Steam runtime communication error after verifying files' integrity.

[Garr Incorporated]

Okay, launching with no mods installed worked for the first load, but pn the second launch the error returns. At this point there is nothing wrong with specific launcher versions (it didn't have the chance to update to the recent one) or mods (as was clearly shown here).

Maybe I am missing some files because they are named differently. Are there any files created by Stellaris that are stored somewhere outside folders containing "Stellaris" or "Paradox" in the name? Maybe there are some sneaky ones that I did not account for?

 

[AndrewT]

Only in the Steam-Stellaris and Documents-Stellaris locations.

 

[Garr Incorporated]

And what about the launcher itself? I do not think it should have files elsewhere, but I wanted to check just in case.

... Also, could the issue happen because I reinstalled the game to an external hard drive instead of the internal one? I would rather eliminate as many potential avenues as possible.

 

[AndrewT]

The launcher by default uses the following folderst:

- 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.

But at install time you can point it elsewhere of course.

 

[Garr Incorporated]

The launcher by default uses the following folders:

- 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.

And all those folders were cleaned out whenever I uninstalled Stellaris for the past two attempts. Generally all folders that included the names Paradox or Stellaris were deleted (sans the Windows Error Reporter ones). I highly doubt there are any stray files remaining when clearing it out.

... But then the remaining possibility is my user profile being somehow corrupted. And I cannot imagine where to begin searching for the issue...

 

[AndrewT]

Me either, I am sorry! Do you have access to any form of Windows support?

 

[Garr Incorporated]

I'll ask people I know who work with computers more. Maybe they can help troubleshoot the main user profile. Meanwhile I guess I will keep a separate user for Stellaris. At least it will work.