Minecraft is one of the most popular action-adventure sandbox games and is still quite popular despite over a decade since its launch. However, as much work as Mojang and now Microsoft has put into the game, it’s still far from perfect and runs into bugs and glitches from time to time.
In this article, we’re talking about the Minecraft launcher being stuck on downloading update files, why it’s happening and what you can do to fix the problem.
What causes Minecraft launcher to get stuck on downloading update files?
There are a few reasons why this error can happen. Some common factor includes:
- Internet connectivity issues
- Corrupt game files
- Third-party antivirus interfering with the game
Also read: What does Outdated Server mean in Minecraft?
How to fix Minecraft launcher to get stuck on downloading update files?
Here are eight fixes you can try out.
Restart the router
Restarting devices that could potentially be causing issues should be the first item on your troubleshooting checklist. In this case, since we’re facing a network issue, restarting your router or modem can help fix a bunch of seemingly random issues.
Restart the game
Restarting the game or your PC (or console) is also a good idea. Sometimes temporary bugs in the game won’t let you connect to servers even when online. In such cases, restarting the game or your PC can potentially resolve the Minecraft launcher issue.
Run the Windows Compatibility Troubleshooter
Running the Windows Compatibility Troubleshooter on the Minecraft launcher can root out any compatibility issues that might be causing problems. Locate the Minecraft Launcher executable file, right-click the file and select Troubleshoot compatibility.Â
Also read: How to turn off Steam notifications?
Run the launcher as an administrator
Running the Minecraft launcher as an administrator can help you get around any permissions issues that you might be facing. You have to press the Windows key and search for Minecraft Launcher. Click the Run as administrator button, and the launcher should run just fine.
Disable any firewalls
If you’re using any third-party firewalls, now’s the time to disable them to see if they’re blocking Minecraft. The same goes for any third-party antiviruses. If your Windows firewall is blocking Minecraft, refer to this guide to see how you can unblock the program.
Update Windows and Minecraft
Updating the game and your OS can also help resolve the issue by eliminating any underlying bugs hindering functionality.
Check this guide to quickly update Windows or pause updates if it's hindering your game Check this guide to update Windows 10 from Command line and Powershell If you're facing issues while updating Windows, check our articles here
Also read: How to fix Hogwarts Legacy memory leak?
Reinstall the launcher
The first thing you should do is remove the existing Minecraft launcher from your computer and download it again from Minecraft.net. Make sure to get the right flavour depending on your OS and platform. Once the download is complete, install the launcher and try logging into your Microsoft account again. It should now register the launcher with your account without any problems.
Reinstall Minecraft
If nothing else works, try reinstalling Minecraft.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Minecraft. Find the version you have and click Uninstall from the right pane.
Step 2: Once done, press Windows Key + R to open the Run prompt. Type %AppData% and hit enter.
Step 2: Find and delete the .minecraft folder.
Now try reinstalling Minecraft from the Microsoft store to see if the Minecraft launcher issue gets fixed.
Also read: How to make a Minecraft arrow?
