Fix Rockstar Launcher Error ‘Authentication ticket is no longer valid’ in RDR2 & GTA5

A nagging and persistent error with Rockstar Launcher and games, the ‘Authentication ticket is no longer valid’ error. This error has plagued the Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 5 users for quite some time. While, the exact cause of the error is unknown as different users report varied solutions, the most common problem is with antivirus software or the Windows Defender or the Controlled Folder.

The entire error message reads, “You’ve been logged out because your authentication ticket is no longer valid. Please login again to continue using the Rockstar Games Launcher.” Sometimes logging back does fix the problem, only to reappear again. To fix the Rockstar Launcher error ‘Authentication ticket is no longer valid,’ you must first either disable the security software or provide an exclusion for the game as well as the launcher. Here are all the fixes you can try to resolve the error.  

Fix Rockstar Launcher Error ‘Authentication ticket is no longer valid’

Fix 1: Disable Antivirus or Set Exclusion on Windows Defender

Often times a third-party antivirus software or the Windows Virus and Threat Protection on Windows 10 can detect the game folder as a malicious program and prevent its functions. As such, you can disable the software to check if the game works. If it does not, try reinstalling the game after disabling the antivirus software. If the game works, set an exclusion for the game folder on the antivirus software.

Additionally, you can also try the below steps if the Widows Defender blocked the launcher

Press Windows key + I > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection history. You will see a list of entries with Protection memory access blocked. If the ‘Authentication ticket is no longer valid’ error started occurring recently, check for the most recent entries by clicking on each item and try to locate the blocked app as launcher.exe. If you find it, select the action as Allow on device and the error will be resolved.  

Fix 2: Allow the Game through Controlled Folder on Windows

Windows Ransomware Protection is a program that protects the files and folders on your system from ransomware attacks. The program actively monitors the applications installed and running on your system. As such, it may potentially be blocking the connection to Rockstar servers due to some file signature issues. To resolve the error, allow gta5.exe or rdr2.exe through the Ransomware protection. Here are the steps.

1. Press Windows Key + I and select Update & Security
2. Go to Windows Security from the right panel
3. Click on Virus & threat protection
4. Scroll down and under the Ransomware protection, click on Manage ransomware protection
5. Click on Allow an app through Controlled folder access link
6.  Select Yes when prompted
7. Click on Add an allowed app
8. Click on Recently blocked apps (You can check if Rockstarlauncher.exe  or the game executable such asgta5.exe or rdr2.exe is among the list and click on the plus sign next to the game or you could follow the next step)
9. Click on Browse all apps
10. Locate and select Rockstar Game Launcher.

Fix 3: Change the ISP

On rare occasions the Rockstar Launcher error ‘Authentication ticket is no longer valid’ could be due to a fault with your internet connection. While you may be able to play other games and the internet seems fine generally, the ISP could be having problems connecting with the game servers and ultimately, your local client being unable to authenticate with the game. To fix the issue, try playing the game via a second ISP if you have the option or use your mobile hotspot to play the game. It seems to fix the problem for some users on Reddit.

Fix 4: Try Deleting the .Log Files from Documents

A user on Reddit shared that deleting the Launcher .log files seems to fix the Rockstar Launcher Error ‘Authentication ticket is no longer valid’ error. The fix was reported to work for a lot of users. The location to find the log files is Documents > Rockstar Games > Launcher. In the Launcher folder, look for files with the .log extension. Delete these files and launch the Rockstar launcher, the error may be resolved.

Some users were also able to fix the error by deleting the entire Rockstar Games folder in Documents, but it will completely reset the login information.

Fix 5: Provide the Rockstar Launcher Admin Permission

If you have not provided the launcher or the game admin permission, you need to do it now. Programs without admin permission don’t have the full rights to modify folders and perform certain essential operations, this can lead to errors. The process to provide the admin permission is straightforward. Go to the desktop shortcut of the program and right-click and select Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab and check Run this program as an administrator.

Fix 6: Keep Retrying to Login

If nothing has worked to resolve the Rockstar Launcher ‘Authentication ticket is no longer valid’ error, it’s quite possible that the problem is on the server end. As such, you must first verify the status of the servers. You can do this on the official website or via a third-party website such as Downdetector. If there is a problem with the servers, keep retrying and after multiple attempts you may be able to bypass the error.

We hope the above fixes have worked to resolve the error. If you have a more effective solution, you can share them in the comments.