How to Fix Ryujinx Emulator Updater Not Working: Troubleshooting Tips

Published On - October 6, 2025

Sophia Willson blog

You’re super excited to play your favorite Nintendo Switch games on your PC. You fire up Ryujinx, ready to dive into gaming bliss—but wait… the updater isn’t working! Panic sets in. Don’t fret. This guide is here to help you get back into your game as fast as possible.

The Ryujinx emulator is an amazing tool, but like all computer programs, it can sometimes act a little weird. Let’s fix this!

What’s Going On With the Updater?

First, let’s understand what’s happening. Ryujinx comes with a built-in updater to make your life easy. But sometimes:

  • The updater just freezes.
  • It doesn’t show any updates even when there are some.
  • It throws an error.

If any of these sound familiar, keep reading. We’re going to tackle each of these issues step-by-step.

1. Restart Your Computer

Seriously. This classic fix is popular for a reason. Sometimes processes get stuck in the background. A simple restart can clear them up.

Steps:

  1. Close Ryujinx.
  2. Restart your computer.
  3. Launch Ryujinx again and check the updater.

If it works—yay! You can stop reading right here. If not, don’t worry, there’s more we can try.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

If your internet is being moody, the updater might not work. Make sure your connection is fast and stable.

Try this:

  • Open your web browser and go to any website.
  • If it’s slow or not loading, restart your router.
  • Try using a wired connection if Wi-Fi is weak.

3. Run Ryujinx as Administrator

Sometimes the updater doesn’t get the permission it needs. Running as admin can fix this.

Here’s how:

  • Close Ryujinx.
  • Right-click on the Ryujinx shortcut.
  • Select Run as administrator.
  • Try the updater again.

If that fixes it—awesome!

4. Disable Antivirus Temporarily

Your antivirus software is trying to protect you. But sometimes it gets a little overprotective and blocks the updater.

Warning: This step should be done with care. Don’t download any weird files while your antivirus is off!

What to do:

  1. Temporarily disable your antivirus.
  2. Launch Ryujinx and try the updater.
  3. Enable your antivirus again after testing.

If the updater works while antivirus is off, you’ll need to add Ryujinx as an exception.

5. Update Ryujinx Manually

Still no luck? Let’s do it the old-school way.

Manual updating sounds scary, but it’s easy!

Follow these steps:

  1. Go to the official Ryujinx website.
  2. Download the latest version of the emulator.
  3. Extract the new files to replace the old ones, except your portable folder and config files.
  4. Launch the updated emulator.

This updates the software without needing the built-in updater.

6. Clear the Cache

The Ryujinx cache might be messed up. Clearing it can help the updater work properly again.

How to clear the cache:

  • Go to %appdata%/Ryujinx.
  • Find the cache folder.
  • Delete everything inside (don’t delete the entire Ryujinx folder!).
  • Restart Ryujinx and try updating.

Note: This won’t remove your games or saved data.

7. Delete the Updater File and Re-download It

Maybe the updater file is just corrupt. Let’s replace it.

Steps:

  1. Go to the Ryujinx folder.
  2. Look for a file like Ryujinx.Updater.exe.
  3. Delete it.
  4. Grab a fresh copy from the official site or re-extract it from the zip you downloaded.

Try running the new updater and see if it behaves!

8. Check for Conflicting Software

Some programs just don’t play nice with emulators. Background software can block or slow Ryujinx.

Examples include:

  • VPNs
  • Firewalls
  • Download managers
  • Even other emulators!

Try closing unnecessary background apps and running Ryujinx again.

9. Use the Log File to Spot Issues

Ryujinx creates log files. These can tell you what went wrong.

To find your log file:

  • Go to %appdata%/Ryujinx.
  • Open the Logs folder.
  • Open the latest log with Notepad.

Look for lines marked ERROR.

If something sticks out, search for it online or check the Ryujinx forums. You’re likely not the only one with that issue!

10. Reinstall Ryujinx Completely

If all else fails, it’s time for the nuclear option: full reinstall.

Steps:

  1. Backup your saved games and config: look in the portable folder or %appdata%/Ryujinx.
  2. Delete all Ryujinx files.
  3. Restart your PC.
  4. Download the latest version from the official site.
  5. Install it fresh and copy your save files back.

A clean reinstall usually solves even the weirdest problems.

Bonus Tip: Use the Ryujinx Discord or Forums

If you’re still stuck, you’re not alone!

The Ryujinx community is awesome, and they love helping.

Someone there might know exactly how to fix your problem.

Final Words

The Ryujinx updater not working is annoying, but it’s totally fixable. Just go step-by-step and don’t panic. You’re smarter than that pesky error message!

Gaming awaits, and soon you’ll be back smashing buttons and saving the (Switch) world!