Apex Legends won't launch on Steam — Javelin AntiCheat reinstall loop
I can't launch Apex Legends at all. Every time I launch through Steam, Windows asks permission for EA Javelin AntiCheat. I click Yes, but then get an error saying Javelin is missing or incorrectly installed. I reinstall it, get a successful installation message, launch Apex again, and the same error returns. The game never opens.
What I've discovered:
- Apex is missing from the Javelin installer's game dropdown.
- EAAntiCheatService is missing from Windows Services.
- Running sc query EAAntiCheatService says the service does not exist.
- My Apex folder contains EAAntiCheat.GameServiceLauncher.exe, its DLL, and EAAntiCheat.cfg.
- The launcher's digital signature is valid.
- Windows Defender Protection History shows no related blocks.
What I've tried:
- Verified Apex's Steam files.
- Completely uninstalled and reinstalled Apex.
- Restarted my PC multiple times.
- Reinstalled Javelin, but the same error keeps returning.
PC: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, version 22H2, build 19045.4651.
Apex installation path: S:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Apex Legends
Has anyone found a fix for this? Why does the installer say Javelin installed successfully when Apex isn't listed and the anti-cheat service doesn't exist? Is there a way to fix this without reinstalling Apex again?
