Key activation and launch fix

[Tantalos]

Hello there.
If you encountered "Key activation" issue with BF3 on Steam this temporary fix should help you. This fix also helped me to avoid "Your game failed to launch. An error on our end caused your launch to fail" message.


Origin installer: https://download.dm.origin.com/origin/live/OriginSetup.exe
Fix installer: https://github.com/p0358/F**k_off_EA_App/releases

⚠️⚠️Change the "**" in the link to the word you all know. I can't post it without "**" because Steam automatically remove it or changed to the "heart" symbol

1. Install Origin (installer linked above)
(If you have Origin, skip this, should work with any version)

2. Quit out of Origin completely (Kill all processes in task manager also)

3. Download Fix installer linked above

4. Run installer
(Check "Pretend EA App is installed" box if you use Origin through steam)

You should be able to open and use Origin now

All the fixes have been done by p0358, all credit goest to him.
p0358's twitter: https://twitter.com/p0358

All up to date information about this fix
https://github.com/p0358/F**k_off_EA_App/


⚠️⚠️UPD: 02.08.23
EA triyng to "fix" our plans to play BF3 and forcing Origin to update. If you encounter the new issue with update follow these steps to solve it.

Add in the EACore.ini file in C:\Program Files (X86)\Origin
[Bootstrap]
EnableUpdating=false

[CLance54]

Thanks, that worked out!

[s960025haha]

Thank you so much!! It works!!

[GMONEYPIMP]

Yes it worked, you have to install the Origin App and use it instead of the EA APP and then update the Punk-buster

[Pimpolhão Nervoso™]

thank ya homs

[Cpt TotoBE]

page not found ;)

[Tantalos]

Originally posted by Antho:

page not found ;)

Did you read the instructions? Especially about some changes in the link. All links are working.

[cbas]

it worked fot me until i launched the game and never joined the server

[Doinkster]

Even with the enableupdating false it still tries to force update. ive never seen a company make it so difficult to play their game before.

[jas7300]

I know right and instead of fixing the issue EA is focusing on forcing bogus updates to break Origin and force people to use the broken EA app.

[jas7300]

Also for those of you seeing this, MAKE SURE TO UPDATE PUNKBUSTER OR YOU WILL BE AUTOKICKED FROM SERVERS: https://www.evenbalance.com/downloads.php

Download pbsetup, then go to add game “Battlefield 3” it should automatically find your install folder for BF3 and update Punkbuster.

EA in their infinite wisdom still includes an outdated version of Punkbuster, I think I. Most of their games. I believe I even experienced the issue in BF4 and Bad Company 2

[Doinkster]

has anyone found a fix for the bootstrap not working?

[Tantalos]

Originally posted by Doinkster:

has anyone found a fix for the bootstrap not working?

I tried to launch the game right now:
Origin - working. Game - working
I'm able to connect to the servers.
Maybe you are doing something wrong?

Otherwise, I'll recommend posting it on GitHub if you encountered some unique issues. It will help to solve it much quicker.

[usa423]

Originally posted by jas7300:

I know right and instead of fixing the issue EA is focusing on forcing bogus updates to break Origin and force people to use the broken EA app.

Kind of like how Myspace was basically sabotaged with the 3.0 update in late 2010 more less pushing everyone on to Facebook.

I can forgive........but I never forget

[Doinkster]

Originally posted by Tantalos:

Originally posted by Doinkster:

has anyone found a fix for the bootstrap not working?

I tried to launch the game right now:
Origin - working. Game - working
I'm able to connect to the servers.
Maybe you are doing something wrong?

Otherwise, I'll recommend posting it on GitHub if you encountered some unique issues. It will help to solve it much quicker.

Seems like i may have to do it on github, I followed this one step by step, but for some reason it either launches me in offline mode, or launches in R&D mode but still gives me the ea update. what a hassle. appreciate your response though.

[Doinkster]

Figured out my issue, when i was trying to install the fix installer to a different drive that ended up ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ with the origin install. ended up being my fault. appreciate the help OP.