Cities: Skylines (Steam) - Cities: Skylines for Windows doesn't launch when I press Play

[ChemicalMess]

Describe your issue
Cities: Skylines for Windows doesn't launch when I press Play

What is your game version?
1.13.3-f9

What expansions do you have installed?
(DID NOT ANSWER QUESTION)

What mods are you using?
None

Please explain your issue is in as much detail as possible.
When I press play, it goes into launch mode where the button turns into "Stop" as if I'm playing the game but then it goes back to "Play" a few seconds later. No window pops up, no feedback whatsoever. If i look in the logs folder in AppData, it gives me this text:

2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [INFO] Dowser version: 2020.5
2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [INFO] Dowser TargetEnv: prod
2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [INFO] The `launcherpath` file does not exists:
C:\Users\ivanm\AppData\Local\Paradox Interactive\launcherpath
2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [INFO] Trying to fix existing installation in "/passive" mode
2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [ERROR] Fixing existing installation failed:
exec: "msiexec": executable file not found in %PATH%
2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [INFO] Running regular installation in "/passive" mode
2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [ERROR] Encountered installation error: exec: "msiexec": executable file not found in %PATH%
2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [INFO] Retrying installation on non-passive mode
2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [CRITICAL] Failed to install Paradox Launcher:
exec: "msiexec": executable file not found in %!P(MISSING)ATH%!(NOVERB)

Can you replicate the issue? If yes, please explain how you did it.


Attachments File(s) attached

 

[AndrewT]

2021-11-06 15:23:17 [main] [ERROR] Fixing existing installation failed:
exec: "msiexec": executable file not found in %PATH%

This is a Windows problem. I've seen it a few times but I don't know what causes it.

Please go to C:/windows/system32/ folder and copy (NOT move!) msiexec.exe to the Steam folder where cities.exe is.

Then run the game from the Steam PLAY button. That should do it for you!

 

[ChemicalMess]

This is a Windows problem. I've seen it a few times but I don't know what causes it.

Please go to C:/windows/system32/ folder and copy (NOT move!) msiexec.exe to the Steam folder where cities.exe is.

Then run the game from the Steam PLAY button. That should do it for you!

Thank you very much! This fixed the issue and now I have a city up and running

 

[Kaladin Stormborn]

This is a Windows problem. I've seen it a few times but I don't know what causes it.

Please go to C:/windows/system32/ folder and copy (NOT move!) msiexec.exe to the Steam folder where cities.exe is.

Then run the game from the Steam PLAY button. That should do it for you!

Hey Andrew, just joined to thank you for this solution. I've been struggling with it since yesterday and your fix was what I needed.

In my case, it worked for the game "Stellaris", from Paradox Interactive too, so I guess it's probably engine related. Also, while searching, I've observed it has something to do with the environment variables and this home's "P(MISSING)ATH" mistake, or that's what I assume from the log entry: "msiexec": executable file not found in %!P(MISSING)ATH%!. I'm leaving it here in case you're in touch with the dev's team.

Thanks again, cheers.

Kal.