I had this problem in the early part of 2013. It magically went away by itself after several weeks.
Last week the game crashed after DLC authorization and since I had this bug previously I renamed the Retaliation DLC folder and launched the game, and it worked. So I started using the other work around where Origin is set offline, you start ME3, and then enable it after you get into the main menu.
Have heard several hypotheses that this is related to either challenge status or possibly just an inability to communicate with some sort of server handling DLC or the character profile. Or that your profile is allegedly desync'd, or some data is corrupted. I have no idea.
I am on PC
Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1
Core2 Duo E8400 @3.6GHz
8GB RAM
ATI HD6850, Catalyst 13.12
Origin Version 9.4.23.2817 - 295681
Crash info:
Source
Mass Effect(TM) 3
Summary
Stopped working
Date
10/5/2014 10:43 AM
Status
Report sent
Description
Faulting Application Path: D:\Origin\Games\Mass Effect 3\Binaries\Win32\MassEffect3.exe
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: BEX
Application Name: MassEffect3.exe
Application Version: 1.5.5427.124
Application Timestamp: 50d4cab0
Fault Module Name: MassEffect3.exe
Fault Module Version: 1.5.5427.124
Fault Module Timestamp: 50d4cab0
Exception Offset: 007a96e0
Exception Code: c0000409
Exception Data: 00000000
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 52a6
Additional Information 2: 52a60efe69cbe83f937dae507325a028
Additional Information 3: 6834
Additional Information 4: 6834f81a988c2156a5a65d617888a708
Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: 3462871313
*****
I have a similar problem as capn233 said (Win 7 Pro 64 bit, SP1 seems to be the culprit), BEX error, filed ticket yesterday with Origin support. The error appeared after I have updated graphic drivers. The Origin people should have complete report. I hoped that after long time running ME3, EA's DRM glitches are fixed. Alas, this is not the case. It is not Retaliation related as deleting it does not let the game start. I also tried repairing the files, replacing two DRM dlls, starting offline (the game actually starts) and then going online (it works but only for 2 or 3 minutes), checking firewall, and reinstalling Origin. Nothing helps and I think the problem is on the server side related to DRM. Apparently, installation of new drivers counts as DRM event (new PC?) and I have run out of these 5 (or whatever the secret number is) times allowed to play. As new drivers come out regularly each month, and these are updated automatically, this might be a problem if ppl udate frequently. It might hopefully reset with some time or might not. I hope Origin people can fix it for me. But I'm asking here just in case some EA/BW people can do it as well.
After chatting with tech support, it seems that DRM is fine on its own but there are always possibilities of connectivity issues or some registry errors. I have to clean up everything (possibly using Revo) and will try to start from ground zero or as close as reasonably possible incluing graphic drivers.
Nothing works as the problem seems to be on the server side. The old temporary fix works though:
1. Set Origin offline
2. Start ME3, click on Connect to EA servers, cannot connect
3. Go online in Origin
4. Rapidly click on Connect to EA servers
5. Rapidly go to multiplayer. Play as much as you want either hosting or off host.
The only problem is that it is impossible to accept invites from friends as you are teleported to main menu and the game crashes right after that. Otherwise, everything seems to function normally.
It is probably a similar thing to Retaliation glitch/bug. But unlike other people noticed, deleting/moving Retaliation DLC folder does not help in my case.
