Steam doesn't count my hours

[SpraySven]

I know this question has been asked multiple times, but they haven't had the same problem as I.
So, whenever I start Blender, it starts the program, but for some reason, it doesn't count my hours. I'm not offline or invisible or anything like that. When I click play it starts and it says cancel in the launch and then directly after it starts it just says play again. So It doesn't register my hours.
Could someone please help?
Thanks in advanced

[IFIYGD]

If the program is closing itself, and isn't actually running it's likely that either a file needed to run the SW is corrupted, or being blocked by your security software.
Verify game file integrity (Steam calls all apps "games" even if it isn't a game). Check your security software's virus quarantine are to see if the .exe or a .dll is locked off there, and is prevented by your anti-virus/anti-malware program from being used. Security software is an over-protective nanny state these days- false positives happen all the time. If you download or installation of the product was interrupted or had issues, you could have a missing or broken file.

Basic first steps are to always check your security software's virus quarantine are, and if nothing is locked off there, run game file integrity verification, to see if mangled code needs to be re-downloaded and replaced.

[SpraySven]

Originally posted by IFIYGD:

Basic first steps are to always check your security software's virus quarantine are, and if nothing is locked off there, run game file integrity verification, to see if mangled code needs to be re-downloaded and replaced.

I Have verified it without success
Also, the only security software virus I have is a windows pre-installed one. I don't have anything other and that says its allowed

[SpraySven]

Also, this just happened a few days ago. Haven't had an issue until now. Or until steam started to ask if I wanted to open blender regularly or without console. I did try them both btw

[IFIYGD]

Windows Defender is security software. And updates when you update Windows, or in the background if needed, when you are online.
Check it. Verification won't do anything if a needed file is in virus quarantine- Steam will recognize the file exists on your PC and will call it verified, even if Windows Defender has it blocked from being able to run.

Check the virus quarantine area in Windows Defender. It is an anti-virus/anti-malware program just like ESET or Avast or AVG or Norton is.
And if you are talking about using pre-installed Norton- that program is infamous for false positives. If you are using Norton- check the virus quarantine are in Norton.

[SpraySven]

oh okej. Yeah no sorry, I meant just Windows defend virus program, not Norton or any of those. I don't trust them

But I followed these steps Open Windows Defender Security Center, and then select Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings > Add or remove exclusions.
But to no success. I guess I just have to live with it

[IFIYGD]

Try uninstalling and reinstalling the program.
You've got 320 hours recorded on it, with 4.9 hours in the last 2 weeks. So, if it is running, Steam is recording hours in it. If it's closing without running, there's the issue, and sometimes an uninstall and reinstall fixes it (typical IT response- did you try turning it off and then back on again?).

Not sure why anyone gets Blender from the Steam Store, when you can download it free from their website, but whatever.

And you can try checking the app's own forums to see if anyone else is having a similar problem- like this one is reporting: https://steamcommunity.com/app/365670/discussions/0/3546050190335234262/
Or this one: https://steamcommunity.com/app/365670/discussions/0/3546050190320488124/

[SpraySven]

Haha yeah, it would have been fun if it was only a turn-on-and-off issue. would have laughed my arse off if it was. Because that is what I always say to people. But I tried re-install just now and didn't work.

Yes, it says 4.9 hours in the last week, but I have "played" it a lot more than just 4.9 hours.
It opens the program but it's like steam closes it from being connected to it if you understand.

I just have I for the feature Steam has with tracking hours in games and whatnot. Not because It will give me anything special in the end. I just think it's a nice feature to know how many hours you put into something to really see what you achieved

I will try to check in those communities. I asked in a blender chat community and they said to check in steam forums because it's more of a steam issue than a blender issue.

Well thanks anyways for trying at least :)

[SpraySven]

hahah Thank you IFIYGD for finding a good forum found a solution of the problem by another OP. This helped me getting the hours up and running

Originally posted by MrDzibacz:
Another workaround which I think is easier:
launch Blender, completely turn off Steam (right click icon on taskbar and Exit), turn on Steam back again and it should show you that you are in Blender