[Launcher issue] Unable to load skin

Baz · May 2018

Hello, little (big) issue with my launcher today, while trying to DL the patch :

I open my Launcher, like always.
Then a DL is starting (the one who take full launcher page). Roughly, DL stop, launcher close & this little window open.

Trying to restart launcher, same window. Trying to restart my computer, same thing..

b0ss pls b0ss

Baz · May 2018

I am the only one ?

ZOS_Bill · May 2018

@Baz

Removing the launcher folder may help in resolving the error "Unable to load skin." Please follow the troubleshooting steps below.

Navigate to the Patcher's install folder (by default located at C:\Program Files (x86)\Zenimax Online \Launcher).
Locate and delete the ProgramData folder.
Restart the launcher.
The launcher should now display "Creating Download." This is normal as the launcher begins the regeneration process. It can take anywhere between 21-30% before the launcher switches to "Downloading game files".

Baz · May 2018

@ZOS_BillE
I tried it : same thing, doesn't work...

I just notice, right after the launcher stopped, a new folder named "Bethesda.net_Launcher.exe_locked" appears in my launcher folder. It weighs 50.1mo
There is 6 files .folder inside.

ZOS_Bill · May 2018

@Baz

You may need to just delete the entire launcher folder at C:\Program Files (x86)\Zenimax Online\Launcher and download a new ESO Launcher from your account management page. You should also make sure the launcher is set to run as an administrator as well.

Baz · May 2018

@ZOS_BillE

Already did it with a backup folder I have on another Hard disk, same thing happened, starting DL something, then launcher closes roughly & error bow appears.
I will try to DL the launcher on my account management page and let you know how it does.

Unfortunately, I have a 90's connection (French countryside, DL rate at 140ko/s), so I just can't reDL the entire game just bcz ZoS cannot improve his launcher...

Edit : Where am I supposed to find the ESO launcher on my account page ? Is it the Download the game button ?

ZOS_Bill · May 2018

@Baz

From your account page here you should see a link to download the game on the right hand side. This will allow you to reinstall the launcher.

Baz · May 2018

It seems it works ! Thanks @ZOS_BillE

Now, next step is to update without issue

Darkshadow1911 · March 2025

I am using steam and I cant get it to get passed Unable to load skin. I have reinstalled ESO through Steam 4 times. I have removed Steam and reinstall. Then reinstalled ESO same thing. Can I use the ESO website launcher even if I pay and bought for my sub and xpan packs through steam?

ZOS_Phoenix · March 2025

@Darkshadow1911

Just to confirm, did you also try the rest of the steps in this article? If so, and the issue persists, please open a ticket with our support team here so that they can take a closer look for you.

S_Northman · April 2025

ZOS-Phoenix, please modify the title of this topic if possible, to make things clear
What is described here is the so-called 'luancher infinite loop bug' and not the 'unable to load skin' bug.
See here for this latter one.
I think these are different things.
The 'skin' bug appeared before the 'update launcher bug'.
I have the 'skin' bug, and I didn't have the 'update launcher bug'.
Another thing is the 'update launcher bug' is not random. Some players have it, other players (as me) have not. But for those players who have it, the bug occurs each time until a solution is found.
At the contrary, the 'skin' bug is random.
Sometimes I don't have it at all, sometimes 3 times, sometimes 10 times before the launcher finally starts.

rbedsole · April 2025

I can't install the game at all, I'm getting the unable to load skin bug

S_Northman · April 2025

You can try this

- turn off completely the PC, restart, and try to start the ESO launcher as the first action after logging in your session

- if you start from Steam, quit the Steam cliant, relaunch it, and try to start ESO as the first action in Steam

- Retry to start the ESO launcher many times. The bug is random. Some times it starts the first time, sometuimes you have to close the bug window and retry 3 or 4 times, sometimes more than 10 retries are necessary

In the current topic, 2 bugs are described, this is a mess. The 'unable to laod skin bug' and the 'launcher inifinite loop bug'. These are 2 different bugs.
Look at this one rather
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/674955/summary-unable-to-load-skin-error#latest

S_Northman · April 2025

This afternoon, 22 retries before to be able to start the launcher finally!
Please aknowledge this bug and solve it.

After login finally, I did a bug report in game 250406-001496

S_Northman · April 2025

rbedsole wrote: »

I can't install the game at all, I'm getting the unable to load skin bug

Finally I tried to reinstall the game, and wasn't able to do it as well!
See here
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/675705/unable-to-reinstall-the-game-after-unable-to-load-skin-bug#latest
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/fr/discussion/675702/erreur-unable-to-load-skin-impossible-de-reinstaller-le-jeu-et-impossible-de-faire-un-ticket#latest

Impossible to play

ZOS do something please

ZOS_Icy · April 2025

Greetings,

We have closed this topic as it was originally created in May 2018. In many cases, it's better to create a new thread on a topic that you want to discuss as opposed to bumping one that is rather old.

Thank you for your understanding.