How To Fix Bluestacks Engine Won’t Start Issue Quick Fix

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Bluestacks is one of the most popular Android emulators designed to run on your Windows computer. What this does is it allows you to run your favorite Android apps and games on your PC. While this is quite a stable platform there are instances when certain issues can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Bluestacks engine won’t start issue.

How To Fix Bluestacks Engine Won’t Start Issue

Before you do any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This will refresh your computer operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem. Once the computer has fully booted up try to check if the issue still occurs. 

Disable your Antivirus program

We all know that the antivirus program protects your computer from all forms of online threats however sometimes it can be quite strict that it will prevent certain legitimate applications from running. To check if this is what’s causing the problem you should try to temporarily disable your antivirus program. 

If you are using Windows Security

  • Select Start  – Settings > Update & Security  – Windows Security – Virus & threat protection > Manage settings
  • Switch Real-time protection to Off.  

If you are using Avast

  • Search for the Avast icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
  • Click on Avast shields control.
  • Locate the options to disable the program – the options are to disable it for 10 minutes, an hour, until the computer is restarted or permanently (until you yourself turn it back on). Select whatever option suits you best and use it to disable the program.

If you are using AVG

  • Search for the AVG icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
  • Click on Temporarily disable AVG protection.
  • Choose how long you want AVG to be turned off and whether you want AVG to disable its Firewall too.
  • Click on OK to disable the antivirus program.

If you are using McAfee

  • Search for the McAfee Antivirus icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
  • Click on Exit.
  • You should see a dialog box warning you that McAfee‘s protection will be turned off. Click on Yes in this dialog box to disable the antivirus program.

Check if the Bluestacks engine won’t start issue still occurs.

Change to DirectX increase RAM setting

There are usually two engine choices when you use Bluestacks and these are OpenGL or DirectX. In case you are using OpenGL then  I suggest that you switch to Direct X. You should also try to increase the RAM allocation for the application.

  • Open BlueStacks
  • Click on the options button from the top right corner. This button will look like a downwards arrow
  • Select Settings
  • Click Engine from the left pane
  • Select DirectX
  • Click Restart Now

In case the issue still persists perform the following steps.

  • Open BlueStacks
  • Click on the options button from the top right corner. This button will look like a downwards arrow
  • Select Settings
  • Click Engine from the left pane
  • Select DirectX
  • Change the Core number from the drop down menu
  • Try a higher RAM setting.
  • Click restart now.

Check if the Bluestacks engine won’t start issue still occurs.

Turn on Virtualization Technology

Since Bluestacks is actually a virtual application that lets you run Android apps on Windows then enabling the Virtualization technology of your computer will help its performance. 

First you will need to check if your hardware supports virtualization technology.

If you have an Intel processor

  • Download the Intel Processor Identification Utility from here https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/28539?v=t.
  • Run the Utility and install it.
  • Run the Utility and click on the CPU Technologies tab.
  • Look for the Intel Virtualization Technology in the list. If there is a Yes written in front of it then you have this technology and you can proceed to enable the technology.

If you have an AMD processor

  • Download the AMD V Detection Utility
  • Run the Utility and it will tell you whether you have the Virtualization Technology or not.

To enable Virtualization Technology

  • Restart your PC
  • Access your computer BIOS menu by pressing either Esc, F8, F12 or F10 when your manufacturer’s logo appears. The button changes from manufacturer to manufacturer so you check the documentation.
  • This will open the BIOS menu.
  • The BIOS menu will vary depending on your manufacturer so you will have to look for the option yourself. There should be an option named Virtualization Technology or Intel Virtualization Technology or Intel VT for Direct I/O (or a variation of this option). Enable these options, save the settings and exit the BIOS.

Check if the Bluestacks engine won’t start issue still occurs.

Uninstall then Reinstall Bluestacks

There are instances when the bluestacks application installed in your computer has become corrupted. If this is what’s causing the problem then you will need to uninstall this then download and reinstall a fresh version.

To uninstall Bluestacks

  • Restart your PC. 
  • Quit BlueStacks.
  • Download and execute troubleshooter from this URL: http://cdn3.bluestacks.com/public/temp_msi/HD-Uninstaller_native.exe 
  • Click “Yes” if asked for permissions and troubleshooter should start fixing the issue.
  • Once it removes all the traces of BlueStacks completely from your system you should see a message pop up.
  • Click OK to complete the process.

To install Bluestacks again just go to the official Bluestacks website and download the installer. Once the download has finished you should install it again.

Try reverting to a previous Windows build

In case the above steps fails to fix the problem then this might be caused by an issue with the latest Windows build. You can try to revert to a previous build and see if this fixes the problem.

  • Hold Windows key and press I
  • Click Update & Security
  • Click Recovery from the left pane
  • Click the Get Started button in Go back to an earlier build. If this button is greyed out then you can’t revert back. Once you click the Get Started button, simply follow the on-screen instructions.

Check if the Bluestacks engine won’t start issue still occurs.