# OpenRGB Application: OpenRGB Also called open rgb OpenRGB, Drivers Vendor-neutral RGB host. Can fight Synapse and iCUE if both own the same device. The process is OpenRGB.exe. It is not Synapse. ## What you need to know OpenRGB is vendor-neutral RGB. It is not Synapse. OpenRGB.exe can replace vendor lighting apps on supported devices. Synapse and iCUE will fight it if they keep the same USB device. - **What is it?**: Vendor-neutral RGB **Still current?**: Yes, see Current status **Official download?**: Use the vendor link in this article Feex says If a Razer mouse dies when OpenRGB starts, I quit Synapse. OpenRGB.exe is not RazerSynapse.exe. ## What is OpenRGB? OpenRGB.exe talks to many RGB devices without the vendor suite. Synapse is still Razer's host. If both poll the same device, lighting or input can fail. ## If you have never used it If you want one RGB app for mixed brands, OpenRGB is the vendor-neutral host. Download it from openrgb.org. Quit Synapse, iCUE, or G HUB on devices you want OpenRGB to own. It is not Razer Synapse. ## What is it used for? **One UI for mixed RGB** Supported devices on the OpenRGB wiki. Synapse Chroma studio is Razer-only. **SDK and effects** OpenRGB effects engine. Not iCUE plugins. **Takeover from a vendor host** Quit Synapse or iCUE first for that device. Sharing is the usual break. ## Who is it for? - Mixed-brand RGB desks - People leaving Synapse or iCUE - Users whose lighting died after installing both ## Current status OpenRGB (2020) is a current vendor-neutral rgb from OpenRGB. The vendor still points Windows users at https://openrgb.org/. ## How old is it? OpenRGB grew in 2020 as a reverse-engineered lighting host. Synapse, iCUE, and G HUB remain the vendor apps. Running two hosts on one USB device is the classic fight. ## Versions Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here. OpenRGB ## System requirements Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need. ### Minimum | Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor | | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | | RAM | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more. | ## Resource profile - **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries ## Installed processes These executables belong to this product when it is installed. | OpenRGB.exe | Main Windows executable | | ----------- | ----------------------- | ## Startup components OpenRGB can start with Windows and apply a profile. Turn off vendor RGB startups first. ## File locations | Typical install | User-chosen folder (often portable) or Program Files\OpenRGB\\ | | --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ## Common problems ### Device disappears when two hosts run Quit Synapse, iCUE, G HUB, or SignalRGB for that device. Then open OpenRGB. ### Unsupported device The wiki lists support. Vendor software may still be required. OpenRGB is not Synapse with a skin. ## Getting unstuck ### Install from openrgb.org and read the wiki device list GitLab wiki is official. Skip "OpenRGB unlock all" packs. ### Set vendor apps to not start, then reboot, then start OpenRGB USB takeover is cleaner after the vendor helper is gone. ### If a keyboard stops typing, unplug and quit OpenRGB Wrong protocol on a shared device. That is a host fight, not a dead keyboard. ## Alternatives Synapse, iCUE, G HUB, and SteelSeries GG are vendor hosts. SignalRGB is another multi-vendor app. ## Official help and downloads Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel. | Download | [openrgb.org/ ](https://openrgb.org/)Official installer or vendor page | | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Help | [gitlab.com/CalcProgrammer1/OpenRGB/-/wikis/home ](https://gitlab.com/CalcProgrammer1/OpenRGB/-/wikis/home)Vendor support | | Official site | [openrgb.org/ ](https://openrgb.org/)Start here, not a random exe host | ## Related hardware USB RGB devices the wiki lists. Motherboard RGB headers need the chipset OpenRGB supports. Not a GPU driver. ## Technical details Technical details Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [iCUE: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/corsair-icue)[Razer Synapse: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/razer-synapse)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [OpenRGB official site ](https://openrgb.org/)· Vendor product page - [OpenRGB help ](https://gitlab.com/CalcProgrammer1/OpenRGB/-/wikis/home)· Vendor support - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark. ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Developer**: OpenRGB **Category**: Vendor-neutral RGB **Process**: OpenRGB.exe **License**: GPL **First released**: 2020 **Official site**: [openrgb.org](https://openrgb.org/) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/openrgb/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)