64-bit client failing to launch

Dash · Jan 1, 2016

When I try and launch the 64-bit client, the Play button disappears briefly and then reappears with no game launched. 32-bit runs fine. If I validate the files it syncs some stuff slowly and then the 64-bit install works fine for a while.

But then again later, it's stops launching. This is the Steam version, so I've done a validate via that to ensure the launcher is up-to-date, it re-downloaded the whole game, but the problem persists. Before I trouble Frontier support, does anybody have any suggestions?

Swift · Jan 1, 2016

It happened to me today and I ended up re-installing the game. After I had done that it worked again. I am not sure what was causing this.

tiger61378 · Jan 1, 2016

I have the opposite issue...can't run the 32 bit at all, so havn't been able to play since Horizons dropped. Probably will need to reinstall myself, but waiting for a RAM upgrade first to see if it gets Horizons/64bit working (those will "load", at 0.5FPS).

Dash · Jan 1, 2016

Has been working fine this evening, now it's kippered again. Really beginning to annoy me.

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argh, wait, it's working again...!

I'm sure they're doing this to make me go mad.

vrsterling · Jan 2, 2016

I've had this happen before as well although I'm not using the steam version. I haven't reinstalled anything but what I usually do is a full system reboot. Afterwards it launches with no problem. There have been reports of Horizons having some stability issues and from what I understand they are aware of the problem so we should be seeing an update soon that may allieviate the issues.

Biggus · Jan 2, 2016

Only launches for me if I start the launcher as administrator.

Jezzah · Jan 2, 2016

I was getting this also. It seemed to resolve itself when I verified my files from the desktop ED launcher in options. Maybe try that before doing a reinstall.

SirAcid · Jan 2, 2016

Same problem here. Rebooting, verifying the game files, reinstalling, etc haven't worked. When my latest reinstall attempt finishes, I'll try running the launcher as admin.

FWIW, Frontier has some suggestions - useless to me because I've tried them to no avail - that might be helpful for a few people.

EDIT - does anyone from Frontier read these forums?

EDIT2 - Running the launcher as admin had no effect. I can't play Elite Dangerous at all.

Dash · Jan 2, 2016

Not playing at all, I suspect is a slightly different issue. Mine works, just not always, and often requires a validation for it to kick into life.

I've found restarting Steam a few times has worked the last few times without having to do a lengthy revalidation.

Frontier may stumble across posts, but they have a support contact (click the link on the launcher) if you want to talk to them specifically about an issue.

interox · Jan 2, 2016

I updated to the 64bit client a little over a week ago, I uninstalled the 32bit client shortly after using the launcher. Everything has been fine with extended play sessions and short play sessions logging in and out via the launcher. Early yesterday my launcher decided to not PLAY when the play button is clicked, I had to verify game files to get it to work and now even that has failed to rectify the problem. I'm having to uninstall and reinstall the launcher to even get the game to work. Every other game, program or application on my computer works fine.
I have disabled my Kaspersky, added ED.exe files to trusted applications mode. Nothing is helping. Nothing on my computer has been changed or installed. I'm at a loss as to why the launcher would just stop working. On a positive note at least I'm not alone.

Non steam version ED client
ED installed in default location

Win10 64bit home
R290 + Crimson drivers

Dash · Jan 3, 2016

You say nothing has changed, nothing you've changed deliberately, but there are often drivers and stuff getting updated in the background without notice. You could potentially try a system restore back to when you know it was working and see if that resolves this issue. At least that would point us towards an update of some-sort and not an issue with the game.

interox · Jan 3, 2016

After much frustration I've tried the clicking game, the game where you repeatedly click the launcher play button in the hope it will work and too my surprise it does, it may take 10 clicks or more or it may take 5 or less; it's random. No it's not the mouse button before anyone says that, the play button responds to every click, the game fails to launch. Nothing else on my PC is affected. I'll live with it until ED find the issue. Posts above mine say they have the issue also , steam forums have posts on the matter also.

interox · Jan 6, 2016

Today's updated launcher has done the trick, no more issues launching the game. It's worked everytime today so far. Have some rep FD team

Bro Vendor · Jan 6, 2016

Todays update: Game launched firstly correctly BUT after 2h later launcher freezes and have the same problem as before the patch.
Go away with your crap launcher . . . cant play since 4 days and this if i have vacation days.

Boomer Kay · Jan 6, 2016

Have the same issue.
2nd time in a row now - first was shortly before Horizons release with the Steam Launcher.
Installed Horizons from the Frontier Store and it worked again flawlessly for some time.
Yesterday issues started again and the launcher freezes. 10 Attempts with restart etc. and following instructions here: https://support.frontier.co.uk/kb/faq.php?id=72 and it started again.
No idea if any of the stuff actually worked.

Probably .net related rather than the launcher itself. I have 2 different installs of Dangerous/horizons (each) - 1 steam, 1 non steam and they all show the same symptoms.
DXDIAG shows no issues.
integrity check of systemfiles finds no issues.
Game starts by itself fine, shutting down and sending me back to the launcher, which does not do the one job it has .. launch the fricking game.

The "Single Player Combat Training" starts fine. Every time. Neither the 64 nor 32 bit of Dangerous nor Horizons does. :/

Well, nearly 2 hours later and all the troubleshooting got nothing.
Combat Training starts, because it doesn't seem to need a Launcher Token and can run on it's own, too.

Some Programmer should go and have a look at the API from the launcher and token handover to the game. It crashes.