[2020] Launcher cant connect to steam

Please do a full **clean** re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-CK3
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/CK3 AND Documents/Paradox/CK3 folders
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add CK3.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.
- start the game with no mods active and test

In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam CK3 or Documents CK3 locations, before installing again.  

In the Windows search box enter Ransomware. Enable Controlled Folder Access if disabled then add ck3.exe to the Apps Allowed Through list in there.

You may need to add steam.exe and C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2.2020.14/paradox launcher.exe to that list.  

That still tends to point to an antivirus issue - you successfully added all three of those .exe files to the Ransomware feature exceptions, is that right?  

Do you mind if I see a screenshot of that page?

But if for some reason the launcher needs o run as Admin in your machine, you can set that in properties-compatibility for the launcher files:

dowser.exe (in the Steam CK3 folder)
C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe
C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2.2020.14/paradox launcher.exe