Can't boot past launcher...

kypranb14_ESO · December 2023

I recently upgraded from a Sata III SSD to a Gen 4 M.2 and ESO will not launch. I have tried steam installation, official installation, uninstall & reinstall, I can't get anything to work. I've also tried the steps in the support section of the website. It should also be noted that other users on my network don't have this issue, and this issue is exclusive to ESO.

When I hit the Play button on the launcher I get one of two problems, either the client comes up as an infinite loading black screen, or the play button goes dark and nothing happens...

Windows is up to date, Nvidia drivers are up to date, no add-ons installed.

My Potato's Specs:
i7 11700k @ 5.0Ghz
64GB DDR4 @ 3600Mhz
RTX 3090 FTW3
SAMSUNG 990 PRO 4TB PCIe 4.0

I have already put in a ticket, I just haven't had a response yet and figured I'd outsource to the community.

kypranb14_ESO · December 2023

Not sure if this is normal, just happened to notice it while checking the system usage while getting the black screen.

Sarannah · December 2023

Try deleting the settings file, maybe old settings are preventing you from starting the game.

Also make sure your firewall/anti-virus lets ESO through, the new installation of ESO that is.

If that doesnt work, try booting ESO a few times in a row(8+), with 10 seconds in between after closing the launcher. As you are using a new SSD it could be happening that the SSD is moving ESO's files around. Making ESO not find the complete files. (do not try a repair with this last step)

PS: Please link to the thread which troublesteps you have already tried, this way players can make different suggestions instead of repeating what you already did.

kypranb14_ESO · December 2023

@Sarannah

This is a fresh install from the ground up. Windows 11, there aren't any old files.

I just sat through a 12.5 hour shift trying to get ESO to work, which means many, many boots. I have repaired, and I didn't count, but it's safe to say out of the hundreds of times I have tried to boot there was at least 8 without repairing.

Support steps taken thus far:

https://help.elderscrollsonline.com/#en/home/category/8/platform/3/techissuetype/581

Reinstalled Direct X 11, Ran as Admin, and triple checked Firewall settings.

Zodiarkslayer · December 2023

I think you have two different problems.

The part where your screen goes black was surely a grafic card/ driver(s) problem. If you have a clean install, fresh drivers and especially up to date dx11/dx12, it should be resolved.

That part where the launcher cannot launch the game seems like something on your computer is locking access to an important part of the game. I believe this is internally called an error 1005, where some windows process or your AV has opened a part of the game.
In that case do try switching OFF your Anti Virus (they are the most likely culprits) completely. Not just white listing or any half measure. Off. Off. Off.
And after that hit Repair in the launcher. And hopefully the game will run.

As soon as the game runs you can restart your Antivirus, ofc.

Tandor · December 2023

Which antivirus is it?

kypranb14_ESO · December 2023

@Zodiarkslayer @Tandor

I fixed it!

Believe it or not it was none of these. To answer the question, it's Windows Defender.

Solution: Delete "The Elder Scrolls Online" folder under Documents.

OneDrive beat me to the punch. The first thing I do on a fresh install is disable OneDrive, followed by tuning up settings and getting rid of Windows bloatware. With modern internet and drive speeds, it was completed so quickly I couldn't disable OneDrive fast enough to prevent it from syncing whatever age-old stuff was in there...

Credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/elderscrollsonline/comments/c1px3w/eso_wont_launch_after_hitting_play_from_launcher/

ZOS_Icy · December 2023

Greetings,

After further review we have decided to move this thread to a category we think is more appropriate for this topic.

Thank you for your understanding.

ZOS_Bill · December 2023

Thank you for sharing the resolution to this launcher issue. With the issue now resolved, we will be closing the discussion.