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Razer Synapse Not Opening: 6 Ways to Get It to Start Again
Razer Synapse can sometimes be unresponsive, so follow these steps
7 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Razer Synapse is hardware configuration software with which users can configureRazer peripherals, but many users reported thatRazer Synapse isn’t opening.
These issues aren’t exclusive to Windows 10, and many reported thatRazer Synapse failed to install in Windows 11too.
And in today’s article, we’re going to address these problems once and for all, so read on!
Why is Razer Synapse not launching?
It can happen because of yourWindows Firewall, or simply because the application’s files might have become corrupted.
Other expired Razer processes and various third-party applications could also get in the way of your Razer Synapse not working.
According to users, they experiencedunexpected errors in Razer Synapse, among other issues, such as:
Does Razer Synapse reduce performance?
Some people say that experience reduces performance after installing and using Razer Synapse, while others say everything is fine.
The software is a little resource-hungrier than you might expect, but it shouldn’t cause performance issues.
However, if it does, uninstall it and continue gaming at optimal performance, enhancing and improving your experience.
How do I fix my Razer Synapse?
1. Reinstall Razer Synapse and Razer device drivers
IfSynapse 3 or X won’t openon your PC, the issue might be related to Razer device drivers. Thus, you can simply reinstall both Razer device drivers and the Synapse software as shown in the guide below.
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Right-click theStartbutton, and select theDevice Manager.
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Double-click theMice and other pointing devices,Keyboards, andHuman Interface Devicescategories on theDevice Managerwindow.
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Right-click all the Razer devices listed in those categories, and select theUninstall deviceoptions on their context menus.
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Select theDelete the driver software for this deviceoption on the dialog box window that pops up for each Razer device then press theUninstallbutton to confirm.
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Unplug all the connected Razer devices for a few minutes. Then restart your desktop or laptop.
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Plug the Razer devices back in after restarting Windows. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers for the devices.
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Download the latestRazer Synapse software. Then reinstall Razer Synapse with its setup wizard.
Make sure you have the most up-to-date versions of your drivers. There are third-party programs that can do this for you automatically, such asOutbyte Driver Updater, which can detect and repair any outdated drivers.
This tool has a huge daily-updated driver database, so it will suggest the most recent drivers available after scanning your system. If you believe it is a tedious task to do this manually, try Outbyte Driver Updater and give us feedback.
Outbyte Driver Updater
You should thoroughly uninstall Synapse with athird-party uninstallerfor your Windows 10 PC.
2. Don’t install Razer Surround with Synapse
In case the software can’t start because Razer Central Service is missing, reinstalling the software should be able to help you.
Also, download Razer Synapse from the official website and make sure that you select the latest version in order to avoid any compatibility issues.
3. Install the latest Microsoft .NET Framework
NET Framework is a system requirement for Razer Synapse, and if NET Framework isn’t installed,Razer Synapse 3 might not be opening.
If an older .NET Framework version is already installed, you might need to install the latest .NET Framework for Synapse 3.0.
Download the setup wizard for thelatest .NET Framework version. Then, you can open the installer to add the latest .NET Framework to Windows.
For more information, visit our how-todownload .NET Framework guide.
4. Turn off third-party antivirus/ Windows Defender Firewall
Third-party antivirus software and the Windows Defender Firewall can also causeRazer Synapse freezing and other issues. So turning third-party antivirus utilities and the Windows Defender Firewall off might also fix Razer Synapse.
You can temporarily disable most third-party antivirus utilities by selecting disable options on their system tray icon context menus. Follow the guidelines above to turn off the Windows Defender Firewall.
Alternatively, you can consider using anantivirus with firewallto avoid these types of issues.
5. Close Razer processes
Some Synapse users have confirmed that closing Razer processes before opening Synapse 3.0 can help ifRazer Synapse is not working. To do that, follow the above steps.
6. Check for Windows Updates
Windows updates might also help ifRazer Synapse won’t open. The updates are usually automatic unless you’ve adjusted Windows Update settings, but you might still miss a few.
Can I use Razer products without Synapse?
Keep in mind that basically all devices that have at least 4 onboard memory profiles are able to store macros on the onboard memory, but it’s still done only via Synapse.
Thus, on devices such as the Huntsman TKL, you’ll be able to save macros into the keyboard, then use your macros on other PC without Synapse.
Why does Razer Synapse take so long to open?
Razer Synapse may take a long to open when theRAM usage is high, or theCPU is at 100%. Here, the PC’s performance is usually to blame for the problem. Also, if you arerunning low on storage, apps may take longer to load.
Besides, running an outdated version of the OS or the PC not meeting therequirements for Razer Synapsecould be the underlying cause here.
Can I uninstall Razer Synapse?
Yes, you can easily uninstall Razer Synapse. If not using a Razer device, there’s also no harm in doing so, and it shouldn’t take much time, either.
You can uninstall Razer Synapse from thePrograms and Featureswindow, followed by some software setup prompts to complete the process. Besides, if Razer Synapse is not opening in Windows 11, removing it and reinstalling the software often helps.
What can I do if Razer Synapse won’t open on Windows 11?
If you’re having problems with Razer Synapse on the latest version of Windows, you’ll be pleased to hear that all the solutions from this guide can be applied to Windows 11.
The two operating systems share many similarities, so the solutions are universal, and they will work on both systems, with some minor alternations.
Those are some of the resolutions that will probably fix Razer Synapse when it doesn’t open. This isn’t the only issue, and many reported thatRazer Synapse won’t change lighting, but there’s a way to fix that.
If you have any other solutions for Razer Synapse, feel free to share them below.
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
