There is an error with the launcher settings for Cities Skylines 2 that prevents it from starting up. In some cases, players receive a message about an invalid game setting or launcher setting. The launcher error usually appears as a very lengthy prompt: “We were unable to parse the launcher settings.” Well, that’s the reason why we are here. In this article, we will explain you about some of the easiest tricks using which you can easily resolve the Cities Skylines 2 Launcher Settings error “Invalid Game Settings.”
Page Contents
- How to Fix Cities Skylines 2 ‘Invalid Game Settings’ Error
- Fix 1: Reinstall the Paradox Launcher
- Fix 2: Repair the Paradox Launcher
- Fix 3: Install Another Paradox Game, Then Try Again
- Fix 4: Make Sure Steam.exe And The Game’s .exe File Are On The Allowed List
- Fix 5: Check Your Antivirus Quarantine Section
- Fix 6: Close The Paradox Launcher
- Fix 7: Download The Latest Visual C++ Redistributable
How to Fix Cities Skylines 2 ‘Invalid Game Settings’ Error
There are issues with the Paradox launcher that lead to ‘Invalid Game Settings’ errors in Cities Skylines 2. When this error occurs, you will receive different messages, including “Launcher not found! You will receive messages such as “bootstrapper error” or “bootstrap error.” If so, there are options that you can try to move forward.
Fix 1: Reinstall the Paradox Launcher
There are times when an ‘Invalid Game Settings’ error occurs when the Paradox launcher becomes corrupted. To fix the problem, follow these steps:
- Go to your computer’s Control Panel.
- Afterward, select “Add or Remove Programs” or “Programs and Features.”
- Thereafter, in the list of installed programs, look for “Paradox Launcher”.
- It is necessary to uninstall the Paradox Launcher.
- Afterward, launch Cities Skylines 2 from your Steam library. It should prompt you to install the launcher after discovering you’ve uninstalled it.
- To reinstall Paradox, follow the installation instructions.
- Using Steam, launch Cities Skylines 2 once the launcher is installed.
Fix 2: Repair the Paradox Launcher
If you haven’t been able to resolve the issue after reinstalling the launcher, you can try repairing it. To get started, follow these steps:
- You can find Cities Skylines 2’s launcher in the Steam library under “…/SteamLibrary/steamapps/common/Cities Skylines II/Launcher.”
- Run the file “launcher-installer-windows_2023.11.msi”.
- Select “Repair” from the installation menu.
- When the repair process is complete, reopen the game via Steam.
Fix 3: Install Another Paradox Game, Then Try Again
If you are experiencing launcher issues, try installing another Paradox game. Here are the steps:
- You can later uninstall any Paradox game you don’t want in your Steam library.
- Launch the Paradox launcher from the newly installed game after installation.
- Make sure the launcher is updated or installed correctly through this new game.
- Once the launcher has been verified to work, launch Cities Skylines 2 again.
Fix 4: Make Sure Steam.exe And The Game’s .exe File Are On The Allowed List
Both Windows Defender-Ransomware and your antivirus program should allow steam.exe and the game’s .exe file. Paradox Launcher for Windows and Paradox Launcher for Mac may be blocked by antivirus programs occasionally. If this is the case, you will need to include steam.exe and the game’s .exe file on both your antivirus and Windows Defender-Ransomware allowed list.
Fix 5: Check Your Antivirus Quarantine Section
There are times when antivirus software falsely flags bootstrapper-v2.exe as a virus and quarantines it. If your antivirus program quarantined this file, you need to restore it and add it to your allowed list.
Fix 6: Close The Paradox Launcher
Try closing the Paradox Launcher and launching the game again if you still see the ‘Invalid Game Settings’ error. Sometimes, the launcher may not close properly, causing conflicts with the game.
After closing the launcher, go to the taskbar icon and choose ‘Close window.’ Then, try again to launch the game. For further assistance, you can contact Cities Skylines 2 support by clicking here.
They will be able to guide you with better options if you still cannot resolve the above issue. For further assistance, you can contact Cities Skylines 2 support by clicking here. They will be able to guide you with better options if you still cannot resolve the above issue.
Fix 7: Download The Latest Visual C++ Redistributable
If you are using a Microsoft PC, make sure you have the latest version of the Visual C++ Redistributable installed on your PC. Download the latest version of the Visual C++ Redistributable from the official Microsoft website.
So, that’s all we have for you on how to fix the Cities Skylines 2 Launcher Settings Error “Invalid Game Settings.” It’s our hope that this guide has helped you. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. For those who are experiencing specific issues like getting stuck on the loading screen, crashing issue, Stuttering, C++ Redistributable Error, Hardware Not Supported, or Textures Not Loading in Game, it’s recommended to click on the provided link to get detailed troubleshooting steps and possible solutions. Always ensure your systems are up-to-date, and be patient as fixes and updates roll out.