How to Troubleshoot iCUE | CORSAIR:EXPLORER (2024)

We designed iCUE to be as simple and easy to use as possible but sometimes we miss the mark. If you’re trying to update your drivers, configure your RGB, or set up your hotkeys but iCUE isn’t working as intended, it’s time to get a little technical. If you have a more specific issue like setting up a specific product or fixing core functionality check out our other articles or visit our help page. But if you’re still a little lost, here are some steps you should take if iCUE is giving you any trouble.

BASIC SOFTWARE UPDATES

The first step is to ensure that all the software is up to date. Updating windows, iCUE, and any software it may be interacting with is important for minimizing any security issues and known bugs. To eliminate any issues with iCUE itself, you can also try repairing it. You can repair iCUE by going to your windows setting's “Installed apps” page, opening the menu for iCUE, and selecting modify you can start a repair process to ensure it is working as intended. In some rare cases, running the repair process multiple times with system restarts in between has solved issues.

In iCUE, enable automatic downloads to ensure your hardware is always up to date. Also take a look the firmware of any device you have connected and update it to the latest version. In some rare cases, forcing a firmware update can help solve issues. You can do this by first checking for updates then clicking the three dots that appear. Be sure that any devices updating their firmware are directly connected to the PC, not a USB hub. Do not disconnect or power down any hardware, or close iCUE while the Firmware update is running. Doing so can cause critical damage.

If you are struggling to even start with these critical steps, try booting windows into safe mode with networking and trying again. Doing this will make sure that windows will be running with minimal software on top of windows, stopping anything that might be interfering with iCUE installs or firmware updates. This has also solved issues relating to leftover files from older versions of iCUE or previously connected CORSAIR equipment.

ISOLATING THE ISSUE

With so many functions packed into iCUE there are endless ways things can interact with each other. To really be sure that there is a problem with a piece of hardware try removing or disabling anything that might interfere with iCUE. Start off by removing any extra modules left behind by other CORSAIR products previously used on the computer. Don’t worry, they can always be redownloaded if needed.

Next, disable any software and game integrations that might take over your lighting. Integrations with 3rd party lighting like Nanoleaf or Phillips hue should be disabled as well. Finally, disable any other software that might be controlling hardware lighting or reading inputs. Running having multiple programs trying to interact with hardware in a similar way is a common cause of issues.

Here is a short list of programs known to conflict with iCUE:

• NZXT Cam
• Asus Armory Crate
• MSI Mystic Light
• Wallpaper engine
• Riot Vanguard

Hopefully by following these steps you were able to solve your problems with iCUE. But, if you’re still reading this because you tried everything above and the issue still hasn’t been resolved, then unfortunately your issue is unique. Please submit a support ticket to help us understand, document, and fix the issue you’re having.