Game crashes on start up

[Cobannos]

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, antivirus exceptions, running eu4.exe as admin etc.). Game now always crashes on transition from the start up title screen to the loading screens with texts and I only get the Paradox crash reporter pop up. Other games like HoI4 and CK2 run just fine, it's only EU4 that has problems running.

Already did a DXDIAG run and all the relevant files are attached, though 'pdx_settings.txt' seems to be empty.

Can anyone help?

 

[AndrewT]

Just to check, your clean install was this process?

- 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.


If that doesn't help, does this happen if you run eu4.exe directly from Windows Explorer?

 

[Cobannos]

Yeah, I followed the exact procedure for a clean install several times now.

It happens regardless of how I start the game, either via steam+launcher, eu.exe via desktop shortcut or directly from Windows Explorer. Always crashes on the transition from title to loading screens.

 

[grotaclas]

Do you still get the error message from your screenshot? The file messagetypes_custom.txt that eu4 can't open is in "Documents/Paradox Interactive/Europa Universalis IV". To me this would suggest that you have some ransomware protection software which prevents eu4 from writing to that file

• If you have Windows Defender(also called Microsoft Defender), add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list(here are instructions for that).
• If you have bitdefender, add the launcher to the list of ransomware exceptions and "give it access" to "protected files".

Disclaimer: I'm not working for Paradox. I'm just trying to help people.

 

[Cobannos]

No, as I said the game just crashes in the loading screen without any error report, I just get the Paradox Crash Reporter pop up that lets me send a crash report.
I am pretty sure that there is no problem with my antivirus. I use Avast and have exempted the eu4.exe two ways (exceptions and permitted apps) and Windows Defender is deactivated.

Does that give any hint? I really have no clue on what's the problem with the game.

Edit: Okay, so just to be sure I deactivated Avast and launched the game. It works now. Did I miss something in my Avast settings?

 

[grotaclas]

Edit: Okay, so just to be sure I deactivated Avast and launched the game. It works now. Did I miss something in my Avast settings?

If deactivating Avast helps, it is probably still interfering with eu4 in some way. I don't know how to configure Avast, but I found the following steps on the internet:

1. Open Avast/AVG
2. Click on Protection –>Ransomware Shield –>Cogwheel on the right side or on Menu –> Settings–> Protection –> Ransomware-Shield
3. Click on view allowed/blocked apps to add new exceptions.
4. The list of allowed apps shows all already allowed apps. You can now add the Exe file of the program you’re having issues with by clicking on the Allow App button
5. You can either navigate through the file system (Select App Path) or just add the program from the suggestion list.
6. Click on Close to make sure all changes are saved. Restart the program you had issues with to check if they are now solved.

I also found this avast support article and this avast FAQ(the relevant question is "How do I allow or block specific applications from modifying files in my protected folders?") which have explain it in slightly different ways.

 

[Cobannos]

Well that's weird. I did all the suggested steps in the first place. But it seems to work now. Thanks for the help @grotaclas.