Unable to load skin

[General]

Come on guy's , I still get when a try to open the game "unable to load skin" when are you going to fix this . We payed good money for this game and we can play it.

[cheshirm]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/306130/discussions/0/4342113141665069864/

[bhaalspawn]

I've had the same.
Apparently its to do with Intel CPU's and Zenimax can't be bothered to fix it.
For me changing the power settings in Control Panel from (Custom) Performance to balanced worked.
Dread to think what it'll do to Monster Hunter Wilds though lol, I'll be lucky to hit 10 fps.

[phyzxengr]

I have balance on an Intel. Not the answer. I also have Windows 11 and I would like to know if its either 10 or 11 where the error hits.

[michaelwilliams_92]

I also having the same problem. The game will not start. Any other ideas?

[slimpickenz]

Same problem here! WTH?

[cheshirm]

I have win 11 version 24H2 and an intel i7-11700 and the nvidia 572.83 driver.
no issues. game runs fine.

perhaps if users posted their hardware, there might be some problem with certain ones.
"it dont work" on what?
afaik the unable to load skin seems to appear on newer multicore cpus.

another post:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/661411/launcher-update-unable-to-load-skin/p2

[slimpickenz]

Intel i9-14900KF processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super graphics card on Win 11 here.

[phyzxengr]

Tech support had me turn off Intel step. It didnt correct the problem. I am also going through Steam. I requested that they send me an ESO direct download to exclude Steam from the stack. I wait for answer and will post here, because we have to know. I also requested if they could look at the launcher code and report what and why the message appears.
Intel i9-14900KF processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super graphics card on Win 11 here. MSI Titan laptop.

[slimpickenz]

I found a solution that allowed me to launch the launcher. In Windows settings, I changed the Power Options to Power Saver. After the launcher launched, I was able to change the Power Option back to Performance and everything runs fine.

[🅵🆁🅴🅳🅴🆁🅸🅺]

I had alot of problems with the game after updating to 24H2. Rolling back to 23H2 solved it for me.

[phyzxengr]

As for the next step we recommend, you should ensure that Steam and The Elder Scrolls Online are not being blocked by Windows Defender by removing any existing exceptions for both, then re-adding them. The following are the exceptions that need to be added, steps for adding them to Windows Defender will be provided further down:

Bethesda.net_launcher: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Zenimax Online\Launcher\Bethesda.net_Launcher.exe
ESO64.exe: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Zenimax Online\game\client\eso64.exe
Steam.exe: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe

To add the exception for The Elder Scrolls Online to Windows Defender, please follow the steps below:

In the Search Bar on your computer, type in "Virus & Threat Protection"
Select "Virus and Threat Protection Settings" then "Manage Settings"
Under "Exclusions" select "Add or remove exclusions"
Select "Add an Exclusion"
Browse for the file you wish to add an exception for
Hit OK and Save Changes.

NOTE: You will see two files by the name of Bethesda.net_launcher. While one is only an icon rather than a full game file, it is easy to confuse the two when setting up exclusions. To be safe, it is best to add both to the exclusion list.


Upgraded the security settings for the listed files and others like the .Json
I copied the first folder and file like:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Zenimax Online\Launcher\Bethesda.net_Launcher.exe
I had accidentally left the exe name there when I pasted this into the folder line of the folder selection of the windows11 security app.
The app executed and I received 'Unable to load skin'. It launched the app because I included the exe.
I close out the Unable to load skin popup and make sure the folder is in the text box then I select the Bethesda.net_Launcher.exe,
Close out and run Steam the press play on the ESO detail screen.
Still get Unable to load skin
So I go into the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Zenimax Online\Launcher folder and find dated log files.
I open up today's and see that the last set of entries launch begins with '03/27/2025 19:54:29 Log Level: DEBUG'
Lo and behold there is the error!
03/27/2025 19:54:29 Log Level: DEBUG
03/27/2025 19:54:29 Version: 6.2.44
03/27/2025 19:54:29 File Version: 6.2.44.0
03/27/2025 19:54:29 Product Version: ZeniMax Online Studios Launcher 6.2.44.0
03/27/2025 19:54:29 Company: ZeniMax Online Studios
03/27/2025 19:54:29 Command Line: /bufferselfpatchfix /steam true --debug --debugdir={ModuleDirectory} --perday --append
03/27/2025 19:54:29 INFO - System: Windows NT 10.0.26100.3323 64bit
03/27/2025 19:54:29 INFO - Elevated: false
03/27/2025 19:54:29 INFO - Process Id: 4832
03/27/2025 19:54:29 INFO - Intranet IP: 192.168.0.6
03/27/2025 19:54:29 INFO - Machine Name: MSI
03/27/2025 19:54:29 DEBUG - Machine Id: 373db0451ca53d45b466fcc48d9c07305217358b
03/27/2025 19:54:29 DEBUG - Session Id: 9df8145056750144884b41a7190604c4
03/27/2025 19:54:29 DEBUG - Added read only registry path to whitelist (machine\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\)
03/27/2025 19:54:29 DEBUG - Added read only registry path to whitelist (user\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\)
03/27/2025 19:54:29 DEBUG - Added read only registry path to whitelist (user\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize\)
03/27/2025 19:54:29 DEBUG - Added read only registry path to whitelist (user\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers\)
03/27/2025 19:54:29 DEBUG - Added read only registry path to whitelist (user\Software\Microsoft\Accessibility\)
03/27/2025 19:54:29 DEBUG - Added host to whitelist (127.0.0.1)
03/27/2025 19:54:30 ERROR - Failed to load the embedded skin resources
03/27/2025 19:54:30 DEBUG - Failed to localize (Host)
03/27/2025 19:54:30 DEBUG - Failed to localize (Unable to load skin)
03/27/2025 19:54:34 INFO - Exit Code - 0
See for yourself. I included the file.
Now that I have done this level of debugging for Steam and ESO I have substantiated proof that the developers need to be contacted to expose what file cannot be accessed. A simple MEH line for an error report like is shown is not sufficient.
Would it be too difficult to relay that file name into the log instead of some 'Chicken Little' blather?
So if there are no support scripts for you to follow to proceed with an answer that will specify what the obvious should be, then no further help is possible other than having each and everyone of the files in the launch folder entered into the security exclusion settings. If that is even an answer. It's not because it's not from the developer. They can see the code and know exactly what file it is. I have 45 years development experience on mainframes down to phones and every platform in between so I am expecting a better specific answer from a dedicated person who has eyes and hands on the process. Lets make this answer public so all be saved from the mystery and a dead purchase. Is this how you want your customers to experience your effort?
I really don't see how Steam or ESO could refuse this elevated effort to make a quality product, unless I need to personally elevate this in the market. I see pitchforks and torches coming up from the village.
Thank you for your time. I hope this message will reach the correct people as I await a definitive answer to your problem.

[phyzxengr]

It was recommended I create a non microsoft account on the pc for ESO launch. It didnt not accomplish anything.
Once again the developers of the Bethesda launcher should add the detail of why the error message popup is triggered with either a network packet failure or folder/file name. This is a pretty simple request. 10 print "Hello" 101.