If your game doesn't launch at all, look here (solution)

[queb]

So if you're in the same boat as me, you press the play button, it says the game is running on steam, nothing pops up, your cursor loads for a few seconds, and then it no longer says the game is running. I tried reinstalling, verifying game integrity, installing in a different location, restarting computer, updating windows/graphics card, nothing worked.

But this link has a download https://www.microsoft.com/en-pk/download/details.aspx?id=20914 that takes only a few seconds and instantly fixed the problem. I didn't need to even reinstall or anything it just immediately started working. Just go thru the installer and once it's all done try launching the game again.

Hope this helps someone!

[Velka Knows]

Thank you so much! It worked! :) Have been trying to get the game to run again for days...

[Hebe5413]

I tried the link but it's broken now. What was the original download that worked?

[Yuma_saiko]

I also have this problem, but the link its broken now, hoping for fix :,)

[Jigain]

The download was for Microsoft's XNA Framework 4.0 (also known as XNA Framework 4.0 Redistributable, the "redistributable" meaning that you're allowed to include the installation files with any commercial or non-commercial software you release). It seems likely that Microsoft is suffering some internal errors on their website (several download pages appear to be missing since late January this year).

You can find several mirror sites to download from by simply Googling (other search engines are available) "XNA Framework 4.0", but as I cannot personally vouch for any of them, I will refrain from linking directly to any one site. As always, practice safe Internet use and don't download software from sites you do not trust explicitly.

But worry not, there is an easier way. You already have the install files on your computer. Remember the "redistributable" part from before? Almost all games made with a dependency on the XNA framework comes included with the install files, and you may recall "XNA Framework" popping up briefly when Steam did its first-time install of Stardew Valley. You can find and run the install file locally, if you navigate to the following folder:
Steam\steamapps\common\Stardew Valley\_CommonRedist\XNA\4.0
and run the xnafx40_redist.msi file you find there. Alteratively, do a local file search for that file name - chances are several games in your Steam library have already placed the file in their respective folders, ready to be used.

[queb]

Originally posted by Jigain:

The download was for Microsoft's XNA Framework 4.0 (also known as XNA Framework 4.0 Redistributable, the "redistributable" meaning that you're allowed to include the installation files with any commercial or non-commercial software you release). It seems likely that Microsoft is suffering some internal errors on their website (several download pages appear to be missing since late January this year).

You can find several mirror sites to download from by simply Googling (other search engines are available) "XNA Framework 4.0", but as I cannot personally vouch for any of them, I will refrain from linking directly to any one site. As always, practice safe Internet use and don't download software from sites you do not trust explicitly.

But worry not, there is an easier way. You already have the install files on your computer. Remember the "redistributable" part from before? Almost all games made with a dependency on the XNA framework comes included with the install files, and you may recall "XNA Framework" popping up briefly when Steam did its first-time install of Stardew Valley. You can find and run the install file locally, if you navigate to the following folder:
Steam\steamapps\common\Stardew Valley\_CommonRedist\XNA\4.0
and run the xnafx40_redist.msi file you find there. Alteratively, do a local file search for that file name - chances are several games in your Steam library have already placed the file in their respective folders, ready to be used.

Thank you for doing the work for me. Had no idea you could just pull the install from the game files!

[MonkehMaster]

aside from finding a download on the internet, said xna framework 4.0 is also included in the "steamworks shared" folder in steam/steamapps/common/steamworks shared, its a shared redist/dx folder for steam game devs to add their used redist and dx files.

you should already have that downloaded from steam, if not, then you can set your steam library to "tools" and navigating through the list and click on "steamworks common redistributable" and then click the download button, once installed you can open that folder and reinstall w/e you need that isnt working correctly (best to uninstall the problem first, then reinstall).

keep in mind, some of the other redist's in that shared folder may not be the latest versions.

also, stardew valley and many other games dont have said files in their game files anymore (despite what another comment said in this thread), they moved to the steamworks shared folder from steam.

for other issues or redist's/ect.. that should be updated, check this link and follow my steps https://steamcommunity.com/app/413150/discussions/0/3112521013654404321/?tscn=1613651934