FC 26 closes silently on launch — Cipher mismatch (exit code 0x186A6)

Hi everyone,

FC 26 (Steam version) stopped launching on my PC. Clicking Play starts FC26.exe, which closes within seconds — no error message on screen. EA Support confirmed via live chat that this is a known issue under investigation (my case number: 249350026), so I'm posting my full diagnostic here to help the team and to compare notes with other affected players.

EVIDENCE:

- Windows Event Viewer, on every attempt: EA Javelin Anticheat — "The game fc26.exe exited unexpectedly, exit code: 0x186A6" (100006)

- Activation log (C:\ProgramData\Origin\Logs\FC26_..._OnlineActivation_Log.html), on every attempt: "License Request Server HTTP response code=200" → "License Request Server response state code=3" → "License signature is good" → "Error: Cipher mismatch" (twice per launch). The license server issues a license, but it is never accepted on the machine.

ALREADY TRIED (no effect):

EA Anticheat full reinstall; Steam file verification; deleting all local .dlf license files (fresh licenses fail the same way); EA App recovery/cache clear; EA App as administrator; antivirus real-time protection disabled (nothing quarantined); VPN virtual adapter disabled; Killer networking services stopped; Secure Boot ON, TPM 2.0, latest VC++ 2015-2022, Hyper-V off, no overlays; correct system clock; full reboot.

Since the server consistently responds with state code=3 and every issued license fails to decrypt locally even after a full local cleanup, this looks server-side.

System: Dell G15 5520 (i5-12500H, RTX 3050 Laptop, 16 GB RAM), Windows 11 24H2, Steam version, single EA account used on a single PC, no mods installed.

Anyone else seeing "Cipher mismatch" in their OnlineActivation log? Any workaround found while we wait for the fix?