Crusader Kings 2 won't start launcher

[MonoSodium]

Basically, I install CK2, i launch game, launcher won't show, nothing happens. I go on steam, i go verify cache files, launch game, nothing happens, launcher doesn't show.

I uninstall game, install again, click play game, launcher won't show. I deleted the whole paradox folder in user>app data, and still the same story.

This is my dxdiag file.

 

[AndrewT]

Has the game ever run OK on this computer? Or never?

IF NEVER:
Install ALL these Microsoft modules:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=8328
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=13523
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=52685
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109
(run dxsetup.exe after extracting from this download)

Also if you have installed RadeonPro, or a gaming VPN app called Evolve, or the MSI Gaming App, or Duet, disable it as it clashes with this game.


IF IT USED TO WORK:
Please do a full **clean** re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-CK2
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/CK2 AND Documents/Paradox/CK2 folders
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add ck2game.exe to the exceptions list/whitelist of your antivirus app
- start the game with no mods active and test

In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam CK2 or Documents CK2 locations, before installing again.

Also if you have installed RadeonPro, or a gaming VPN app called Evolve, or the MSI Gaming App, or Duet, disable it as it clashes with this game.


IF NEITHER OF THOSE HELP:
DXDIAG is a program you run from a command prompt or the Windows start menu 'run' dialog box (or 'search programs' in Windows 7 or later). 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 your Documents/Paradox/CK2/settings.txt.
From your Documents/Paradox/CK2/logs/ folder, attach system.log .

 

[MonoSodium]

I don't use an anti virus app, So I didn't do that step, but I tried everything else you said. And it did not work again.
I think I noticed that when I install the game, the Paradox folder does not get created in Documents.

Oh and yes, the game ran fine a couple months ago.

 

[AndrewT]

I don't use an anti virus app, So I didn't do that step, but I tried everything else you said. And it did not work again.

Almost certainly you use Windows Defender, because that gets activated automatically if nothing else is.

Add ck2game.exe to the Apps Allowed Through list in the Ransomware feature of it.

 

[MonoSodium]

I just checked and it is allowed through.

 

[AndrewT]

As you can see in that screenshot, that's WD firewall. Nothing to do with the Ransomware feature I mentioned - please check that specifically.

Firewalls and antivirus apps are entirely unrelated functionalities.

 

[MonoSodium]

Thank you, this fixed the issue.