iCUE: How to perform a clean reinstallation or reset of iCUE

If iCUE runs into performance or behavior issues due to corrupted local files, you can perform a clean re-installation or reset to try and resolve the problem.

Before uninstalling, make sure to back up any profiles you want to keep. You can back up your profiles by exporting them onto your computer. 

When deleting system files, make sure you are only deleting the files as directed in this article; we will only be deleting CORSAIR related files.

You can use the iCUE Removal Tool at the bottom of the article for automating the process or follow along these steps below to clean reinstall iCUE manually. 

If you have an issue where iCUE randomly uninstalls itself please click here

Step 1: Uninstall iCUE

To uninstall iCUE:

1. Open Control Panel on your computer. (A.) 
   
2. Select Programs -> Uninstall a program. (B.)
   
3. Select Corsair iCUE Software in the list of programs, then select Uninstall. (C.) If the Uninstall option is grayed out, please skip to here: iCUE Uninstallation Issue
   
4. Select the check box listing "Delete Settings for All Users" (D.)
   

Step 2: Clean up leftover files

Once you’ve uninstalled iCUE, you need to remove some files so a clean reinstallation can be done:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run command.
2. Type %appdata%, then click OK. (A2.)
   
3. Delete any Corsair folders in the window that pops up. (B2.)
   
4. Re-open the Run command and type %localappdata%.(C2.)
   
5. Delete any Corsair folders that appear.
6. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\ for iCUE 3, or C:\Program Files\ for iCUE 4 or 5. (D2.)
   
7. Delete any Corsair files in that folder.
8. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run command.
9. Type %programdata% in the Run Window, then click OK.(E2.)
   
10. Delete any Corsair folders in the window that pops up.
11. Restart your computer.

Step 3: Reinstall iCUE

After you have cleaned up your files and restarted your computer, download a new iCUE installer from the Corsair.com iCUE page and run it. Follow the prompts to reinstall iCUE.

If you need further assistance with any of these steps or if performing a clean re-installation did not resolve your issues with iCUE, contact Customer Support.

Common Issues and Solutions:

If you are having issues with installation:

• Make sure we are not using a VPN or tunneling service.
• Run the installer as Administrator.
• Make sure your Operating System is up to date.

If you are having issues where iCUE "uninstalls" itself:

Make sure automatic downloads are turned off by navigating to iCUE settings -> Software Updates.

Why does this happen: This may be due to an unexpected interruption during an update process. This can happen if your system crashes, restarts, or shuts down while iCUE is upgrading.

What causes the issue: iCUE is made up of different components, or “modules,” that each have specific installation and uninstallation steps. When iCUE updates, it first removes the old version before installing the new one. However, this is not a single-step process if anything interrupts it, iCUE can end up in a broken state.

Here’s one of the common scenario that can cause this issue:

1. iCUE automatically starts updating in the background.
2. At the same time, Windows begins installing updates and prompts you to restart your PC.
3. You reboot your system while iCUE is mid-update.
4. The update process gets interrupted, leaving iCUE in a corrupt or incomplete state.

STATUS: Working on a solution: Our Development team is actively working on a solution to prevent iCUE from uninstalling itself. In the meantime, one way to avoid this issue is by disabling Automatic Updates. You can still manually check for updates by clicking the “Check for Updates” button.

For now, the current solution is to navigate to C:\Program Files and rename the Corsair folder to CorsairOld. After this, simply run the latest installer from our downloads page here: https://www.corsair.com/s/downloads

After iCUE is reinstalled and a computer reboot, you can safely delete the CorsairOld folder if needed.

Contact us:

If you are still having trouble with installing/uninstalling iCUE, or need further help with iCUE you can contact our Customer Support team here. Please make sure to fill the form out as accurately as you can.