Launching the game failed from the launcher

[Weaselman]

For 3 days now I can't seem to start my eu4 game from steam. first time posting so I don't know what to do, please help.

 

[AndrewT]

In the game launcher please set Display mode to Borderless. THEN go here:

Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads

This article lists the download links for the latest versions of Visual C++ Redistributable packages.

support.microsoft.com

And run the x86 and x64 installers there.

IF that doesn't help, 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 Interactive/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 that doesn't help:
DXDIAG is a program you run from the Windows search box on the task bar. 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 here your Documents/Paradox Interactive/EU4/settings.txt and pdx_settings.txt .
From your Documents/Paradox Interactive/EU4/logs/ folder, attach here system.log , error.log .

 

[Weaselman]

Already did all the steps mentioned above.

 

[Weaselman]

the game launches from Steamapps, Common, Europa Universalis 4, eu4.exe

 

[AndrewT]

If you can run the game but the launcher cannot, usually that means there is an antivirus app in the way or some other permissions issue.



What antivirus app do you use? You need to make sure all these apps are in its exceptions lists:



EU4.exe and dowser.exe (in the Steam EU4 folder)

C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2.2021.8.1/paradox launcher.exe

C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe



IF that does not help, also set all those .exe files (EXCEPT eu4.exe!) to run as the Windows Admin user.

 

[Weaselman]

I'm using windows defender, okay the game started from the launcher after I added dowser.exe to ransomware list, but now another problem has surfaced, when I try to turn on mods in the playset options it says reloading installed mods and doesn't stop doing it, so I can't actually turn any of them on or off. Thank you for fixing the prior problem Andrew.

 

[AndrewT]

Please try the following:

- unsubscribe from all mods in BOTH the Steam Workshop and the Paradox mod site mods.paradoxplaza.com
- delete the folder Documents/Paradox Interactive/EU4/mod/
- delete the file Documents/Paradox Interactive/EU4/mods_registry.json (if present)
- delete the file Documents/Paradox Interactive/EU4/launcher-v2.sqlite (if present)
- run the game up and check the launcher is okay with no mod or other errors
- subscribe to a few mods

- run the game up and see if those mods are now available to you.

I hope that does it for you!

 

[Weaselman]

It worked!! Thank you so much Andrew!!!

 

[SuperThemis]

Mine fixed by installing one drive. after i put windows 11 couldnt play and didnt know the reason. all fixed with one drive install