If EA Desktop or Origin doesn’t open or aren’t working properly, however, then you won’t be able to take advantage of EA’s backlog of AAA classics, from Star Wars to Battlefield. Thankfully, most users can fix EA app issues with some common troubleshooting steps, which we’ve outlined in detail below.
Why Won’t Origin Open (or EA Desktop)?
There are several possible reasons why EA Desktop or Origin won’t open on your PC. Like all great examples of human-made software, a small bug or corrupted file is all it takes for EA’s app to crash. In Origin’s case, the Origin app itself might stop working if its files become corrupted. If your PC loses power mid-game or an update fails for some reason, Origin’s files might be stuck in limbo, with Origin itself unable to load. If Origin’s cache files become too large, the app might crash during the startup process. While Origin is the likely culprit of its troubles, don’t discount Windows or your hardware either. Missing system updates, outdated graphics drivers, corrupt system files—all can be enough to stop Origin from working on your PC. These issues are also likely to cause problems for users of EA Desktop, the gaming app that EA hopes to replace Origin with in the future. Thankfully, you can repair these issues in Origin or EA Desktop easily (as long as your PC hardware isn’t failing). Once you’ve checked your PC’s performance, you can run through some common steps to fix Origin or EA Desktop and start playing your favorite games again.
Close the Other EA App
You might see some conflicts if you’ve recently upgraded to the newer EA Desktop app but still have Origin installed. The two apps can’t run at the same time—if you try to run them both, you should see an error message. The same applies if you’re trying to run Origin while EA Desktop is running. If you think one of the apps is running, make sure to close it fully before opening the other EA app.
Check for App Updates
Before you try more drastic suggestions, you should check that the version of Origin or EA Desktop you’re using is the latest. Outdated versions of the EA client might stop working or be blocked by EA to prevent bugs or outdated features from being misused. Origin and EA Desktop will usually try to update itself, but if they can’t, you may need to force it to update manually. You’ll need to do this if you’ve disabled automatic updates in your settings menu.
Delete Cache Files
Both Origin and the newer EA Desktop app rely on several temporary cache files to run. These files build up as EA’s gaming storefront apps download new games and app updates, load certain web pages in the app itself, and connect with EA’s servers. Unfortunately, if these cache files become corrupted or too large, EA Desktop and Origin won’t open or stop working somehow. It can also cause connection issues with EA. So, if Origin or EA Desktop is in offline mode and won’t connect, clearing your cache files might fix the problem.
How to Clear Origin Cache Files
How to Clear EA Desktop Cache Files
After a few moments, EA Desktop will relaunch with all previously stored cache files removed.
Run Origin or EA Desktop in Administrator Mode
Origin and EA Desktop can sometimes face issues with app permissions, especially if you’re trying to run the app with a local user account that lacks administrator privileges. If this is the case, Origin or EA Desktop may not load properly, especially if an update is required. However, you can bypass this by enabling administrator mode for the app. If your current user account isn’t an administrator on your PC, you may need to type in the username and password for an account for this to work.
Check for System and Driver Updates
If your system isn’t up-to-date, then the latest bug fixes and features can impact your overall PC’s performance. Origin and EA Desktop may stop working in these circumstances, so you should check for new updates to see if this resolves any issues with the app. Windows will install any available system and driver updates but, if your PC hardware is very new, you may need to check the manufacturer websites for more recent driver files. For example, if you’ve installed a new graphics card, you may need to check the Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD websites for the latest driver for your card.
Delete and Reinstall Origin (or EA Desktop)
If all else fails, removing Origin and reinstalling it will fix problems where Origin won’t open, and you can’t determine why. The same applies to the newer EA Desktop app—if it isn’t working, remove and reinstall it as a last resort. Follow any additional on-screen instructions to remove the app. Once it’s installed, download the latest version of Origin or EA Desktop and run the installer to reinstall it. EA plans to replace Origin with EA Desktop in the future but, for now, both apps remain available. At the moment, you can choose which app to use, so if Origin won’t open or isn’t working properly, upgrading to EA Desktop might work. However, if the newer EA Desktop won’t open or if it doesn’t work for you, removing it and switching back to Origin might be your best option in the short term. Your games, save files, and EA profile details will work on both platforms, letting you choose between them.
Better Gameplay With Origin on PC
If you want to play the best games, you need the best storefronts, making EA’s Origin or EA Desktop apps an essential install for new PC gamers. There are plenty of online gaming alternatives, however, including Steam, GOG, and Epic Games. However, if you’re not a PC gamer, you can always try EA games on console instead. Origin shows off the best of EA’s recent games, but there are still older games available for you to try if you have an older gaming PC. If that doesn’t work, give game streaming services like GeForce Now and Microsoft xCloud a go. Otherwise, you may need to consider upgrading your PC to play the latest games instead.
