Launcher not starting error

[Palie365]

Hello,

After having spent hours trying all of the available suggestions on launcher errors, this forum is my last resort.

Starting EU4 from steam results in a common Bootstrap error. Or in certain cases, even that is absent, nothing shows up.
Clean installing doesn't work. Starting anything with administrator rights doesn't work. Compatibility mode doesn't work. Antivirus doesn't have any problems with any of the files.

"
2021-06-30 13:33:08 [launcher] [ERROR] Couldn't start the launcher:
%s fork/exec C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Programs\Paradox Interactive\launcher-v2.2020.5\Paradox Launcher.exe: %1 is not a valid Win32 application.
2021-06-30 13:33:11 [main] [CRITICAL] fork/exec C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Programs\Paradox Interactive\launcher-v2.2020.5\Paradox Launcher.exe: %! (MISSING)is not a valid Win32 application.
"

Launching the exe manually gives me a windows error "This app can't run on your PC".

I am attaching both the dowser and the bootstrapper log.

Any ideas?

 

[grotaclas]

Do you maybe have a 32 bit version of windows? This is not supported anymore since patch 1.29 and you would have to return to patch 1.28.3 to play(in the betas section of the eu4 properties in the steam library). Newer versions of eu4 require a 64bit OS.

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

 

[Palie365]

Do you maybe have a 32 bit version of windows? This is not supported anymore since patch 1.29 and you would have to return to patch 1.28.3 to play(in the betas section of the eu4 properties in the steam library). Newer versions of eu4 require a 64bit OS.

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

I have a 64 bit system, and forgot to mention that returning to older versions doesn’t work either.

 

[grotaclas]

When you said

Launching the exe manually gives me a windows error "This app can't run on your PC".

did you mean the paradox launcher.exe or eu4.exe? If you meant the launcher, can you run eu4.exe manually?

Did you already try all the launcher troubleshooting steps from the paradox support article?

 

[AndrewT]

Let's try forcing an update of the launcher.

Download the installer package: https://forumcontent.paradoxplaza.com/emailsignatures/2021.6-win-prod.zip

Unpack the file you just downloaded and place the three files in the Steam folder for the game you're having issues with. If asked if you want to replace already existing files click "yes" - that's a sign you are in the right place!

THEN:
- exit the Steam app entirely
- uninstall Paradox Launcher v2 from the Windows "Apps and features" utility, if still present.

Delete the following folders if still present:

- C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Roaming/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
To see the AppData folder you'll need to enable View Hidden Items in File Explorer.

- run steam.exe as the Windows Admin user

- run the game from the PLAY button in Steam

IF that doesn't help, in this folder are some .log files:
C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
Please attach them here.

 

[kevensmhith]

same thing is happening to me, looked all over I can't find any solutions,
i followed your steps and nothing changed
i'll attach the log files here

 

[AndrewT]

Please don't reopen old threads, the launcher and game have changed a lot in the last 15 months. In future please start your own, thanks.


The 1603/1605 errors we see there are typically a previous other installation stuck, or a problem in the Windows update/install processes.

If you see msiexec running in Task manager-processes, kill it and try this launcher install again please.

Otherwise run the Update app in Windows, does it load okay, find anything to apply - whether a patch, update, or whole new Windows 10 version? If so do that and reboot, then try this launcher install again please.

If still no good, do you see Paradox Launcher v2 in the Windows Control Panel to uninstall? If so does it uninstall cleanly, or get an error doing that? You can use this MS tool to clear the stuck install/uninstall:

Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed - Microsoft Support

The Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter helps you automatically repair issues when you're blocked from installing or removing programs.

support.microsoft.com

IF that doesn't help, in this folder are some .log files:
C:/users//AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
Please attach them here.