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Old School RuneScape Launcher "Could not authenticate": fix

Old School RuneScape server status →Old School RuneScape servers →

Written by

IsThisGameDown

Last checked

September 25, 2026

Jagex Support: Jagex Launcher known issues ↗

The Jagex Launcher shows "Could not authenticate" while loading, before you can pick a character.

Also appears as: Could not authenticate, jagex launcher could not authenticate, osrs launcher could not authenticate, jagex launcher not working

Jagex's Launcher known-issues article says this error is usually associated with using a VPN when the Launcher starts, and tells players to disable the VPN before launching. The Launcher is Jagex's shared PC launcher for RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, and Old School and RuneLite are both launched from it. Jagex says "usually", not always, so this is the documented first check, not a guarantee. If the block message you see is "Access Blocked" with a Ray ID, see the Access Blocked page.

Fix it, step by step

  1. Turn off your VPN, then restart the Jagex Launcher

    Turn off your VPN before you open the Jagex Launcher, then start the Launcher again.

  2. Check Jagex's Game Status Information Centre

    If it still fails, check Jagex's Game Status Information Centre in case the problem is on Jagex's side, and see the Access Blocked page if the message includes a Ray ID.

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What people are saying

Notes from players who've hit this one — no time limit, an answer from months ago is still an answer.

  • Nothing reported here yet.
← ACCESS-BLOCKEDERROR-FETCHING-BOOTSTRAP →

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