Launching the game failed

[lexysdad]

EU4 simply doesn't launch. No error message or anything. Just "Launching the game failed" in the launcher.

The launcher is 2021.3.1 and I already add the launcher as an allowed app under window defender firewall.

Thank you,

 

[AndrewT]

In the game launcher please set Display mode to Borderless.

THEN go here:

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.

IF that doesn't help, Has the game ever run OK on this computer? Or never?

IF NEVER:
Install ALL these Microsoft modules:

Download Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) from Official Microsoft Download Center

www.microsoft.com

Download Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable Package (x64) from Official Microsoft Download Center

www.microsoft.com

Download Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Update 3 RC from Official Microsoft Download Center

This update is the latest in a cumulative series of feature additions and bug fixes for Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable.

www.microsoft.com

Download DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) from Official Microsoft Download Center

The Microsoft DirectX® End-User Runtime installs a number of runtime libraries from the legacy DirectX SDK for some games that use D3DX9, D3DX10, D3DX11, XAudio 2.7, XInput 1.3, XACT, and/or Managed DirectX 1.1. Note that this package does not modify the DirectX Runtime installed on your Windows...

www.microsoft.com

(run dxsetup.exe after extracting from this download)

Add EU4.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.

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 IT USED TO WORK:
Please do a full **clean** re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-EU4
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/EU4 AND Documents/Paradox Interactive/EU4 folders
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add EU4.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 EU4 or Documents EU4 locations, before installing again.

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:
Please attach your Documents/Paradox Interactive/EU4/settings.txt and pdx_settings.txt .
From your Documents/Paradox Interactive/EU4/logs/ folder, attach system.log , error.log .

 

[lexysdad]

It doesn't help. Here are the attachments you need. Thank you.
I can play the game by running directly from EU4.exe

 

[AndrewT]

If the game runs from eu4.exe then we are back to a launcher problem, although why you can run eu4.exe but it cannot I'm not sure.

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-v2.2021.3.1/paradox launcher.exe
C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe

If that doesn't help, you could try setting them all to run as the Windows Admin user too.

 

[lexysdad]

It worked after I set all of those apps in exception list. Thank you

 

[SandpaperSL8R]

If the game runs from eu4.exe then we are back to a launcher problem, although why you can run eu4.exe but it cannot I'm not sure.

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-v2.2021.3.1/paradox launcher.exe
C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe

If that doesn't help, you could try setting them all to run as the Windows Admin user too.

I have tried all the steps as indicated in this thread, but with no success. My issue started after upgrading to windows 11, I am wondering if something different may apply for those of us on that OS.

I also can run it through the eu4.exe file, just not the launcher.

 

[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-v2.2021.9/paradox launcher.exe
C:/users/<UserName>/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe

If that doesn't help, you could try setting them all (EXCEPT eu4.exe !) to run as the Windows Admin user too.

 

[BloxWare]

I need help it doesn't worked. I allowed it through fire wall and I even did a whole clean restart. It still doesn't work I am panicking pls help.

 

[AndrewT]

I need help it doesn't worked. I allowed it through fire wall and I even did a whole clean restart. It still doesn't work I am panicking pls help.

We don't even know you have the same problem as the others in this thread. That's why it is usually best to make your own new thread with full problem history and system details.

What are your exact symptoms please?

 

[avciaytac]

Same here. Game is not working. I did everything you wrote. I am using win 10 btw.

 

[AndrewT]

Same here. Game is not working. I did everything you wrote. I am using win 10 btw.

Please start your own new thread, with full problem history and system details, thanks.