Mods not downloading or not active

[Hamza]

Hello there,

Steam Workshop is not downloading or not installing my mods for Crusader Kings II. Mods for Stellaris appear to download and install just fine. I do not know when it stopped working but I noticed it a week ago. I already reached out to Steam Support for help but they could not locate the root cause of the issue. It is possible that this started when I updated Windows 10 with the August patches.

• The base CK2 game downloads fine.
• When I subscribe to any CK2 mod in the Workshop, the download starts at 0/0 B, hangs, then completes with 0 B downloaded.
  
• The mod name appears in the "mods" section during CK2 startup but is not selectable.
• No 'Mod' folder is ever created in ..\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings II
• I am using Windows 10 pro (latest updates), Steam package versions 1566431379, Steam API: v019, Built: Aug 21 2019, at 15:00:31.
  I have followed all troubleshooting steps provided here: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2274-IFLV-5334
• I have followed all troubleshooting steps provided here: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/mods-not-appearing.1238463/
• I am enrolled in Steam Cloud both in general and for CK2 in particular
• I have added the special 'userdir.txt' file to the same directory as CK2game.exe
  
• In Windows 10 Pro, 'Windows Security' has replaced 'Windows Defender'
  
  • I can confirm that I have added all of Steam, and CK2game.exe specifically, to my Windows Security exclusions
  • I can confirm that I have disabled Ransomeware Protection entirely in Windows Security; I cannot find the ability to specify a file to exclude from Ransomware protection, so I just turned it off
• I have even completely wiped my drive, reinstalled Windows 10 Pro, installed Steam, and tried.

Nothing has worked. I would appreciate your help; CK2 is my favorite game and this is impacting my ability to play it.

 

[AndrewT]

I have seen one or two other such reports in the last week or so. Like you I suspect this is a Steam or Windows update problem.

Go to .../steam/steamapps/workshop/content/ , is there a folder 203770 there? If not then Steam has failed to download the mods at all. So naturally the game cannot then copy them to the Documents/paradox/ck2/mod/ folder.

Do you see a similar issue with EU4? 236850 is its Steam ID.
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/steam-mods-not-downloading-properly.1243628/

 

[AndrewT]

Actually, looking again, it may be that Steam have changed the download process recently. I now see folders in .../steam/steamapps/downloading/ for these two games.

 

[Hamza]

Thank you for your fast reply. If, like me, you suspect this is a Steam (or Windows) issue, would you consider escalating this within Paradox? I am aware that Valve has a dedicated Account Manager for Paradox Studios who might also partner with you to raise awareness. They are not taking the issue seriously at this time.

To your questions:

• I can confirm this issue is also impacting EU4
  • In this case, a directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\236850\ exists but nothing is being downloaded to it. Steam is returning 0/0 b for the download
• CK2 doesn't have a directory created; there is no C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\203770\ folder
• Stellaris works fine
  • Downloading a Workshop mod shows 0/0 bytes, however when Stellaris is opened, the Mod has clearly downloaded and installed
  • It appears in the "Mod" section in the Stellaris launcher
    
  • The \Documents\Paradox Interactive\Stellaris\Mod folder is created but contains *.mod files that contain code pointing to a .zip file in the steamapps library; example:

  • name="Absurd Civics (1.1)"
    archive="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\workshop\\content\\281990\\1855634633/absurdcivics.zip"
    tags={
        "Gameplay"
        "Diplomacy"
        "Buildings"
        "Economy"
    }
    picture="abucv_mod_thumb.png"
    remote_file_id="1855634633"
    supported_version="2.3.*"

    This is unusual to me because I've never seen this before with a Paradox game.
  • Usually, the \Documents\Paradox Interactive\ folder contains all mod files in named subdirectories

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Disclaimer: I'm just another forum member

I suspect it has more to do with Steam being in Program Files than anythinge else, as CK2 mods (not only ) for me still download fine
into my Documents (or newly created userdir.txt file location) as they should.

PS: I have cloud synch enabled in each Steam and and CK2 (Steam) settings, but you said you are
"enrolled in Steam cloud" , so i assume you did that too.

 

[Hamza]

Disclaimer: I'm just another forum member

I suspect it has more to do with Steam being in Program Files than anythinge else, as CK2 mods (not only ) for me still download fine
into my Documents (or newly created ny userdir.txt file) as they should.

PS: I have cloud synch enabled in each Steam and and CK2 (Steam) settings, but you said you are
"enrolled in Steam cloud" , so i assume you did that too.

Based on your suggestion, I deleted every game and uninstalled Steam, then reinstalled in a standalone 'Steam' directory on my C:\ drive. Mods continue to fail to download; there was no change. Thank you for your suggestion though!

 

[AndrewT]

I can confirm this issue is also impacting EU4

• In this case, a directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\236850\ exists but nothing is being downloaded to it. Steam is returning 0/0 b for the download

This will be in preparation for the next patch 1.29:
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...new-launcher-coming-with-1-29-manchu.1245872/

However I have no explanation why this affects CK2.

 

[Frantzy]

hi

i exactly have the same issue : all the mods for ck2 fail to be downloaded... when i check Crusaderking2 file, there is no "mod" file

 

[AndrewT]

hi

i exactly have the same issue : all the mods for ck2 fail to be downloaded... when i check Crusaderking2 file, there is no "mod" file

I deleted that folder, and the game recreated and populated it as soon as I ran the launcher.

What antivirus app do you use?

Add ck2game.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.

 

[Frantzy]

thank you for your answer : i will try it. i only use Windows defender

 

[AndrewT]

Okay, you need to add ck2game.exe to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list - if it's disabled, enable it first then do that.