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Fix: Updating Executable Error

By Icarus

Guide to fixing Updating Executable crash

After trying several fixes listed on the Steam discussion forum and on Reddit, I finally got the game to boot using these steps.
My game folder was located in "D:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Sid Meier's Civilization V". Furthermore, I am using Windows 10, but hopefully this should work on Windows 11 too.

Award

Created by

Icarus
Offline

Category: Modding or Configuration, Walkthroughs

Languages: English

Posted

Updated

28 Dec, 2024 @ 6:21am

28 Dec, 2024 @ 6:32am

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Guide Index

Overview

Preliminary Steps

One-Time Steps

Final Step

Comments

Preliminary Steps

Disable Windows Defender or any other anti-virus you may be using.
Remove all mods you have installed.
Verify game integrity through Steam.
Make sure your Civilization V game folder has the Read-only checkbox disabled by right clicking on the game folder, selecting the "Properties" option, and clicking on "Save". Important: Keep the properties window open, otherwise this checkbox resets.

One-Time Steps

In your game folder, right click on the Launcher.exe, CivilizationV_DX11.exe, and LaunchPad/LaunchPad.exe executables, click on the Compatibility tab, and choose Windows 7. Save these settings by clicking on "Apply".
Now, right click and run as administrator the Launcher.exe executable, and select the DirectX 10 & 11 option. Verify on Steam that the "Updating executable" message pops up and wait until the game crashes (The play button re-appears).
Repeat the above step for CivilizationV_DX11.exe.
Repeat the above step for LaunchPad/LaunchPad.exe.

Final Step

Right click and run as administrator the Launcher.exe executable, and select the DX10/11 option again. Keep repeating this step until a Steam popup appears and installs some dependencies. I had to run this step 3 times before this occurred. Once the game successfully launches, you should be able to play it normally through the Steam "Play" button.

Hope this helps!

23 Comments

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Hebrux 12 Jan @ 10:19am

this is what worked for me:
https://steamproxy.com/app/8930/discussions/0/598515509750674270/

mandler 11 Jan @ 1:36pm

This did not work for me. I also spent about an hour trying various other solutions including:
-using the legacy beta
-using other compatibility modes
-running steam as admin
-updating my graphics driver
-loading a bunch of times
-removing the other exe, running launcher, and moving them back before selecting launch option
-reinstalling on my other drive
-restarting my pc
-hitting my head against the wall
-performing a ritual to curse the devs who broke the game in the name of baphomet

antosanreni 11 Jan @ 12:43pm

Now it just freezes for longer, but doesn't launch anyway

antosanreni 11 Jan @ 11:52am

Wow... hail to the crap Win/Steam developers... or is it AI nowadays already?

Minipulas 6 Jan @ 1:24am

what worked for me and my friend was to go into AppData and remove the two L2GP Launcher files
https://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/32209414429203--2K-Launcher-Removing-2K-Launcher-Files

gorrilaman90 5 Jan @ 2:59pm

yea i cant seem to get this bs to work

wb2kum 5 Jan @ 2:48pm

okay I got it going again on my wb4dzj account. but I am using compatibility mode for windows 8 we need a hot fix. I have windows 11 and should be able to use it.

wb2kum 5 Jan @ 2:28pm

I am over on my other account (wb4dzj) and I verified the files and it is now crashing and I have gone thru the above stuff and I can not get it to work again. 2K answered my note and told me to tell steam the same stuff I told them. however I can not figure out even with their instructions how to actually speak to steam. this really sucks. I have spend a lot of time just trying to play this game and I have lost all my saves many times on both of my accounts.

Gandhito 5 Jan @ 10:07am

Stef is actually right, lmao. I just gave up and clicked the play button a few dozen times until the game launched. Hopefully they actually release a hotfix.

wb4dzj 5 Jan @ 10:03am

yup now verify your files and see if it still works. each and everyone of use need to start writing nasty notes to 2K and steam. I can not figure how to communicate with steam. I have wrote a note to 2K.

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