Fixed: GTA San Andreas Crashing/Not Opening on PC (Win 11)

Have you ever experienced your favorite video game, Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, crashing, not opening, or showing a black screen on your PC? It can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re eager to dive into the gameplay. Being a classic favorite class of the 90’s kids, many users on Reddit are still experiencing GTA San Andreas crashing/not loading with their Windows 11 based PCs.

But fear not, as there are several solutions that can help you get past these issues. In this article, we will provide simple and easy-to-understand methods to troubleshoot problems such as game crashes, shutdowns, black screens, and startup failures. So, let’s explore these solutions and get you back into the action-packed world of GTA San Andreas!

Solution 1: Restart the PC

When you experience not opening on Windows 11 or any bug in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, it’s recommended to start by restarting the computer before attempting any other fixes.

This is because restarting the computer can resolve any temporary errors caused by outdated cookies and cache or conflicts with other software on your system by simply restarting Windows 11.

Solution 2: Run the Program as an Administrator (Permanently) PC

GTA San Andreas keeps crashing on PC since nowadays everyone is running Windows 11 or 10 if you love to stay updated. The game is not designed to run on the latest Windows operating systems. Therefore, its recommended to run the game with Windows 98/Me compatibility in order to fix GTA San Andreas Crashing/Not Opening on PC.

One way of doing it is by simply right-clicking on the program and selecting “Run as administrator”, but it may not always be enough, as you may need to grant these privileges permanently in order to avoid constantly having to repeat the process.

Here’s how to run a program as an administrator permanently on Windows 98/ME:

  1. Go to the folder/Application
  2. Right-click on it
  3. A menu will open
  4. Select Properties
  5. A new window will open
  6. Navigate to the “Compatibility Tab
  7. Under the Settings heading
  8. Find “Run this Program as an administrator
    Run this program as an adminstrator on Windows 11
  9. Check the box for this option
  10. Click “Apply

Now your program successfully Runs as an Administrator on Windows Windows 98/ME (Permanently) and you can easily open the program without repeating the steps.

Solution 3: Update Grand Theft Auto San Andreas

For critical errors like crashing, publishers release updates for an optimized and smooth gaming experience. It’s wise to check for any update released before troubleshooting other possible issues.

Playing with outdated versions can also lead to technical glitches, compatibility issues, or even missing out on new content. Here’s how to keep any game updated using its dedicated launcher:

Open the Game Launcher and from its settings locate “Update” Options. Either enable automatic updates or do a manual update if there are any. Restart the Launcher and check if you are still facing black screen on startup.

Solution 4: Close Intensive/Unwanted Programs Or Settings

Your game/PC can be set to maximum performance, try running the game on lower settings to consume fewer resources. This can include:

  1. A lower resolution(From 4k to 1080p or 1080p to 720p)
  2. A lower frame rate (try playing at 60Hz)

If there are too many programs running in the background, using too much internet/RAM/Disk can cause GTA San Andreas not opening on Windows 11.

Closing unwanted programs will help you eliminate the black screen on startup issue on your PC as your game would be able to get the required resources from Windows.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + ESC keys to open Task Manager
  2. Now check which program is using more Resources, usually indicated by a darker background
  3. Right-click on that program and select End task
    End Task on Windows 11

Now check if the not loading is solved or not.

Solution 5: Try Enabling/Disabling VPN while playing GTA San Andreas

Still running into black screen on startup error on Windows 11?

If you’ve got a VPN on, try turning it off to see if it makes a difference. If it’s off, switch it on and check again. But heads up! Don’t jump between too many regions; you don’t want to get blocked.

Remember, the right VPN can be a game-changer.

Solution 6: Add Game Exceptions on Antivirus PC

Sometimes antivirus thinks game files are bad guys and stops them, causing the black screen on startup.

To fix this, tell your antivirus that GTA SA files are cool by adding them to the “exceptions” list. This way, you can play without the antivirus messing things up!

Follow the steps below to add an exception on Antivirus (This guide is for Avast, and would be similar for other antiviruses):

  1. Launch Avast on your PC.
  2. Select Menu at the top-right corner of Avast.
  3. Choose Settings from the menu.
    Settings on Avast antivirus
  4. From the left sidebar, choose General > Exceptions
    Add Exception Button on Avast Antivirus
  5. Click ADD EXCEPTION and then type the URL you want to add to it.
  6. Click ADD EXCEPTION to save the URL and check if you can access the URL
    Add exception on Avast Antivirus

If you are still facing Avast Blocking Websites, continue to the next solution.

Solution 7: Check if Windows or Any Driver is Outdated

Sometimes compatibility issues can be a reason for continuous GTA San Andreas not loading on Windows 11/10.

Often, it’s all about the updates. First off, head to your Windows settings and see if there’s an update waiting. While you’re on this updating spree, dive into your device manager and update your Wi-Fi drivers and update graphics drivers making sure they are on the latest versions. Here is a video guide to updating graphics drivers which may fix THE GAME crashing issues on your PC.

These updates can make a big difference, fixing a lot of errors.

Solution 8: Delete Mods

Many players love to play a modded version of GTA San Andreas, which sometimes makes it incompatible with your PC’s operating system. Hence its recommended to uninstall any mods and make sure you have downloaded the most recent version of GTA San Andreas in order to avoid the crashing issues.

Solution 9: Contact Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Support

Tried everything and that game error’s still bugging you?

As a last resort, head to the GTA San Andreas’s official website and click ‘Support’ or ‘Contact’. Send them an email, jump into live chat, or post in their official forums.

Share what’s happening and any error messages. Remember to double-check you’re on the official site. Sometimes, reaching out is the best way to get back to gaming!

Stay smart and game on!

FAQs

Why is GTA San Andreas Crashing/Not Loading on PC?

The reason why GTA San Adreas is crashing/not loading on high-end gaming PC is because of its incompatibility with the Windows 11 operating system. Running the game with Windows 98 compatibility will fix the issue right away.

Why is my game crashing on my PC?

If games are crashing on your PC, then make sure to check if your CPU or GPU are overheating substantially. Lower the graphics settings to prevent the games from crashing on PC.

Can 100% CPU usage cause crash while gaming?

If your PC’s CPU is consuming usage abnormally then it may crash while playing a game abruptly due to overheating or hardware failure.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, encountering crashes, shutdowns, black screens, or startup failures while playing Grand Theft Auto San Andreas on your PC can be quite disheartening. However, by following the troubleshooting steps provided in this article, you can overcome these issues and enjoy uninterrupted gameplay. With these solutions, you’ll be back to exploring the vast open world of GTA San Andreas without any hindrances. Happy gaming!

Sophia
Sophia

Hi! I'm Sophia from France. 🇫🇷 I got my first PlayStation as a gift and saved up big time for my fav, the PS2! 🎮 Now, I write super cool guides and articles about it on thecpuguide.com. Let's game on! 🌟

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