EU IV does not even start at all

[Theonrad]

Hi!

I've tried to start EU4 today, and it doesn't really wanna start up. All i get is a red triangle what says "Launching the game failed.". Nothing happens after that. Yesterday i was able to play, i don't know what would change since then except the launcher, but its becoming really annoying

i've got some start up issue with HI 4 and Imperator also, but somehow i made them work by now. I've tried a lot of stuff like this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/eu4/comments/d8xa5i
and this:

Game crashes on start up

Yesterday I got a file exception error (eu4.jpg) after starting the game. Since I couldn't find a solution to this error I did a full clean re-install today. Got the C++ error on the first start and tried the usual fixes for this (userdir.txt...

forum.paradoxplaza.com

I even added them to the exceptions in Avast, so i really have no idea what to do by now :/
I hope you guys can help me somehow.

 

[AndrewT]

In the game launcher please set Display mode to Borderless.

IF that doesn't help, Has the game ever run OK on this computer? Or never?

IF NEVER:
Install ALL these Microsoft modules:

Download Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) from Official Microsoft Download Center

www.microsoft.com

Download Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable Package (x64) from Official Microsoft Download Center

www.microsoft.com

Download Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Update 3 RC from Official Microsoft Download Center

www.microsoft.com

Download DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) from Official Microsoft Download Center

www.microsoft.com

(run dxsetup.exe after extracting from this download)


Also if you have installed RivaTuner, RadeonPro, or a gaming VPN app called Evolve, or the MSI Gaming App, or Duet, disable it as it clashes with this game.


IF IT USED TO WORK:
Please do a full **clean** re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-EU4
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/EU4 AND Documents/Paradox/EU4 folders
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add EU4.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.
- start the game with no mods active and test

In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam EU4 or Documents EU4 locations, before installing again.

Also if you have installed RivaTuner, RadeonPro, or a gaming VPN app called Evolve, or the MSI Gaming App, or Duet, disable it as it clashes with this game.

IF NEITHER OF THOSE HELP:
DXDIAG is a program you run from a command prompt or the Windows start menu 'run' dialog box (or 'search programs' in Windows 7 or later). After running it will open a window and start collecting info with a progress bar in the lower-left corner. When it completes click the 'save all information' button and save it to a file then attach that file here.

Please attach your Documents/Paradox/EU4/settings.txt and pdx_settings.txt .
From your Documents/Paradox/EU4/logs/ folder, attach system.log , error.log .

 

[Theonrad]

Yes, i've played the game even that day i got that issue :/ i have 2400+ hours in the game and never ever did that before.

I did a full **clean** re-install also, i've added to the exceptions in the virus defender and i have no active mods at all.

Okay, i'll attach the files, but i don't have the settings.txt one, and i have no logs folder

 

[AndrewT]

I suggested trying borderless display mode but I see the game is still in fullScreen. Please try borderless, it's a common issue.

If that doesn't help which antivirus app do you use? Some need extra steps.

 

[Theonrad]

Nope, there is still that red triangle :/ Im using Avast premium, i've added the game and is folder to the exceptions already. But what extra steps do you mean?

 

[AndrewT]

I don't know Avast myself I'm afraid, but it is the most troublesome AV app for us at present. The fact that the game cannot write the log files out probably means Avast is stopping it accessing the Windows User Documents folders. The Windows c0000005 error we see against eu4.exe in that dxdiag also is typical of an AV app getting in the way.

You may need help from their support on how to ensure eu4.exe and C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2.2021.1/paradox launcher.exe can read and write to those folders as they need to.

Good luck!