If you’re an iRacing enthusiast, you may have encountered the error message “iRacing Helper Service Not Available” when trying to launch the game.
This error message can be frustrating, especially if you’re eager to get behind the wheel and start racing.
Fortunately, there are several potential solutions to this issue.
Why IRacing Helper Service Not Available
If you are experiencing the “iRacing Helper Service Not Available” error message, don’t worry, you are not alone. This error message can appear for a variety of reasons, and it can be frustrating when you are trying to get started with iRacing. Here are a few possible reasons why you might be seeing this error message:
1. iRacing Helper Service Is Not Running
One of the most common reasons why you might see the “iRacing Helper Service Not Available” error message is because the iRacing Helper Service is not running.
This service is required for iRacing to function properly, so if it is not running, you will not be able to use iRacing.
To check if the iRacing Helper Service is running, open the Task Manager and look for the “iRacingHelperService.exe” process. If it is not running, try restarting your computer or manually starting the service.
2. Antivirus Or Firewall Blocking IRacing Helper Service
Another possible reason why you might see the “iRacing Helper Service Not Available” error message is because your antivirus or firewall is blocking the iRacing Helper Service.
This can happen if your antivirus or firewall thinks that the iRacing Helper Service is a threat.
To fix this, you will need to add an exception for the iRacing Helper Service in your antivirus or firewall settings.
3. Corrupted IRacing Installation
If your iRacing installation is corrupted, you might see the “iRacing Helper Service Not Available” error message.
To fix this, try uninstalling and reinstalling iRacing. Make sure to follow the installation instructions carefully, and try running iRacing as an administrator.
4. Outdated IRacing Helper Service
If your iRacing Helper Service is outdated, you might see the “iRacing Helper Service Not Available” error message.
To fix this, try updating iRacing to the latest version. You can do this by opening the iRacing UI and clicking on the “Update” button.
How To Fix IRacing Helper Service Not Available
If you are encountering the “iRacing Helper Service Not Available” error message while trying to install or run iRacing, don’t worry. There are several ways to fix this issue, and we will discuss them below.
Firstly, try running the “START_iRacingservice.bat” file located in the iRacing folder under “Program Files (x86)”. Double-click the file and wait for any black boxes to disappear. After that, try logging back into iRacing on their website or refreshing the page. This might fix the problem.
If that doesn’t work, try disabling your firewall and antivirus temporarily. Sometimes, these security programs can interfere with the installation or operation of iRacing. Once you have disabled them, try running iRacing again and see if the error message disappears.
Another potential solution is to check if the iRacing Helper Service is running. To do this, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “services.msc” and press Enter. This will open the Services window. Look for the iRacing Helper Service and check if its status is “Running”. If it’s not, right-click on it and select “Start”. Then, try running iRacing again.
If all else fails, try reinstalling iRacing. Make sure to completely uninstall it first before reinstalling. Sometimes, a corrupted installation can cause the “iRacing Helper Service Not Available” error message to appear.