Star Citizen Error Code 19004 | Account Login Failed

In Star Citizen, Error Code 19004 (often accompanied by the message “Account login failed”) is an authentication error. It typically means the game client is timing out while trying to verify your account entitlement with the servers.

While this is often a server-side issue during major updates (like a new patch release), the community has found a specific “Incognito Mode” workaround that fixes it for many players.

Method 1: The “Incognito” Authentication Fix (Most Success)

This specific sequence refreshes your account’s authentication token. Follow these steps exactly:

1. Close Everything: Log out of the RSI Launcher and close it.

2. Kill the Process: Open your Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find the RSI Launcher, and right-click > End Task to ensure it is completely closed.

3. Open Incognito Mode: Open your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) in Incognito/Private mode.

4. Log In: Go to the Roberts Space Industries website and log in.

5. Check Email: You will likely be asked for a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) code. Open your email in a normal (non-incognito) window to get the code.

6. Enter Code Correctly: Go back to the Incognito window and enter the code.

   • Crucial Step: When entering the code, make sure to check the box that says “Trust this device for 1 year” (or similar duration). Do not select “Session only.”

7. Relaunch: Once logged in on the website, open the RSI Launcher again and try to launch the game.

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Method 2: Delete the User & Shaders Folder

Corrupted cache files can sometimes cause handshake errors during login.

1. Navigate to your installation folder (Default: C:\Program Files\Roberts Space Industries\StarCitizen\LIVE).

2. Find the USER folder and Delete it.

3. Press Windows Key + R, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.

4. Find the Star Citizen folder inside Local App Data and delete it (this clears the shaders).

   • Note: This will reset your keybindings and graphics settings.

Method 3: Verify Game Files

If the launcher is outdated or files are mismatched, authentication can fail.

1. Open the RSI Launcher.

2. Click on Settings (the gear icon).

3. Click the Verify button.

   • This may take some time as it checks the integrity of the massive game file.

Method 4: Launcher Version Check

If you recently updated the launcher (e.g., to version 2.0), it might be causing the conflict.

• Log out of the launcher completely.

• If you are using the “New” RSI Launcher (2.0+), try uninstalling it and reinstalling the Legacy Launcher (1.6.x) if available on the download page, or simply perform a clean reinstall of the current launcher.

Common Cause: Server Overload

If none of the above works, the issue is likely Server-Side.

• This error spikes heavily during “Free Fly” events or immediately after a new patch (like 3.18 or 4.0) drops.

• Check the RSI Status Page to see if “Platform Services” or “Login” are degraded. If they are, you simply have to wait for the traffic to die down.