launcher-v2.sqlite and/or 30% load-issue CTD Fixed!

[Mr. Darcion]

I had similar issues than many other people here that the launcher was demanding to remove launcher-v2.sqlite from C:\Users\username\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Stellaris. This issue started for me after buying and installing Aquatics Species Pack, but I managed to fix it!

The things I did to solve my issue (If you don't want to read the full thing than go to step 11 and continue from there to see what solved my issues. :P)

1. Deleted the file in question, got the game to launch, but saving a new empire caused CTD.

2. Renamed/removed user_empire_designs.txt from C:\Users\username\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Stellaris.
- This removed all custom empires, but still issues continued.

3. Unsubscribed from all mods, but now the "remove launcher-v2.sqlite"- issue came again.

4. Deleted file again, but still CTD from empire creation... Even when starting a new game.

5. Uninstalled

6. Deleted all Stellaris folders from C:\Users\username\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Stellaris
- This will delete all your settings and savefiles so be aware!)

7, Deleted all Stellaris folders from D:/steam/steamapps/common
- Even after uninstall from steam some files seemed to linger.)

8. Did full reinstall to different SSD
- It might be good, if you could do reinstall to different location than the original install location to "break" any entanglement to previous install.

9. Started launcher, game did instant CTD.

10. ALT + F4 and restarted game, but now it CTD:ed @ 30% download and the launcher started to give "remove launcher-v2.sqlite" issues again.

11. Tried to bypass Stellaris launcher by launching stellaris.exe straight from D:\steamapps\common\Stellaris
- Heureka!
- Game launched and AVG gave a popup about trying to block stellaris.exe modifying launcher-v2.sqlite

12. Denied AVG to block stellaris.exe modification rights
- Game loaded to main menu
- Created custom race
- Was able to start a new game

13. Shutdown game and restated game through the game launcher... WORKS!
- Now the dreaded "launcher-v2.sqlite"-iissue no longer popped up.
- Game loaded to main menu.
- Was able to create AND save a new custom empire
- Played the game for about 4h without any issues!

It would seem that at least AVG is trying to do some odd background blocking for the game files, since the popup would not come up any other way than launching stellaris.exe manually. I did try to use ALT+TAB when doing launches through the launcher to see, if there was some notifications, but nothing came up.

Most likely you will only need to do the 11:th - 13th steps of my problem resolution, but still it might be good to do a full reinstall... At least for me it was since I was running multiple different mod packs. :P

[Elitewrecker PT]

It's not just AVG, but I think some interaction between antiviruses and the new launcher update is the cause of the recent surge of launcher issues.

[TotalAbyss]

how do you add a white list for stellaris to AVG? As I never had a AVG pop up when starting the games exe.

BTW I was able to start the gmae via the games exe in steam apps. So thats one work around.

EDIT, even doing some work arounds, I am able to get past the loading screen, I tryed to make a custom race and such and the game wouldnt let me save, Also keep getting the splite error no matter what i do. And I am unable to save settings, keeps saying to check if it is on write or read only.

This is one buggy ass game,

[maximustrajan23]

why arent they fixing this ♥♥♥♥?? I DONT have the new DLC AND im STILL getting this same error and crash!!! and it wiped out all my ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ mods, and broke my save!!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

edit: also, i dont have AVG, i have AVAST, but i turned it all off to test it, and it still crashed.. And this is after a totally scrubbed and reinstalled stellaris + launcher (multiple times now)

[Elitewrecker PT]

Did you turn it off before the reinstall and leave it off?

[mss73055]

2 causes:
- my gaming PC-account is not a local admin on my gaming PC.
- Avira detects tampering with an sqLite database as malicious.

Playing unmodded, still this issue happening.

I had to both teach Avira to leave this issue alone, and as well make my gaming account local admin. When the issue had resolved I could delete the exception in Avira and demote my gaming account.

[vahn02]

I am also getting this recurring problem, no matter what you do the problem keeps reoccuring. This happens to me when playing either Stellaris or Hearts of Iron 4 as well. Doing a complete reinstall and removing EVERY file from both the games and the launcher itself only temporaily fixes the problem. It keeps coming back. With or without anti virus software on. Only choice is to play the games by bypassing the paradox launcher itself.

[Keydet96]

Launching directly while bypassing the launcher avoids the launcher-v2.sqlite issue, but all of my mods are still gone from the game. Some of my custom species use origins from a mod I had installed, but all have reverted back to prosperous unification without the mods loading/playing correctly. Is there any way to bring them back while still avoiding the launcher-v2.sqlite issue?

[TotalAbyss]

Any news when or if this issue is going to get fixed? As the only way I can play is via the games own exe and by passing the launcher.