that doesn’t work, you can restart your computer to make sure a temporary glitch isn’t causing the problem.
If restarting the computer and apps doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to make sure BlueStacks has enough memory to do its job.
4. Closing resource-intensive processes that are running in parallel
Every process you run on your computer puts pressure on system memory. There may not be enough resources for other computer programs to operate efficiently when many resource-hungry programs consume memory simultaneously.
You are more likely to experience this problem if the computer is not powerful enough. Therefore, it is imperative to rule it out first. To do so, click on the Windows Start icon and open the Task Manager.
Check the percentage in the Memory column on the Processes tab. If it is 100% or very close to this, filter out all the processes that contribute the most to memory usage and kill them all.
You can close any process by right-clicking on it and selecting End task.
Besides monitoring memory usage, monitor disk and CPU usage and troubleshoot high CPU and disk usage to ensure there are enough resources for BlueStacks to function properly.
When freeing up memory doesn’t help, you should update your graphics driver.
5. Update your graphics driver
Outdated graphics drivers can also halt application execution. Therefore, make sure to update your graphics driver before proceeding. Previously, Thewindowsfan.com mentioned how to properly update the graphics driver if you don’t know how to do it.
6. Enable virtualization
BlueStacks recommends that you enable CPU virtualization for the program to run efficiently. Depending on the type of CPU you have, you will need to enable virtualization in different ways.
Check out this comprehensive guide by Thewindowsfan.com for BlueStacks to learn more about enabling virtualization for Intel and AMD CPUs.
7. Run the SFC scan
If enabling virtualization doesn’t make any difference, run an SFC scan to make sure no corrupted or damaged Windows files are causing the problem.
8. Upgrade or downgrade your Windows operating system
Older operating systems can also cause compatibility issues with applications. So if BlueStacks is updated to the latest version, Windows must also be fully updated.
However, you might wish to roll back the upgrade if BlueStacks started acting up after your computer updated to a new version.
If you need help, here’s how to revert a Windows update to an earlier version.
9. Uninstall and reinstall BlueStacks
If performing all the fixes in the list does not solve the problem, you should reinstall BlueStacks as a last resort. Before you begin, uninstall any existing BlueStacks. To do this, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Windows Control Panel.
Step 2: Navigate to Programs > Programs and Features.
Step 3: Right-click on the BlueStacks program and click Uninstall.
After uninstalling BlueStacks from your computer, download and install a new version of the software.
Hopefully, with a fresh install, you can solve the problem you are having and any hidden problems in the program files.
The fixes in the list will keep BlueStacks on track and allow you to run your favorite apps again. If these fixes do not solve the problem, you may consider resetting your computer once.
However, if that doesn’t work, it’s best to temporarily switch to the BlueStacks alternative. Andy, NoxPlayer, and Phoenix OS are some of the best alternatives to BlueStacks.
