(*100% FIXED tested)Zenimax's Solution to Patch fix. (GM posted) [ error 209 ]

ISeeUnicorns

Wow, I can't believe the launcher did not even acknowledge a patch when I first launched it. I had to wait for a time out login to the game, then go through a big repair dance to get the launcher to fix, then I could finally play. Fortunately I seem to be fine hitting the play button and going into the game so far, but now when I exit, the launcher is still telling me I have a client mismatch......I admit I have never had a game not at least attempt the patch before from its launcher (even in betas) when one is available......

Hakoke

Took a few tries and I had to run as administrator, but finally worked.

Edit: But as soon as I exited the game, back to error 209. Will try again later.

qwertyburnsb16_ESO

None of the above worked for and have uninstalled the game. Reinstalling now and have lost another days play.

Not happy with this crap ZOS!

Banumu

I've got log in time out, not sure if it is from client being me

Greatot wrote: »

Here's what fixed it for me. (Playing right now)

1.) Close the launcher

2.) Wait for it to patch.

3.) It will start downloading some 900mb

4.) The error is gone and you can play now.

Closed Launcher - can't patch unless it is open - Reopen launcher no update , just play, hit play log on , time out

wyrm_2004_ESO

This is exactly why i buy physical copies, so i dont have to redownloaded an entire 20Gb+ client and waste bandwidth.

The fix worked for me. Just delete the 4 - .version files, start the launcher, immediately close the launcher. Restore the original .version files you deleted, start the launcher again. Should say PLAY now.

Evandus

The solution worked for me. Thanks for that.

I'd actually thought it had fixed itself on the 6th attempt, but the launcher kept looping back to repair installation.

Again, thanks!

selixjm_ESO

ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »

If you are getting error 209, please try the following:

• First, please ensure you are accessing the game via the launcher, not the .exe file.
• Try closing out of the launcher and re-open it, then run a repair.
• If you try to repair and it does not work, please delete all .version files in the game's sub folders and try repair again.

First of all DON'T close the launcher. If you get the error delete the files, rename them to .version.bak or move them to a separate folder. Renaming or moving are safer, telling people to arbitrarily delete stuff without backups is somewhat irresponsible, but I digress. Anyway, after that return to the launcher but DON'T close it, again DON'T close it. If you close it and reopen it then the game will want you to do a full re-install. Just click the repair button and let it run. It ran perfectly for me after that.

Vilixiti

Thank you, this worked for me. It said I already had bethesdalauncher.version or whatever that one was so I skipped restoring that one and it is working now.

Kenpachi30

worked!!

forexownsvuct

Kenpachi30 wrote: »

worked!!

:-p

Etchesketch

be aware this only gets you the play button once. its basically the same as launching without the launcher. your version will be wrong and after it figures it out you will get the same launcher error unless you get lucky and it updates correctly the next time.

Ragnafrak

Serivahn wrote: »

Just posting that this worked for me.
I only had to delete a SINGLE .version file located here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Zenimax Online\The Elder Scrolls Online\game

This got my patcher to patch! Still timing out though.

selixjm_ESO

Etchesketch wrote: »

be aware this only gets you the play button once. its basically the same as launching without the launcher. your version will be wrong and after it figures it out you will get the same launcher error unless you get lucky and it updates correctly the next time.

Yeah, just about thought I stuck my foot in my mouth when that same error popped up again so I tried it once more and it seems to be patching now... >.>

Edit:

And yeah, it's still broken. ><

Dbetz007

I deleted the Depot.version only .. Which is only causing the game to verify the files rather than redownload the whole game... Initially I was fine until the game crashed then I got the error.. hopefully getting rid of the depot.version will fix this issue.

It is currently downloading only a little bit of information that appears to have caused the problem which is about 550mb compared to the 20 gigs I had to DL for the game itself.

selixjm_ESO

At this point I'm just going to bite the bullet and do a full reinstall.

nickroc

reinstall is being said to not fix the issue.

Etchesketch

selixjm_ESO wrote: »

At this point I'm just going to bite the bullet and do a full reinstall.

I'd wait.. the problem is with their servers. It's prime time again and they are going to have problems because of server overload.. Most of the problem we are having are on Zens side, they just won't admit it. Right now is the start of the most populated hours of the day for N/A and nearing the end of it for EU

Oberon70

So far none of this works and I am really disappointed in their lack of communication. They took the game down for a very long period and now players are still having issues. So far a lot of game time has been lost with these huge issues that are occurring.

nickroc

I cant imagine running a company and having zero response or support for something like this.

theinfinityzero62b16_ESO

I did a reinstall which didn't help.

ShallowTech

Oberon70 wrote: »

So far none of this works and I am really disappointed in their lack of communication. They took the game down for a very long period and now players are still having issues. So far a lot of game time has been lost with these huge issues that are occurring.

I agree and for the money that I have put into this game so far I feel like there should be some compensation... a free month or something.

Etchesketch

ShallowTech wrote: »

Oberon70 wrote: »

So far none of this works and I am really disappointed in their lack of communication. They took the game down for a very long period and now players are still having issues. So far a lot of game time has been lost with these huge issues that are occurring.

I agree and for the money that I have put into this game so far I feel like there should be some compensation... a free month or something.

I want a free zebra mount or an in game t-shirt that says "I survived ESO Launch"

ZiRM

I just bypass the launcher and use the shortcut in my game>client folder. Very frustrating always fighting with the patches and launcher though.

nonexistant2003b14a_ESO

seanolan wrote: »

For many of us, this "fix" simply causes the launcher to reinstall the whole program

A. See if all the .version files are in their directories or not.
B. If not download the .rar file in the post and replace them based on the locations listed.
C. If they are there delete them (not shift+delete) and carefully read the instructions in the post.
D.Be sure you are waiting for the launcher to display the Install button, DO NOT CLICK ON IT. Close the launcher and re-apply the four files.

Ozzi

forexownsvuct wrote: »

4) WAIT. Wait for the client start patching like it's downloading the full game again and ABORT

Edited your step to make it more user friendly.

selixjm_ESO

Etchesketch wrote: »

selixjm_ESO wrote: »

At this point I'm just going to bite the bullet and do a full reinstall.

I'd wait.. the problem is with their servers. It's prime time again and they are going to have problems because of server overload.. Most of the problem we are having are on Zens side, they just won't admit it. Right now is the start of the most populated hours of the day for N/A and nearing the end of it for EU

I'm terrible at waiting, plus I'm still launching from the Beta client and yeah I know they said that's fine it will totally work and yada yada yada, but after this I'm just not sure. If I still have this problem after installing from the new client I may be a little upset. ><

Pandamonium0228

NiRN has the best solution. i tested this theory before seeing his post. the launcher isn't reading a certain config file that tell the game what game version its using. Left4Dead 2 use to do this to us all the time except we were able to edit the config file thru notepad and change the version number.

if you just go to the actual game.exe and launch it from there you can play. the devs need to fix there launcher itself. game files are fine. find the client eso.exe and load it from there. no need to do the razzle dazzle with the version files.

The Elder Scrolls Online > game > client > eso.exe

Etchesketch

selixjm_ESO wrote: »

Etchesketch wrote: »

selixjm_ESO wrote: »

At this point I'm just going to bite the bullet and do a full reinstall.

I'd wait.. the problem is with their servers. It's prime time again and they are going to have problems because of server overload.. Most of the problem we are having are on Zens side, they just won't admit it. Right now is the start of the most populated hours of the day for N/A and nearing the end of it for EU

I'm terrible at waiting, plus I'm still launching from the Beta client and yeah I know they said that's fine it will totally work and yada yada yada, but after this I'm just not sure. If I still have this problem after installing from the new client I may be a little upset. ><

You should be, we all should be. Problem is that too many don't care as long as they are not affected. If more people held these jerks in the gaming community responsible for the trash they release, the state of gaming wouldn't be in this sad state. The "it's normal' b.s. is just that... b.s.

Dbetz007

There is a solution found on Reddit that also works if you go into the game files find game/client/eso.exe and run that it will launch your game and bypass the launcher thus avoiding the error.. I will test this soon as I finish re-patching.

Knuckles19

Doesn't work for me.