[2021] Stellaris can't find bootstrapper or launcherpath

2021-10-18 16:38:27 [main] [CRITICAL] Could not start the Paradox Launcher at C:\Users\dw123\AppData\Local\Programs\Paradox Interactive\launcher:
open NUL: The system cannot find the file specified.

Ah, the infamous Open NUL issue!

If you are okay with using the registry editor.

Run regedit.exe and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/ControlSet001/Services/Null . Check the Start key there. If that has a value of anything but 2 (usually 4), please change it to 2. Exit regedit and reboot, then Please try this:

- exit the Steam app entirely
- uninstall Paradox Launcher v2 from the Windows "Apps and features" utility, if still present.

Delete the following folders if still present:

- C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users//AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users//AppData/Roaming/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
To see the AppData folder you'll need to enable View Hidden Items in File Explorer.

- run steam.exe as the Windows Admin user

- run the game from the PLAY button in Steam

IF that doesn't help, in this folder are some .log files:
C:/users//AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
Please attach them here.


Good luck with that!  

That looks exactly like before. The registry process I gave is known to fix that!

Are you confident you found the right key in the registry? What was it set to?  

What was it set to?

Have you rebooted since changing it?  

Given it was 4, that was certainly the problem. I don't think I've ever seen a case where changing it to 2 did not fix that error.

Try changing it to 1 instead I guess?  

Let's try forcing an update of the launcher.

Download the installer package: https://forumcontent.paradoxplaza.com/emailsignatures/2021.8-win-prod.zip

Unpack the file you just downloaded and place the three files in the Steam folder for the game you're having issues with. If asked if you want to replace already existing files click "yes" - that's a sign you are in the right place!

Then please repeat the launcher reinstall procedure from before.

Good luck with that!