How to fix roblox update loop glitches is something almost every long-term player has had to deal with at some point. You know the drill: you click "Play" on your favorite experience, the little gray box pops up saying it's updating, it finishes, and then… nothing happens. Or worse, it just reopens the same update box over and over again until you feel like throwing your mouse across the room. It's incredibly frustrating, especially when your friends are already in a server and you're stuck staring at a progress bar that's lying to your face.
This "infinite loop" usually happens because the Roblox launcher is getting tripped up by a corrupted file, a weird permission setting, or some leftover data from a previous version that refuses to go away. The good news is that you rarely need to be a tech genius to get back into the game. Most of the time, it's just about clearing out some digital cobwebs or telling Windows to stop being so overprotective.
Why Does the Loop Happen Anyway?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty fixes, it helps to understand why your computer is acting up. Usually, when Roblox updates, it downloads new files into a specific folder on your hard drive. If a previous update didn't finish properly—maybe your Wi-Fi flickered for a second—the launcher gets confused. It thinks it needs to update, tries to do it, realizes something is "wrong" with the files it just downloaded, and then tries to start the whole process over again.
Other times, it's a permission issue. Windows might be blocking Roblox from writing new files to your folders, or your antivirus might be flagging the updater as a threat. It's a classic case of a "false positive" where your security software is being a bit too helpful.
The "Turn It Off and On Again" Strategy
I know, I know. It sounds like the most basic advice in the world, but there's a reason everyone says it. Before you start deleting folders or changing system settings, try a full restart. Not just a "Sleep" mode—actually hit Restart on your PC. This clears out your RAM and stops any background processes that might be hanging onto Roblox files.
While you're at it, check your Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Sometimes, an old instance of "Roblox Game Client" or "Roblox Web Helper" is still running in the background. If you see them, right-click and hit End Task. Once everything is closed, try launching the game from the website instead of the desktop shortcut. You'd be surprised how often this simple reset breaks the loop.
Running Roblox as an Administrator
Sometimes the fix for how to fix roblox update loop is as simple as giving the program a bit more "authority" over your computer. Windows can be pretty strict about which programs are allowed to change files in your "Program Files" or "AppData" folders.
To do this, find your Roblox icon on the desktop. Right-click it and select Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab and check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator." Hit Apply and then OK. By doing this, you're telling Windows, "Hey, let this app do its thing." The next time the updater runs, it should have the permissions it needs to overwrite those old, broken files and finish the update properly.
Clearing the AppData Folder (The Real Fix)
If the basic stuff didn't work, we need to get a little more "hands-on." This is usually the most effective way to handle the update loop because it wipes the slate clean without you having to do a full, painful reinstallation.
- Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
- Type
%localappdata%and hit Enter. - A folder will pop up with a bunch of names you probably don't recognize. Scroll down until you find the Roblox folder.
- Now, don't worry—your save data and Robux are stored on Roblox's servers, not here. You won't lose anything important. Delete the entire Roblox folder.
- After you've deleted it, go back to the Roblox website and try to join a game.
Since the folder is gone, the website will realize the game isn't installed. It will prompt you to download and install Roblox again. This time, it will be a "fresh" install of the latest version, which usually bypasses the loop entirely.
Dealing with Browser Cache and Cookies
Believe it or not, your web browser might be the culprit. If you usually launch Roblox through Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, the browser might be "remembering" an old version of the launch command.
Try logging out of the Roblox website, clearing your browser's cache and cookies (just for the last 24 hours is usually fine), and then logging back in. If you want to test if the browser is the problem without clearing everything, try opening Roblox in an Incognito or Private window. If it works there, you know your main browser settings are what's causing the update loop.
Checking Your Antivirus and Firewall
We mentioned this earlier, but it's worth a deeper look. Sometimes, an update includes a new .exe file that your antivirus doesn't recognize yet. Because the file is "unknown," the antivirus blocks it from executing, which kills the update mid-way.
Try temporarily disabling your antivirus or Windows Defender for five minutes and then running the Roblox update. If it goes through, you just need to add Roblox to your antivirus's "Exclusions" or "Whitelist." Just don't forget to turn your protection back on afterward—you don't want to leave your PC vulnerable just for a round of BedWars.
Flushing Your DNS
Occasionally, the loop happens because your computer is trying to download the update from a server that's having issues, or it's getting the wrong "directions" from your internet service provider.
To fix this, search for "cmd" in your Windows search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and run it as admin. Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter. You'll get a message saying it was successful. This basically refreshes your internet's "address book" and can help the Roblox launcher find a cleaner connection to the update servers.
The Nuclear Option: A Clean Reinstall
If you've tried everything above and you're still wondering how to fix roblox update loop, it's time for the nuclear option. Sometimes a regular "Uninstall" through the Control Panel leaves behind "ghost" files that cause the loop to persist even after a reinstall.
To do a truly clean reinstall: 1. Uninstall Roblox through the Apps & Features menu in Windows. 2. Go back to the %localappdata% folder we talked about earlier and make sure the Roblox folder is 100% gone. 3. Go to your Downloads folder and delete any old RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe files you see. 4. Restart your computer. 5. Go to the Roblox site and download a fresh copy of the installer.
This ensures there is absolutely no trace of the old, buggy version on your system. It's a bit of a hassle, but it works 99% of the time.
A Quick Note for Mac Users
While most of these tips are for Windows, Mac users get stuck in loops too. If you're on a Mac, the process is similar but slightly different. You'll want to go to your Applications folder and trash the Roblox app. Then, head to your Library folder (hold the Option key while clicking "Go" in the Finder menu) and look in Application Support to delete the Roblox folder there. Empty your trash, restart, and reinstall. Mac permissions are usually a bit simpler, so a fresh install usually clears things up immediately.
Wrapping It Up
Getting stuck in a loop is a total mood killer, especially when you've only got an hour or two to game. Usually, the issue is just a bit of data corruption that a quick folder deletion can fix. Don't let it discourage you—software is weird, and Roblox is a massive platform that updates constantly.
Next time it happens, start with the Task Manager, move to the AppData folder, and if all else fails, just wipe it and start fresh. Most of the time, you'll be back to playing in under five minutes. Good luck, and hopefully, your next update is as smooth as butter!