We have started noticing very peculiar issues with the Paradox Launcher. Sometimes, the launcher crashes just after a startup, is unable to install, fails to launch a game, or just freezes in the middle of a session. In this post, we will see what to do when Paradox Launcher is not working on Windows 11.
Why can’t I open Paradox Launcher?
Users might not be able to open Paradox Launcher due to various reasons. The most common ones include interference from the antivirus software or other launchers running at the same time in the background. Corrupted app data can be another reason for the app to not function properly.
Fix Paradox Launcher not working in Windows 11
If Paradox Launcher is not working, execute the solutions mentioned below:
- Add Paradox Launcher to allowlist
- Remove game-specific files
- Clear the app data
- Perform a clean boot
- Reinstall Paradox Launcher
Let’s see how to execute these solutions.
1] Add Paradox Launcher to allowlist
Antivirus software frequently disrupts app proper functionality by preventing them from establishing a stable Internet connection. Adding Paradox Launcher to the whitelist could resolve this issue, as it guarantees the necessary permissions for accessing online services and downloading updates. So, go ahead and add the Paradox launcher to the exception list. Also, make sure that Steam.exe is added to the antivirus exception list. Once done, check if the issue is resolved.
2] Remove game-specific files
Next up, we need to delete some of the game files that are created inside the Prodox Interactive folder. For each game that uses the launcher, you will need to delete the following files or folders, if they exist, from the game’s data directory (e.g., Documents/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III)
- content_load.json or dlc_load.json (depending on the game)
- game_data.json
- mods_registry.json (optionally, also delete the mods folder)
- newsfeed
Do keep in mind that the name of the files might change depending on the game or the version of the game that you use.
After deleting these files, check if the issue is resolved.
3] Clear the app data
In this solution, we are going to clear the app data for Paradox Launcher. Doing so rests the app to its default state, eliminating any corrupted data, resetting configuration settings, and resolving cache-related issues. This also provides a fresh slate for the launcher, as it fixes bugs or glitches that prevent the app from working correctly. Follow the steps mentioned below to disable it.
- Click Win + R to open the Run Dialog box.
- Type the following command, and hit the OK button to open the app data:
%appdata%
- Now, go to the Local folder, search, and remove the Paradox Interactive Folder.
- Now, launch Paradox Launcher to reload the new files.
Check for the issue and move on to the next solution if it continues.
4] Perform a clean boot
We will be performing a clean boot because this helps us pinpoint third-party services or apps that might be interfering with the app. This mode ensures that essential services and programs run during startup, allowing the users to isolate. Here’s how to perform a clean boot:
- Click Win + R to open the Run Dialog box.
- Now, type mscnofig, and hit the OK button to open the System Configuration utility.
- Click on the Services option from the top, and tick the box of Hide all Microsoft services box.
- Lastly, hit the Disable All button.
Reboot your computer, and check if the issue is resolved. If it’s resolved, enable processes manually to find out which one is conflicting and then disable or delete the problematic app.
5] Reinstall Paradox Launcher
Reinstalling Paradox Launcher should be the last resort due to the risk of potential corruption during installation. In such cases, the only resolution is to delete the current installation and download a fresh one.
Before deleting the Paradox Launcher, close Steam and restart it as an admin. Then, run the game.exe file directly from the installation directory
Then, go ahead and uninstall Paradox Launcher using the following steps.
- Right-click on the Start Menu, click on Settings, and then navigate to Apps.
- Click on the Installed Apps option, search Paradox Launcher, and click on the three dots beside it.
- Now, select the Uninstall option, and select on Uninstall option again to initiate the process.
Now, start the game. It should automatically install the latest version of Paradox on your computer.
Download and install the latest version of Paradox Launcher from paradoxinteractive.com.
Hopefully, there won’t be any more issues regarding this.
Read: Best Free Game Launchers for Windows PC
Why won’t Paradox launcher show mods?
If there’s difficulty loading Mods or Playsets in the Launcher, more often it’s antivirus and ransomware protection software interference. In such a situation, we recommend adding the file paths for both the game executable and Launcher executable to the whitelist. Check out the steps mentioned above for the same.
Also Read: Steam is not opening on Windows 11.
