Game won't work after Steam update

[Analog Kid]

The new version of Steam installed itself yesterday. Tried loading CK2 today, nothing. Doesn't work from the Steam icon in the system tray, doesn't even work when pulling up my library and running from the CK2 page. All that happens when I press the green play button is that I get a brief appearance of the "preparing to launch" window and the word "running" in the sidebar, then three seconds later it resets as if I hadn't done anything.

The game was working last week when I last played it, and I haven't installed any new software or drivers. Literally the only change is the new Steam install. What's going on?

 

[AndrewT]

First exit the Steam app completely then reboot.

If that doesn't help, 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 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 CK2 or Documents CK2 locations, before installing again.

 

[Analog Kid]

Just finished doing what you said. No change.

Have went into the SteamApps/common/Crusader Kings II folder, and tried loading direct from the CK2game.exe file and it brings up this error window.

Can't think of anything else, so further advise needed.

 

[Analog Kid]

An acquaintance on Discord recommended updating Visual C++. Have just tried that, but still nothing.

 

[Analog Kid]

The game was working last week when I last played it

I thought I had played it last week, but glanced at the Genopro file I use to keep track of my dynasty and it has last save date of 17th October. I always save after I finish a session, so that's probably the last time I played. I understand patch 3.3 of the game got released since then, so I'm now unsure if this is a Steam issue or issue with the new patch.

 

[AndrewT]

That error is usually missing MS modules. 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)

Let us know what happens with each one of those please.

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 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 .

 

[Analog Kid]

That error is usually missing MS modules. 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)

Have installed the first two links, although I'm not sure why I need the 2010 versions of these when I already have the 2012, 2013 and 2015 ones installed according to Control Panel. The third link appears to be the 2015 one I already have, but a slightly earlier version, it's 14.0.24123 when I already have 14.0.24215. Tried installing both files anyway, and it came up with this window. I assume this means I don't need to do this step?

When I try to run the fourth link, I get this:

Is there a specific system folder I need to put this into?

Please attach your Documents/Paradox/CK2/settings.txt.
From your Documents/Paradox/CK2/logs/ folder, attach system.log .

Also, I won't be able to do this. In your first post, you told me to manually delete the Documents/Paradox/CK2 folder. There's no such folder anymore. If the reinstall was supposed to add it back, it didn't.

 

[AndrewT]

Have installed the first two links, although I'm not sure why I need the 2010 versions of these when I already have the 2012, 2013 and 2015 ones installed according to Control Panel.

Because they are unrelated independent facilities. It wasn't until VC++ 2015/17/19 that MS started updating the year designation within the same package.

Is there a specific system folder I need to put this into?

No, because you'll be deleting it later. Anywhere you can find easily; say a /DX/ folder on your desktop or in Downloads or whatever.

In your first post, you told me to manually delete the Documents/Paradox/CK2 folder. There's no such folder anymore. If the reinstall was supposed to add it back, it didn't.

The install does not, but when the game runs it ought to recreate them, even if it subsequently fails. The fact it did not is significant.

 

[Analog Kid]

Because they are unrelated independent facilities. It wasn't until VC++ 2015/17/19 that MS started updating the year designation within the same package.

Okay, understood.

No, because you'll be deleting it later. Anywhere you can find easily; say a /DX/ folder on your desktop or in Downloads or whatever.

Understood. Have done this.

My DxDiag file is attached.

The install does not, but when the game runs it ought to recreate them, even if it subsequently fails. The fact it did not is significant.

I tried to launch the game again after installing the DirectX above. Still the same issue, the Steam "preparing to launch" window is as far as I get for a couple of seconds before it resets, and still no folders in Documents. Paradox Interactive is still there obviously because my EU4 stuff is, but no CK2 folders are being created.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Dislcaimer: I'm just another forum member

Ive got the same issue

I'd suggest to start our own thread, as is recommended in this subforum, and provide precise information.
That will be better for tech support and for you in turn.

..The third link appears to be the 2015 one I already have, but a slightly earlier version, it's 14.0.24123 when I already have 14.0.24215. Tried installing both files anyway, and it came up with this window. I assume this means I don't need to do this step?

Do you have installed both variants of 2015 (x64 and x86)?

The Steamworks_Shared folder in Steamapps/common has version 14.0.24215.1 by the way.
No idea if that version makes a difference, but it appears slightly newer.

Still the same issue, the Steam "preparing to launch" window is as far as I get for a couple of seconds before it resets,...

Do you still get the same error message as above ?

 

[haro1111]

Dislcaimer: I'm just another forum member



I'd suggest to start our own thread, as is recommended in this subforum, and provide precise information.
That will be better for tech support and for you in turn.



Do you have installed both variants of 2015 (x64 and x86)?

The Steamworks_Shared folder in Steamapps/common has version 14.0.24215.1 by the way.
No idea if that version makes a difference, but it appears slightly newer.



Do you still get the same error message as above ?

i did but it was deleted for being a "duplicate"

 

[AndrewT]

i did but it was deleted for being a "duplicate"

I deleted your thread in Bug reports, not here, because what you have is not a bug. Here you keep tagging onto other people's threads; please don't.

 

[AndrewT]

Understood. Have done this.

My DxDiag file is attached.

How did dxsetup.exe go, any errors?

 

[haro1111]

I deleted your thread in Bug reports, not here, because what you have is not a bug. Here you keep tagging onto other people's threads; please don't.

hey im just interested in a solution to this problem

 

[Analog Kid]

Do you have installed both variants of 2015 (x64 and x86)?

Yes.

Do you still get the same error message as above ?

The 0xc000007b error window? That only happens if I double-click CK2game.exe directly. And yes, that still happens. Going via the Steam icon in the system tray or the Steam library page though and I get what I screengrabbed in my first post. That remains unchanged.

How did dxsetup.exe go, any errors?

Nope. All went fine.

 

[alscon]

Disclaimer: another forumite.

The 0xc000007b error window? That only happens if I double-click CK2game.exe directly. And yes, that still happens. Going via the Steam icon in the system tray or the Steam library page though and I get what I screengrabbed in my first post. That remains unchanged.

I had the same issue, finally managed to fix it. Turns out VC++ 2017 was responsible, as it blocks the installation of 2015.

My fix was to run a repair of VC++ 2017 through the control panel's programs. Hope that helps.

 

[Analog Kid]

Glad you got it working. Sadly that can't be it with me though as I don't have the 2017 variant.

 

[AndrewT]

hey im just interested in a solution to this problem

Then, as I've repeatedly requested, make your own thread with full problem history and system details. Thanks.

 

[AndrewT]

Glad you got it working. Sadly that can't be it with me though as I don't have the 2017 variant.

That's interesting as Windows Updater should update your 2015 installation to 2017 at least. If you run the updater does it find anything to apply?

FYI I have 2005, 2010, 2012, and 2017 installed.

Try the .NET repair tool:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=30135

And a system file check:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-au...er-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system

 

[Analog Kid]

That's interesting as Windows Updater should update your 2015 installation to 2017 at least. If you run the updater does it find anything to apply?

FYI I have 2005, 2010, 2012, and 2017 installed.

I have 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and the x64 of 2005 (no x86 of that year). Should I grab the x86 of 2005 too while I'm looking for 2017?

Edited (02:16): Okay, this is screwed up. No wonder I've never noticed Windows Update working in the background, as it apparently hasn't. Manually went into it and it says "Most recent check for updates: Never. Updates were installed: Never." I've had this computer three and a half years and apparently Windows Update was turned off the whole time? I've liiterally had to download an update to Windows Update before it can check for any updates.

Edited (02:37): Holy crap! Downloading 112 important updates. There's another 58 optional ones. Wish there was a headdesk emoji for right about now.

Edited (09:45): I left Update to it and went to bed. Seemed done by the time I got up. C++ 2017 wasn't in the list of things installed though.

Edited (10:02): Okay, I found the latest C++ redists on the Microsoft site. The latest version I now have on my Programs list in Control Panel is "C++ 2015-2019". I assume that includes 2017.

Try the .NET repair tool:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=30135

And a system file check:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-au...er-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system

Done these. The checker reported "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations". Everything looked okay on the .NET end too.