[bug] Some DLC icons missing in empire selection screen

[Elegant Caveman]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2922804639

Any idea what's causing this?

No mods installed.

[PDX_ladydzra]

This sounds like you might've had a corrupted download from Steam, or have extra files in your /Stellaris/ folder.

This is our standard "something is broken" fix; since you don't have any mods, skip to step 2. :)

After each of these steps, reload the game and see if the issue persists (you may need to start a new game for some issues):
1. Disable all your mods, and ensure you're using a mod playlist with no mods enabled.
2. Verify your game files: (in Steam) Right-click Stellaris, Properties, Local Files, Verify Game Files
3. Manually delete /Stellaris/ and redownload: (in Steam) Right Click Stellaris, Local Files, and click Browse. Delete the contents of the /Stellaris/ folder that opens (do *not* delete the /Stellaris/ folder in /Documents/, as it contains your save files and custom empires). Then repeat Step 1.

If none of these things work, then go to support.paradoxplaza.com and open a ticket. Customer Support will be able to help you with this issue!

[Elegant Caveman]

Thanks, but that didn't work... guess I have to contact support.

Out of curiosity, why "manually delete", instead of "uninstall through Steam"?

For what it's worth, I tried both, and the result was the same.

Not sure how one's supposed to "redownload" after deleting manually (the game still displays a "Play" button), but I verified files and that did it.

[Elitewrecker PT]

Because uninstall can leave behind the corrupted files. Alternatively you can uninstall and then check the install location to see if everything was removed.

[Elegant Caveman]

Originally posted by Elitewrecker PT:

Because uninstall can leave behind the corrupted files. Alternatively you can uninstall and then check the install location to see if everything was removed.

Ah, makes sense, thanks.

---

For anyone curious, deleting the Stellaris folder in Documents (after backing up saves and empire designs file) and doing a clean install made the icons re-appear...

... but now whenever I exit the game, it crashes.

Game still works fine, so at least there's that, but I have to dismiss three error windows every time I close the game.

I shouldn't have said anything and just stuck to the missing icons... way less disruptive.

We'll see if Support has an answer to that one.

[Elitewrecker PT]

Also, if using mods, you should also check the stellaris workshop folder to make sure the problem isn't leftover mod files that should have been deleted.

[Elegant Caveman]

Originally posted by Elitewrecker PT:

Also, if using mods, you should also check the stellaris workshop folder to make sure the problem isn't leftover mod files that should have been deleted.

Oh, good point. Wish I'd thought of that before I nuked the whole "Stellaris" folder under "Documents". I'll try to keep that in mind if I'm ever in a situation.

Given that doing so did make the icons come back, it seems pretty likely that something in that folder was the culprit, but I have no idea what.

I said "no mods installed" because there weren't any when I tested, but leftovers is possible I guess.

I did mention this to support, and they didn't say anything about it, but I guess from their perspective, "nuke it from orbit" is probably easier advice.

[Elegant Caveman]

And now the icons that came back are missing again.

And the game is still throwing up error messages when it exits.

So things are officially worse than when I started.

(still talking to support... just giving an update for the fun of it)

[Elegant Caveman]

Well, now they've given up and told me to post a bug report on the Paradox forum. Like that's going to do anything...

Really wish I hadn't wasted days with support. Not only did they not help, they made things worse.

[Elitewrecker PT]

Well, my only other suggestion would be to uinstall the game, make sure the old installation folder is empty/non-existent, make sure the 281990 workshop folder is also empty, delete the Stellaris folder in documents is also deleted (backup your empires and saves), and lastly delete the Paradox launcher folders in Appdata local and roaming (back them up just in case)

[Elegant Caveman]

Originally posted by Elitewrecker PT:

Well, my only other suggestion would be to uinstall the game, make sure the old installation folder is empty/non-existent, make sure the 281990 workshop folder is also empty, delete the Stellaris folder in documents is also deleted (backup your empires and saves), and lastly delete the Paradox launcher folders in Appdata local and roaming (back them up just in case)

Thanks. Been through (almost) all that.

The funny thing is that doing a clean install made the icons reappear, though that's when it started crashing on exit. The missing icons came back (well, left again) a bit later... no idea why.

The only thing you've suggested that I didn't do is delete the launcher folders in appdata, but I did mention it to the support person I was talking to... they didn't say anything about it, so I left it alone.

There's multiple folders, though, it's a mess... one in Local, and three in Roaming.

I also mentioned to them that I skip the launcher (shortcut to exe), but they also had nothing to say to that. I'm assuming/guessing/hoping the launcher has nothing to do with my issues.

[Elitewrecker PT]

It might be related to the launcher. Not the first time it'd cause issues.

[Elegant Caveman]

I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

I'm thinking of doing another clean install before posting in the bug forum, if I end up doing that. If/when I do that, I'll try getting rid of the launcher too.

[martin77]

check if your firewall block something from paradox.
On my system, if the launcher gets an update, EVERY time the first startup there are no reading rights for the document folder.
Had to manually let paradox through the firewall once and after that it works all.

[Elegant Caveman]

Originally posted by martin77:

check if your firewall block something from paradox.
On my system, if the launcher gets an update, EVERY time the first startup there are no reading rights for the document folder.
Had to manually let paradox through the firewall once and after that it works all.

Strange.

And thanks. Checked it, didn't see anything.