Bluestacks is undeniably one among the list of cloud-based emulators of Android, useful to both Mac and Windows users. If you don’t know already, Bluestacks allows you to run Android apps and games on PC. But, the only setback is that this Android emulator app is not smooth. Though it is a stable application, many Bluestacks users reported that the app often deals with several critical issues. One of those issues is that Bluestacks Engine won’t start.
Consequently, your computer screen shows a pop up message saying “You can try to restart Engine, or your PC”. This notification generally appears when you face trouble opening the Bluestacks app. But, sometimes, following the message instruction, then restarting the PC followed by the app doesn’t really help. There are many underlying technical culprits (such as an innate bug in any particular Bluestacks version, firewall restriction or permission restrained by the PC’s antivirus, etc.) which might be causing the error.
Now I will tell you the reasons behind the occurrence of “Could Not Start the Engine” error in Bluestacks. Plus, I will demonstrate 5 top ways to resolve this issue. So, follow me!
Here’s Why The Error Occurs
The “Could Not Start the Engine” notification generally appears after you have installed the BlueStacks update. Also, as I mentioned earlier, many users have already reported about facing this error while installing the newer update of BlueStacks. This issue is sort of a bug which also sometimes appears after updating Windows. Only rarely,this issue occurs due to disabled virtualization settings or any other inaccurate technical setups.
Here’s a quick tip to apply:
Try disabling the Antivirus software of your PC, typically if you are using Avast. You will get a turn off option there. Simply click the RMB(Right Mouse Button) on the antivirus application and choose the Disable option. Temporarily turn off the antivirus for a short while to check if now you are able to open the Bluestacks app. If yes, then that means the enabled security settings were restricting your Bluestacks app access. Any third-party software app, typically Bluestacks, stays under the supervision of Windows Defender by-default or any other antivirus app, which leads to software disputes. These disputes interfere with the app’s performance, giving rise to a number of issues. To prevent the future occurrence of these errors, try using a different security software on your computer (or, add Bluestacks in its list as an exception) that doesn’t restrict access to any newly installed app.
Now, let me show you how to settle the Bluestacks not starting error.
5 Ways To Fix The Error Issue
Now that you already know about the primary reasons behind the occurrence of Bluestacks error message, the fix for this issue also differs among the users. That means maybe the issue on one user’s PC is just due to the enabled security or firewall settings that is causing the issue. Whereas, in case of another user, the factor causing the error is different, and so, a different remedy is required.
So, suppose you have tried the first method and it didn’t work right, then try the next one and so on till the fifth. These methods are tried and tested. So, you will definitely find the fix that fits your PC.
Method 1: Go to DirectX and expand the numbers of CPU processors and allocated RAM
As Bluestacks is a basic android gaming emulator, so if you want to fix its starting error, you can begin by switching its graphic mode on primarily. Though Bluestacks run by OpenGL by default, you can run through DirectX also.
But in case this trick won’t work then enlarging the number of the CPU cores and enhanced memory management might help you to get out of this issue.
Steps:
- Start with double clicking on the shortcut icon of Bluestacks on your desktop Window to cast it. Or else you can also search for it by typing it on the Windows search bar or only press Windows key + S on the keyboard
- If any pop-up message like “engine won’t start” appears, just ignore it and move to the next step
- Now tap on Bluestacks’ menu button which will be placed on the top-right corner of your desktop screen, specifically beside the resize Windows button and close button
- After opening the drop down menu, tap on settings tab
- Click on the Settings present at the left side of the Window to move to the Graphic Engine settings panel
- Check the circle placed next the DirectX present under Graphics Renderer
- After that “Checking DirectX Compatibility” will appear on the top of your desktop screen followed by another message that would ask if you want to “Restart Bluestacks to boot in DirectX”
- Then tap on the Save button and after that click on the Restart Now button
Now you can start Bluestacks by using DirectX and hopefully this will be solved. Repeat the steps 1 to 5 again for switching to DirectX. You can also adjust the RAM space slider to the “Recommended Memory” value in case it is not set by default, then tap on the Save button and Restart Now again.
Method 2: Execute Bluestacks in Compatibility mode and allow total security access
Sometimes Bluestacks doesn’t contain the required security clearance to run it properly. There are possibilities of alteration in security settings because of the Windows update. In this situation the following steps can help you to the situation:
Steps:
- Right tap on your mouse after placing it on the shortcut Bluestacks and then choose Open File Location from the drop down menu. In case you don’t have the facility of shortcut icon, go to the below stated location in the file explorer:
C:\ProgramData\Bluestacks\Client
- Head to Bluestacks.exe file and the right tap on your mouse to select Properties option. Or else you can select the file in general method and then press Alt + Enter on your keyboard.
- Move to the Properties Window and click to the Security tab. Tap on the Edit button next to the To Change Permission
- For the next step choose your username from the group of user name lists. Then select the box naming Allow on-line to Full Control option. You will find it Under Permission For *username*
- Tap on Apply button to enable it and press Ok to exit from that Window
Check carefully if your Bluestacks issue is still existing even after using this troubleshooting process. If you are still facing the same problem with Bluestacks emulator, you can also try to run the Bluestacks by using Compatibility Mode. Generally this can happen if Windows 10 is updated to a new version.
Here are a few steps given below to execute this alternative trick:
- Tap right on your mouse after placing it on the shortcut Bluestacks icon on your desktop Window and choose Properties
- Head to the Compatibility tab and check the box naming “Run this program in compatibility mode for”
- Look for your desired Windows option and select it. Click on the Apply button followed by Ok to exit from the tab and check if it is compatible to run the Bluestacks.
Method 3: Enable Virtualization
Bluestacks is a core virtualizing app. Certain AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) and Intel chipsets feature virtualization which enhances the cores’ performance when Bluestacks or any other relevant virtualization app is used on the system. Virtualization technology allows smooth and strain-free execution of any software program that supports this technology.
Sometimes turning on the Virtualization helps resolve the Bluestacks engine not starting issue, as reported by the users. Though every system is equipped with this feature, it is better to double check the fact on your PC system to be rest assured.
Here is how to check whether your Intel PC has the Virtualization feature:
Steps:
- Go to the official page of “Download Intel® Processor Identification Utility” and hit Download located at the left side ( below “Available Downloads” section)
- The file will get downloaded within seconds or minutes based on the speed of your internet
- After completing the download, click on the file and follow the instructional prompts that appear on screen and finally install Intel Processor Identification Utility on the PC
- After you are done installing, go to the Utility app and expand the section under CPU technologies by hitting the “+” icon
Note: While launching, you will be asked for permission to make modifications to your computer. Hit Yes to continue.)
- Now scan the list of technologies on the CPU for Intel® Virtualization Technology (this will generally appear at the top in the list). If this technology is supported by your PC, a yes or resounding check will appear to the left
Here us how to find out if your AMD system features Virtualization:
- Go to the official page of “Download AMD Virtualization Technology and Microsoft Hyper-V System Compatibility Check Utility” and download the desired file
- Hit the .exe file that you just downloaded and follow the on-screen prompts to install the file program
- Go to the application and check if your AMD setup is compatible with Virtualization. If yes, then your system will display a message saying “The system is compatible with Hyper-V”
Now that you know that your AMD or Intel system is compatible with Virtualization, here is how to turn it ON on your PC:
- First of all, restart your PC
- As the logo of your PC manufacturer appears, hit on any of the below keys repeatedly to access BIOS – Del, Esc, F12, F8, or F10. Note that the BIOS key is different for every manufacturer. So, you can either Google to find your BIOS key combination or simply check the documents that came along with your PC
Tip: Certain manufacturers provide a short message at any of the corners on the screen (For instance: “Press Esc to enter BIOS”) when the manufacturer’s logo appears. So, keep an eye on that.
- As you go to the BIOS menu, move to Intel VT or Intel Virtualization Technology or Virtualization Technology for Direct Input/Output, or any other relevant option with the help of arrow keys and finally, hit Enter to enable Virtualization
- Save the changes made to the settings and close BIOS
Now your PC will automatically restart, and once it starts, check whether the Bluestacks engine is starting without an issue or not.
Method 4: Remove Bluestacks by uninstalling it from your device and then install it again at safe mode on
In case the above mentioned methods are not working for fixing the Bluestacks not starting issue, then there might be a possibility that this engine starting issue is an inherent bug in the application itself. So to tackle the situation you should uninstall the previous version of Bluestacks and then reinstall the current updated version to your device and run it.
Steps:
- Start with uninstalling each and all Bluestacks processings that are running as the background applications
- Close all the Bluestacks processes (if open any) by tapping on the X button placed on the top right corner of the Window. The right click on the Bluestacks icon on your Window’s system tray and choose Quit to remove it from your system. It is quite possible that this process won’t work, so to manage this issue, go to the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc on the keyboard. And then select all the Bluestacks processes and services and remove them
- To be more accurate in troubleshooting, you should also delete all the temporary open background files from your device. For this you need to type “%temp%” either in the Run command box by pressing Windows key + R or you can start it directly on the start search bar and click on Enter button
- Then press ctrl+A to select all Bluestacks files and press shift+Del to delete them permanently from your computer. Overlook the files that can’t be removed. While performing this steps there might be some administrative permission queries would be appeared, check them all to end the procedure
- You should use the official Bluestacks eliminator rather than the usual routine uninstaller in order to remove Bluestacks from your computer. This will help you uninterrupted reinstallation of Bluestacks in future
- Download the BTSCleaner tool to uninstall Bluestacks perfectly. After downloading the cleaner application run it to remove Bluestacks from your computer followed by its added files. Give approval for asked queries while running the uninstallation process and at the end tap on OK button on the final pop up when the entire process ends.
- You can also remove Bluestacks directly from Windows Settings. Go to Settings, click on System from the drop down menu and then go to Apps and Features. After that tap on Bluestacks and click uninstall to remove it. Use the below mentioned paths to delete the related folders manually
C:\Program Files (x86)\BlueStacks or
C:\Program Files\BlueStacks
C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks
- Then start the process of reinstallation of the Bluestacks. Go to Download Bluestacks and install the current version of Bluestacks application on your computer
- Before installing the Bluestacks again set Safe boot mode on your computer
- After putting your Windows on Safe Boot Mode, go to the downloaded file of the Bluestacks and run it. Do as the on screen installation instructions say
- Once you have done with your reinstall procedure, you can move back normal boot mode and Turn Off Safe Boot Mode
- Go to Run and type msconfig and click on enter button. Uncheck box next to the Safe Boot button and then tap Ok.
- In the end, turn off your device and restart it and then run Bluestacks and check if the issue is still existing or not.
Method 5: Move Back To The Earlier Windows Version
Our computer versions keep updating very frequently. Sometimes such upgrades won’t support Bluestacks emulator and you can face Engine not start issues. Keep your eyes on when your Window is getting updated and if your Bluestacks emulator is compatible with that new Window version. If it happens, you should either wait for a new Microsoft update and it might fix your problems automatically or you can go back to your previous Windows version that’s compatible with Bluestacks.
Steps:
- Click on the Windows start button followed by cogwheel icon in order to open up Windows Settings or you can also launch the Settings directly by pressing Windows key + I
- Then tap on “Update and Security”
- Look for the Recovery Settings option present at the left panel of the Window and click on it
- Tap on the Get Started tab placed under the “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10” and then do as instructed on the screen. And move back to the previous OS version.
However, if it has already been more than 10 days since your OS version is updated, there are possibilities of greying out of the Get Started tab and you won’t be able to get back to the old OS version. Then there will be only one way out that is to wait for a new Windows update version to roll out.
Conclusion
Well, there might be many other tips and tricks. But, the ones mentioned above are tried by many and also worked successfully to resolve the “Could Not Start the Engine” error.
If none of the above works and you are sanguine that the issue is not with your PC but with the app itself, do contact the Bluestacks support portal for assistance.
FAQs
1. Why isn’t my Bluestacks engine starting?
Maybe the Virtualization feature is disabled which is causing the issue. Also, it may appear when your computer fails to meet the minimum required standards for Bluestacks engine to start. Sometimes the engine could not due to a bug detected after your latest Bluestacks version or Windows update installation.
2. How do you fix Bluestacks that could not start the engine Mac?
Here is how to fix:
- Utilize the older version of Windows
- Modify the mode of graphics
- Temporarily turn off the antivirus software
- Reinstall the Bluestacks application
3. How do I fix Bluestacks stuck on loading?
Here is how to fix:
- Reinstall Bluestacks app
- Trail back to the older version of your PC’s Windows OS
- Go to DirectX
- Enable Virtualization technology if it is not already
- Disable Hyper-V
Tip: Try Using LDPlayer. It gives you an edge over Bluestacks app, if the latter is not working right on your PC system.
4. How do I fix BlueStacks app crashes?
Here is how to fix:
- Reinstall Bluestacks and update it to its newest version
- Do graphics card driver upgradation
- Uninstall the antivirus suite (if any other than the default firewall)
- Resolve software conflicts between Bluestacks and your external antivirus app (if applicable)
- Disable service of Hyper-V
