How to Fix iRacing Demo Drive Not Working (Season 4 Update)
Step 1: Check iRacing Server Status
Before diving into local fixes, confirm that the issue isn’t on iRacing’s end:
- Visit the iRacing Status Page
- Check the iRacing Forums for maintenance announcements or bug reports
- Demo Drive is typically available during or shortly after maintenance windows
If servers are up and no issues are reported, move on to local troubleshooting.
Step 2: Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can prevent the simulation from launching properly.
- Use your GPU’s official software (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)
- Choose the Clean Install option during setup
- Restart your PC after installation
This ensures compatibility with the latest iRacing UI and rendering engine.
Step 3: Rename the iRacing Folder
Corrupted configuration files can block demo drive access. Renaming the folder forces iRacing to rebuild fresh settings.
How to do it:
- Navigate to:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\iRacing - Rename the folder to:
iRacingbackup - Launch iRacing again to generate a new folder
This preserves your old settings while allowing a clean rebuild.
Step 4: Restart iRacing Services Manually
Sometimes the background services don’t initialize correctly. Restarting them manually can fix UI and simulation launch issues.
Steps:
Go to your iRacing installation folder (e.g.,
C:\Program Files (x86)\iRacing)Run Stop_iRacingService.batThen run Start_iRacingService.batNavigate to the UI folder and launch iRacingUI.exeThis refreshes the service stack and UI environment.
Step 5: Clear UI Cache and Force Update
Corrupted cache files can block demo drive access or prevent new cars from loading.
Steps:
Press Win + R and type %appdata%Delete the folder named iRacing-electronRelaunch iRacingUI.exeGo to Updates Available and manually download the required car or trackIf updates are stuck or say “update required”:
- Go to your iRacing install folder
- Delete tracks.dat and version.txt
- Relaunch the UI to force a fresh re-download
Step 6: Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat
Anti-cheat conflicts can prevent demo drive from launching, especially if the service is corrupted or blocked.
Fix:
- Navigate to the Easy Anti-Cheat folder inside your iRacing directory
- Run the installer again to repair or reinstall
- Restart your PC
Also consider temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall to rule out interference.
Step 7: Disconnect External Devices
Peripheral conflicts—especially with racing wheels, pedals, or VR headsets—can cause startup issues.
Steps:
- Close iRacing
- Unplug all external devices
- Relaunch the game
- Plug devices back in one at a time
This helps isolate any hardware-related conflicts.
Final Tips
- Always run iRacing as Administrator
- Keep your system and game fully updated
- Use wired internet for better stability during demo drive sessions
- If issues persist, contact iRacing Support with logs and screenshots
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