Can't open Chrome after starting ESO?

Alastrine

Jaraal wrote: »

So, has anybody found a workaround, other than customer service telling you to reset your router, check for a valid internet connection, etc? It's obviously a ZOS issue, as this wasn't a problem for us before Update 33. And I don't see them rolling back the patch for some Win 7 users. But I'm getting really tired of rebooting my computer or leaving Chrome open 24/7.

Is that really what you got from Customer Service? to reset your route, and check for a connection? Gotta be kidding me...

On the Store page for buying the game under RECOMMENDED REQUIREMENTS,
PC RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit

If Win 7 is the RECOMMENDED requirements then they should be fully supporting that OS and any problems the game causes for Win 7 players. At least in my book.

Merlin13KAGL

It's a classic canned answer combo for Tier 1 support. Don't forget to disable those pesky addons too.

Tier 1: Because "Magic."

Alastrine

Merlin13KAGL wrote: »

It's a classic canned answer combo for Tier 1 support. Don't forget to disable those pesky addons too.

Tier 1: Because "Magic."

Ah yes....
What did the 4 carpooling Computer Service Techs do when the car wouldn't start?
Said "Let's all get out and get back in again and see if that works."

Jaraal

Seravi wrote: »

Yeah this is a total pain. No game should have it's hooks into your browser and logins like this. Not my connection, router, computer or the way I sit while playing. NEVER had this issue before Monday.

Maybe that's what they meant by deleting our achievements so they could be 'more performant in the future.' Perhaps they needed the data space to monitor/alter the other programs and settings on our computers?

Tandor

I've now done some more checks, and after running the ESO Live launcher on my Windows 7 machine both Chrome and the Glyph launcher fail to open, while on my Windows 10 machine Chrome opens normally but the Glyph launcher does not. It appears to be the ESO launcher that is causing the problem as it manifests as soon as I have pressed "Play" and reached the login screen without inputting the account name and password. If I quit at that point the affected applications will not run.

Sorinth

Tandor wrote: »

It appears to be the ESO launcher that is causing the problem as it manifests as soon as I have pressed "Play" and reached the login screen without inputting the account name and password. If I quit at that point the affected applications will not run.

I can second this, it was the same when I tested it on my end.
It's not just Chrome either, same happens with Opera Browser - it refuses to open the same as Chrome after the game is launched, and works fine before that point. Firefox appears to be completely unaffected.

radiostar

The only 2 services in my task manager I found different were the wcnsvc (Windows Connect Now) and BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service). Both were found Running after I shutdown ESO compared to being Stopped beforehand.

I tried stopping/disabling both services, and no change in being able to launch Chrome or Edge.

After a restart, both services were still stopped (I had disabled them) and both browsers completed a launch, both acted like a kill shutdown had occurred and asked whether to restore.

Something fishy going on.

Alastrine

I have heard back from Support. Posting their instructions here directly from the message.
Before doing all this I created a restore point of course.
I chose the "Easyfix" option from the Microsoft site as opposed to making the entries myself. Not sure if that makes a difference.

"In regards to the current issue, for Windows 7 you must update to enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 as default secure protocols.
The process on how to do this is available here ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/update-to-enable-tls-1-1-and-tls-1-2-as-default-secure-protocols-in-winhttp-in-windows-c4bd73d2-31d7-761e-0178-11268bb10392#bkmk_easy ) .
We have tested this on our end and it has resolved the issue.
Once this has been completed please check your computer for errors. There's a few ways you can check your computer for errors:
To run SFC Scan - Go to this link here ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/use-the-system-file-checker-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system-files-79aa86cb-ca52-166a-92a3-966e85d4094e ).
To run Chkdisk - run this until no errors show up
Windows 7: Go to this link here for instructions ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/check-your-hard-disk-for-errors-in-windows-7-ddeb9e4b-6777-b2bd-4507-9259dba1a495 )
Windows 8/8.1/10:
Double click on "Computer"
Select the Drive(s) you want to check
Right Click on the drive you have ESO installed on
Select Properties - Tools
Select "Check" at the "Error checking" section
If the system detects that there are errors, you will be asked to check the disk. If no errors are found, you will see the message – "You don’t need to scan this drive." You can, however, choose to check the drive. Click on Scan drive to do so.
To run a Mem-test - <--run this about 6 times
Windows 7: Go to this link here for instructions ( https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/technet-magazine/ff700221(v=msdn.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN )
Windows 10: In the Start menu, go to All Apps -> Windows Administrative Tools -> Windows Memory Diagnostic
Windows 8: Type memory on the Start screen, choose Settings and then click or tap the search result that says "Diagnose your computer's memory problems"
Windows 8.1: Type memory on the Start screen, type memory and then click or tap "Diagnose your computer's memory problems"
Thank you"

Followed all this to the letter, and sadly the issue is not resolved. Exactly the same as before.

Posting in case it works for some, please let us know if it does or if you do anything differently.

Jaraal

Yeah, because all of our computers suddenly developed "errors" on Monday.

Sheesh.

But thanks for posting their response.


edit: Incidentally, this is the same thing they recommended the last time they updated the launcher. Why would we need to reinstall the same service pack again? The launcher has no business editing our security protocols for other applications (Chrome).

Alastrine

Jaraal wrote: »

Yeah, because all of our computers suddenly developed "errors" on Monday.

Sheesh.

But thanks for posting their response.


edit: Incidentally, this is the same thing they recommended the last time they updated the launcher. Why would we need to reinstall the same service pack again? The launcher has no business editing our security protocols for other applications (Chrome).

I agree COMPLETELY. But thought I'd post the response anyway
Hey, at least it was different than turning off all my addons etc. lol!
I have informed them that it didn't work and asked what is next. I guess we will see.

*Edit* I THOUGHT this sounded familiar! You are right about the last launcher update.

cncurbanmonk

Jaraal wrote: »

edit: Incidentally, this is the same thing they recommended the last time they updated the launcher. Why would we need to reinstall the same service pack again? The launcher has no business editing our security protocols for other applications (Chrome).

Nobody on the PTS with Win 7? .........oh that's right a public test server is just to run things thru the motions and not listen to feedback from anyone lol .....last patch I couldn't get in at all, this one get in but a reboot multiple times a day is not cutting it, maybe dump my eso+ for the 4th time and find something else to play.

JurassicGeek

Not just Chrome for me, I'm having issues with several programs since the last ESO update .
After running ESO (no issues prior to this)...

Chrome - briefly flickers on screen and then closes (crashes?)
EVE online - CCP logo frozen on screen, never reaches game launcher
Glyph (Rift) - game launcher won't open, no visual indication of attempt
Steam - opens to a blank/black screen, child windows work (settings etc), but main UI remains empty (game library, store, community, etc)

In my case (Windows 7 Pro)...
What's weird is this only appears to happen when running from taskbar/desktop shortcuts.
All of these programs can still be run directly (exe files) from their program folders (ie. c:/program files/... /chrome.exe)
Desktop shortcuts can be copied into and run from other folders (just not the desktop) !!!!!
Other programs on taskbar/desktop still run fine (firefox, thunderbird, VBox, etc. and games > PoE, BattleNet and WoW+D3 shortcuts, etc)

***** While not a fix, this has eased my pain somewhat *****
I've created a folder on the desktop ("#$%& by ESO") and copied the shortcuts to it (chrome, EVE, etc) - they all run normally from this folder ?!?!?!?!
The extra clicks are irritating, but beats rebooting or remembering to open them (and not to close them) before running ESO.

Alastrine

JurassicGeek wrote: »

***** While not a fix, this has eased my pain somewhat *****
I've created a folder on the desktop ("#$%& by ESO") and copied the shortcuts to it (chrome, EVE, etc) - they all run normally from this folder ?!?!?!?!
The extra clicks are irritating, but beats rebooting or remembering to open them (and not to close them) before running ESO.

Sadly, I did not find that this worked for me, dang it!

When I try to open Chrome from any location with the game running all it does is bring the launcher screen to the forefront.
I tried clicking on "Support" on the launcher screen and nothing happens either.

HOWEVER, if I open my anti-virus popup window from the taskbar - or any program actually - that has an icon that connects me to a webpage (in the antivirus popup there are multiple but for example if I click 'see report') then Chrome opens and I can go from there.
It's the only 'fix' that works for me if I open ESO and don't remember to open a Chrome page first.
Just to note that the webpage still says "Chrome wasn't shut down Properly" popup even when I do this, and I will still need to reboot once out of the game in order to launch Chrome from it's own exe.

No further word from Support for me other than to request my DxDiag and MSinfo32 files.

Sorinth

Sadly the workarounds didn't help on my end.
Another uninstall and clean install got the game working today on my W7 PC (given up trying to solve the error crashes on my W10 laptop). But even with the crashes gone it still messes up the browsers like before, and Steam as well (I found out by chance since I barely use it). Works fine before the client launches; after that all the windows stay black no matter what I click. Rebooting is the only way to get it normal again on my end if I launch the game.

K9002

So we need TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 protocols enabled and set as default. The EasyFix thing doesn't do it:


There is a system update that does it:
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/search.aspx?q=kb3140245
I already had this update installed, it just didn't create the relevant registry keys. I manually added the TLS 1.1 and 1.2 keys as per section Enable TLS 1.1 and 1.2 on Windows 7 at the SChannel component level. This caused ESO to crash on login screen and then Chrome was broken as usual. I rebooted the system and now ESO works again but the Chrome issue isn't fixed. [snip]

[edited for conspiracy theory]

Jaraal

K9002 wrote: »

[snip]

That's disturbing.

[edited to remove quote]

Alastrine

K9002 wrote: »

So we need TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 protocols enabled and set as default. The EasyFix thing doesn't do it:


There is a system update that does it:
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/search.aspx?q=kb3140245
I already had this update installed, it just didn't create the relevant registry keys. I manually added the TLS 1.1 and 1.2 keys as per section Enable TLS 1.1 and 1.2 on Windows 7 at the SChannel component level. This caused ESO to crash on login screen and then Chrome was broken as usual. I rebooted the system and now ESO works again but the Chrome issue isn't fixed. [snip]

[edited for conspiracy theory]

I had figured that perhaps I still had to do manual creations but since you did and it obviously did not work in the end anyway I think I'll pass, lest it mess up something else.
May switch to Firefox since a few have said it isn't affected but it's not what I prefer. Normally I hold out a lot of hope for fixes in ESO but for some reason on this one I doubt we will see any kind of fix for awhile, if ever.
Have to wonder how many that don't use the forums are experiencing this and not relating it to the game.. instead they are reinstalling Chrome over and over. I bet there are a lot having issues and not making the connection.

Thank you for posting that you did the manual entries and it still didn't work.

Seravi

Yeah this isn't the TLS thing. I updated all of that and made sure i had the reg entries. My launcher works fine. Just can't run ANY browser except Firefox, not cool. Someone should make this a top priority as I feel sure if it was happening to a dev on their private system, they wouldn't be too happy about it closing programs and logging them in and out of things.

cncurbanmonk

Possible to get a post from someone that they even grasp the problem or have even a vague idea of when it will be fixed? Or do I just fix it by dumping + and just not playing the game anymore after all these years?

pnd_skullcrusher

Win 7 Enterprise 64 Bit.
Since the ESO update, Chrome can no longer be started as soon as more than one launcher has been started. It is 100% related to the update. The attempts by support to address the problem are ridiculous. Unfortunately, we don't seem to have gotten past first-level support yet.

Alastrine

cncurbanmonk wrote: »

Possible to get a post from someone that they even grasp the problem or have even a vague idea of when it will be fixed? Or do I just fix it by dumping + and just not playing the game anymore after all these years?

They haven't even acknowledged the issue here

I currently run 6 accounts (don't ask why, some were gifts from way back lol). 3 were on Plus. I cancelled one of those yesterday. Not even posting here and letting us know they realize there is a problem is just insulting. I've had no word from Support in 3 days but then it was the weekend I suppose... of course gamers never play on the weekend *rolls eyes*

Sorinth

Adding Spotify's desktop PC client to the list - has the very same reaction as with Chrome, Opera and Steam if the game is started from the launcher.
Anyone notice any other programs? It's seems there's some form of shared component that's used by them all that gets screwy in response to the client's launch, and is only restored once Windows is restarted.

Alastrine

New frustration.
Received an email from Support on the 18th asking me to run DxDiag and msinfo.32, which I did.
The email was very specific, asking me to REPLY TO THE EMAIL AND ATTACH THE FILES. Which I did.
No further word from them.
I log on to Support to check on it and find TICKET EXPIRED on my ticket. Seriously?
Updated the ticket and sent the files through there.

What has anyone else heard from Support on this for tickets? Is there absolutely anything going on at all?

K9002

Spotify is using the Chromium embedded framework. So is the Steam browser. Some game launchers borrow from it as well, it's what might be behind the Glyph issues. Game launchers are more likely to feature older versions of CEF.

For me it's not the ESO launcher causing these problems but the game client proper. I tried opening the launcher and then closing it instead of starting the game. Chrome and everything else worked as they should. Everything is broken the moment the game client gets to login screen. I just tried starting the game directly, without the launcher. Browsers broke again.

I was wondering if there was some update to the anti-cheat system and in older environments it fails to fully terminate along with the game client. Other MMOs occasionally have similar issues with their anti-cheats; we don't have to look far back in time - Genshin Impact comes to mind. In the recent server performance threads I saw people reporting that since the update, they get kicked out of the game for sending too many messages to the server even if they're not doing much of anything. It's suggestive of anti-cheat changes.

Alastrine

K9002 wrote: »

Spotify is using the Chromium embedded framework. So is the Steam browser. Some game launchers borrow from it as well, it's what might be behind the Glyph issues. Game launchers are more likely to feature older versions of CEF.

For me it's not the ESO launcher causing these problems but the game client proper. I tried opening the launcher and then closing it instead of starting the game. Chrome and everything else worked as they should. Everything is broken the moment the game client gets to login screen. I just tried starting the game directly, without the launcher. Browsers broke again.

I was wondering if there was some update to the anti-cheat system and in older environments it fails to fully terminate along with the game client. Other MMOs occasionally have similar issues with their anti-cheats; we don't have to look far back in time - Genshin Impact comes to mind. In the recent server performance threads I saw people reporting that since the update, they get kicked out of the game for sending too many messages to the server even if they're not doing much of anything. It's suggestive of anti-cheat changes.

Correct, its not the launcher that does it. Its the login screen (ie. after you click Play on the launcher) I think (?) it's that way for all of us.
If you just open the launcher window and then close it everything still works fine. Once you click Play however, that's when the issues start, once the login screen is open.

** at least my ticket has moved to the 'specialized' assistance. I have done the selective startup mode routine and nothing changed, so awaiting the next communication. **

ZOS_Bill

@Alastrine

If you run into any further issues with your support ticket, please feel free to post it in this thread. We can then check on the status and ensure it is being handled correctly.

Tandor

Alastrine wrote: »

K9002 wrote: »

Spotify is using the Chromium embedded framework. So is the Steam browser. Some game launchers borrow from it as well, it's what might be behind the Glyph issues. Game launchers are more likely to feature older versions of CEF.

For me it's not the ESO launcher causing these problems but the game client proper. I tried opening the launcher and then closing it instead of starting the game. Chrome and everything else worked as they should. Everything is broken the moment the game client gets to login screen. I just tried starting the game directly, without the launcher. Browsers broke again.

I was wondering if there was some update to the anti-cheat system and in older environments it fails to fully terminate along with the game client. Other MMOs occasionally have similar issues with their anti-cheats; we don't have to look far back in time - Genshin Impact comes to mind. In the recent server performance threads I saw people reporting that since the update, they get kicked out of the game for sending too many messages to the server even if they're not doing much of anything. It's suggestive of anti-cheat changes.

Correct, its not the launcher that does it. Its the login screen (ie. after you click Play on the launcher) I think (?) it's that way for all of us.
If you just open the launcher window and then close it everything still works fine. Once you click Play however, that's when the issues start, once the login screen is open.

** at least my ticket has moved to the 'specialized' assistance. I have done the selective startup mode routine and nothing changed, so awaiting the next communication. **

I agree with when the problem arises. The point I was making earlier when attributing it to the launcher is that as I stated was my experience then it is before you actually run the game client from the login screen.

Alastrine

ZOS_Bill wrote: »

@Alastrine

If you run into any further issues with your support ticket, please feel free to post it in this thread. We can then check on the status and ensure it is being handled correctly.

Thank you! All seems back on track now... problem not solved but back on communicating about it
I followed the email and returned files that way, as it said to (attach them to reply email), but I don't think they ever were attributed to the ticket... so it basically timed out.
From now on I'll submit everything via the web form

radiostar

I think it's as simple as MS no longer supports Win7, therefore no one else does. We'll never see a fix for this, the only way to use our old operating system with ESO is to constantly reboot. Just my prediction. (I'm a MCSE)

Tandor

radiostar wrote: »

I think it's as simple as MS no longer supports Win7, therefore no one else does. We'll never see a fix for this, the only way to use our old operating system with ESO is to constantly reboot. Just my prediction. (I'm a MCSE)

That's a common misapprehension. Microsoft does continue to support Windows 7 but not free of charge. It's also supported by 0patch of course, and a lot cheaper. As for ESO, it remains the recommended operating system according to the website.