Paradox Launcher not a valid Win32 application

[AndrewT]

Thank you, I'm adding this thread to the bug report on the problem now.

 

[UthersonL]

New Win11 machine here, also had this error with another installer before the Paradox Launcher.

I found a solution online for this error in a Steam Deck thread on Reddit:

go to your Windows settings, the Apps tab, Optional features, Add a feature called "Graphics tools" (find it in a list, "tick" the box and confirm) - it will take a moment to download and install (the terms may be slightly different, I'm back-translating from a non-English Windows UI), then restart the system for good measure and try the Launcher installer again; if you're on an N release of Windows (10N or 11N), also add Media Feature Pack, you might run into problems without it on a regular basis

 

[AndrewT]

New Win11 machine here, also had this error with another installer before the Paradox Launcher.

I found a solution online for this error in a Steam Deck thread on Reddit:

go to your Windows settings, the Apps tab, Optional features, Add a feature called "Graphics tools" (find it in a list, "tick" the box and confirm) - it will take a moment to download and install (the terms may be slightly different, I'm back-translating from a non-English Windows UI), then restart the system for good measure and try the Launcher installer again; if you're on an N release of Windows (10N or 11N), also add Media Feature Pack, you might run into problems without it on a regular basis

Thanks for that, I'll pass it on to other affected users and see if it helps them all. And to the launcher devs.

 

[AndrewT]

Can everyone affected here please post a dxdiag.txt:

DXDIAG is a program you run from the Windows search box on the task bar. After running it will open a window and start collecting info with a progress bar in the lower-left corner. When it completes click the 'save all information' button and save it to a file then attach that file here.

This is to see if it only affects certain Windows builds.

 

[Azulon365]

Just logged in to say that I have the same error going on and I've tried all the previous tips but still didn't worked. I have installed a fresh windows 11 pro x64 version on my pc. I have no problem in an older pc that went to windows 10 to 11, but fresh windows 11 versions seems to get you into that error. I'll wait for an update!

Hope my english is ok lol, Greetings from Chile!

 

[spectredaemon]

None of these recommendations work. What is the solution?



Edit: I found a solution that allowed me to install the launcher. I have been trying for 30 minutes to post a link, but it's always considered spam. Here are the basic steps:

On an elevated command prompt do :
"DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth"
After that runs, type: "sfc /scannow"

It will let you know if it finds any issues with your windows installation, and whether it could repair them. After this is done, reboot your pc. It found corrupted files for me and repaired them. After rebooting I was able to install the launcher.

Worth noting this is a brand new install of Windows 11 Pro 64-bit on a brand new AM5 (7950x) system. I'm wondering if this has anything to do with this issue being so prevalent since November, I can't find any reports of this specific problem on Google before that time. Definitely seems like a MSFT issue.



Edit2: can't get a full link in here. This is the post on forum.paradoxplaza dot com that resolved the issue for me.

forum/threads/rundll-error-on-trying-to-install-launcher-msiba89-tmp-is-not-a-valid-win32-application.1554786/post-28596437

 

[AndrewT]

A new launcher just came out 2023.2.1 - does that help anyone affected?

If not then we'll need to wait for a further fix, I'm sorry.

 

[KinU4U]

Media pack and Graphics tool solved my issue. Clean install after new pc on windows 11 PRO N version ( eu )

Worked without doing anything else. dism and sfc are useless in this case.

EDIT. The version STEAM launched was with 2020 , it worked. I updated the launcher to a 2023 version, works aswell. So it was windows N issue

 

[sramanera]

A new launcher just came out 2023.2.1 - does that help anyone affected?

If not then we'll need to wait for a further fix, I'm sorry.

Sorry but I just run into the same problem - new Windows 11 Pro 64-bit could not install Paradox Launcher v2. It's disappointing that the solutions mentioned here did not help. I hope the logs could help you deal with the problem.

 

[AndrewT]

Sorry but I just run into the same problem - new Windows 11 Pro 64-bit could not install Paradox Launcher v2. It's disappointing that the solutions mentioned here did not help. I hope the logs could help you deal with the problem.

Could you please do the following? It will generate a debug log that the launcher team can use to "deep dive" into what actually happens with the launcher.

Right click the game in question in Steam > Properties > Launch Options
Paste in this: --pdxlDebug
Run the game
Once it fails to launch, locate the logs in the following place:


%LocalAppData%\Paradox Interactive\launcher-v2\logs\
(example: C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Local\Paradox Interactive\launcher-v2\logs\)

Please attach all logs in that folder and we will get the launcher team to check them out.

 

[obiwobiwu]

None of the above solutions worked for me, so i drilled down to trying to load the stellaris.exe file directly which threw errors about missing .dll files.

A quick google suggested me to uninstall all visual studio redist's on the machine and install the latest and it works! Both launcher and game now load!!!

EDIT

I cant share the link for the redist here but google "latest vc redist" and its the top microsoft link

EDIT EDIT
Only took 4 hours to solve! Its now 3.30am and im too tired to play!

 

[quill18]

I just experienced this issue on my brand-new Windows 11 install and I can confirm that the DISM & sfc commands (followed by a reboot) fixed the issue for me. Heck, maybe it was just the reboot that did it.

 

[Bothyhog23]

Same problem here. Tried to get City Skylines off Steam. Got fed up - why should I be doing all the running about trying to find a fix. Good to see I'm not the only one with this issue. Got a refund... hopefully the game developers will go to the trouble of sorting it out soon... I'm here to play games not learn how Windows 11 works.

 

[BioInfoNerd]

Any update on this? Same problem, fresh windows 11 install on new computer and tried all the suggestions

 

[AndrewT]

Well, at least some folks above have found some Windows repairs helped them with this problem. Please try these:

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.

.NET

Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool is available - Microsoft Support

Describes the .NET Framework Repair Tool and how to obtain it.

support.microsoft.com

SCANNOW:

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

Good luck!

 

[ElPolloDiablo-X]

Doing the latest VC++ runtimes solved it for me. I found that installer here.

 

[Yellowwhy]

New Windows 11 home edition - AMD AM5 PC here, adding the graphics tools and restarting fixed it for me.

 

[Curlyjefferson1]

Doing the latest VC++ runtimes solved it for me.

This also helped me, new windows 11 install

 

[QuartzGuy]

Media pack and Graphics tool solved my issue. Clean install after new pc on windows 11 PRO N version ( eu )

Worked without doing anything else. dism and sfc are useless in this case.

EDIT. The version STEAM launched was with 2020 , it worked. I updated the launcher to a 2023 version, works aswell. So it was windows N issue

Thank you, I couldn't find the media pack but the graphics tool in optional features seemed to be all that was needed for my Windows 11 Home prebuilt.

 

[ES Champs 2]

New Win11 machine here, also had this error with another installer before the Paradox Launcher.

I found a solution online for this error in a Steam Deck thread on Reddit:

go to your Windows settings, the Apps tab, Optional features, Add a feature called "Graphics tools" (find it in a list, "tick" the box and confirm) - it will take a moment to download and install (the terms may be slightly different, I'm back-translating from a non-English Windows UI), then restart the system for good measure and try the Launcher installer again; if you're on an N release of Windows (10N or 11N), also add Media Feature Pack, you might run into problems without it on a regular basis

Bro, thank you so much!

I have been struggling all day. I am not that savvy with computers as what seems to be the average person here lol, but this simple trick worked so well! I was going to get sad if I was unable to play CK3 until who knows when.... but this is great.