Seeing the error "Cannot continue installation because another RobloxPlayerInstaller is running" can be incredibly annoying when you‘re trying to play Roblox. But don‘t worry – I‘ll walk you step-by-step through how to fix this issue and get Roblox launching properly again.
Why Does This Happen?
Before jumping into the solutions, it helps to understand what‘s going on behind the scenes when this error pops up:
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The RobloxPlayerInstaller is the background program that installs Roblox files and sets up components like DirectX.
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If another incomplete installation or this program is still running in the background, it blocks new installations from proceeding.
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Conflicting installations, corrupted files, antivirus blocks, or user profile issues can all leave stray processes or files that interfere with clean installs.
I‘ll be providing various troubleshooting methods to fix the root causes, so you can get Roblox back up and running smoothly.
Step 1: Check for Roblox Outages
Before we dig into troubleshooting, it‘s always smart to check the Roblox system status page or their Twitter account.
If Roblox is down for maintenance or experiencing an outage, you‘ll have to wait until services come back online before installing. As of November 2022, Roblox has 50 million+ daily users – so runtime disruptions aren‘t uncommon.
Step 2: Fully Uninstall and Reinstall Roblox
If Roblox is up and running, the first troubleshooting step is to completely uninstall and reinstall a clean version:
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Fully Uninstall All Roblox Versions: Use Windows Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program to remove every trace of Roblox.
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Delete All Local App Data: Delete the "%localappdata%\Roblox" folder to remove corrupted files.
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Download Latest Roblox Installer: Get it from the official Roblox website.
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Reinstall Roblox Clean: Run the .exe setup wizard and accept all prompts to fully reinstall.
This nukes any potentially conflicting files or unfinished installations so you‘re working with a fresh slate.
Step 3: End Background Roblox Processes
Incomplete uninstalls can leave Roblox processes and tasks still running in the background. These interfere with new installs.
You can force quit these tasks via Task Manager:
- Press CTRL + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab.
- Search for any process with Roblox in the name.
- Select it and click End task to terminate it.
This ensures no lingering programs block your new installation.
Step 4: Launch Roblox Directly
As an alternative to reinstalling, try launching Roblox directly via the RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe found here:
%localappdata%\Roblox\Versions\[version]\RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe
Run this .exe file directly to open Roblox cleanly without the installer.
Step 5: Use the Microsoft Store Version
Installing Roblox via the Microsoft Store avoids conflicts that can happen with manual desktop installs.
To do this:
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Search for Roblox.
- Click Get to install it directly through the store.
Step 6: Edit the Registry (Advanced)
If the above steps don‘t work, advanced users can try editing the Windows registry to remove stuck installations:
- Type regedit into the Run prompt (WIN + R).
- Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Roblox\RobloxStudioBrowser\roblox.com
. - Delete the port and MachineID keys.
- Restart your computer.
This should reset the Roblox installation and allow you to reinstall fresh.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
Beyond the main methods above, try these extra troubleshooting steps:
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Reboot in Safe Mode and try installing Roblox. This prevents other programs from interfering.
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Temporarily disable antivirus software, which could block installations.
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Run the Command Prompt as Admin and enter
sc delete RobloxCrashHandler160
to remove stuck services. -
Install Roblox in a new Windows user profile to isolate any profile corruption issues.
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Update your graphics drivers, DirectX, .NET Framework, and Visual C++ to latest versions.
Prevention Tips
To avoid this issue in the future:
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Always fully uninstall previous versions before installing a new Roblox update.
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Restart your PC after uninstalling before attempting to reinstall.
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Close all Roblox apps and end processes before starting an install.
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Allow Roblox access through your antivirus and firewall software.
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Regularly delete old Roblox versions in
%localappdata%
to avoid conflicts.
FAQ
Q: Why does this error happen in Roblox but not other programs?
A: Roblox has an unusually complicated multi-stage install process with dependencies like DirectX. This leads to more points of failure.
Q: Can I play Roblox without reinstalling?
A: Trying to launch RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe directly may allow you to bypass reinstalling.
Q: Should I delete my whole Roblox folder?
A: Keeping your Saved data folder at %appdata%\Roblox
will preserve your place files and customizations.
I hope this comprehensive guide helps you get Roblox back up and running smoothly again. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!