Fix: Origin In-Game Overlay Not Working

Do you have issues with the in-game overlay from Origin? Is the Origin in-game overlay not working? Here are all solutions to this very common problem.

Origin, like Steam and the Epic Games Store, is a digital distribution platform for video games, with millions of active daily users.

When starting a game through the client, you can choose to utilize the Origin in-game overlay. This handy feature allows you to engage in conversations with your buddies, share your gameplay, or accept team invitations.

Unfortunately, the overlay sometimes stops responding, making Origin difficult to use for people who are used to having the feature.

Thankfully, the solutions to this problem are relatively simple.

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Fix 1: Check Whether It’s Enabled In The Settings Panel

The overlay may not work unless you enable it in the settings panel by ticking the option that enables it.

Before trying any of the other methods listed below, do this:

  1. Run Origin as an administrator, as indicated in the image below.
    Origin Run as administrator
  2. With the app open, click Origin and then Application Settings.
    Origin Application Settings
  3. Click Origin In-Game to access the panel and enable the setting from there, as shown in the image below.
    enabling Origin In Game

The Origin In-Game overlay should now work. If it doesn’t, you might be dealing with a bug. Try the methods listed below to fix it.

Fix 2: Disable Other Background Apps

According to a Reddit thread covering this topic, having background apps enabled while using Origin is a possible reason for your overlay not working.

Some of the apps mentioned by users include MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, and Razer Synapse, all of which are widely used by gamers.

These apps allow users to overclock their systems for maximum performance, change and customize profile settings for their gaming gear, and monitor temperatures and resource usage while playing.

In short, disabling them while gaming is frustrating, and many users will be reluctant to do so.

other apps enabled while using Origin may cause overlay to not work

Unfortunately, the problem with the Origin in-game overlay might compel you to make a decision. If you feel like the advantages of the overlay are more significant and surpass the benefits of using the apps mentioned above, it might be worth making that sacrifice.

Besides the mentioned apps, the Origin in-game overlay may disrupt other alike software on your device.

To ensure this isn’t the reason you are unable to use the Origin overlay, be sure to close everything else on your PC before launching Origin.

Fix 3: Clear Origin’s Cache

Clearing Origin’s cache files can help you fix many problems with the client. It’s a simple process and worth giving a try if you experience the In-Game Overlay Not Working Bug on Origin.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Close Origin if it’s running on your PC. Use the Task Manager to double-check and make sure all Origin-related processes are closed.
  2. Press Windows + R on your keyboard simultaneously. Doing this will access the “Run” function on Windows 10.
  3. In the search field, enter %ProgramData%/Origin, and press OK at the bottom.
    typing in "%ProgramData%/Origin" without quotation marks and pressing OK
  4. In the folder that opens (by initiating the search during the previous step), delete everything except the folder named Local Content. After deleting the files, close the window.
  5. Again press Windows + R on your keyboard simultaneously. This time, type %AppData% into the search field and press OK at the bottom.
    typing in "%AppData%" without quotation marks and pressing OK
  6. The “Roaming” folder will open. You need to delete the Origin folder inside. Then, in the address bar, click on AppData, open the Local folder, and delete the Origin folder from there as well.
    clicking on AppData
  7. Restart your PC (this is optional but recommended).

You have now successfully cleared Origin’s cache, which will hopefully help you get rid of the bug preventing the in-game overlay from working.  

Fix 4: Try A Different Version Of The Origin Client

Older client versions often have security flaws and bugs because they lack the latest updates the developers included with more recent versions.

However, if this doesn’t trouble you much and you prioritize having the Origin in-game overlay enabled and functional, here’s what you can do.

  1. Perform a clean Origin uninstall on your PC by following the steps listed in our guide.
  2. Instead of downloading the latest Origin version, download an older version.
  3. Install Origin on your PC, preferably in a folder other than the one you previously had the app installed in.
  4. When the installation is complete, reboot your PC and run Origin as an Administrator.

Some versions of Origin are considered more stable than others, including one which is often recommended by EA officials to users who need to conduct troubleshooting.

Conclusion

You now know how to solve the Origin in-game overlay not working problem, even if some of the solutions listed are somewhat unappealing for gamers.

If none of these methods helped you, don’t hesitate to contact Origin’s support team for further assistance.  

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Bojan Veselinovikj
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Bojan is a video-game developer and a tech enthusiast. Combining these two passions allow him to keep you informed on everything that's new in this fast-paced digital world.