Launcher "Failed To Update MetaData"

[SpencerL62]

I keep getting the message "The launcher update has failed. The action failed because we could not fetch metadata about this resource."
I have gone through every forum post about this subject, I have read every steam discussion, reddit thread, done every step from uninstalling and reinstalling, to deleting the "Paradox Interactive" and "Paradox_Launcher_v2" folders from my AppData folders, and uninstalled the Paradox launcher itself. Nothing has worked, and even when the art changed to the new launcher it STILL said it failed to update. I have worked on this for multiple days and am completely frustrated. I have attached every single file from the logs in C: > Users > [UserName] > AppData > Local > Paradox Interactive > logs folder. Please help, I just want to play Stellaris with my friends again

Looking more into the logs, it tries to download 3 repositories, but says
2023-04-04 22:42:41 [repository] [WARNING] Error in response (repository.json): server returned 403 Forbidden
2023-04-04 22:42:41 [repository] [WARNING] Error in response (repository.json.asc): server returned 403 Forbidden
2023-04-04 22:42:41 [repository] [WARNING] Error in response (repository.json): server returned 403 Forbidden
2023-04-04 22:42:41 [daemon] [ERROR] versions: downloading repo metadata: downloading repository metadata: server returned 403 Forbidden
2023-04-04 22:42:41 [daemon] [DEBUG] Deleting cancel context for 7f2696a1-4669-4554-ba51-e161e0271c82
2023-04-04 22:42:41 [daemon] [DEBUG] SEND: 7f2696a1-4669-4554-ba51-e161e0271c82 error

 

[AndrewT]

I honestly don't know what is causing that to you. What launcher version do you see? Current is 2023.4.1

What if you exit Steam then run steam.exe as the Windows Admin user?

If that doesn't help, can you connect this machine to the internet via a VPN (or failing that a mobile phone hotspot) to see if that gets past it?

 

[SpencerL62]

I launched steam in administrator mode, and have my VPN active. It says Launcher 2023.2 and still fails to update. I also have no mods installed so that isn't an issue either

 

[AndrewT]

Mods being installed cannot have any effect on the launcher.

It is not at all clear why the server is rejecting your launcher's attempts to contact it. If you have been running a VPN all the time, can you try disconnecting it ?


Otherwise try uninstalling the launcher, then install it with this updated one:

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

 

[SpencerL62]

My steam account is linked to my Paradox account. If I uninstalled Stellaris from steam, would I be able to download a fresh stellaris off the Paradox launcher alone, and would all of my DLC's and saves transfer over? If I download the newest launcher and leave steam out all together, it might fix this from becoming an issue again in the future.

 

[AndrewT]

This game is no longer supported in the standalone launcher platform; if you installed it there you'd get an older version.

It must be installed and play via Steam I'm afraid.

 

[SpencerL62]

I installed the new launcher, launched steam in administrator mode with the VPN on then off, did that twice each and eventually it worked. I truly don't know what changed, I'm just glad this lockout is over. I really appreciate all the help through all of this.

 

[WBP_ACCOUNTS]

To anyone having this issue and not finding the fix... check your system time.

I had just bought a new gaming desktop and had a fresh install of steam and installed CK3. When I launched CK3, it installed paradox launcher but kept getting this error. The game would play fine but it was really driving me nuts.

I uninstalled steam and all of my games along with paradox launcher and re-installed all of them... same issue.
Tried downloading the latest paradox launcher directly from paradox instead of allowing it to install upon launching game... same issue.

I did notice someone mention time on system not matching the server and realized my time was not correct. I had to go in and adjust the time zone but even then, time was not correct. If this is also you, once you set the time zone, unselect 'Set time automatically' and then turn it back on. Bingo... time was now correct and I no longer get this error when launching games.

Soooo many hours wasted lol

 

[ColoradoBMR]

To anyone having this issue and not finding the fix... check your system time.

I had just bought a new gaming desktop and had a fresh install of steam and installed CK3. When I launched CK3, it installed paradox launcher but kept getting this error. The game would play fine but it was really driving me nuts.

I uninstalled steam and all of my games along with paradox launcher and re-installed all of them... same issue.
Tried downloading the latest paradox launcher directly from paradox instead of allowing it to install upon launching game... same issue.

I did notice someone mention time on system not matching the server and realized my time was not correct. I had to go in and adjust the time zone but even then, time was not correct. If this is also you, once you set the time zone, unselect 'Set time automatically' and then turn it back on. Bingo... time was now correct and I no longer get this error when launching games.

Soooo many hours wasted lol

You, my friend, are my new favorite person!!

 

[ueeu]

To anyone having this issue and not finding the fix... check your system time.

I had just bought a new gaming desktop and had a fresh install of steam and installed CK3. When I launched CK3, it installed paradox launcher but kept getting this error. The game would play fine but it was really driving me nuts.

I uninstalled steam and all of my games along with paradox launcher and re-installed all of them... same issue.
Tried downloading the latest paradox launcher directly from paradox instead of allowing it to install upon launching game... same issue.

I did notice someone mention time on system not matching the server and realized my time was not correct. I had to go in and adjust the time zone but even then, time was not correct. If this is also you, once you set the time zone, unselect 'Set time automatically' and then turn it back on. Bingo... time was now correct and I no longer get this error when launching games.

Soooo many hours wasted lol

Bruh, thanks for the help, I had UTC time for Linux dual boot it was the reason all along.