RedM won't load or hangs after RDR2 works fine

Fixable on your PC

Single-player RDR2 runs, but RedM crashes or hangs. Usually leftover launcher processes, a cloud-synced install folder, or a corrupt cache.

Why it happens

RedM needs the Rockstar launcher in a clean state and its own cache intact. OneDrive syncing the game or RedM folder can lock files mid-load.

Fully close RDR2, the Rockstar Games Launcher, and any leftover Rockstar/Social Club processes in Task Manager.
Make sure RedM and RDR2 are not installed inside a OneDrive-synced folder (Documents/Desktop can be synced). Move them to a normal folder like C:\Games.
Clear RedM's cache: open the RedM Application Data folder and delete the 'data\cache', 'data\server-cache' and 'data\server-cache-priv' folders. Do not delete citizen or the main data files.
Launch RDR2 single-player once to confirm it loads, close it, then start RedM.

Add your antivirus exclusions for the RedM and RDR2 folders, then try again.

The loading bar freezes while FiveM loads server content. Almost always a corrupted cache or antivirus blocking the files.