ESO launcher not closing properly on Windows

not4us · January 2022

Since the previous thread got closed due to how old it was BUT the problem still persists (admitted by @ZOS_GinaBruno herself) I'm opening a new thread.
Have had this issue for YEARS, no matter how many times I have installed the game in different setups, different PC's, different versions of Windows...
I play through Steam and every time I run the game the launcher opens but once I log off from the game and close the launcher it doesn't really close, the process is still running and the icon stays on the taskbar but the launcher is not responsive and I have to open Task Manager and kill the Zenimax Launcher process.
This is a KNOWN issue and can't be that hard to fix properly. I literally have about 10 different launchers running at any given time and NONE does this, they all close when you close them (who would have thought...).

Nestor · January 2022

Which is why I only use the Launcher on Patch Day....

Have you tried, with the Steam Client running, using a Shortcut directly to ESO64.EXE? Actually, you could just find the executable and double click it for a test. If that works, other than patching the game, you never have to use the launcher again.

Anyway, other than some news and marketing ads, the Launcher does not bring anything to the game play experience. I have not used the Launcher in years other than patching the game. Plus, I disabled the intro movie so getting into the game is significantly faster.

not4us · January 2022

Nestor wrote: »

Which is why I only use the Launcher on Patch Day....

Have you tried, with the Steam Client running, using a Shortcut directly to ESO64.EXE? Actually, you could just find the executable and double click it for a test. If that works, other than patching the game, you never have to use the launcher again.

Anyway, other than some news and marketing ads, the Launcher does not bring anything to the game play experience. I have not used the Launcher in years other than patching the game. Plus, I disabled the intro movie so getting into the game is significantly faster.

Yes, I can do that, but that is a workaround that shouldn't be needed when we are talking about a game and a company as successful as ESO and ZOS.
Plus, doing it that way I need to enter the password every time, using the launcher from Steam the password gets saved.
Thanks for the tip anyway!

NicGroover · January 2022

I am not on Steam.

I had reported the same problem several months ago and opened a ticket about it.

ZoS passed the quid to Windows and said it was Microsoft's fault. I have contacted Microsoft's technical department who cannot do anything about it as the problem only exists with TESO.

Finally my ticketa was closed with the killer phrase "we can't do anything" or rather "we don't want to do anything".

Since then I only use the launcher on patch days...

This is really unprofessional.

DarcyMardin · January 2022

I have the same problem (as I noted in the thread that was recently closed). Launcher stays open when I try to close it. But that supposedly open launcher won’t work to restart the game. I have to use the Task Manager to shut it down completely so I can start my next session.

LasrRed · January 2022

Same problem here too

Artanisul · January 2022

Same issue....but mine only recently started....about two weeks now. I wonder what could cause THAT?

ZOS_Bill · January 2022

For those experiencing issues with their ESO launcher not closing properly, we recommend starting a ticket with customer support if you've not done so yet.

TheDigitalAlchemist · January 2022

Same exact issue for months, ticket submitted, brief description below.

The launcher suffers from an application hang after closing the game client. (Launcher version 1.3.6.2265444)
If the launcher is opened, but is NOT used to execute the game client, it will close and open as normal operation.
If the launcher is opened, but IS used to execute the game client, upon exiting the game client... the launcher will operate allowing you to scroll the news, patch notes, the slideshow will continue to operate; though it now cannot be closed gracefully. This occurs when using the launcher ui to attempt to close as well as Windows UI (task bar). A force close via task manager or PS is required, after the force close the notification icon is still present in the task bar notification area, until you mouseover it.

ZOS_Bill · January 2022

@TheDigitalAlchemist

You are welcome to post your current ticket number so we can check on the status and give you an update.

not4us · February 2022

Good news people!
I did submit a ticket (220210-003895) and I got the following response:
This should be resolved in a future patch. In the meantime, if the launcher remains stuck when quitting, there could be a permissions issue. Try setting the launcher to run as an administrator. They should also make sure the launcher is added as an exception in their anti-virus.
So ZOS is definitely aware of the issue and working on a fix which is great to hear.
We know the permissions/av exceptions don't fix it but I guess we just have to wait now (hopefully not for too long)