Can anyone really play?

[Laroche]

So what's the deal with the launcher since 2023? I have three computers and I tried playing on all of them, and none can launch the game and every time for a different reason.
What's up with that? I'm running out of patience.
On my most powerful one, a PC from this year, it just plainly stops working and shuts down everything, no error message, no nothing.
The other had a numbered error which I don't remember because I threw it away.
And on my last one, the one I'm currently using, it's stuck in an endless "failed" loop every 60 seconds.

I have uninstalled it countless times, repaired, tried with 32bits or 64bits, FR or EN, repaired again, resetted all settings.
I dislike getting angry at stuff like this but damn it this is getting on my nerve.
Is there a magic solution or am I blind to an obvious hindrance?

[BÆRD]

Before "it works on my machine", have you tried downloading the installer from the site itself and installing it standalone instead of using the Steam version?

https://www.lotro.com/guides/lotro-download-en?locale=en

Also what is your PC spec, OS version, GPU drivers version?

[Ironwu]

Originally posted by BÆRD:

Before "it works on my machine", have you tried downloading the installer from the site itself and installing it standalone instead of using the Steam version?

https://www.lotro.com/guides/lotro-download-en?locale=en

Also what is your PC spec, OS version, GPU drivers version?

Yes. 10/10

Too many folks just come on here and say "My game won't run. What's wrong?".

To which I say: "Yup. That's what the problem is, for sure!" :)

[Running-Target]

- Game crashes or not runs after pressing "Play" button on launcher. > https://help.standingstonegames.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002036287--Nothing-happens-after-clicking-Play-on-the-launcher-OR-Game-crashes-after-clicking-play-on-the-launcher-

- Many problems with the game stem from poor or faulty Network connection between your computer and the game servers near Boston, MA, USA. Read the sticky thread on the official forum, > Network and Game Connection Troubleshooting - Updated 1/19/2016

https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?107727-Network-and-Game-Connection-Troubleshooting-Updated-1-19-2016

https://help.standingstonegames.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015989067-LOTRO-Firewall-Help

- Here is a good guide to new LOTRO installs >
https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?658230-INSTALL-New-LotRO-Installs-One-Guide-to-Rule-Them-All&p=7770623#post7770623

- Try using DX 11, DX 10 or DX 9 if you are having problems with DX 12. Might have to install DX 10, 9 and 11 on a new Windows 10 or 11 OS load. Here is link to Microsoft DirectX download page. You need to load Direct X 11 and 9 on a new Win 10 or Win 11 OS install. >
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/179113/how-to-install-the-latest-version-of-directx

[Laroche]

Thanks. I would prefer to keep playing on Steam because I like keeping the hour count. But the problem is, why did it work before and not now? Et arrête de faire le beau à me prendre de haut, guignol.

I'll try your solutions, Running-Target, and if it doesn't work then I'll just deal with it and go through the original launcher.

[Elitewrecker PT]

You can check your gametime per character in game too.
Personally, I've installed through steam a few times over the years and other than a lengthier install it's always worked as far as I recall.

[Arcadio]

"KNOWN ISSUES WITH EXISTING INSTALLERS​
There are currently two official installers for LotRO. The stand-alone installer provided by SSG and the Steam-powered installer. . .

SSG (stand-alone) Installer​

No known issues! SSG appears to have fixed it! Thank you SSG!

Steam Installer​

Does not install any Visual C++ runtime prerequisites and cannot complete game installation (silently crashes to desktop) if they are not already present.
Does not install any DirectX runtimes and the game fails to launch once installation is complete (silently crashes to desktop).

Provided below is the full, detailed procedure for installing all of LotRO's prerequisites, installing LotRO, and cleaning up afterwards, so that your new installation of LotRO goes smoothly. While no longer necessary when using the SSG-provided stand-alone LotRO installer, the guide below (both video and written) will fix a broken Steam install or, better yet, prevent a Steam install from going awry in the first place, if followed preemptively..."

Take a look how to fix it here: https://forums.lotro.com/index.php?threads/install-new-lotro-installs-one-guide-to-rule-them-all.125/

[Mobile Doll Cordelia]

Originally posted by Laroche:

But the problem is, why did it work before and not now?

If it worked on a previous PC that you replaced with a new powerful PC, it could quite simply be that some of the prereqs (like visual c++ runtime) aren't installed by default. And the Steam client is notorious for not doing it automatically for you.

[Diligent Diamond]

I just installed to steamdeck. If it hangs you need to goto the launcher setup menu and reinstall or repair the launcher. Then it worked fine. Just need a good UI setup for such a tiny screen. Used to streaming at 5760x1080 lol not enough real estate to keep all the UI elements on SteamDeck... need those AR Glasses I guess.

[Laroche]

Originally posted by Mobile Doll Cordelia:

Originally posted by Laroche:

But the problem is, why did it work before and not now?

If it worked on a previous PC that you replaced with a new powerful PC, it could quite simply be that some of the prereqs (like visual c++ runtime) aren't installed by default. And the Steam client is notorious for not doing it automatically for you.

Yes, I know. I tried that too and for some reason it doesn't work. I'm not even doing a lot with these computers, I just play around when I have free time, that's it.
I gave up and went with the original launcher, but thank you guys for the links and advice.

[cheshirm]

in another thread, someone else could not install the game. so to test things, I have a working game. I have all the visual c++, permissions, firewall settings already. I moved the lotro steam folder then verified game files to reinstall the game. the steam download failed. on a machine that the game works on. deleted the new files. moved the old game folder back and the game works again.

filed a trouble ticket and received this:

"Greetings,

It appears that the Steam client files have not been working, can you please uninstall via Steam and then re-install via LOTRO.com? Additionally, you can follow the instructions for the installer from this thread on the forums: https://forums.lotro.com/index.php?threads/install-new-lotro-installs-one-guide-to-rule-them-all.125/"

[s.plisskin [Linux Decker]]

With proton experimental an error occurs when the launcher patches files. In order to fix this i had to select repair from the launcher menu, which causes it to redownload the files and should work after that, though i had to do it twice.

[Hawara]

I downloaded the game with the official client and copied it overwriting the game in steam.