can't launch game from launcher

[oblong bichael]

The game doesn't launch from the paradox launcher. I just get an error saying launching the game failed. I can launch the game from EU4.exe but I don't have access to my dlc that way.

 

[AndrewT]

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-v2.2022.1/paradox launcher.exe
C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe

IF that doesn't help, also set each of those .exe files (EXCEPT eu4.exe !) to run as the Windows Admin user.


Then the game should run from Steam/our launcher, and enable all the DLCs.

Good luck!

 

[lrbaumard]

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-v2.2022.1/paradox launcher.exe
C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe

IF that doesn't help, also set each of those .exe files (EXCEPT eu4.exe !) to run as the Windows Admin user.


Then the game should run from Steam/our launcher, and enable all the DLCs.

Good luck!

I have the exact same issue, and it drives me absolutely ffing crazy.
A combination of both these fixed the issue.
I just want to say, I absolutely hate, the launchers on PDX games, they have caused nothing but issues and stress.

 

[AndrewT]

Almost all current issues with the launcher are caused by antivirus apps falsely blocking it, not launcher bugs as such. AVG and Avast in particular.

 

[oblong bichael]

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-v2.2022.1/paradox launcher.exe
C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe

IF that doesn't help, also set each of those .exe files (EXCEPT eu4.exe !) to run as the Windows Admin user.


Then the game should run from Steam/our launcher, and enable all the DLCs.

Good luck!

Thank you for the help. I had EU4.exe set to run as admin once I removed that it worked.

 

[Truthor]

Hi, I'm experiencing a very similar issue. I've added the above to the exception list inside of AVG but there's isn't a 'bootstrapper-v2.exe' file in that folder.

Are there any other files you can suggest allowing in AVG to help push it through?

 

[Truthor]

I get the messages:

'Please wait while Windows configures Paradox Launcher v2'

AVG blocks a tmp file.

'Could not locate a valid installation of the Paradox Launcher: open C:\Users\<username>\Appdata\Local\Paradox Interactive\launcher path: The system cannot find the file specified.'

 

[AndrewT]

I have some suggestions other AVG users have sent in:

the section of the AVG where it is blocking it is found in the "settings>general>blocked & allowed apps" then remove the "paradox launcher.exe".

In AVG there is a system where you can see all currently running programs so i kept that open and ran the launcher and was able to identify specific file/program that AVG was blocking and then unblock it

 

[Truthor]

Hi, many thanks for the suggestions. I wasn't able to find the area where you can see what apps are currently running through AVG.
I did try removing every EU4 and launcher app from the exceptions list and then added them all again to refresh it and that seems to have corrected it.
I've been having problems with it on and off for the past few days so you may see another post from me again soon if it starts misbehaving again.
Thanks!