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Uthoroc2's avatar
Uthoroc2
3 years ago
Solved

[PC] Mass Effect 3 (2012) Not Launching

I'm posting this as a new issue, since lve chat support suggested I do so. 

Since early May I've been completely unable to start my Mass Effect 3 (2012) game (on my PC). Instead I'm getting the attached error message every time I try ("An error on our end caused the launch to fail. Try again a little later).

This is an old copy of the game (purchased through Origin back in the day), which worked perfectly while the Origin app was available.

When I had to switch to the EA app, at first multi-player did not work, but support was able to fix that, by updating my account. Then a little after that, the game failed to launch completely. I was able to circumvent that for a while this the suggested license file folder removal, but only by starting the game via one of the add-ons listed on my account. 

Since early May the option of clicking launch on the list of add-ons is gone and I can no longer start the game. I've tried the linked technique time and time again, I've reinstalled the game and the EA app multiple times, launched it normally or as admin. Recent attempts to help via live chat have also been in vain. 

I have ME3 Andromeda and Legendary Edition and they are working fine, but I'm playing ME3 for the multiplayer. 

  • RoboticXperimnt3's avatar
    RoboticXperimnt3
    2 years ago

    Finally!

    Got a fix for this exact problem.

    Hopefully will work for anyone having this one.

    From EA Help Chat:

    Alexson (1/4/2024, 6:54:12 PM): Open Windows File Explorer and copy/paste this 'url' into the address bar: C:\ProgramData\Electronic Arts\EA Services\License.

    If you can't copy/paste this 'url', you can enable the "View hidden files and folders in Windows" option via these steps and navigate to the folder manually.

    In the "License" folder, where you should be if you've followed the above-shared steps, check if you can see a file called "71067.dlf".

    If it's there, delete this file and launch the game again. The game should now work.

    IF you are not able to find the "71067.dlf" then please delete the whole licence folder.

    Alexson (1/4/2024, 7:03:09 PM): Yes restart the pC and then try to run!

    And i can report that this worked perfectly!

    I didnt have that .dlf, but had others.

    I deleted the folder, rebooted, started EA App, and ME3 & MP popped right up!

19 Replies

  • holger1405's avatar
    holger1405
    Hero+
    3 years ago

    @Uthoroc2 

    Please create a DxDiag in text file format and post it with your next reply. You can do that with the "Choose file" button at the bottom right corner of the reply window. 

  • holger1405's avatar
    holger1405
    Hero+
    3 years ago

    @Uthoroc2 

    In EA app > click the three lines top left > Settings > Application > Disable In-Game Overlay  > Test.

    If that don't works:

    Clear your temp files:

    • Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time
    • Into the new window, type or copy & paste:  "%temp%"   (Without the quotes.) > hit "ENTER"
    • Now your Windows Explorer should have brought you to the "C:\Users\>your user name<\AppData\Local\Temp" folder. > Delete all files and folders in it.
      (If some files or folders can't be deleted, reboot and try again.)

    Then:

    • Go here and download "Revo Uninstaller". (The freeware version, Portable version works too.)
    • Run "Revo Uninstaller" > Uninstall ME3.
    • At the end of the main uninstall, Revo will ask you which cleaning method you want to use. > Select "Moderate" > Browse
    • If "Remaining registration content found" is displayed > Select All > Delete > Next
    • When "Remaining Data and Folders" is displayed > Select All > Delete
    • Run "Revo Uninstaller" > Uninstall EA app.
    • At the end of the main uninstall, Revo will ask you which cleaning method you want to use. > Select "Moderate" > Browse.
    • If "Remaining registration content found" is displayed > Select All > Delete > Next
    • When "Remaining Data and Folders" is displayed > Select All (Make sure the "Origin Games" folder is not in the list) > Delete.
    • Restart the PC > Reinstall the newest version of EA app from here.
    • Reinstall ME3. > Test.
  • Uthoroc2's avatar
    Uthoroc2
    3 years ago

    Thank you. I've gone through all of this step by step, but the outcome is still the same. Same error message as before. ☹️

    For good measure, I've also tried to remove the license file again, but that didn't help either.

    There is one thing odd with my account (not sure it is related though): The add-on "From Ashes" is listed twice, once as an option to "Download" and once as already installed. If I try to Download it again, the downloads starts, nut never proceeds past the "Preparing" stage. I have to eventually cancel it. 

  • holger1405's avatar
    holger1405
    Hero+
    3 years ago

    @Uthoroc2 

    Please preform a clean boot and test the Game in clean boot mode.
    (Make sure the "EABackgroundService" remains enabled under point 3 in the guide.)

    Make sure your virus scanner and other security software and also Afterburner and similar software is disabled.

    If that don't works either:

    Create a new Windows user account  (Administrator) don't use local special characters, use only  Characters from the ASCII table

    • Reboot > Log in to the new user account.
    • Test.
  • Uthoroc2's avatar
    Uthoroc2
    3 years ago

    Still no luck. Did a clean boot, carefully disabling all services except for EABackgroundService, and created a new Windows account under "[edit: email address removed]". Still the same error on trying to start ME3. 

  • holger1405's avatar
    holger1405
    Hero+
    3 years ago

    @Uthoroc2 

    Then I am afraid there is not much more I can suggest.

    A clean installation of Windows might help, (Can't guarantee it though.)  but if you go down that road make sure you install EA app and the game right after the drivers and test in a vanilla state. 

  • Uthoroc2's avatar
    Uthoroc2
    3 years ago
    @holger1405 Still, thank you. It does to me a lot like a problem with my account and not something on my machine. I'll try again, when I get around to doing a clean Windows install at some point.
  • Uthoroc2's avatar
    Uthoroc2
    3 years ago
    @holger1405 I've tried it on a different computer now, that didn't have EA or ME3 installed at all previously, and still the same problem comes up. It's definitely a problem with my account at EA.

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