Trouble launching EU4 on Steam

[Uber_Barleyman]

Europa Universalis 4 recently had a huge update. This issue might be connected with that.

When I try to launch the game on Steam I do not see the launcher at all, instead I get a message that reads as follows:
_____________________
Steam Error

Failed to start process for Europa Universalis IV:
"Access is denied." (0x5)

See the Steam Support site for more information.
_____________________

 

[Uber_Barleyman]

I am on Windows. I have attempted reinstalling including deleting all old files while the game was uninstalled and then reinstalling. I am able to run previous versions of the game just fine. I am able to run the current version in administrator mode. However, I cannot start the launcher through steam.

 

[AndrewT]

What antivirus app do you use?

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.

 

[Uber_Barleyman]

What antivirus app do you use?

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.

The anitvirus is not blocking it.

I have uninstalled, unsubbed from all mods, shut down steam, deleted all temp and junk files, deleted every EU4 file in Programs and under Users, and then reinstalled. It's still not working. I have reinstalled steam and it's not working. I have restarted the computer, and I have uninstalled and reinstalled EU4 several times.

I continue to get the same error message every time. I am starting to think this is not an issue with steam. I think it is a problem with EU4 itself. Nothing I have done has worked. Previous versions of the game work. Running it as admin works. It will not start the launcher.

 

[Uber_Barleyman]

This is the only thing I am getting every time I try to run the game.

 

[AndrewT]

I'm sure this is actually a Steam error, as a bit of googling shows. I suggest a clean reinstall of Steam and game:


- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-EU4
- exit the Steam app entirely
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/EU4 AND Documents/Paradox/EU4 folders
- delete everything in the Steam folder EXCEPT steam.exe and the SteamApps folder
- run steam.exe to rebuild all that
- 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

Good luck with that!

 

[Uber_Barleyman]

By the way. Didn't do any of that, or anything else. Waited for the next update to roll out. Worked fine. It was the patch, and it wasn't steam or anything on my computer.