EU4 freezes before start on "Launching Installation Script"

[Wiewiórson]

Hello Tech team,

I have (I think) paradox launcher installation issue.

When I tried to start EU4 after installing it on new laptop, I am getting stuck in "Launching Installation Script" phase for ever.

I can launch directly from the game files, although that of course blocks me from easily managing the mods and DLCs.

I performed both steps presented on support paradoxplaza on "The Paradox Launcher v2 doesn't work !"
I managed to delete all mentioned folders if they were present, but Add/Remove programs does not see Paradox Launcher as installed at all:

Can you please help me with this one as I cannot play properly?

 

[AndrewT]

in this folder are some .log files:
C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
Please attach them here.
To see the AppData folder you'll need to enable View Hidden Items in File Explorer.

 

[Wiewiórson]

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Paradox Interactive\launcher-v2

2025-02-22 12:37:33 [main] [INFO] Dowser version: 2024.1
2025-02-22 12:37:33 [main] [INFO] Dowser TargetEnv: prod
2025-02-22 12:37:33 [main] [INFO] Launcher version from installer: 2024.14
2025-02-22 12:37:33 [main] [INFO] The `launcherpath` file does not exists:
C:\Users\wojci\AppData\Local\Paradox Interactive\launcherpath
2025-02-22 12:37:33 [main] [INFO] Trying to fix existing installation in "/passive" mode

The above is all that was in the file.

Before I posted I must've deleted it according to the guide I mentioned, because I remember checking it one and there was more info there then. I've already tried to launch EU4 from steam again so maybe I will get some more logs in some time. Eventually I can try to delete EU4 files and install it again, but I already did that once.

 

[Wiewiórson]

I've Just cancelled stalled initializationof EU4 via steam that I started when posting previous info. No new logs in this directory
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Paradox Interactive\

Also, no new lines in the launcher-v2.txt

 

[AndrewT]

Please try this:

- uninstall Paradox Launcher v2 from the Windows "Apps and features" utility, if still present.

Delete the following folders if still present:

- C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Roaming/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
To see the AppData folder you'll need to enable View Hidden Items in File Explorer.

THEN install the launcher from here:

https://launcher.paradoxinteractive.com/v2/paradox-launcher-installer-windows

THEN run the game from the PLAY button in Steam


If still a problem, new copies of all the launcher logs please.

 

[Wiewiórson]

Deleted:
- C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/

Those were not present:
- C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Roaming/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
- C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/

No Paradox Launcher v2 present in "Apps and features"

Installing launcher from provided URL

 

[Wiewiórson]

Setup failed, error code above. Attaching log file.

 

[AndrewT]

I don't think I've ever seen that particular Windows error with any game or app before!

Looking in that log it appears to be a problem with Visual C++

Go into the Windows Control Panel and uninstall every entry for VC++ 2015/17/19/22 - there may be several instances of it there!

Then go to

Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads

This article lists the download links for the latest versions of Visual C++ Redistributable packages.

support.microsoft.com

And run the x86 and x64 installers there.

And for good luck, run this Windows Repair tool

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files - Microsoft Support

Describes how to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files in Windows.

support.microsoft.com

THEN re-do that clean reinstall from post #5.

Good luck!

 

[Wiewiórson]

Aaaand... It stays like this for an hour already

Any more ideas why? If not, then how do I remove it directly? CMD prompt? CCleaner? Any other program (possibly without adware on the inside )

It is the first time windows gives me so much sh#$, and my irritation piqued

Edit: Also, cannot close this window...

 

[AndrewT]

I am sorry then, it look like you have a Windows problem that may be beyond me to fix.

You could reboot, then run the Windows repair tool I linked before. If that doesn't do it, I fear a clean Windows reinstall may be required!