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Captain_FatFoot

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Mar 29, 2022
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  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Battle for Bosporus
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
I made a post on steam regarding issues I've had with the EU4 launcher and DLC I purchased. None of the advice I received Was worked though so I will copy the text of that post bellow in hopes that someone at paradox sees it and can help with this issue.

I need advice. When i open the game launcher and click "play" I simply get the message "the game failed to launch" and nothing happens. I have tried uninstalling then reinstalling through steam which did not work. I tried deleting the game files directly then re-downloading it. this also did not work. Verifying the integrity of game files also did nothing to fix the issue. However, I have been able to launch the game directly from its game file. this launches the game and it plays just fine, however, when I do this none of my dlc work as they appear "not owned". I have all my dlc installed as well as enabled in the launcher and i am logged into my paradox account. If anyone knows what I can do to fix this issue I would greatly appreciate some advice.
 
Ah, that is usually an antivirus app getting in the way. 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-v2.2022.4/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.
 
Ah, that is usually an antivirus app getting in the way. 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-v2.2022.4/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.
My computer uses windows defender. I've already made sure EU4 is on it's list of exceptions, in fact this was one of the first things I tried. Thanks for taking the time to respond though.
 
My computer uses windows defender. I've already made sure EU4 is on it's list of exceptions, in fact this was one of the first things I tried. Thanks for taking the time to respond though.
is it working now?
 
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My computer uses windows defender. I've already made sure EU4 is on it's list of exceptions, in fact this was one of the first things I tried. Thanks for taking the time to respond though.
I find that people often mistake the firewall part of WD for the Ransomware part that can cause this problem - are you sure you added the launcher .exe files to those exceptions, not the firewall ones?

And did you then set the launcher .exe files to run as Windows Admin, as I suggested? You don't mention that step.