[2022] When I try to start the launcher and play the game, it appears this message and i can not play. How do i solve it?

Ah, that is usually an antivirus app getting in the way. What antivirus app do you use? You need to make sure all these apps are in its exceptions lists:

eu4.exe and dowser.exe (in the Steam EU4 folder)
C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2.2022.11/paradox launcher.exe
C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe

IF that doesn't help, also set each of those .exe files (EXCEPT eu4.exe !) to run as the Windows Admin user.

Then the game should run from Steam/our launcher, and enable all the DLCs.


IF not however, Right click on Documents in the left column of File Explorer, just under This PC there. Go to properties, location. What does it say in there?  

You didn't set eu4.exe to run as Windows Admin, did you? If so undo that.

Otherwise that's probably a firewall getting in the way. Can you connect to the internet via a VPN, or a mobile hotspot - if so does that problem still happen?  

Can you connect to the internet via a VPN, or a mobile hotspot - if so does that problem still happen?  

Is it the same "cannot communicate with Steam" error?

if so, next thing to try is a full **clean** re-install of Steam and game:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-EU4
- exit the Steam app entirely

- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/EU4 AND Documents/Paradox Interactive/EU4 folders
- delete everything in the Steam folder EXCEPT steam.exe and the SteamApps folder
- run steam.exe to rebuild all that

- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add EU4.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

Does that help?