GTA San Andreas on PC

GTA San Andreas will not start on Windows 10 or 11

Single player: the classic game does not open, closes at once, or Windows asks for DirectPlay. Try fresh game settings first, then the Windows and Rockstar checks.

Steps

1. Start the game from its own folder

   Open the game folder and double-click gta_sa.exe (it can also be called gta-sa.exe). On Steam, right-click the game and choose Manage, then Browse local files. In the Rockstar Games Launcher, open Settings, pick the game and press Open next to View installation folder.

   Source: MTA help, SilentPatch setup page

2. Reset the game's settings file

   Close the game. In Documents, GTA San Andreas User Files, rename gta_sa.set to a backup name, then start the game again. MTA's troubleshooting guide gives this step when the single-player game will not start.

   Careful: Keep the backup. If the game now says Cannot find 800x600x32 video mode, use that fix.

   GTA SA: Cannot find 800x600x32 video mode →

   Source: MTA help, PCGamingWiki

3. Turn on DirectPlay

   Only if Windows asks for DirectPlay, or the game shows a DirectX 9.0 error at start.

   PCGamingWiki says the game can show an error at start on Windows 8 and newer because it wants DirectPlay, which Windows turns off by default. Press Start, type OptionalFeatures.exe and press Enter. Open Legacy Components, tick DirectPlay and press OK.

   Source: PCGamingWiki, PCGamingWiki

4. Close overlays and recording programs

   Only if such a program is running.

   Rockstar's PC advice is to turn off screen overlay, recording and sharing programs. MTA's guide names RivaTuner and MSI Afterburner, and PCGamingWiki lists those two for a crash after you pick New Game.

   Source: Rockstar Support, MTA help, PCGamingWiki

5. Do Rockstar's basic checks

   Install all Windows updates, install the newest graphics driver, and try running the game as administrator. Rockstar lists these checks for its PC games.

   Source: Rockstar Support

6. Repair or reinstall the game

   Steam copy: right-click the game, choose Properties, open Installed Files and press Verify integrity of game files. Other copies: Rockstar's last step is to uninstall the game fully and install it again.

   Source: Steam Support, Rockstar Support

See also: GTA fails to open or crashes before MTA starts, Black screen or frozen logos when MTA starts, Which GTA San Andreas works with MTA (Steam, Rockstar Store, Definitive Edition)

Playing MTA, not single player? Use the MTA steps above, or search the Fix tool for your message.

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