There are different versions of the launcher, identifying yours will help you troubleshoot any problems you’re having.

Did you download from swtor.com?

You’re using the direct download launcher.

Are you playing through Steam?

SWTOR on Steam uses a direct download launcher we call the Steam launcher.

Run SW:TOR and the launcher as an administrator

You need to run the launcher as an administrator so it can update the game files on your hard drive. 

Only a single instance of this application can run.

Use task manager (Press CTRL-SHIFT-ESC or press the Windows key and X then choose Task Manager) to find swtor.exe or launcher.exe. If you see them in the list, select each one, then click End Task. Now, try the launcher again. 

Network Error. Check your internet connection.

This could mean that there’s a problem with your internet connection, or that software on your computer (like a firewall, a VPN, or an antivirus program) is stopping the launcher from connecting to our servers.  Check the Software conflicts and Troubleshoot your network sections of this guide for help clearing this one up.

Direct download client errors

Error downloading patch data. Retrying… 

This means the launcher can’t pull data down from our servers. It will keep retrying until it connects, or until you close the launcher. 

This could be due to a server outage, a problem with your internet connection, or a firewall, VPN or anti-virus program interfering with the connection. Check the Troubleshoot your network and Software conflicts sections below for some potential fixes. 

An error occurred updating. Repair.

Click the Settings cog on the Launcher.

Click the Repair button on the Settings screen, then click Save.

The Repair button is clickable if you are logged into the launcher and it has detected an error.

If the repair doesn’t work, there may be a problem with your hard drive or your system’s memory. Skip down to the next section and try the troubleshooting steps there.

Reliable source serving corrupt data

This is an error message that only shows up in your launcher logs, and it means that the data that you downloaded became corrupted. In most of these cases, this happens because of a problem with your system’s RAM or hard drive. Check below for some hardware tests that could help you figure out what’s going on.

Repairing your installation

As with all SWTOR launchers, one of the biggest troubleshooting steps is to make sure the files on your computer match the ones the game is expecting to use. 

Steam has its own file verification system, here’s how to use it:

1. Right-click on Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ in your Steam Library.
2. Choose Properties.
3. Click the Local files tab. 
4. Click Verify integrity of game files.
5. If you get a Steam Client Service pop-up, click Yes to allow it to run.   
6. Wait for it to finish before launching the game again.

If you’re still seeing problems after verifying your game files, run launcherDiag from your SWTOR installation folder (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Star Wars - The Old Republic by default). 

This generates some diagnostic files our support team can use to help you figure out what’s going wrong. 

Once you have these files, contact us for more help.

If you switch launchers, you’ll have to download the entire game (over 40GB of data) again.

If you’re fine with that, here’s what to do: 

Uninstall your current launcher

The steps to remove all versions of the launcher are the same:

1. Make sure you’ve logged out of the game completely. 
2. Go to Add/Remove programs on your computer. 
3. Scroll down the list to Star Wars: The Old Republic
4. Select it.
5. Choose Uninstall.
6. Confirm you want to uninstall. 
7. Wait for the uninstallation to complete. 
8. Restart your computer before downloading a new launcher.
   • This makes sure your old files are completely deleted and won’t interfere with the new installation.

Choose your new launcher

Download the SWTOR direct download launcher here. 

or

Download the Steam SWTOR launcher here.

Chkdsk

This test checks your hard drive for errors.

Windows 7 and 8.1

1. Open the Windows Start menu and click on Computer. 
2. Right-click on the drive you installed SW:TOR to (usually the C: drive).
3. Click on Properties, then on the Tools tab.
4. Click the Check now button under Error Checking.

Windows 10

1. Open File Explorer and select This PC. 
2. Right-click on the drive you installed SW:TOR to (usually the C: drive). 
3. Click on Properties, then on the Tools tab.
4. Click the Check now button under Error Checking.

If Chkdsk finds errors, it will let you know and ask you to let it try to repair them. 

Memtest86+

This test detects any problems with the memory (RAM) in your computer.

EA does not own or operate the Memtest86+ website. We’re not responsible for any of the content on that site and offer the link below for you to use at your own risk.

You will need a blank USB memory key to create a bootable drive to run this test.

1. Download Memtest86+.
2. Follow the instructions to download and run the test. We recommend you let it run for 6-8 passes. 
3. If the test finds errors, you’ll need to replace the faulty RAM in your computer.

Firewall and antivirus

Sometimes when the launcher updates, your antivirus or firewall can mistakenly flag it or the main game program file as a danger (because the file doesn’t look the same as it did before). 

Some programs can even move them into quarantine or on to a deletion list. 

If this happens you need to add launcher.exe and swtor.exe to the exception list for both programs. If you already had them on the list, remove them and add them again.

You’ll find instructions on how to do this for your antivirus and firewall on their manufacturers’ websites. 

If you’re using the Windows Firewall, choose your operating system from the list below to find instructions on the Microsoft website:

• Windows 7
• Windows 8.1 or Windows 10

Other software conflicts

1. Check that the date and time on your computer are both correct for your current time zone.
2. Disable your screensaver.
3. Extend the time it takes for your computer to go in to sleep mode.
4. Close any programs you have running in the background while you’re patching.

Private networks

If you’re connecting from a work, college, hotel or another closed network, you should check with a network administrator to find out if the network is configured to allow you to access the game. 

The following TCP ports and port ranges need to be available for you to connect to Star Wars™: The Old Republic™:

80, 8995, 12000-12999 and 20000-30000 

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

If you use a VPN to connect to the internet, you’ll also want to make sure that the SW:TOR TCP port ranges listed above can be used by the game. 

Other network troubleshooting steps

Check out our connection troubleshooting steps for PC.