Fix: Social Club’s “Rockstar Update Service is Unavailable (Code 202)” Error

Buy GTAV, check.

Get excited, check.

Wait for GTAV to download and install for hours, check.

Install Rockstar Games Social Club, check.

Rockstar Update Service is Unavailable (Code 202), check.

Shit.

Let’s fix this quick so you could get into a random online lobby and either get killed by random high level players in armored vehicles or get dropped millions of in-game money by a nice modder.

Step 0: Check the status of Rockstar services first

Before we get to fixing this issue, let’s first ensure the hiccup is on our side and not Rockstar’s. You can do that by simply clicking here.

On this page, it will show you the current status of the Rockstar services for the various Rockstar games, like so:

Now, if the status for your game shows as green, Rockstar’s all good, the issue is on your side and you can continue with this guide from step 1.

But if the status shows as yellow or red, then Rockstar is either experiencing some issues or going through maintenance. So hang on and do not follow this guide, your quest ends here.

Step 1: Close the Social Club window

Close the window, exit Rockstar Games Social Club completely. If you can’t see the problem, there isn’t a problem. Once done, pat yourself on the shoulder (doesn’t matter which one).

Step 2: Find the Social Club data folder

Navigate to the following location on your system:

C:\Users\User's_Name\Documents\Rockstar Games

OR

C:\Users\User's_Name\My Documents\Rockstar Games

Here, you’ll find the Social Club folder, like shown below:

Congratulations, you’ve found it! Another pat on the back for yourself, by yourself.

Step 3: Rename the Social Club folder

Rename the folder to “Social Club.BAK” or “Social Club.OLD” or anything for your own reference that would signify that it is a backup. I’ve named mine as below:

What this does is it forces Social Club to make a crispy and new folder for its data, retrieving new files from Rockstar and copying them into your system properly, which may not have been done in the previous attempt. Hence the error.

Step 3: Apply some CPS (Command Prompt Sorcery) to eliminate any network issues

Open a command prompt window by pressing the Windows + R keys and typing “CMD” in the “Run” box. Hit Enter and you’ll have a command prompt window in front of you. Now, prepare to look like one of the dudes in those hacker movies, and type these commands (Enter being pressed after each line):

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

NOTE: There is a space after "ipconfig" in all 3 commands

These commands will refresh your connection to the realm of the internets, renew your IP address (if  you’re not using a static IP), and flush your DNS. You cannot break your system or the internets with these, don’t worry. Yes, your internet might be inactive for a few seconds while executing these commands, but they’re completely safe and your ongoing relationship with the internet will be restored within a few seconds. Be patient.

Just in case your internet is still not back within about one whole minute, just restart your router/modem.

Step 4: Run Social Club and sign in again

Run Social Club, sign in, and do that annoying “I’m not a robot” crap once again clicking all the car or road sign images. Now, the update should successfully complete. You’ll soon be able to launch your game as soon as the update is done. You’re all set.

Time to grind hard for that $75,000 Liberty City Loop horn. Or maybe use some shortcuts or undetectable cheat tools for the Rick Ross money…

Still Having Issues?

If you’re still having issues, try this fix as well. It is a post I have—uh—posted. If all this doesn’t help you, then it might be a temporary issue from Rockstar’s side. Lay low like you’re trying to lose the cops hiding in your car that’s parked in an alley but are still about to get that radar/map blinking red and blue any second now because—well—Rockstar AI.