Path not found / Can't find EA app shortcut

Hi VacantShortbus​ ,

I get why you’re frustrated -- but I want to be very clear about something important for everyone reading this:

What you’ve done is a workaround, not a proper fix.

You’ve essentially:

• Copied the EA App files to a different location
• Bypassed the broken install/registry state
• Launched the app manually from those copied files

That can make it appear fixed, but it doesn’t resolve the underlying issue:

• Windows still thinks the app is installed in the original (broken) location
• The installer still points to that same location
• Updates, repairs, or future installs may fail again or behave unpredictably

Where your assumptions don’t fully hold

• “It ignores install location” → more likely the installer is reading an existing install record (registry) and reusing it
• “It’s not Windows” → not that simple; this type of issue is usually a mismatch between files + registry + installer state, not just one component
• “Other launchers don’t do this” → they do, but often hide it better or clean up more aggressively

The actual issue (for clarity)

Everyone in this thread is hitting the same root problem:

• The install record still exists
• The files are partially missing or inaccessible
• So:
  • Installer says “already installed”
  • Shortcut says “path not found”

Your method works because it sidesteps the broken path, not because it fixes it.

Recommendation (for you and others)

If your current setup is working, you can keep using it for now.
But be aware:

• Updates may fail
• The app may break again after an update
• You may eventually need a clean removal (including leftover files/registry) to fully fix it

For other users, copying files around is not a safe or reliable approach, which is why we’re guiding them through a clean reinstall instead.

Appreciate you sharing what worked for you -- it helps surface edge cases -- but we need to keep recommendations here stable and safe for everyone, not just quick fixes.

Followed all the instructions from EA_Leeuw​ (twice now) and it still produces the same exact issue. Honestly it's unbelievable that this launcher is prone to so many issues all these years later.

EDIT: After much frustration and way too much time, I have finally managed to get it to launch. But before I share how... I really have to say that in all my years I have never seen a game storefront application literally gaslight me (until this evening).

Even when I told the installer to INSTALL it somewhere else, it still decided to revert back to the default installation path (no warnings, no errors, no messages whatsoever).

Even when I went to copy the root directory for the launcher, as per EA_mplsnow​ instructions, in order to paste it in a different location it STILL refused to copy the contents of said directory. Forcing me to make several attempts.

However, pasting the contents of the EA app to a different location didn't technically fix it. As even after doing that the shortcut (the one that auto installs onto your desktop) still gave me the same error so many others in this thread had. 

So, I'm going to be posting my own solution that works for me, with the hopes that if someone else out there is struggling with this issue this issue then hopefully this is a much easier solution instead of being asked if you tried uninstalling/reinstalling for the 1000th time.

1. Make a new folder, name it EA Desktop, and place it anywhere (your desktop works just fine)
2. Go to the EA App's directory (C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop\EA Desktop)
3. Copy the entire contents of this folder (File explorer says there's 162 items or about 550 MB worth of files) to the newly created folder you just made in the first step
   - IMPORTANT: make sure EVERYTHING copies over to your new folder. Take your time and triple check it. For me it was being quite stubborn for some reason
   
   
4. From within your newly created folder (not the old one you copied the files from) try opening the EALauncher. If it works, then congrats! Right click the EALauncher and create a desktop shortcut of it to replace the OLD one (if it's still there)
   - If this still doesn't work, then try to open the EA Desktop application instead. If that manages to open without issue, then simply choose to create a desktop shortcut of that file instead. Use this new shortcut to replace the old one that kept giving you all that unnecessary trouble.
   
   

It genuinely baffles me that this is still an issue, as people have been reporting this for a couple years at least. I do not believe, for a single second, that this is a windows issue as EAs application is the only one having this super specific issue. All the other game storefronts seem to operate just fine, but not this.

Second one works

Hi ShirleyDont95​ ,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this; that truly means a lot. I’m really glad to hear the steps helped and that the issue stayed resolved for you!

Tech problems can feel overwhelming at any age, especially when something suddenly stops working without a clear reason. The important thing is that you gave it a try and got it sorted, that’s what counts. And your kind words about the forums and the team are very appreciated.

Wishing you smooth sailing from here on out. And thank you again for coming back to let us know it worked -- that helps others more than you might realise.

Take care!

Thank you for this.  I followed your instructions on CHROME and it fixed my "path not found" issue, for the last 4 days!   Not sure why it did that, I am older than dee15644, but thankfully I was married to a techy guy(sadly he passed away and took all his "techy knowledge" , but that does not mean I KNOW that stuff!  But it did work for me, thank you kindly!  Good Luck, dee15644, it can be very overwhelming when we do not know how to fix - bless EA FORUMS and their wonderful, knowledgeable team!!

Hey Denverdog18​, 

If you haven't already, please try the troubleshooting steps listed on this page to address EA App installation difficulties, particularly by clearing out the EA App program files before reinstalling. If you tried the troubleshooting methods and the issue remains, here are a few more things we can try that worked for other players on the forums: 

• Check out the troubleshooting methods on this page for games that won't load, install, or download in EA App
• Navigate to the program files of EA App (C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop\EA Desktop) and click EADesktop.exe
• Copy EA Desktop contents to your desktop and launch EALauncher.exe from there
• If this doesn't work initially, try re-installing EA App and then launching it
• Install EAappInstaller.exe, delete the entire "Electronic Arts" folder, open into the app installer and press "Repair"

Let us know how that goes, thanks! 

Hey, has the problem been resolved for you dee?
I just wanted to make sure that you check the correct folder. As EA_Leeuw said, you need the exact folder Program Files in your Local Disc (C:) map. Not the one that has (86) behind it.
You will see a map EA Games. Don't touch that one. These are your games!
You will also see The Electronic Arts map. This is where EA Desktop in inside of.

I hope this helps.

Actually what I have is the EXACT same issue they have. I uninstalled and reinstalled the app as you suggested and now the app is gone completely and does not show therefore I commented on this. 

Hi folks -- thank you for your patience. I want to be very clear and very simple here, because this situation is confusing, and it is not your fault.

What’s happening:

• Your computer thinks the EA app is installed
• But the actual EA app files are missing
• That’s why you see messages like:
  • “Path does not exist”
  • “EA app is already installed”
  • Repair/uninstall/reinstall all failing

This means the install is broken, and it cannot fix itself automatically.
We need to remove the leftover pieces manually, step by step.

Please follow each step in order, even if you’ve tried some of this before.

Step 1: Close everything EA-related

• Make sure the EA app is not open
• If you see anything EA-related on the screen, close it

Step 2: Open File Explorer

• Click the yellow folder icon on your screen
  (This is called File Explorer)

Step 3: Go to this exact folder

1. In File Explorer, click This PC
2. Double-click Local Disk (C:)
3. Double-click Program Files
4. Look for a folder called Electronic Arts

If you see Electronic Arts:

• Right-click it
• Choose Delete

If you do not see it:

• That’s okay — continue to the next step

Step 4: Check the hidden EA folder (important)

1. In File Explorer, click View (top of the window)
2. Click Show
3. Click Hidden items (this makes hidden folders visible)

Now go to:

• Local Disk (C:)
• Users
• Click your Windows username
• Open AppData
• Open Local

Look for:

• Electronic Arts
• EA Desktop

If you see either of these:

• Right-click → Delete

Step 5: Restart your computer

• This step matters -- please don’t skip it

Step 6: Reinstall the EA App

1. Open your internet browser (Edge / Chrome)
2. Type exactly: ea.com/ea-app
3. Click Download EA app
4. When it finishes, double-click the file and follow the prompts

At this point, the installer should no longer say “already installed”.

Important reassurance

• This does not delete your games
• This does not delete your saves
• This problem is frustrating, but it is fixable

If something goes wrong:

• Stop
• Tell us which step number you’re on
• And what you see on the screen

That’s all we need to help you further.

Also there has been no explanation for the message Dee 15644 and I have both received. See screen shot above.