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If Honkai: Star Rail will not open, hangs at login or the train screen, shows a black screen, or freezes during an update, do not reinstall immediately. First check maintenance and update activity, restart the game and device, test another network, update the client, and repair its files. Then use the platform-specific cache, driver, security, storage and compatibility checks below. The correct fix depends on exactly where loading stops.
Checked August 18, 2026. Requirements and launcher labels can change with major versions.
Identify where loading stops
| Symptom | Likely categories |
|---|---|
| HoYoPlay does not open | Launcher process, permissions, antivirus, damaged launcher files or Windows compatibility |
| Launcher opens but Start Game does nothing | Incomplete update, wrong game path, security software or a stuck background process |
| Login or train screen loops forever | Network or authentication failure, corrupted local login data, VPN/DNS conflict or Windows registry data |
| Black screen after Start Game | GPU driver, overlay, display mode, damaged resources or unsupported hardware |
| Update progress does not move | Network restriction, insufficient space, firewall/antivirus or a damaged download |
| Game crashes before entering the world | Drivers, requirements, corrupted files or security software |
| It works on mobile but not PC | PC launcher, Windows, driver, firewall, registry or PC installation problem |
| It works on one network only | ISP routing, DNS, router, carrier or network filtering |
Safe first steps on every platform
- Check official HoYoverse maintenance and announcement notices. After a major patch, allow time for the final download, decompression, shader compilation, voice-over packages and login-server congestion. HoYoverse explains update and pre-installation behavior in its Version 4.4 notice.
- Wait if the screen or disk activity is still changing. For apparent decompression stalls, HoYoverse says to wait 20 minutes before further action: decompression guidance.
- Close the game and launcher normally. On Windows, open Task Manager and end remaining HoYoPlay, StarRail or related processes, then restart the computer.
- Restart the router if the issue affects all devices, and try another connection: mobile data, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet. This separates local files from ISP or routing problems.
- Temporarily remove VPNs, proxies, DNS-changing utilities, overlays, parental-control filters and traffic monitors. Set DNS to automatic. A VPN can help diagnose routing, but it is not a guaranteed or permanent fix.
- Install the latest game update from the official launcher, Google Play, App Store or PlayStation update system. Check free storage before downloading or decompressing.
HoYoverse’s general loading guidance covers changing networks, clearing cache, updating, waiting and reinstalling only when necessary: official loading-screen support.
Windows PC fixes
Repair downloaded resources before reinstalling
- Start Honkai: Star Rail and reach the login screen.
- Select Update.
- Choose Re-verify the integrity of the downloaded resources, then Confirm.
- Let verification finish without interrupting it, and relaunch.
Repair can redownload damaged or missing files, so leave enough free space for replacement data. If it fails, restart HoYoPlay and try once more. Persistent failures may require HoYoverse’s repair utility or installation on another drive; use the current link in its error-code article. A versioned archive previously listed by HoYoverse is this repair file; its filename may become outdated.
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Launcher cache and security software
Use HoYoPlay’s downloaded-resource cache-clearing control when it is present; labels and locations vary by launcher version. Avoid deleting random folders. Add HoYoPlay, StarRail.exe and the anti-cheat component HoYoKProtect.sys to your antivirus and firewall allow-list. If testing requires temporarily disabling real-time protection, do so briefly, re-enable it immediately, and never download unofficial DLLs. HoYoverse documents these files and antivirus-related codes in its error guidance.
Drivers, Windows and overlays
- Install current graphics drivers from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel; use a clean installation if the problem began after a driver change.
- Install pending Windows updates.
- Temporarily disable Discord, NVIDIA/AMD, Xbox Game Bar, MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner, recording and reshade overlays, and close overclocking tools.
- Test one monitor at standard scaling if you use multiple displays or unusual scaling.
Running as administrator is an occasional permissions test, not a universal remedy. HoYoverse’s crash guidance also requires checking drivers and minimum specifications: PC crash and freeze support.
Train-screen registry reset (advanced)
HoYoverse documents this Windows-only procedure for a train loading loop:
- Press Windows key + R, enter
regeditand press Enter. - Back up the relevant key using Registry Editor’s export command.
- Open
ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware. - Delete only
miHoYoSDKandCognosphereStar Railif present. - Close Registry Editor, relaunch and sign in again.
Deleting the wrong registry entry can damage Windows or another application. This resets local launcher/login data; it does not repair outages, routing, drivers or unsupported hardware. Follow the current HoYoverse train-screen instructions if your version shows a different path.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Android
- Force-stop the game, restart the phone and update it through Google Play.
- Open Settings → Apps → Honkai: Star Rail → Storage → Clear cache. Menu names differ by manufacturer. Choose Clear cache, not Clear storage/data, unless you accept removing local settings and downloaded data.
- Check free storage, close memory-intensive apps and remove battery-optimization restrictions that suspend the game.
- Try another network. Reinstall only after confirming your account binding, login method and UID. Use no unofficial APK or modified client.
iPhone and iPad
- Force-close Honkai: Star Rail and restart the device.
- Update the app through the App Store and install available iOS updates.
- Check free storage and test another network.
- iOS has no universal cache-clear button; reinstall if the problem remains, but first verify that you can sign in and that the account is properly linked.
PlayStation
- Close and relaunch the game, then restart the console.
- Check for a game update and confirm sufficient console storage.
- Restart network equipment and test the connection again.
- Reinstall only after update, network and storage checks fail. Do not assume a PC or mobile fix applies to the console’s client.
When an update or decompression appears frozen
A download that is slow but advancing is different from decompression that has no visible change. Check disk activity, available space, network stability, firewall and antivirus behavior, and whether the launcher is still processing files. After the 20-minute wait, restart HoYoPlay, run resource verification, and consider another drive if replacement files cannot be written. Reinstall only after repair fails; reinstalling cannot fix a server outage, account problem, incompatible hardware or ISP routing.
Error-code quick reference
These mappings come from HoYoverse’s current error-code reference; treat them as troubleshooting directions rather than a complete diagnosis.
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- Brand new. UK Import PAL version. Game in English. UK PSN account may be required for any online features.
| Code | HoYoverse direction |
|---|---|
| 2000_0 | Verify file integrity on PC or mobile, change networks and, on Windows, consider the documented registry reset. |
| 4214 | Investigate the network; test mobile data, Wi-Fi, router and ISP changes. |
| 8002; 1,2,0; 1,4,577; 2,0,1–2,0,4 | Potentially corrupted files; repair first and reinstall if repair fails. |
| 1,4,2; 1,5,2; 1,1,0 | Missing driver files; check antivirus and repair resources. |
| 1,107,126 | Missing local files; use launcher repair or reinstall. |
| 1,4,5 | Antivirus interference; allow the named game and anti-cheat files. |
| 1,107,0 | CPU compatibility issue; use HoYoverse’s specific instructions. |
| 1,107,x; 1,5,433 | Restart the game first, then escalate if persistent. |
Check current hardware requirements
Requirements rise with major versions. A Version 4.1 notice dated March 23, 2026 listed PC support of Intel Core i5 or better, 8 GB RAM, GTX 1050 or better, Windows 10 64-bit or higher and DirectX 11; its recommended profile was Core i7, 16 GB RAM and GTX 1060 6 GB or better. That notice also listed Android 9+ with at least 4 GB RAM and iPhone 8 Plus or later with iOS 13 or later: Version 4.1 requirements.
HoYoverse announced higher supported and recommended requirements for Version 4.0 (requirements-change notice), and later notices show that profiles can change. Use the notice for your installed version rather than launch-era GTX 650 or Core i3 lists.
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When to contact HoYoverse
Escalate when repair, network checks and platform steps fail; a specific code persists; the game works on another platform; the issue began after a particular update or story area; only one account is affected; or login/authentication may be involved. Use official support, never an account asking for passwords, verification codes or payment details.
Include your UID, platform, device model, PC CPU/GPU/RAM and operating system, region, ISP, connection type, screenshots or video, the requested network diagnostic screenshot and relevant logs. HoYoverse’s train-screen diagnostic page is https://autopatchos.starrails.com/test/StarRail_Network_Diagnostic_Tool.html.
On Windows, collect:
%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLowCognosphereStar RailPlayer.log%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLowCognosphereStar RailPlayer-prev.log%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalTempCognosphereStar RailC:UsersXXXAppDataLocalLowCognosphereStar Railoutput_log.txt
Copy output_log.txt while the problem is occurring; HoYoverse says it resets after a restart. Details are in its crash and freeze support article.
Quick Recap
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