If Citra Emulator is not opening or launching, you are not alone. This is one of the most common issues faced by users on Windows, Android, and macOS, especially during first-time setup or after installing a new version.
The good news is that most Citra launch problems are easy to fix once you know the cause. In this guide, you’ll learn why Citra is not opening and how to fix it step by step on each platform.
Quick Answer:
- Citra Emulator Not Opening (Try These First)
- If Citra Emulator is not opening, follow these steps in order:
- Make sure your device meets Citra’s system requirements
- Update your graphics drivers (Windows & macOS)
- Install Visual C++ Redistributables (Windows only)
- Allow Citra in security or privacy settings
- Reinstall Citra using a clean setup.
Why Is Citra Emulator Not Opening?
Citra usually fails to open because something required for it to run is missing, blocked, or incompatible with your device. The exact reason can differ depending on your operating system and hardware.
Here are the most common causes explained simply:
- Unsupported CPU or architecture:
Citra needs modern 64-bit hardware. Older or incompatible CPUs may prevent it from launching. - Missing system libraries or redistributables:
On Windows, required system files like Visual C++ are essential for Citra to start. - Outdated or broken graphics drivers:
Citra relies heavily on your GPU. Old drivers can cause the emulator to crash or not open at all. - Security restrictions:
macOS Gatekeeper or Android permission settings may block Citra from running. - Corrupted installation files:
An incomplete or damaged download can stop Citra from launching.
Now let’s fix the problem based on your device.
How to Fix Citra Emulator Not Opening on Windows?
If Citra won’t open on Windows 10 or Windows 11, follow these steps carefully in the same order.
Check Your System Requirements
Citra requires:
- A 64-bit version of Windows
- A CPU that supports OpenGL or Vulkan
- Updated graphics drivers
If your system does not meet these requirements, Citra may open briefly or not open at all.
Always double-check compatibility on the Citra for Windows page before troubleshooting further.
Install Visual C++ Redistributables (Very Important)
One of the most common reasons Citra does not start on Windows is missing Visual C++ files.
Make sure you have this installed:
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable (x64)
After installing:
- Restart your computer
- Try opening Citra again
This single step fixes the issue for many users.
Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated GPU drivers are a major cause of Citra launch failures.
What you should do:
- Download drivers directly from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel
- Avoid relying on Windows Update for GPU drivers
After updating, restart your PC, then launch Citra again.
Run Citra as Administrator
Sometimes Windows blocks programs due to permission restrictions.
To fix this:
- Right-click the Citra executable
- Click Run as administrator
This is especially helpful on fresh Windows installations
How to Fix Citra App Not Opening on Android?
If the Citra app is not opening on Android or crashes immediately after launch, the problem is usually related to device compatibility, missing permissions, or background system restrictions. Android devices vary a lot, so even small issues can prevent the app from starting.
Follow the steps below carefully.
Check Device Compatibility
Citra will only run on supported Android devices. If your phone does not meet these requirements, the app may install successfully but fail to open.
Citra requires:
- Android 8.0 or newer
- ARM64 (64-bit) processor
Phones with 32-bit processors or older chipsets are not supported and will often crash instantly or show a black screen. This is a hardware limitation and cannot be fixed with settings.
Before trying other fixes, confirm your device is supported on the Citra for Android page.
Grant Storage Permissions (Very Important)
Citra needs permission to access files in order to load games, save data, and system files. Without storage access, the app may crash or refuse to open.
To fix this:
- Open Settings → Apps → Citra
- Tap Permissions
- Enable Storage / Files access
- Close the app completely and reopen it
Many Android launch issues are solved by this step alone.
Clear App Cache (Not App Data)
If Citra opens briefly and then closes, temporary cached files may be causing the problem.
Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings → Apps → Citra
- Tap Clear Cache
- Reopen the app
⚠️ Do not clear app data unless absolutely necessary, as this may remove emulator settings, game paths, or save files.
How to Fix Citra Emulator Not Opening on macOS?
On macOS, Citra often fails to open because of Apple’s security system, not because the app is broken. macOS blocks applications downloaded outside the App Store by default.
Allow Citra in Privacy & Security (Gatekeeper Fix)
If you double-click Citra and nothing happens, macOS has likely blocked it.
To allow Citra:
- Open System Settings
- Go to Privacy & Security
- Scroll down until you see a message about Citra being blocked
- Click Allow Anyway
- Close System Settings and reopen Citra
This is a normal macOS behavior and does not mean Citra is unsafe.
Apple Silicon (M1 / M2 / M3) Compatibility Notes
If you are using an Apple Silicon Mac, compatibility is especially important.
Common issues on M1 / M2 / M3 Macs:
- Older Citra builds may fail to launch
- Missing or outdated dependencies can cause silent crashes
- Some builds are not optimized for Apple Silicon
To avoid problems:
- Always use the recommended macOS build
- Avoid very old or unofficial builds
- Launch Citra once before changing any settings or adding games
You can find the safest option on the Citra for macOS page.
When macOS Still Blocks or Closes Citra?
If Citra still won’t open:
- Restart your Mac after allowing the app
- Make sure the app is inside the Applications folder
- Re-download the emulator and install it again cleanly
These steps resolve most macOS launch issues.
How to Fix Corrupted or Broken Citra Installation?
If Citra still does not open after checking compatibility and permissions, the installation itself may be incomplete or corrupted. This can happen due to interrupted downloads, antivirus interference, or extracting files incorrectly.
A clean reinstall fixes many unexplained launch issues.
Reinstall Citra Cleanly (Recommended Fix)
Follow these steps carefully:
- Delete the existing Citra folder completely
Make sure no old files remain on your system. - Download a fresh copy of Citra
Always download from a trusted source or your official platform page. - Install or extract Citra to a simple folder path
Example:C:\Citra(Windows)
Avoid special characters or deep folder locations. - Launch Citra once before adding games or changing settings
This confirms the emulator opens correctly before customization.
This method resolves many startup issues that do not show any error messages.
If the problem is still not fixed, make sure you are using the latest version of Citra for your device. You can download and install Citra for Windows, Android, or macOS by following our complete Citra Emulator Download Guide.
Does Antivirus or Security Software Block Citra?
In some cases, antivirus or system security software may block Citra from launching, even though the emulator itself is safe. This is more common on Windows but can happen on other platforms as well.
If Citra does nothing when opened, security software may be the cause.
Allow Citra Through Antivirus or Security Tools
Try the following steps:
- Temporarily disable your antivirus
- Launch Citra again
- If Citra opens successfully, add it to the allowlist / exclusions
- Re-enable your antivirus afterward
This ensures Citra can run normally without being blocked in the future.
When Citra Still Won’t Open After All Fixes?
If Citra still does not start after trying every fix, the issue may be related to hardware limitations or build compatibility rather than a setup error.
Possible reasons include:
- Your device does not meet minimum requirements
- The specific build is not compatible with your system
- A community-maintained version may work better
At this point, avoid repeatedly reinstalling and instead check related guides.
Final Thoughts
Most Citra launch issues can be fixed without advanced technical knowledge. By following this guide step by step, users on Windows, Android, and macOS can resolve startup problems and enjoy stable emulation.
If problems persist, platform-specific guides and optimization settings can help ensure long-term performance and compatibility.
