Alex Ruben
How To Fix the Blocked Loading of Xinput1_4.dll in GTA 5
If you’ve hit that annoying wall where GTA V throws a fit because of a blocked Xinput1_4.dll file, you’re probably pulling your hair out trying to figure out what’s wrong. Happens more often than you think, especially after updates or if your system/software blocks certain files. The good news? There’s a couple of tricks that usually work. One tweaks game launch options, and the other fiddles with the DLL itself. Both aimed at getting GTA to stop throwing that error and actually launch again. Expect to spend around 10 minutes, and hopefully, that’s enough to get you back to cruising around Los Santos without a hitch.
How to Fix Blocked Xinput1_4.dll in GTA V
Method 1: Change Launch Options in Steam or Epic
This is kind of the first thing to try because it’s simple and sometimes enough. When GTA V’s launch gets tripped up by DLL issues, adding certain command-line options can tell the game to ignore or bypass problematic components. It mainly helps if the error shows up when launching, or after a recent update.
- Open Steam and go to Library.
- Right-click on Grand Theft Auto V and choose Properties.
- In the General tab, find the Launch Options button—if you see it, click that.
- Type in this command:
-noBattleEye - Close out, and try launching the game again. For Epic, it’s similar:
- Open Epic Games Launcher and go to Library.
- Click the three-dot menu next to GTA V and pick Manage.
- Look for an option called Launch Options—toggle it on if it isn’t, then enter:
-noBattleEye - Save your changes and launch GTA again. Sometimes this helps avoid the DLL loading conflict caused by BattleEye or other overlays.
Method 2: Manually Remove or Replace the DLL
If messing with launch options doesn’t do the trick, or the DLL is corrupted or flagged as a threat, try hunting down and deleting that Xinput1_4.dll. Yes, it sounds scary, but in many cases, Windows just produces or loads a bad copy, and deleting it forces the game to rebuild it or download a fresh one on next launch. Just a heads up: some users report that deleting the DLL can cause controller issues temporarily, so keep that in mind.
- Open your game folder. For Steam, right-click GTA V in Library, then hit Manage > Browse Local Files. For Epic, click the three-dot menu and do the same.
- Use the search box or just browse to find
Xinput1_4.dll. It’s usually in:C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto V\or in the Epic folder inside your installation directory.
- Once you find it, right-click and select Delete. Confirm any prompts.
- Next, open your Rockstar Games Launcher (if you’re using Rockstar’s version, or the launcher associated with GTA V).
- Go to Settings, and look for an option called BattleEye. Make sure it’s unchecked or disabled if available.
- Close the launcher, reopen it, and try launching GTA V again. Sometimes the game will regenerate a fresh DLL if needed. On some setups, this step makes the game go, especially if the DLL was corrupted or blocked by antivirus.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
While these are the main two fixes, here are a few more things to check if you’re still having problems:
- Make sure your game and graphics drivers are fully up to date. Sometimes, outdated files cause weird DLL issues.
- Double-check your antivirus—sometimes Windows Defender or other security software flags or blocks DLL files, especially if they’re in a sandboxed or unusual folder.
- Verify your game files using Steam’s “Verify Integrity of Game Files” option (right-click game > Properties > Local Files > Verify). This tends to replace missing or corrupt files, including DLLs.
Wrap-up
Honestly, messing with launch options or deleting a problematic DLL can seem a bit sketchy, but these steps are pretty standard when dealing with DLL conflicts. It’s a matter of trial and error—sometimes the game just needs a nudge to rebuild or ignore certain files. If nothing else works, reinstalling the game or updating your system might be the next step. Of course, balancing security software is also key—you don’t want your AV to block essential game files without you knowing.
Summary
- Try adding
-noBattleEyeto your launch options in Steam or Epic. - If that doesn’t work, find and delete the
Xinput1_4.dllin your game folder. - Ensure drivers and game files are up to date and verify files if needed.
- Keep an eye on your antivirus — it might be the sneaky culprit.
Fingers crossed this helps
Getting GTA V to launch without DLL errors can be a pain, but these quick fixes have helped quite a few people fix that blocked loading mess. Managed to get your game going? Great. Still stuck? Might be time to dig a little deeper or reach out for more support. Good luck, and hope this saves some time for someone somewhere.