11 Fixes for AMD Adrenalin Software Not Working or Opening

AMD Adrenalin Software is a suite of software tools providing a variety of features for AMD graphics cards, such as performance monitoring, overclocking, and game optimization. However, some users reported that after updating the graphics card driver, their AMD Adrenalin Software is not working or opening in Windows 11. This guide will help you fix the problem if you fall into that category.

AMD Radeon Software is the same as AMD Adrenalin Edition. AMD Radeon Software is a general term, while AMD Adrenalin Edition is its official name. This software is essential for maximizing your PC’s performance and providing a better visual experience. If you’re having trouble opening AMD Radeon Software, here are a few things you can do to fix it.

1. Run AMD Radeon Software With Admin Privileges

One of the initial fixes to perform if your AMD Adrenalin software is not working or opening is to run it as an administrator. The reason is that when we usually launch the software, it runs with restricted access, while the admin privileges give the software more control and access to system resources.

To do so, click the Windows icon > type AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition > select Run as administrator > choose Yes to allow the software to make system changes.

2. Terminate Radeon Software Processes

If the AMD Radeon Software is running in the background but not responding, it can cause problems with its functionality. Terminating the process tree will allow the software to start fresh and clear glitches. Here is how you can do so:

Step 1: Launch the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Delete and select Task Manager.

Step 2: In the Processes tab, look for AMD Software in the Apps section. Right-click on it and choose End Task to stop it.

Step 3: Also, check for any AMD-related processes in the Background processes section and close them too by right-clicking and choosing End Task.

Step 4: Once the AMD Radeon Software process has been closed, open the software again. It should now start fresh and clear up any glitches.

3. Modify CN Registry Key

Modifying the CN Registry Key is a quick and effective fix for the AMD Radeon Software not working on Windows error. This method involves editing a specific registry entry to synchronize the software’s version with the installed drivers. This mismatch often causes the software to malfunction, preventing you from accessing its features.

You can eliminate this discrepancy and restore the software’s functionality by modifying the CN Registry Key with the simple steps outlined below: 

Step 1: Press Windows + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager. If prompted, select yes to launch the app and make modifications.

Alternatively, you can right-click the Windows icon and choose Device Manager. 

Step 2: Double-click on Display adapters > AMD Radeon.

Step 3: Head to the Driver tab. Select the number next to the Driver version and press Ctrl + C to copy it.

Step 4: Now, close the properties window and Device Manager tool.

Step 5: Open Registry Editor using the Start menu.

Tip: Here’s how to open Registry Editor on Windows 11 if you’re unaware.

Step 6: Select the existing data in the address bar and hit backspace on your keyboard. Now, type the following command in the address bar.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEComputer\\SOFTWARE\AMD\CN

Step 7: On the right side of the pane, double-click the DriverVersion string. Hit backspace on your keyboard to clear the existing data.

Step 8: Paste the driver version number by pressing Ctrl + V in that box and click OK to save changes. 

4. Erase CN Folder

The CN folder contains the configuration files and settings for the Radeon Software, and if it gets corrupted or misconfigured, it will make the software malfunction. However, by deleting this folder, you can reset the Radeon software to its default settings, eliminating any glitches or conflicts causing the issue. To delete the CN folder, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open the Run box by pressing the Windows + R key on your keyboard.

Step 2: Type %localappdata% and click OK.

Step 3: Head to the AMD folder.

Step 4: Select the CN folder and click the Delete button (trash icon).

You’ve successfully removed the CN folder. We recommend restarting your device to save changes and regenerating the CN folder.

5. Rebuild Radeon Profiles

AMD Radeon profiles in Windows are predefined settings that can be applied to your AMD Radeon graphics card to optimize its performance for specific tasks or applications.

However, if you’re facing issues with your software and don’t want to delete the entire CN folder from your computer, rebuilding the Radeon profile from scratch is a good option. Here’s how you can do so:

Step 1: In the taskbar, click the Start icon. Search for Run and open it.

Step 2: Type %localappdata%/AMD/CN and click OK.

Step 3: Select gmdb.blb and click Delete.

6. Disable or Re-Enable AMD Radeon Graphics

Another quick yet effective solution to get your AMD software back on track is to disable and re-enable it. This will temporarily turn off your graphics card and then turn it back on, which can help fix minor problems.

Step 1: Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand Display adapters. Right-click your AMD Radeon graphics card and choose Disable device.

Step 3: In the pop-up, click Yes to confirm.

Step 4: Wait 1-2 minutes, right-click the AMD Radeon graphics card again, and select Enable device.

7. Update Graphics Driver

Drivers are tools that help your hardware work well with the latest software. If you’re having trouble with AMD software not opening on Windows, it could be because your driver isn’t up-to-date. You can follow the simple steps below and update your graphics driver to solve this.

Step 1: In the taskbar, right-click the Start icon and choose Device Manager. If prompted, click yes to grant permission to the app to make changes to your device.

Step 2: Open Display adapters by double-clicking it. Choose your AMD graphic driver, right-click on it, and select Update driver from the options.

Step 3: Click ‘Search automatically for drivers’ in the pop-up.

Step 4: If an update is available, install it and reboot your system.

Also Read: A complete guide to updating drivers correctly on Windows.

8. Roll Back to the Previous AMD Driver

If you’ve updated your Windows or AMD driver and now the AMD Adrenalin software isn’t working, it might be because your computer hardware doesn’t get along with the new software. In that case, we recommend returning to the graphics driver’s older version. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Press Windows + X on your keyboard and choose Device Manager.

Step 2: Look for Display adapters and open it. Launch the AMD driver by double-clicking it.

Step 3: Go to the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver, and follow the on-screen instructions. Finally, click OK to save the changes.

Tip: When no previous driver version is available, the Roll Back Driver button grays out.

9. Reinstall AMD Radeon Software

This might sound simple, but it can work like a charm. If your AMD Radeon software is acting up on your Windows system, a handy fix is to reinstall it. Reinstalling it can clear out any glitches or corrupted files causing the problem. To do this:

Step 1: Launch any web browser.

Step 2: Head to the AMD website, download the latest Radeon software, and run the installer.

AMD website

10. Install Pending Windows Updates

Your AMD Radeon software might not work as expected because the Windows you’re running is outdated. Sometimes, we manually update the graphics driver but forget to update Windows. This could be the root cause of the problem, as the updated software is designed to work better with the latest Windows update.

Here’s how you can update your Windows:

Step 1: Press Windows + S on your keyboard and head to the Settings app.

Step 2: On the left pane, select Windows Update. Click the Check for updates button.

Step 3: Now, the system will look for new updates. If there are any, click ‘Download and install all’ to get them.

Also Read: How to fix Windows updates not downloading or installing.

11. Perform Clean Boot in Windows

One of the root causes of your AMD Adrenalin software not working or opening is that another program might be causing the problem with your software.

However, you can perform a clean boot on your Windows computer and start your device with only the necessary stuff and nothing extra to fix this.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run app. Type msconfig in the search box and click OK.

Step 2: Head to the Services tab. Check the box next to ‘Hide all Microsoft services’, and click on Disable all.

Step 3: Now, click the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.

Step 4: Disable all startup tasks by selecting them and clicking Disable. Once done, close the window.

Step 5: Return to the Startup tab in System Configuration and select OK.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully performed a clean boot on your Windows. The next time you restart your computer, it will start in a clean boot environment.

AMD Adrenalin Software Up and Running

Troubleshooting AMD Adrenalin Software not working or opening on Windows 11 can be a bit tricky, but we trust that the article above must have assisted you in resolving the problem. Feel free to share which fix from above worked for you in the comments below.