Re: I cannot play BF4 at all

Unfortunately not Poohstick

I tried both.

However, strangely it did work once and completed installation (not as an administrator though) and I was waiting eagerly in anticipation.

I re-started my PC but the game would not play, not multi or single.....

In all honesty, this is a horrible experience for me as I was so excited to play this first game, new PC, graphics etc, I just hope they are all not like this.

I still have to redeem my Batman, SplinterCell and Assassins Creed games (no discs).  I am so worried....

Ok, don't panic yet! This is a long list of things but try them and see if you can get it to work:

-make sure that you've updated your drivers to latest version

-Do a repair install of the game in Origin. In origin right click your game and from drop down choose repair install.

Do these too:

-Reinstall C++ redistributables.
1:go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Battlefield 4\__Installer\vc\vc2012Update3\redist
2: Double click vcredist_x64.exe/ vcredist_x86.exe and follow onscreen prompts.

-Update your Microsoft .NET framework.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17851

Check now if you can play single player at least.

-Run the game as ADMINISTRATOR. (right click on the BF4.exe and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR)

-Disable Origin in game.
In Origin - Application settings - Origin in Game - disable Origin in game

-Try running the game in Windows compatibility mode.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Battlefield 4 > Right mouse click bf4.exe > scroll to 'properties' . Choose 'Compatibility' and select from options.

-Uninstall and Reinstall Origin. https://help.ea.com/article/manually-uninstalling-origin

If multiplayer still not working then:

-Reinstall Punkbuster. 
Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Battlefield 4 and select pbsv.exe . Choose 'reinstall'
Install advice for Punkbuster https://help.ea.com/uk/article/punkbuster-technical-issues

- Make sure you download and install the latest Battlelog plugins.
First uninstall old Battlelog plugin by going to "Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features" and removing "battlelog web plugin".
Then log in using Origin and go to battlelog page where you'll be prompted to download latest web plugin.
After you have installed it you should clear your cache, exit your browser. Then restart your browser, and then re-login to Origin to ensure proper install.
If this doesn't work then you should try a different browser (Chrome/Maxthon/Firefox, etc)

- make sure that your firewall/anti virus isn't preventing the game, Punkbuster or Origin from launching.
Also check the quality of your internet connection.

I know its a long list of things to try but they might help you out. If they do then please leave a comment/XP point

Yes, I have the latest drivers (this is a brand new PC,  3 days old and updates them automatically - I checked aswell)

Specs:  Intel Core i5-4670 CPU 3.4 GHz - 64 bit OS Win 8.1, 8 GB, 3Gb GTX 780 GPU etc

I've done a repair/install twice on Origin

I've checked and researched C++ distributables - I have the latest ones with the latest DirectX 11.2

I also tried double click vcredist_x64.exe and x86.exe and repaired them twice

Again, my NET framework is/should be uptodate - that link version is 2011.  by the way, should .NET framework appear under the control panel/uninstall programs for windows8 as I actually cant find it ???  The C++ disttributables I can see....???

Ive tried to run the game as an administrator - no luck

Ive disabled Origin in game - nowt (it wouldnt let me do it your way, but I did do it by right clicking on the game - properties etc and changing it that way)

Compatibility mode - no luck

Punkbuster and plugins all correct and up to date - nothing though

I did uninstall/reinstall Origin yesterday/this morning (but I didnt do it manually by deleting registry files)

Tried Chrome nothing.

None of it is working.

I bet it is something so simple though, these things usually are, it needs someone to actually be at my PC trying these things.  After all, how are other users playing this game!!??

No offence to anyone, but this is a brand new PC costing £1250. ☹️(

Same issues here. Tried all advice, nothing is working. Game constantly crashes. Was working fine a couple of hours ago. Played many matches (when it would connect to server), then took a break, came back to play, and now this. How can it work fine one hour, then not work at all the next? Nothing was changed! Everything is up to date.

I can't even get the game to work.....at all, in anyway shape or form.  Nothing.  The furthest I get is the battlelog screen and that is it.

Why do these things always happen to me, Im cursed! :-o

What causes are there for a game to work then stop working when nothing changed on my pc?

Oh man, sorry to hear you're still having problems getting the game to work. 

You're right when you say it's probably something small that is causing the problems.

Like you, I had a brand new Pc that cost around the same price and I couldn't play the BETA version for weeks. 

Then I discovered that a certain version of C++ was missing/wasn't installed by Windows update for some reason (solution for that below):

-In some cases your Microsoft C++ redistributables (or lack of certain ones) might be causing the problem.
1. Download this file - download link http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/VC-Redist-Installer-Download-216678.html [softpedia.com]
2. Run the file.
3. In Origin - Application settings - Origin in Game - disable Origin in game.
4. Restart PC
5. Try to play the game now.

I know it sounds like a pain, but a complete uninstall/reinstall of the game is worth a shot (ensuring that anti-virus is temporarily disabled and chossing to install as Administrator)

Keeping this thread visible will attract the attention of more experienced gmaers who could offer more help.

I'm just a gamer like yourself and not connected with EA, so getting in touch with an official 'game advisor' can be done at below link:

-To contact a EA games advisor click here https://help.ea.com/contact-us?product=origin&locale=us
You will be asked to fill in some details (problems type/game name/hardware platform/etc) and given a list of popular solutions. If no suitable answer shows then select 'I STILL NEED HELP' and you will be able to live chat with an EA games advisor.

If you still have no success getting it working then you can also ask them how to go about getting a refund.

Hi Poohstick

That softpedia link didnt work.  I clicked on download and then ready to extract, but it said 'failed'.  Shall I'll try the other link you provided on page one?

Regards

How would I temp disable or see/find out whether my AV is stopping my game to work please?

I have Bullguard AV (free 90 day trial that came with my PC)

Poohstick,

Well, good news so far (but a little bit of bad)

But, I'm sure we can work this out together.

I managed to start the game on both multiplayer and singleplayer and it works, it loaded. 😕mileyhappy:

But, here was the slight issue.

I temporarily disabled my Bullguard AV/Firewall and tried the game and this is when it loaded !!! 

But I was worried as I was not protected!!  So, as soon as I knew the game had loaded (the furthest I have got) and I was satisfied that the game would play, (although I didnt actually play the game as stated above) I exited out quickly.

So, I exited out to enable my Bullguard AV/Firewall again, and luckily I did, as there were notifications of some bad stuff potentially creeping in !! So, I am now running a full scan as a precaution. (blimey, it was literally only disabled for a couple of minutes!!!)

Now, I am thinking it was the above procedure that ensured I could play the game, however, prior to that, I did download some microsoft updates as advised by you.  That softpedia still didnt work though, but I believe I re-installed C++ and .Network framework. 

It did say that I am already up to date on one of them, so I am not sure whether it was this that made the game work or the temp disable of AV !!?? (I think it was the AV thingy above - not sure Im assuming)

My control panel programs still looks pretty much the same as before with nothing new added...?

Now, I also notice (when checking my security) that both of my firewalls are on, Windows and Bullguard.  Really I should turn one of them off (not compatible) !?

Im wondering now whether it is Bullguard stopping the game to work?

Im thinking that Windows 8.1 already comes with more than sufficient protection, in Defender, Firewall and AV and have researched it and established that this is still very good contrary to what other people think. (I saw a nice youtube video)

Maybe, I should not use Bullguard and stick with Windows 8.1 security features only?

What do you think/recommend and what do you do Poohstick (and others) regarding your AV/Firewall features?

Thanks for reading.

Thats great that its working for you! 

Some anti-virus software (particularly AVAST I've noticed) can really mess up Bf4 from working correctly as it presumes every .exe file is a virus!

Haven't heard anything negative about Bullguard with regard to this game.........but I never trust 'trial' software because they always keep pestering you to buy them despite free alternatives being readily available elsewhere.

I personally use AVG antivirus which is free and never caused any problems for me with Bf3 or 4.

Whichever firewall you use just:

Make sure you add bf4.exe and bf4_x86.exe to your firewall exception list.

Again, if I helped at all then please add an XP point and mark your problem as solved

Ok, it must be the AV/Firewall settings. 

Because through trial and error, I have loaded the game up again and it was the same as before (not playing).

Please show me how I do this as you advised:

"Whichever firewall you use just:

Make sure you add bf4.exe and bf4_x86.exe to your firewall exception list."

Would you know Poohstick?

Regards

Poohstick,

Thank you! 😕mileyhappy:

Appreciated, thank you for taking the time to help me mate, we (you) did it!

And do you know what?

After all that has gone on in the last two/three days, all the pain and suffering this has caused me (lol), guess what it was in the end?

Just one simple thing.....

*  turning off my Bullguard Firewall !!! Hahahahahahahahha

(My Windows Firewall remains on)

As soon as I did that, the game came on (I forgot that it was technically running in the background when I though it wasnt 'working')

Kind Regards

Remember this in the future if you have problems with something else Tobias, disabling firewalls is always one of my troubleshooting steps and you'd be surprised how many times it causes issues.

BF updates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!