Unable to find match. Invalid match id - AdvertisementGetadvertisementevent Error code 0xFFFFFFFE

[K2otg]

Hi. Hoping to find a bit of help here... I'm facing an issue when running AoE II Definitive Edition (Steam version, on a Windows 7 computer). When joining the main menu, I receive this error:

"Unable to find match. Invalid match id - AdvertisementGetadvertisementevent Error code 0xFFFFFFFE"

Again... and again... and again... every 2 seconds maybe... and I need to click "OK" each time. It's really painful to configure anything.
By chance... once playing, no error message.

I have tried to connect Steam with another account on this computer: same error.
I have tried the game on my Windows 10 laptop: no error.
I have tried to "check & repair" game files: no error found.
I have also uninstalled and reinstalled the game... still the same issue (and I' have a poor connection, reinstallation take 5 to 6 hours...).
I have also disabled antivirus and firewall: no change.

If someone has an idea?
Thank you in advance.

[K2otg]

I have also tried switching offline... but same error.

And strangely... it seems to work... sometimes... I have maybe launched it 30 or 40 times today... and something like 3 times... no error message. All was fine.

[Diglett]

I got the same issue. Dear support, please help!

[K2otg]

Thank you for your message... I feel less alone.

Unfortunately... It does'nt solve our issue... It seems the situation is going worse... A few weeks ago, I was able to have the game running normally without the error by restarting it 3 to 6 times... Now, the error is here on each start.

Not possible to get it working without the error.

I'm really wondering if it has been done by purpose or if it's really a bug...

[Blackknightr89]

Has anybody solved this issue?

[K2otg]

I don't think so... And from this morning, the game is simply not starting anymore. Maybe a temporary issue...
And I have starte Age of Empires I just to be curious... And I have a similar error message poping again and again "unable to participate to game"...

[K2otg]

OK... So with the last update, the game is back... It's starting again. I'm very relieved. But regarding the issue described in this thread... Nothing new, still the same error message poping again and again...

[Blackknightr89]

Just checking in to give emotional support. The error message remains. Can't believe you've endured this for more than 2 years.

[Christheco]

Hey,
this is our last case user-specific option:
https://support.ageofempires.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
give it a try and i hope youll be able to play asap :-)
Have a nice day

[Blackknightr89]

I don't know if OP tried reaching support through that channel, but I just did it and got a generic answer from someone who doesn't seem to have read my message at all. It didn't help.

[StepS]

Thank you for reporting, however be aware that Windows 7 is not officially supported by the game, and will be discontinued by Steam very soon.

You should try solutions posted in other threads, such as the pinned thread on connection problems (including certificate-related issues), and installing any Windows Updates that you still don't have, but depending on your specific setup there may not be a lot of options available on your current system.

[VSA]

Hello there. I have the same issue after latest update. I already tried reinstall game and steam multiple times update windows and other "solutions" from support but nothing work. I still receive this error every second in main menu after launching the game. Maybe somebody fixed this in 2024? Would like to know how.
My OS is Windows 10 pro
BTW last message that I receive from support was:
Please keep checking our Official Website for the upcoming announcements.