Mass Effect 3 crashes at "checking for downloads"

Playing on PC, bought it on Origin back in the day, been using the EA version since whenever that happened.

chapelperilous23​ 

1. Make sure Steam and EA app are closed.
2. Disable the internet connection of your PC.
3. Go to your "C:\Users\<Your User Name>\Documents\Bioware\Mass Effect3” folder.
4. Move the "Save" folder and the "BIOGame” folder to your desktop. (The folders must be gone from the original path!)
   Do not restore the internet connection until you tested the game!
5. Test the game.  <

If that don't helps, please add a DxDiag to your next reply.

A DxDiag is an overview of your PCs technical features and recent software errors.
There is no personal info in it expect for the “Machine name” in the second row.
(You might delete the “Machine name” and “Machine Id” line if you wish too.)

How to create a DxDiag:

1. Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time.
2. Copy and past or type "DxDiag" in the new field. (Without the quotes) > ENTER
3. Wait until the green bar is gone > Click on "Save all information"
4. Save the file to your desktop.
5. Here at EA Forum > Click Replay > Click the paper clip icon at the bottom of the replay Window.
6. Navigate to the "DxDiag.txt" on your desktop > select the "DxDiag.txt" > click on "Open".
7. Reply.

This worked for me, thank you hero!

Did not work, problem returned as soon as I put the BIOgame and Save folders back. I don't want to lose a decade's worth of multiplayer progress... 

Worked briefly, failed as soon as I put the BIOGame and Save folders back, I can't lose a decade's worth of multiplayer progress

Here is the DxDiag

Can't start EA support ticket because EA pretends Mass Effect 3 doesn't exist

The support ticket form only lists "Mass Effect Legendary Edition" which I have NEVER OWNED.

I literally cannot get any help from EA, they've made it impossible to contact them.

chapelperilous23​ 

It worked because either a save game or a game ini file was corrupt in one of the folders that were moved. 
Because you put the folders back  do the following: 

• Make sure Steam and EA app are closed.
• Disable the internet connection of your PC.
• Go to your "C:\Users\<Your User Name>\Documents\Bioware\Mass Effect3” folder.
• Move the "Save" folder (only the "Save" folder.) to your desktop. (The folder must be gone from the original path!)
  Do not restore the internet connection until you tested the game!
• Test the game.
  
  

  If the game still works, it means that a save game is corrupted. Only trial and error will reveal which one it is, but it is likely that it is one of the last save games you created. 

  So put all saves back into the folder that were made bevor the last week you played and test the game. 
  If the game still runs you can put the rest back one after another (or in small numbers.) and test after every save. 

Hi there, I'm sorry to hear you're running into trouble trying to reach the support team.

Sometimes available contact options (like live chat or email) depend on the specific game or topic selected. A handy workaround is to select a different title, and tell the AI bot that you're having account issues, which often opens up live support options even if it's not the exact game you own.

If you're still hitting a wall, let us know where you're getting stuck or what error you're seeing, and we'll gladly help walk you through the steps to get in touch with an advisor.

chapelperilous23​ Hey, so MP is all server-side, so the only way for that to go missing is if you unlinked accounts or linked to new accounts. Adding in any folders back into folders would be all SP saves not MP progress.

Can you remove the folder you added back in somewhere else, and load up the game as is and go into MP to see if you get any errors?

The only real difference you should see is start new game, or go into MP and play.