Boot Loop on Patch 2.0.7792

[Kleene]

Hi guys.

I played this game a long time ago. I'm now just reinstalling on my new PC. I already have the game activated and the code is bound to my Uplay account.

So today I downloaded and installed the game via Steam. This automatically downloaded Uplay for me.

I proceeded to start the game. The first time I launched the game, the in-game login menu appeared and it would refuse to connect, so I closed the game.

I restarted the game. This time around, the game prompted me that the addon was activated and that I needed to reboot my game to get it patched.

I press the "reboot" button. The game closes. The auto patcher runs and installs some hooks into some DLLs or something (I vaguely recall what I saw in the patcher's cmd window).

Then the game restarted. I was excited to play because I remember the last time I had installed via Steam, there were some issues. Alas, when the game opened, I was greeted by the same screen asking to reboot again. I did it and got stuck in an infinite loop.

I proceed to check the Steam forums and the Ubisoft support. This is what I did, to no avail:

- I tried running the offline patcher, but the patcher said my game version was either corrupted or already past the version it was trying to patch

- I check my game's version. It is the final 2.0.7792 patch

- I uninstalled and reinstalled the game via Steam, and tried to patch it again, with the same error

In all of the threads below, I read that version 2.0.7792 should solve all the problems, but it does not seem to work.

That was when I noticed the new thread *literally today* about Ubisoft patching something to remove DRM. Could this have broken these carefully curated steps to get the game working?

Please help a fellow gamer out. I'm out of ideas.

Thanks!

*EDIT: I corrected the version from 2.0.9972 to 2.0.7792.

[Kleene]

I managed to get the offline patcher to run successfully!

The trick is to use Run as administrator.

My mistake was not running it as administrator.

To anyone getting the error saying that either

- the game is not installed,
- the game's version is already updated beyond the patch, or
- the game's files are corrupted,

Then, Run as adminstrator.

What a silly mistake I have made..

[Caz]

Did you mean v2.00.7792? With the patch that removed SolidShield just a few days ago, that's the version it's showing for me.

[Jabes]

thank_mr_goose You have had more luck than me unfortunately. I have tried "Run as Administrator" with no luck. The same error appears: -the game is not installed... etc. If you have the time could you run down the exact steps that you took?

[Jabes]

NVM I should have looked more! I found a solution here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/48240/discussions/0/

[Radical Zeal]

I had the same issue. Found the solution here:
https://uk.gamesplanet.com/community/anno-2070-uplay--1451-1/discussions/80083-how-to-stop-the-infinite-reboot-loop

Anno2070_Offlinepatcher_2_00.exe didn't work for me even if run as admin.
The smaller AutoPatcher.exe pacth worked for me.

[Radical Zeal]

Well, not done yet.
It looks like that solution is leaving my game without the Deep Ocean DLC.
I have now completelly uninstalled the game, and I am redownloading it.
After that will try the steps from: https://support.ubisoft.com/en-gb/Faqs/000025468/Game-looping-after-activating-Deep-Ocean

Lets see what happens after that.

[Kleene]

These are my final steps to get it working on my end, with Deep Ocean enabled. I'm not sure if all of it is necessary, but it should be sufficient. This is based on what I recall doing, so it may not be 100% accurate. I'm hoping this will find its way to some new folks struggling with this all.

1. Install from Steam
   
2. This automatically downloaded Uplay and linked my account, and activated the game for me (since I already had it activated from an install years ago). If this isn't the case for you, it might be a bit different.
   
3. When I go check the game's executable version (navigate to the `steamapps/common/Anno 2070` folder, right-click `anno5.exe`, and go to the details tab), the version is 2.0.7792. If not, maybe just continue to the next step. It probably updates you to that version.
   
4. Start the game. The game will auto-login (if not, restart computer and try again). Then it will prompt you to reboot the game in order to update it. Press 'reboot' and wait for the `cmd` window to pop up. It will do some stuff and mention things like the word "hook". This should mean it's on the right track....
   
5. When it's done, the game will start back up. It will get stuck into a boot loop because it's going to ask you to reboot again. When it prompts you, do not click it this time. Just use `alt-f4` to exit the application.
   
6. Now go online to the ubisoft support website (https://support.ubisoft.com/en-gb/Faqs/000016865/Patch-links-and-info-for-ANNO-2070) and download the PATCH 2.00
   
7. Extract the patcher exe to the Anno 2070 folder from earlier.
   
8. Search for `cmd` in your WIndows start menu / search bar. Right click it and select "Run as Administrator".
   
9. Navigate to the Anno folder from earlier, and run the patcher.
   
10. A blue dialog should appear with Anno's logo, etc. If you see a native windows dialog saying that "either Anno isn't installed, or it's corrupted, etc" then see the following sub-points:
    
    - Make sure you are running the shell as administrator
    - Don't use powershell, etc. Use cmd.
    - Right-click anno5.exe, go to "compatibility" tab and set it to run in Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode. Do the same for the auto-patcher and the offline patcher. Redo the steps from step 4.
    
    
11. If this runs successfully, you will be asked to re-input your key. Get it from Steam / whereever you saved it. When the patcher is done, check the version of Anno again. It should now be downgraded to 2.0.7780.
    
12. Rename the original `autopatcher.exe` to `autopatcher.exe.OLD` to disable it. This is required to run Anno from Steam.
    
13. Start Anno from Steam; don't use the exe directly.

EDIT: added extra step about disabling autopatcher.exe

[gre4tmaker]

Originally posted by thank_mr_goose:

These are my final steps to get it working on my end, with Deep Ocean enabled. I'm not sure if all of it is necessary, but it should be sufficient. This is based on what I recall doing, so it may not be 100% accurate. I'm hoping this will find its way to some new folks struggling with this all.

1. Install from Steam
   
2. This automatically downloaded Uplay and linked my account, and activated the game for me (since I already had it activated from an install years ago). If this isn't the case for you, it might be a bit different.
   
3. When I go check the game's executable version (navigate to the `steamapps/common/Anno 2070` folder, right-click `anno5.exe`, and go to the details tab), the version is 2.0.7792. If not, maybe just continue to the next step. It probably updates you to that version.
   
4. Start the game. The game will auto-login (if not, restart computer and try again). Then it will prompt you to reboot the game in order to update it. Press 'reboot' and wait for the `cmd` window to pop up. It will do some stuff and mention things like the word "hook". This should mean it's on the right track....
   
5. When it's done, the game will start back up. It will get stuck into a boot loop because it's going to ask you to reboot again. When it prompts you, do not click it this time. Just use `alt-f4` to exit the application.
   
6. Now go online to the ubisoft support website (https://support[DOT]ubisoft[DOT]com/en-gb/Faqs/000016865/Patch-links-and-info-for-ANNO-2070) and download the PATCH 2.00
   
7. Extract the patcher exe to the Anno 2070 folder from earlier.
   
8. Search for `cmd` in your WIndows start menu / search bar. Right click it and select "Run as Administrator".
   
9. Navigate to the Anno folder from earlier, and run the patcher.
   
10. A blue dialog should appear with Anno's logo, etc. If you see a native windows dialog saying that "either Anno isn't installed, or it's corrupted, etc" then see the following sub-points:
    
    - Make sure you are running the shell as administrator
    - Don't use powershell, etc. Use cmd.
    - Right-click anno5.exe, go to "compatibility" tab and set it to run in Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode. Do the same for the auto-patcher and the offline patcher. Redo the steps from step 4.
    
    
11. If this runs successfully, you will be asked to re-input your key. Get it from Steam / whereever you saved it. When the patcher is done, check the version of Anno again. It should now be downgraded to 2.0.7780.
    
12. Start Anno from steam; don't use the exe directly.

Thank you very much for endurance and your detailed explanation. The solution with running the CMD as administrator, navigate to the folder and execute it in the command surface worked for me. I am now past the reboot loop!
However, I still leave my bad review on the Anno 2070 steam page, because provided solution by ubisoft (no in-steam solution; wrong guide) was crap.

[Jabes]

Thank you "Thank_mr_goose". Curiously I cannot start Anno 2070 through Steam. I need to start it from Anno5.exe. Otherwise I get an error saying that the CD key cannot be bound to the account. Starting from Anno5.exe works however.

EDIT: another fix: remove the autopatcher.exe from the installation folder and you can run through Steam again. This is a very convoluted workaround for this game...

[Kleene]

Originally posted by Jabes:

Thank you "Thank_mr_goose". Curiously I cannot start Anno 2070 through Steam. I need to start it from Anno5.exe. Otherwise I get an error saying that the CD key cannot be bound to the account. Starting from Anno5.exe works however.

EDIT: another fix: remove the autopatcher.exe from the installation folder and you can run through Steam again. This is a very convoluted workaround for this game...

Ah yes, I took a look again and I do in fact have autopatcher.exe renamed to autopatcher.exe.OLD to disable it. I will edit my instructions to include that step..

[ndkay]

Even after all these steps, i am still in the loop. this is some f up stuff. cant get it to run.

[IgnemManus]

Originally posted by thank_mr_goose:

These are my final steps to get it working on my end, with Deep Ocean enabled. I'm not sure if all of it is necessary, but it should be sufficient. This is based on what I recall doing, so it may not be 100% accurate. I'm hoping this will find its way to some new folks struggling with this all.

1. Install from Steam
   
2. This automatically downloaded Uplay and linked my account, and activated the game for me (since I already had it activated from an install years ago). If this isn't the case for you, it might be a bit different.
   
3. When I go check the game's executable version (navigate to the `steamapps/common/Anno 2070` folder, right-click `anno5.exe`, and go to the details tab), the version is 2.0.7792. If not, maybe just continue to the next step. It probably updates you to that version.
   
4. Start the game. The game will auto-login (if not, restart computer and try again). Then it will prompt you to reboot the game in order to update it. Press 'reboot' and wait for the `cmd` window to pop up. It will do some stuff and mention things like the word "hook". This should mean it's on the right track....
   
5. When it's done, the game will start back up. It will get stuck into a boot loop because it's going to ask you to reboot again. When it prompts you, do not click it this time. Just use `alt-f4` to exit the application.
   
6. Now go online to the ubisoft support website (https://support.ubisoft.com/en-gb/Faqs/000016865/Patch-links-and-info-for-ANNO-2070) and download the PATCH 2.00
   
7. Extract the patcher exe to the Anno 2070 folder from earlier.
   
8. Search for `cmd` in your WIndows start menu / search bar. Right click it and select "Run as Administrator".
   
9. Navigate to the Anno folder from earlier, and run the patcher.
   
10. A blue dialog should appear with Anno's logo, etc. If you see a native windows dialog saying that "either Anno isn't installed, or it's corrupted, etc" then see the following sub-points:
    
    - Make sure you are running the shell as administrator
    - Don't use powershell, etc. Use cmd.
    - Right-click anno5.exe, go to "compatibility" tab and set it to run in Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode. Do the same for the auto-patcher and the offline patcher. Redo the steps from step 4.
    
    
11. If this runs successfully, you will be asked to re-input your key. Get it from Steam / whereever you saved it. When the patcher is done, check the version of Anno again. It should now be downgraded to 2.0.7780.
    
12. Rename the original `autopatcher.exe` to `autopatcher.exe.OLD` to disable it. This is required to run Anno from Steam.
    
13. Start Anno from Steam; don't use the exe directly.

EDIT: added extra step about disabling autopatcher.exe

How do I navigate to the Anno folder using cmd, and how do I run the patcher with cmd?

[JKrakenda]

Originally posted by IgnemManus:

Originally posted by thank_mr_goose:

These are my final steps to get it working on my end, with Deep Ocean enabled. I'm not sure if all of it is necessary, but it should be sufficient. This is based on what I recall doing, so it may not be 100% accurate. I'm hoping this will find its way to some new folks struggling with this all.

1. Install from Steam
   
2. This automatically downloaded Uplay and linked my account, and activated the game for me (since I already had it activated from an install years ago). If this isn't the case for you, it might be a bit different.
   
3. When I go check the game's executable version (navigate to the `steamapps/common/Anno 2070` folder, right-click `anno5.exe`, and go to the details tab), the version is 2.0.7792. If not, maybe just continue to the next step. It probably updates you to that version.
   
4. Start the game. The game will auto-login (if not, restart computer and try again). Then it will prompt you to reboot the game in order to update it. Press 'reboot' and wait for the `cmd` window to pop up. It will do some stuff and mention things like the word "hook". This should mean it's on the right track....
   
5. When it's done, the game will start back up. It will get stuck into a boot loop because it's going to ask you to reboot again. When it prompts you, do not click it this time. Just use `alt-f4` to exit the application.
   
6. Now go online to the ubisoft support website (https://support.ubisoft.com/en-gb/Faqs/000016865/Patch-links-and-info-for-ANNO-2070) and download the PATCH 2.00
   
7. Extract the patcher exe to the Anno 2070 folder from earlier.
   
8. Search for `cmd` in your WIndows start menu / search bar. Right click it and select "Run as Administrator".
   
9. Navigate to the Anno folder from earlier, and run the patcher.
   
10. A blue dialog should appear with Anno's logo, etc. If you see a native windows dialog saying that "either Anno isn't installed, or it's corrupted, etc" then see the following sub-points:
    
    - Make sure you are running the shell as administrator
    - Don't use powershell, etc. Use cmd.
    - Right-click anno5.exe, go to "compatibility" tab and set it to run in Windows XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode. Do the same for the auto-patcher and the offline patcher. Redo the steps from step 4.
    
    
11. If this runs successfully, you will be asked to re-input your key. Get it from Steam / whereever you saved it. When the patcher is done, check the version of Anno again. It should now be downgraded to 2.0.7780.
    
12. Rename the original `autopatcher.exe` to `autopatcher.exe.OLD` to disable it. This is required to run Anno from Steam.
    
13. Start Anno from Steam; don't use the exe directly.

EDIT: added extra step about disabling autopatcher.exe

How do I navigate to the Anno folder using cmd, and how do I run the patcher with cmd?

Worked for me! Thx really much!

[Ingvar Våldsberg]

I cant understand why it's not working, the offlinepatcher runs but only says it can't connect to the update server.

[pyykmatt79]

I'm having this same issue.. I tried installing the offline patch, not affecting any kind