Re: Battlefield 3, BOUGHT via Steam or EA app, Keeps Asking For A Product Key

-100%

@PalmaDeSochi, @Mahony_1, @polIZI-, I recommend carefully reviewing the accepted solution in this thread.

Why is it called "Accepted Solution"?
Please take a look at the top of the Accepted Solution post to see why it's marked as Accepted Solution.

If the troubleshooting steps didn't work, refer to the section titled "If you continue to experience the issue" in the post, which requests the necessary information for further investigation.

Unfortunately, only one post (I am afraid that we need more, the more the better) has shared the required information so far. It is maybe recommended to take a look at that post as an example if you're having trouble formatting the information.

Thank you.

Windows version and build number (Press Windows keyboard button + R > Type “winver” (without the quotes), and press the Enter button on your keyboard),

Windows 11 Pro Version 22H2 (build number 22621.1992)

Версия EA app (EA app > меню гамбургеров в левом верхнем углу > «О программе»)

12.239.0.5496

Регион, из которого вы родом

Армения

Внутренний диск Используете ли вы жесткий диск
или твердотельный накопитель?

Жесткий диск 4 ТБ

Сегодня, и это произошло со всеми играми, которые я купил в Steam, которые принадлежат EA

14.07.2023, и это произошло со всеми играми, которые я купил в Steam, которые принадлежат EA

Другие ошибки?

Нет

When you fix it, I start the game, they ask me to enter the key, then my computer is offline, but it's online! I'm writing to you!

Same problem, but i haven't steam version, i was on origin before.

same problem here after Windows 10 -> 11 Upgrade BF3 not working and ask me for new key for my (origin) ea ap acc  , after i put my key next error im not online .....

Same problem here. I'm on Windows 11 + EA app. The BF3 Premium license was bought on Origin.

• Windows version and build number (Press Windows keyboard button + R > Type “winver” (without the quotes), and press the Enter button on your keyboard),
  
  
  • Windows 11 Home 22H2 build 22621.1992
• EA app version (EA app > Top-left Hamburger Menu > About),
  
  
  • 12.239.0.5496
• The region you're from,
  
  
  • Italy
• Are you using an internal or external drive to play your games?
  
  
  • Internal C:\ system disk
• Are you using an HDD or SSD?
  
  
  • SSD
• Date this issue started (is it still happening?)?
  
  
  • It's a while I don't play BF3 on this PC so I cannot say when the issue started.
• Other error(s)?
  • NOTE: With the same EA account I can play BF3 on an old Windows 10 Pro notebook.

I think its a Windows 11 Problem .

I switch back to Windows 10 Home 22H2 and BF3 work fine with same account = EA App .

Only if i Upgrade my Windows 10 Home 22H2 to Windows 11 Home 22H2 , BF3 not working with this ea account .

(all other Battlefield parts : 1,4,5,2042 work fine with Windows 11 only BF3 have problem)

does'nt work on windows 7 either

Yup. Win 10 and the same error pops up.

---

@uNNoia wrote:
@Psycho-VarioNo, it has nothing to do with the operating system.
I was using Windows 10 and the game was having this error. As it was a newly assembled machine and had no files at all in an attempt to fix I installed Windows 11 and the problem continued. This problem is super random regardless of the system. Unfortunately I do not know if we will have a solution since it is a problem that for some has been over a month already. But I deeply hope we do.

---

You're right - It has nothing to do with the operating system but it is also not random. It occurs with all versions bought from Steam, either recently or in the past (even if you bought a cd 10 years ago). It has nothing to do with hardware, it has nothing to do with drivers, it has nothing to do with dx version or video card or what sort of storage media you run the game from and nothing to do with how you hold your tongue.

If you are able to follow the instructions for the hack to install origin and prevent it from updating to the EA app, the game will run normally.

If you buy the game from the EA site, it usually runs normally (there are always exceptions).

It is and has been, bleedingly obvious what the issue is from day 1 and EA knows it.  Steam + EA app = broken. 

I love the way this issue was raised 2 weeks ago, with hundreds of people on steam either submitting support requests or leaving reviews urging customers not to buy because it doesn't work, and it has only just "been passed on to the teams for investigation" 3 days ago.

Not only Steam. I bought the game on CD then upgraded to Premium on Origin.

It works fine on an old in 10 Pro notebook but fails on my Win 11 Home one. 😕

So far we have unfortunately no updates to share about the investigation. The teams are still looking into it.

If/when we have something to share, we'll do so as soon as possible.

Well how i say i fix my problem .

The fix was easy im just going back to Windows 10 Home 22H2 and is worked fine without any errors same pc same account etc.

This problem happens only if im Upgrade to Windows 11 , so  for me it is a System-WIndows bug-error.

---

@EA_Leeuw wrote:

So far we have unfortunately no updates to share about the investigation. The teams are still looking into it.

If/when we have something to share, we'll do so as soon as possible.

---

I would say it's a shame a company as EA was not able to solve this issue in over one month...

Thank you for replying, I hope you are not too disheartened by the angry mob!

Looking forward to a solution as I really miss playing BF3 <3

Same issue. I didnt use Steam tho. I got the game from retail box ( from a store you know, not digital). I used Origin as well. You can see in my account how i unlocked every single weapon and thing from the game.

Yet, the EA app keeps telling me that i didnt buy the game, to enter the CD key bla bla. I click enter CD key... and what? Nothing? It either keeps saying your net is down, or it crashes the app. Fun.

I just tried it 5 seconds ago, i don't have net huh? So what is this then? How am i writing this? Hey EA btw ;p I got no net and yet somehow i'm here! MAGIC!

Anyways, i own the game, its in my list of owned games, the expansions are also there in the DLC window. I even see my CD key when i right click on the game. Funny, cus the app wants that exact same CD key before i can join a game on Battle log...

I feel this is an APP issue. Never had this problem with Origins before. I guess they never bothered to make the new app work with the old games and battlelog... Why did we even need a new app? The old one was great and functional. The new 1? Not so much.. it does look good tho. Yay? Usable>Looks.

Found this thread, because I did want to play a round BF3. Did not even know that Origin was discontinued.....

All games work with this new EA App (stupid name BTW), except BF3. The want a CD Key, but the game is since 2011 in my library! and I still have the original DVD Box with the key. But i cant play the game.

Simple solution for EA: Give us a new key for our existing account.

EDIT:

For now: this work - at least for the moment

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Battlefield-3/HowTo-Playing-BF3-in-2022-with-new-EA-App/m-p/12777962/highlight/true#M139955

I can't play, same problem. activation failed