[2021] Stellaris Launcher - "Game still running" & failing to log in

When you get that error, run up Task Manager-processes. Do you see any of these still running?

stellaris.exe
dowser.exe
cefprocess.exe
bootstrapper-v2.exe
paradox launcher.exe

If so, kill it in there and see if that allows you to run the game again.  

That's part of Steam, not our game or launcher. You may in fact have a Steam issue then.

Does this only affect this game, not say HOI4, EU4 or CK2?  

AndrewT said: Does this only affect this game, not say HOI4, EU4 or CK2?

jgpollard said: I don't have any of those.

They are in your list of icons under your name here ... ?!?

Anyway let me know if you want my clean reinstall process for Steam and game.  

Here's the process in case you want to try it:

- move any valued save games elsewhere, and user_empire_designs.txt from /Documents/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/ if you have made any custom empires or races.
- "uninstall" in Steam-Stellaris
- exit the Steam app entirely
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/Stellaris AND Documents/Paradox/Stellaris 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 stellaris.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

Good luck!