Can't Launch ESO on Steam? [HELP] - UPDATED June 30 2020

[ZOS_SamL]

UPDATE June 4 2021:

For the users who have installer errors for Blackwood:
The installer can be started in debug mode to produce a log file. It will not fix the error but might help us to identify the real problem:
Start the setup.exe by holding the CTRL key, all the way until the error comes up. (Default location: c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Zenimax Online\setup.exe)
Find a file named sea.log in the root of the partition, eg: c:\sea.log but it can be a different drive letter.
It's possible that the log file is not created due to the error, but if it exists, please attach this log file to your support ticket and comment in the thread below with your support number so we can follow up.

UPDATE August 5 2020:

Steam maintenance the other night has removed some games from players' libraries.
Clear your download cache so you don't need to reinstall ESO.

1. Go to the "steam" tab in the top left, and click "settings"
2. Click on the "downloads" tab, then click "Clear download cache"
3. It prompts to sign you out, sign out then back in.

If you are hitting a black screen when hitting PLAY for ESO, try the steps in this thread.

If you are unable to launch the ESO launcher through Steam, you may need to disable your Firewall or leave ESO / Steam as an exception.

Continue scrolling through this post for additional steps if those solutions do not help.

UPDATE June 30 2020:

If your launcher does not have the right files, please contact CS specifically asking for the "Steam launcher zip" and provide your Steam build ID. (Follow those steps here[help.elderscrollsonline.com]). CS can distribute the proper launcher with all the right files.

If CS is taking longer than you'd like, you can try this solution submitted by @RJLite on Steam. Thank you RJ for your troubleshooting and patience.

Първоначално публикувано от RJLite:

All one needs to do is download the file that launches the installation, called "InstallESO.exe" and have a way to open and extract .zip files, be it winrar, 7-zip, winzip, or other.

Next, they need to open the file "InstallESO.exe" using 7-zip or whatever program. Running it instead of opening it through the 7-zip or similar program will only give the same error as before more likely than not. If not, then your issue is resolved or unrelated.

From there, navigate until they find the file folder called "Launcher", which is likely missing from the files that are downloaded through Steam or other, making the installer and launcher installer unusable, giving the error "Cannot execute program, get another copy of the installer and try again", or similar.
To navigate there, as of 6/30/2020, one must go through the following within 7-zip or similar based from where they downloaded the base file...
C:/.../Install_ESO.exe/InstallerData/Disk1/InstData/Resource1.zip/$IA_PROJECT_DIR$/src_path/Launcher

Double check that within the folder called "Launcher" that there's a file called ""Bethesda.net_Launcher.exe"", as that's the program that will, or should, fix the issue.

From there, extract the folder titled "Launcher" wherever you'd like and then add it (copy-paste) to where the other game files are.
(When downloaded through Steam, that should be found under C:\...\Steam\steamapps\common\Zenimax Online)
Finally, run the file within the newly added Launcher Folder called "Bethesda.net_Launcher.exe", and let it do it's thing.

After that, the Launcher should start up and begin installing and patching the game. It is recommended to close it out when it's finished instead of pressing to play game, restart your system, then try playing the game. This is as a precaution to prevent further potential issues.

From there, the issue should be fixed, and if not, the issue likely wasn't related to the launcher folder being missing, and you should be able to open the launcher already.

Hope this helps!

UPDATE May 18 2020:

We will be pushing a patcher update on May 20, 2020 (exact time TBD) that should address the following issues:
- InstallAnywhere cannot be found after initial download
- Patcher does not launch when hitting the Steam PLAY button
- Patcher gets stuck in a loading loop during a download

We are still investigating the ESO patcher not properly installing all relevant files through the Steam launcher. If you are still experiencing launch problems, please continue to file a ticket with us so we can troubleshoot.

Please file a ticket with us here![beth.games]

UPDATE May 4 2020:

Thank you for submitting tickets! We have identified a number of Steam stability issues, such as the InstallAnywhere issue, and are planning an update later this month to address these.

Older Post

Hey everyone,

Recently we've noticed an uptick in players unable to launch ESO through Steam at varying steps. We're currently collecting tickets through this week to try and narrow down the issue.

Please file a ticket with us here![beth.games]

NOTE: This includes any users who hit PLAY on Steam and the launcher doesn't open, or the InstallAnywhere issue where the loading bar freezes.

The following instructions are NOT necessary for filing if you are experiencing general log-in issues, if the server is down, or a game crash. You are still encouraged to file a customer support ticket, but our queues are backed up due to COVID-19 and launch tickets from other titles.

To make things easier, while you're filing, it would be important for us to have the following information:

• Attach the host developer file, which can be found by following these steps:[help.elderscrollsonline.com]
- Attach screenshots of the errors/screen you're locked up on
• Clarify if this is a fresh install or updating a previous version.
• What antivirus are you running?
• What region are you from?
• What are your hardware specs?
• Did you designate a drive for the game install other than the C:\ drive?
• Have you customized your Steam directory at all?
• Are you an admin on your local PC?
o If not, can you try running the program as an admin?
And last but not least, have you tried uninstalling and then reinstalling?

We're investigating whether this is an issue with the ESO patcher, with just Steam itself, some combination of the two, etc. The more information we have, the better.

>> Please include all of that information in your first support ticket. <<

> If you're having trouble filing a support ticket and can't log into your ESO account, note that you can still file with us by selecting "Account Recovery" on the login screen. This allows us to make sure your ESO account is properly linked as well as tracking your issue.

If you bump up your ticket with updates or additional information after filing, it will bump your ticket back to the end of the queue and we won't be able to respond to it as quickly.

We'll be keeping an eye out for any tickets that come through talking about being unable to launch from Steam, particularly with the above information, since this can help us narrow down where the issue is.

UPDATE April 20 2020:

Several users have reported success by moving the launch folder from:
C:\Users\**USER**\AppData\Local\Temp\I1487189051\InstallerData\Disk1\InstData\Resource1\$IA_PROJECT_DIR$\src_path\Launcher into the Zenimax Online folder.

Once you have moved these files, try launching the game through Steam again.

UPDATE Apr 17 2020:

We are still accepting reports and working with customers to solve any Steam-related ESO issues. Note that our Customer Support team has recently been overwhelmed with tickets with the influx of new players, and response times may take up to 2 weeks. We are still tracking tickets and will follow up with any appropriate solutions, as well as fixes, when we can.

[Trix are for Scoot]

I'm one of the people affected by this. Once I fully download the game from Steam, I attempt to launch it; only to receive an installanywhere error of: "Unable to execute the desired program. Please get another copy of the installer and try again."

I attempted to fill a ticket on your website only to be unable to. I navigate to the correct bug report section, only to get sent to a login screen, which I cannot login to. Before filling out the ticket, I was logged into the website. I'm using Google Chrome with ublock origin and privacy badger installed, if that helps.

I understand that fixing this issue with little to no information to use is difficult. If there is a way I can help, let me know (either sending my issue via an alternative method, or attempting a possible fix your team develops, etc..)

[Thairalumen]

Thank you for pinning this, same issue. Will follow instructions, but this is frustrating.

[Leeux]

(((Repost here for visibility)))

I'm having issues too... I can't launch the game due to Patch Manifest error 210.

I did the procedure required to report the issue to support and received the ticket number: 200407-010826

To me, from here it seems that the launcher.bethesda.net is completely dead. And thus I can't access the file required, not even via browser.

This site can’t be reached launcher.bethesda.net refused to connect.
Try:

Checking the connection
Checking the proxy and the firewall
ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED

No other sites or services have any issues at all, I was watching a YouTube video while I was trying to connect and also, forums and support site are all accessible.

[Serega.L]

I can’t enter the world of the game, what should I choose when applying for a ticket? I am always thrown into the game menu, I can go 1 time out of 15 times. I do not see options with such a problem. My error from the proposed options is not

[Arkha]

I am having issues as well, I install the game (on mac) but am unable to launch it. If I press 'play' on the launcher window nothing happens.

[ZOS_SamL]

Първоначално публикувано от Trix are for Scoot:

I'm one of the people affected by this. Once I fully download the game from Steam, I attempt to launch it; only to receive an installanywhere error of: "Unable to execute the desired program. Please get another copy of the installer and try again."

I attempted to fill a ticket on your website only to be unable to. I navigate to the correct bug report section, only to get sent to a login screen, which I cannot login to. Before filling out the ticket, I was logged into the website. I'm using Google Chrome with ublock origin and privacy badger installed, if that helps.

I understand that fixing this issue with little to no information to use is difficult. If there is a way I can help, let me know (either sending my issue via an alternative method, or attempting a possible fix your team develops, etc..)

Added a new section here with instructions on how to file a ticket using the Account Recovery option. (Use the same link and follow the same steps until it asks you to log in).

If it helps at all, another user reported that for the InstallAnywhere issue, they used a new Windows user (ie, make a new User on your PC with Admin rights), and the game launched without any issues. If that doesn't work, we'd still love a support ticket to follow up.

[Darth Vader]

yo all i get is a black screen with sound after i install and ran client it starts but a black screen and i can hear the music in background what do i do

[ZOS_SamL]

Първоначално публикувано от Vader:

yo all i get is a black screen with sound after i install and ran client it starts but a black screen and i can hear the music in background what do i do

Please file a support ticket! See the first post for links.

It's really important we get as much information as possible so we can narrow down where the issues are.

[薛定谔的猫™]

Client failed to log in successfully with error 210

[Leeux]

Първоначално публикувано от Leeux:

I'm having issues too... I can't launch the game due to Patch Manifest error 210.

Just for the record, my issue solved itself in about an hour past the time I posted that, I did nothing and when I retried to use the launcher, that time it worked.

[AcIvIe]

I got Black Screen and error report close program if i click anywhere(after fresh install)

[Serega.L]

I found a solution to this problem. At least this option works for me. The solution is VPN. I wonder everyone has such a problem who lives in the infamous Ukraine? Please solve this problem. Always play via vpn is not convenient for me

[AcIvIe]

Първоначално публикувано от Serega.L:

I found a solution to this problem. At least this option works for me. The solution is VPN. I wonder everyone has such a problem who lives in the infamous Ukraine? Please solve this problem. Always play via vpn is not convenient for me

Strange few weeks ago worked perfectly

[eruverio669]

I have a similar problem like you. When I want to log in to one my characters and try to enter to the zone, the game start loading for a while and after that throws me to the main start menu with error message. I have TESO on steam. I've tried almost everything. (Repairing the lancher couple times, uninstalling the game, deleting all files and downloading game again. changing graphics to minimum. rename ProgramData to ProgramDataBackup And it still did not help and the problem is still here!) I am desperate for help because I don't know what I can do by myself...

[Serega.L]

Първоначално публикувано от eruverio669:

I have a similar problem like you. When I want to log in to one my characters and try to enter to the zone, the game start loading for a while and after that throws me to the main start menu with error message. I have TESO on steam. I've tried almost everything. (Repairing the lancher couple times, uninstalling the game, deleting all files and downloading game again. changing graphics to minimum. rename ProgramData to ProgramDataBackup And it still did not help and the problem is still here!) I am desperate for help because I don't know what I can do by myself...

VPN