Raycast Not Opening or Won't Launch

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

1. FIX 1Restart Raycast

   Copy steps
   1. 01Quit or force quit in Activity Monitor
   2. 02Reopen; restart the device if the freeze returns
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Reinstall on Mac

   Copy steps
   1. 01Download latest from raycast.com/new
   2. 02Drag into Applications and replace
   3. 03If needed remove with AppCleaner and reinstall
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Fix Windows install error 0x80073cf9

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   1. 01Settings > Installed apps > Microsoft Windows App Runtime Singleton > Advanced options
   2. 02Terminate, Repair, Reset
   3. 03Reinstall Raycast
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Check crash logs

   Copy steps
   1. 01Mac: Console > Crash Reports
   2. 02Windows: Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

App does not start, freezes on launch or crashes.

Why it happens

• C-01Corrupt install
• C-02Outdated version after an OS update
• C-03Antivirus quarantine on Windows
• C-04Duplicate Raycast processes

// this guide also covers

• raycast won't open
• raycast crashes on launch
• raycast not launching

The same problem in other apps

All crashes, freezes & blank screens guides →

• PowerToys Settings Not Opening (Microsoft PowerToys)

Other Raycast errors

• Raycast Hotkey Not Working
• Raycast High Memory and CPU Usage
• Raycast Clipboard History Not Working
• Raycast Window Management Not Working
• Raycast Extension Not Working or Erroring
• Raycast Snippets Not Expanding
• Raycast AI Credits Ran Out
• Raycast iOS AI Chat Crashing or Not Syncing