Launcher problems - summary

[TitusOvid]

Hello all,

for some time now we got several people on different discord servers having problems with the launcher.

Here are some common or not so common trouble shooting ways you can try. Those MIGHT help, no guarantees. If you know of more causes or troubleshoots, please add them to this thread and I update the list.
If any of the SSG folks sees this, from a purely non-statistical point of view, it sounds like more and more people have issues. It might be a good idea to look into this.

Things you can try when your launcher won't start:
1) Don'tuse the Steam launcher
2) Use 64-bit client
3 Download old directx libraries: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
4) Check your firewall and antivir (quarantine) if they block the game all of the sudden
5) Check the permissions on the game folders/files. Run as admin as a quick check but use with caution. See warning a few posts down.
6) Log into a different server than the last
7) Clear your DNS (https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/538508-Launcher-problems-summary?p=6583484&viewfull=1#post6583484)
8) No joke - unplug all your usb devices, restart your pc and try to launch the game
9) Use an alternate launcher https://ddowiki.com/page/Launcher#Alternate_launchers
10) Make sure your graphics card is selected. (Check under the repair tab of the launcher)
11) Update the .Net framework
12) (re-)downloaded MS Visual C++ x64 files (by removing -skiprawdownload and -nosplash, if you worked with that)
13) If your update is stuck at the same file over and over again search that file and delete it. The launcher will automatically re-download it.

(for Windows, I have no idea about Linux)

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Cheers,
Titus



I collected this from discords, forums, reddit and personal experiences of players.

[Saaluta]

Hey Titus, for those of us who are not so tech savvy, can you give details for doing #7 please :)

Saal :)

I've done it before, but can't remember the command line to type into the prompt window :(

[Arkat]

Hey Titus, for those of us who are not so tech savvy, can you give details for doing #7 please :)

Saal :)

I've done it before, but can't remember the command line to type into the prompt window :(

Get into a command line window (aka DOS window) and type "ipconfig /flushdns"

[TitusOvid]

Hey Titus, for those of us who are not so tech savvy, can you give details for doing #7 please :)

Saal :)

I've done it before, but can't remember the command line to type into the prompt window :(


How to flush your DNS and reset your TCP/IP:
1) Click the Windows Start button
2) Search for: cmd
3) Rightclick on cmd and start as admin. A console will open.
4) Type in: ipconfig /flushdns. If the command was successful you get the message: Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
5) Next type in: netsh int ip reset
6) Restart your computer


Cheers,
Titus

[DisgruntledGamer]

Never even mind. :)

[TitusOvid]

I'd be careful with number 7. I did that, and now it cannot even resolve to the game patcher. Everything else on the internet connects.

Having to jump through all these hoops in the HOPE that it will let those of us who have to use 32 bit to be able to play is just too much. If I had not contributed a significant amount of money to these clowns recently, I'd uninstall this steaming pile and never look back.

It might take a while after #7.

The 32-bit client is not supported anymore. So its time will come sooner rather than later, afaik.

Good luck.


Cheers,
Titus

[DisgruntledGamer]

If they are not going to keep supporting 32 bit, then it'd be nice if 64 bit didn't have issues with settings being saved. I've tinkered and tinkered, and I think I finally figured out how to use 64 bit AND keep my config file settings as is so the game saves.


It might take a while after #7.

The 32-bit client is not supported anymore. So its time will come sooner rather than later, afaik.

Good luck.


Cheers,
Titus

[BladeXenon]

If you tried everything in this list and it is still not working. Try this:

Check your launcher. If you have something like "C:\temp\Dungeons & Dragons Online\DNDLauncher.exe" -skiprawdownload -nosplash", remove -skiprawdownload and -nosplash.

Previously tried everything in this list and it's not working. Upon removing the launcher commandline options, they automatically redownloaded MS Visual C++ x64 files. Now the 64bit client is working.

[kilagan800]

Hi, how do I find the options section to change 32 bit to 64 bit? I just get the list of different worlds. When I log into Khyber the list of servers just disappears. Is there another way I can get to options?

[A-M-P]

Hello all,

for some time now we got several people on different discord servers having problems with the launcher.

Here are some common or not so common trouble shooting ways you can try. Those MIGHT help, no guarantees. If you know of more causes or troubleshoots, please add them to this thread and I update the list.
If any of the SSG folks sees this, from a purely non-statistical point of view, it sounds like more and more people have issues. It might be a good idea to look into this.

Titus




Things you can try when your launcher won't start:

1) Don'tuse the Steam launcher - Never used Steam

2) Use 64-bit client - Done Failed to Launch

3 Download old directx libraries: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35 - Done Failed to Launch

4) Check your firewall and antivir (quarantine) if they block the game all of the sudden - Done Failed to Launch

5) Run as admin - Done Failed to Launch

6) Log into a different server than the last - Done Failed to Launch

7) Clear your DNS (https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/538508-Launcher-problems-summary?p=6583484&viewfull=1#post6583484) - Done Failed to Launch

8) No joke - unplug all your usb devices, restart your pc and try to launch the game - Done Failed to Launch

9) Use an alternate launcher https://ddowiki.com/page/Launcher#Alternate_launchers - Don't think so. I am not installing .Net Framework 5 from Microsoft so Dungeon Finder might work other two are last updated 2018? and 2012 don't think so

10) Make sure your graphics card is selected. (Check under the repair tab of the launcher) - Done Failed to Launch

11) Update the .Net framework - Updated 2023-04 Cumulative Update Preview for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.8 and 4.8.1 for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64 (KB5025367) - Done Failed to launch


Processor AMD Ryzen 3 2300X Quad-Core Processor 3.50 GHz
Installed RAM 8.00 GB
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Video Card - AMD Radeon RX 560 Series 4GB Ram

Edition Windows 10 Home
Version 22H2
Installed on ?12/?5/?2022
OS build 19045.2846
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0





If you tried everything in this list and it is still not working. Try this:

Check your launcher. If you have something like "C:\temp\Dungeons & Dragons Online\DNDLauncher.exe" -skiprawdownload -nosplash", remove -skiprawdownload and -nosplash.

Previously tried everything in this list and it's not working. Upon removing the launcher commandline options, they automatically redownloaded MS Visual C++ x64 files. Now the 64bit client is working.



Checked

"C:\Program Files (x86)\StandingStoneGames\Dungeons & Dragons Online\DNDLauncher.exe"


Next solution....

[dark270]

64 bit client NOT WORKING- was working fine just past tuesday.

[Dzabe2]

What about the constant re-download of client_cel_1.dat?
Uninstalled, turned off everything from UAC, firewall, antivirus, flushed DNS, ran as admin, turned off and on router
and still....ERROR: File [ "D:\Games\DDO\client_cell_1.dat" ] failed MD5 check (SRC: "876a2fe2da46809e17f4802f6a152188" != LOCAL: "4f6a8afd8f643094d6bfe7f92f067032" re-downloading!

I have

Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
AMD Ryzen 5
RAM 16,0GB
Graphics 2047MB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (NVIDIA)

[Equatis]

Hi, how do I find the options section to change 32 bit to 64 bit? I just get the list of different worlds. When I log into Khyber the list of servers just disappears. Is there another way I can get to options?

On the Log In screen top right corner are 4 small boxes, look for the drop down arrow (2nd from the left), click it, choose the General Tab and make sure 64 bit is marked that will change your 32 bit game client to 64 bit, and then you should be able to log in. Just from downloading DDO, you should already have both 32 bit and 64 bit clients on your computer for DDO and this will change it to the 64 bit client for you.

[erethizon]

On the Log In screen top right corner are 4 small boxes, look for the drop down arrow (2nd from the left), click it, choose the General Tab and make sure 64 bit is marked that will change your 32 bit game client to 64 bit, and then you should be able to log in. Just from downloading DDO, you should already have both 32 bit and 64 bit clients on your computer for DDO and this will change it to the 64 bit client for you.

Ah, thank you. I deleted and reinstalled the entire game (including the hours of patching) seeing if that would allow me to use the 64-bit game but it still wasn't working. Didn't realize it was so easy to change to the 64-bit version. Much appreciated.

[Noctus]

10) Make sure your graphics card is selected. (Check under the repair tab of the launcher)

Cheers,
Titus


That was my problem. Thanks man!

[TitusOvid]

Things you can try when your launcher won't start:

snip


Next solution....


You seem to have a bigger problem. At which point exactly does the launcher stop or crash?
Are you able to monitor your hardware?


Cheers,
Titus

[A-M-P]

You seem to have a bigger problem. At which point exactly does the launcher stop or crash?
Are you able to monitor your hardware?


Cheers,
Titus

Closes as soon as I try to join server.

Hardware ? - the only thing that changed was the update not my hardware

[TitusOvid]

What about the constant re-download of client_cel_1.dat?
Uninstalled, turned off everything from UAC, firewall, antivirus, flushed DNS, ran as admin, turned off and on router
and still....ERROR: File [ "D:\Games\DDO\client_cell_1.dat" ] failed MD5 check (SRC: "876a2fe2da46809e17f4802f6a152188" != LOCAL: "4f6a8afd8f643094d6bfe7f92f067032" re-downloading!

I have

Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
AMD Ryzen 5
RAM 16,0GB
Graphics 2047MB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (NVIDIA)


Try to find that file and delete it manually.

Please check your client version under ABOUT

https://i.postimg.cc/P5G6t2J0/client-version.jpg (https://postimages.org/)




Cheers,
Titus

[Bjond]

5) Run as admin

Never ever EVER run an application in admin mode by default. Admin-mode not only gives the app permission to do what you want it to do, but it also gives any dumb mistake in the app permission to do whatever stupid thing it wants, too.

Yeah, it can be tempting because all you want is for the thing to work, but it's worth spending time to avoid it. From what I recall, DDO's big problem is the same as many games -- permissions and ownership set during installation are incorrect for running the game. I often have to fixup game installations for them to run without admin mode. If you're having issues running non-admin, check permissions and ownership of the files and directories that DDO uses.

BTW, here are a couple object examples of why not to run in admin-mode. Typically thinking goes "SSG isn't going to hack me, so it will be safe." Uh, no.

I've seen a disgruntled employee try to sabotage a release -- tried to stuff a buggy image into the queue for distribution. It kinda stood out as weird just by first-glance, since it wasn't supposed to be there at all. That one was an easy and expected catch.

I've also witnessed a virus on the "gold/master" for a CD. It wasn't deliberate. It was just a dumb human building the master on a system with a virus (which then put the virus on the master). Company also caught it before release, but not before burning several thousand CDs. Kinda caught by lucky accident, though. Someone yanked a CD off to install the SW on what happened to be a fresh-OS and uh, where did this virus come from!?? V.lucky catch.

For both of these instances, the companies involved cared a great deal about delivering bug-free product. Far FAR more than SSG does. S'ok to give a game permission to blow your mind (if it can), but there's no reason to also give it permission to blow away your disk.

[bruener]

On the Log In screen top right corner are 4 small boxes, look for the drop down arrow (2nd from the left), click it, choose the General Tab and make sure 64 bit is marked that will change your 32 bit game client to 64 bit, and then you should be able to log in. Just from downloading DDO, you should already have both 32 bit and 64 bit clients on your computer for DDO and this will change it to the 64 bit client for you.

This is what fixed it for me

Much appreciated

[TitusOvid]

Closes as soon as I try to join server.

Hardware ? - the only thing that changed was the update not my hardware

Well, software uses hardware. I try to analyse your problem and narrow it down. And hardware monitoring can give a clue. But I get the feeling you are not interested in the hunt. So be it.

Cheers,
Titus