Question: Verify local files versus Uninstall and reinstall

[17blue17]

I am having a problem with patch 3.10.4 where after 7 years the game stops responding under windows on a set date using a save game. This is repeatable in that the save game runs fine and then on that same date the game stops responding with the blue circle of death mouse pointer in windows ( and yes this is with a mod). I have never had stellaris do this with any patch before. At this point I want to ignore every thing else and focus just on one question please:

In steam if I verify the local files and everything is fine is there any reason to uninstall the game and reinstall it in steam? Is there any difference?

I already looked at video drivers etc etc etc. And I was having no problems under 3.10.3 except for a known CTD fixed in the 3.10.4 patch when an empire eliminated another empire. I think I started a new game with the new patch. I suspect a bug in the 3.10.4 patch but I don't understand why the stop responding in windows behavor. I can think of nothing a mod could do to cause that?

Thanks

 

[AndrewT]

Steam Verify only checks files that Steam put there. Files that the launcher or game have written out cannot be checked by Steam, as it does not know they exist and doesn't know what they should be like anyway.

So yes, a clean reinstall is far more thorough than a verify.

- move any valued save games elsewhere, and user empire designs.txt from /Documents/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/ if you have made any custom empires or races.
- "uninstall" in Steam-Stellaris
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/Stellaris AND Documents/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris folders
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add stellaris.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 you need to make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam Stellaris or Documents Stellaris locations, before installing again.