How To Fix EA Desktop Not Launching Games

EA Desktop App causing games to crash and not load.

I was having this problem for the past few days but I finally found a solution, so I thought I'd share it with others. This is kind of an obscure method. I tried a lot of other methods more commonly listed, such as reinstalling, checking RAM allocation, and more. This is what ultimately worked.

1) Go to your Start Menu and search for Environment Variables - open first result
2) See if you have something called GAME_DATA_DIR affecting your game
3) Delete it and reboot
4) I was then able to finally launch without mods

[ZengerFake]

In case it wasn't obvious to the geniuses who keep commenting about it, if your Environment Variables window doesn't look like this, then THIS ISN'T YOUR PROBLEM. This was a pretty random solution to a random problem, try the actual troubleshooting steps that are typically recommended first.

[shanecunningham]

EA's desktop launcher used to not be this way. All of a sudden they just make it a headache, but then again that's their profession.

[jmmywyflyf]

This ea app is worse than Origin!! This is ridiculous. This app was forced on my pc. This morning, I got to play DA Origins before work, but now nothing will launch!

Edit: I found a fix. You have to end task for one of the apps background processes. Its better than rebooting your entire pc everytime you launch the ea app to play.

Open Task Manager, end task

[yutake]

3 days of troubleshooting - I was about to give up. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[demspookz]

Tried it, still stuck on “Running” on steam but not launching. God dammit EA

[daddoesgaming]

You are a life saver my friend. I've been trying to get my game to work for the past few days and every fix that i found did not work and I uninstalled my game and reinstalled the game multiple time with my crap internet. the second I did this it worked. you are awesome and keep up the good work!

[baronvonpickles]

You have saved me after 2 years of searching! Months of surfing Steam discussions, experimenting, dealing with EA's useless/ soulless braindead "support" teams. Thank you 1, 000 times!

[christianroy]

I was really hoping this would be a solution for me. Unfortunately there is nothing titled GAME_DATA_DIR when I bring up the Environmental Variables window. I'm scrambling all over for a solution to get Mass Effect Legendary Edition to launch. If anyone has an alternate idea I haven't tried, I'll take it! Thanks!

[flusteredweasel]

Mine does what yours does, but i dont have the thing available to delete because its a brand new computer

[apartec]

I search for environment variables but nothing pops up what should i do

[andrewsarchus]

I have been trying to fix Battlefront 2 from loading for over a YEAR!!! I watched so many different videos tried so many different methods and NOTHING! I was going crazy I would try once every other month or so because I was feening to play again and I downloaded Frosty before but it didn't even work for me then randomly one day couldn't load the game up from Origin or even the EA app when it came out. I was planning on buying another computer just to play this game!! Thank god I decided to look one last time you are a life savior I can't tell you. No other game would make me as happy as this one did so thank you again to both of you guys.

[reece]

I've had this issue since last april, you have no idea how much you've helped here, maybe even reach out to EA dude cause this is widespread and hundreds, maybe thousands of us in the EA Help forums have been trying to fix this for months, EA didn't even know what was going on, yet you got it... Well in sir.

[ElDoctorNasamua]

I dont have "GAME_DATA_DIR" in the enviroment variables tab... please help?

[TheGamingSlothHD]

my brother in christ i thank you. i couldnt lauch battlefront for 7 months until i found this video. i love you Mr. Zenger

[PutitinDaramen]

didnt work. i have no data in this that says "titanfall 2" or even anything relating to EA

[Virtuoso]

When I type in Environment Variables, I get the system properties box and I can’t find GAME_DATA_DIR. I’d like to stick with this troubleshoot but I need a little more help with finding that fix.

[Refluxing]

theres no game data thing or battlefront doesn't pop up

[AssassinDawn]

I spent the last two days troubleshooting with no luck, but this method worked like a charm. You have my sincerest thanks!

[loafofpeas]

BRO Im going to name my firstborn after you. this took 2 YEARS for me to find out

[goransvraka]

I dont even have that setting or variable in that window