Encounter problems removing iCUE from Windows 11?
Encounter problems removing iCUE from Windows 11?
I set up my computer at the start of 2023 and it has been functioning smoothly. I regularly applied iCUE updates; I’m not a gamer, but this machine is built for photo editing and real estate photography.
Hardware specs: ASUS B660i, i7-12700K, Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 64GB 5200MHz, EVGA GTX 1650 Super, Corsair H100i Elite, SF750, Windows 11 (Home), Keyboard K95 Platinum.
My setup is simple—just two fans on the front radiator, RAM and pump temperature details, plus keyboard info. I don’t have a lot of lighting beyond those two fans, and the keyboard is solid white with light blue RAM.
When I first turned it on, the rainbow effect appeared on the fans and keyboard before logging in. After entering Windows 11, the colors changed to what I set up in iCUE—light blue fans and lights, white keyboard. But this time they stayed rainbow, with random swirling patterns on the keyboard and inconsistent lighting. The iCUE icon moved from its usual position to a plain white rectangle. Clicking it didn’t launch iCUE; instead it displayed “can't find iCUE” and asked if I wanted to browse.
In the Apps menu, installed programs listed were present but showed no size or file information. The 3-dot options (Modify/Uninstall) were grayed out and unusable. In Control Panel, all programs except Corsair or iCUE software appeared. On This PC, the Program Files folder contained iCUE5 with files, but deleting it triggered a warning about a file in use.
I tried uninstalling via the download link, but iCUE didn’t appear in the dialog. After reinstalling iCUE5, I followed the prompts but couldn’t complete the process. I downloaded the Trouble Shooter link and attempted to uninstall again, but Corsair/iCUE still wouldn’t show up.
I checked After Burner for GPU monitoring—it tracks temperatures and usage on the taskbar, so it’s always visible. The problem remains: iCUE is present but inaccessible, with no fan curves or controls. I feel stuck with swirling rainbow lights, no CPU stats, and no way to manage my system.
This situation has left me frustrated. I’m trying to get back to normal operation. Any suggestions would be really helpful. Thank you for reading my post.
Opened Task Manager and forced a stop. Restarted the computer but the issue persisted. I’m the sole user and also have admin rights. When navigating to PC>Local Disk ©>Program Files, the Corsair folder isn’t deletable—system prompts me to be an administrator even though I am. Removing it might resolve the problem. In another location, PC>Local Disk ©>Program Files (x86), the folder isn’t present either. I’ve observed similar structures in both directories, though one contains a Corsair entry while the other doesn’t. I’m aware of a Corsair folder in Program Files but not in Program Files (x86). I’m trying to be detailed here. When I access that folder, I see a Properties window with security settings under Groups or user names. The dialog lists permissions for ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES, showing Full Control, Modify, Read & Execute, List folder contents, Read, Write, and Special Permissions. Checkboxes are marked for Read & Execute, List folder contents, and Read only; Full Control and Modify are unchecked. Clicking 'EDIT' opens another dialog where I can toggle Full Control and Modify permissions. It appears to allow granting those rights. Would this workaround delete the Corsair folder? Not certain about the meaning of Full Control & Modify in Windows. I’m technically inclined but still learning. What do you think?
One thing you can easily check is the list of programs that start with your Windows. Invoke the task manager and go to the start up tab. Deactivate iCue or any suspicious program and then restart your computer. With some chance, iCue will not be active after the reboot and you'll be able to uninstall it. It seems that iCue had a bad update or has some corrupt files so it is not working properly. Uninstalling is in fact a logical solution for your issue.
Thanks for reaching out about Sawa Takahashi. When I open Task Manager, Corsair isn’t listed and there’s no obvious warning. In Processes, Corsair.Service (32bit) is present using 24.4mb of memory, and Corsair.Service.CpuldRemote occupies 31mb. iCUE is running quietly, the AIO displays a color swirl and reads 28°C, varying between 28°C and 30°C—indicating it’s monitoring fluid temperatures. I’m unsure what to do next. Reaching out to Corsair hasn’t helped in the past. They no longer maintain a toll-free technical support line. I’m stuck trying to resolve this on my own. Would reinstalling Windows 11 fix the issue or just repeat it? I’m considering a full reinstall to preserve all apps and data—Adobe, Photoshop, Lumenzia, DaVinci Resolve, Afterburner, Paint.net, and many more—and also the actions I created in Photoshop. My antivirus (Windows Security) shows no problems, and Norton is functioning normally with no suspicious activity. Someone might be able to clarify this.
No one has mentioned using REVO Uninstaller before. It’s a topic discussed by someone on YouTube, but opinions are mixed—some find it helpful, others see drawbacks. If you’re stuck, it could be worth checking out.
Yes, you can access the Registry Editor on your PC and navigate through the software installation folders to remove or manage files like Corsair.
Have you discovered a solution to this problem? I'm experiencing the same issue again.
I resolved it myself without using Revo Uninstaller; they recommended the Pro version but mentioned a free trial duration. I accessed the Windows Recovery option and restored the system after 8 days, which successfully removed everything. After that, I reinstalled iCUE and everything functioned perfectly—just needed to adjust the fan curves and reset the Corsair AIO screen for the H100i Elite.