Razer Synapse Not Working on Windows: How to Fix It Step by Step

When Razer Synapse will not open or does not detect your mouse, keyboard or headset on Windows, the cause is usually a stopped Razer background service, a faulty USB connection, or a damaged installation. Most cases are fixed by restarting the Razer services, plugging the device straight into a USB port on the PC, and, if that fails, doing a clean reinstall of Synapse. Check also that your device is supported by the version of Synapse you have installed, because older and newer Razer products are split between Synapse 2, Synapse 3 and Synapse 4.

Why does Razer Synapse not open on Windows?

Synapse needs its Windows background services running before the app window can load. If one of them has crashed or failed to start, clicking the icon does nothing, or the app sits on a loading screen.

Common causes:

• The Razer Synapse Service or Razer Central Service is stopped.
• A Windows update or Synapse update finished halfway.
• Antivirus or security software is blocking Synapse or its updater.
• Leftover files from an older Synapse version conflict with the new one.
• Synapse cannot reach Razer’s servers to sign in or download modules.

How do I restart the Razer services?

Restarting the services through the Windows Services tool fixes many launch problems without reinstalling anything.

1. Close Synapse and right-click any Razer icon in the system tray to quit it.
2. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Find every entry that starts with “Razer” (names differ by version, for example Razer Synapse Service, Razer Central Service, Razer Game Manager Service).
4. Right-click each one and choose Restart. If one is stopped, choose Start.
5. Double-click a Razer service, set Startup type to Automatic if it says Manual or Disabled, then click Apply.
6. Open Synapse again, right-clicking it and choosing Run as administrator.

Restarting Windows itself, with a full Restart rather than Shut down, also clears a stuck service, since Fast Startup can keep some processes in their old state after a shutdown.

Why does Synapse not detect my Razer device?

Synapse misses a device most often because of the USB connection, the device driver, or a version mismatch. Work through these in order:

• Plug the device directly into a USB port on the computer, not a hub, monitor port or front-panel extension. On a desktop, the rear ports on the motherboard are the most reliable.
• Try a different port, and a different cable if the device has a detachable one.
• For wireless devices, connect the dongle directly to the PC and keep it close to the device. Bluetooth mode on some Razer mice and headsets has fewer Synapse features than the dongle; if pairing itself fails, our guide to fixing Bluetooth pairing on Windows covers the Windows side.
• Check that your product appears in the supported device list for your Synapse version. Some older devices work only with Synapse 2 (Legacy), and newer ones may need Synapse 4.
• Look for a firmware updater for your device on Razer Support; some detection problems are fixed in firmware.

How do I fix the device driver in Device Manager?

Reinstalling the device driver forces Windows to load it again, which often makes Synapse see the device.

1. Right-click the Start button and open Device Manager.
2. Expand “Mice and other pointing devices”, “Keyboards”, “Human Interface Devices” or “Sound, video and game controllers”, depending on the device.
3. Look for entries with a yellow warning mark or a Razer name.
4. Right-click the entry, choose Uninstall device, and confirm.
5. Unplug the device, wait about 10 seconds, plug it back in, and let Windows reinstall the driver.

Installing pending updates through Settings, then Windows Update (including optional driver updates) is also worth doing, as Synapse depends on current Windows components. The same driver steps work for other controllers, as described in our article on an Xbox controller not working on PC.

How do I do a clean reinstall of Razer Synapse?

A clean reinstall removes the leftover files that a normal uninstall leaves behind, and it solves most problems the steps above do not.

1. Open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps, and uninstall Razer Synapse and any other Razer software (Razer Central, Razer Cortex, Chroma components).
2. Restart the PC.
3. Open File Explorer and delete the Razer folders if they are still present: C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer, C:\Program Files\Razer, C:\ProgramData\Razer and the Razer folder inside %localappdata% (paste that into the address bar).
4. Restart again.
5. Download the current installer from Razer’s official site only, run it as administrator, and let it finish before plugging in or using the device.

Cloud-synced profiles come back after you sign in with your Razer ID. Profiles saved only on the PC are lost by deleting those folders, so export any you want to keep first if Synapse still opens.

Can antivirus or a network problem stop Synapse from working?

Yes. Security software sometimes quarantines Synapse files or blocks its updater, and Synapse needs an internet connection to sign in and install device modules. Check your antivirus quarantine list for Razer files and restore them, or add the Razer program folder as an exclusion. If your PC shows a connection but pages will not load, see our steps for Wi-Fi that is connected with no internet before reinstalling. Some Synapse versions also have an offline or guest mode for basic use without signing in.

If none of the fixes work and the device is not detected on a second computer either, the hardware may be faulty. Contact Razer through its support site with the serial number; Microsoft’s own Microsoft Support site covers Windows-side USB and driver problems.

Quick answers

Does my Razer mouse work without Synapse?

Yes. Razer mice and keyboards work as standard USB devices without Synapse. Many models also keep settings stored on the device’s onboard memory. You need Synapse only to change lighting, macros, DPI and button mapping.

Why does Synapse get stuck on the loading or update screen?

A stuck screen usually means the updater cannot download modules or a service has hung. Restart the Razer services, check your internet connection, and do a clean reinstall if the screen still does not clear.

Can Synapse 2 and Synapse 3 run at the same time?

Razer allows both on one PC when you own devices that need each version, but they sometimes conflict. If you no longer have a device that needs the older one, uninstall it.

Is it safe to delete the Razer folders?

Yes, after Synapse is uninstalled. The folders hold program files, logs and local settings that the installer recreates. Only locally saved profiles are lost.