Can't run update or uninstall

[Sharry]

Hello;

I'm getting the error message
Application folder:

C:/Program Files/SmiteWorks/Fantasy Grounds/FGUpdaterEngine
There should be 'FGUpdaterEngine_Data'
folder next to the executable

I've tried to uninstall (the program shows the above error and stops working)
I've tried to reinstall over the top and the error appears again and the program shuts down.

Looking for some assitance please.
Thank you.

[Laerun]

Hello;

I'm getting the error message
Application folder:

C:/Program Files/SmiteWorks/Fantasy Grounds/FGUpdaterEngine
There should be 'FGUpdaterEngine_Data'
folder next to the executable

I've tried to uninstall (the program shows the above error and stops working)
I've tried to reinstall over the top and the error appears again and the program shuts down.

Looking for some assitance please.
Thank you.



What OS are you using? Is this your very first install? Have you looked into any of the troubleshooting tips in case your Antivirus or security setting are blocking the install?
https://fantasygroundsunity.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCP/pages/1981349889/Network+Troubleshooting

[Sharry]

Hello!
I'm running Win 11. This is not my first install and I've been using the (licensed) app in the same location for over a year.
I will check your troubleshooting link. I just find it weird that the program will not allow me to reinstall.
Will report back.

Step 1 - Ensure Correct Join Campaign Settings
Fantasy grounds .exe is whitelisted. I'm currently in a game so don't want to try to run the updater.

Third party security software could include:
Firewalls
Antivirus
Ad Blockers
Parental Controls
Allowed thorough the firewall, no parental controls, adblocker and default win 11 security software is running.
Step 4 - Basic Connectivity Checks
Internet and router are good
No Network issues. No VPN. ISP is good. Other players in my game are having this issue as well.

[Moon Wizard]

More than likely, a part of the updater engine that was installed by the installer application was blocked by security software on your machine.
Check all security software for any mentions of Fantasy Grounds.

Regards,
JPG

[Sharry]

Hello again. I have the default Windows virus protection. I turned all of it off. Ran in the installer. It seems to install fine. It shows something like Running the VTT updater (Click OK). Then the same error message pops up.

For reference I have Win 11 Home 24H2 build 10.0.26100.4770.
4090 RTX, i13900K 32GB of RAM. I have adequate storage on NVMes. Bios Updated to the latest.

[Trenloe]

I'm confused by the error listed in post #1. When this occurs please take a screenshot and attach that here so we can see the exact error and formatting. Thanks.

[Sharry]

65106

[Sharry]

65106
Don't know if you can see it, but if you can't please let me know and I'll send in another format!

Thanks.

[Trenloe]

Thanks for the screenshots. They're saying the data folder can't be found. From your install log in post #1 it's set with C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds as the data folder - does this folder exist on your system?

[Sharry]

Yes it does.
11 folders 6 txt files and one lua file. (Attached)65107

Thanks!

[Trenloe]

Are you running OK now? The screenshot in your previous post shows that the updater was ran at 12:30pm yesterday and that FG was last started at 9:50pm.

[Trenloe]

Other players in my game are having this issue as well.
I'm also confused by this statement - are the other players having exactly the same issue? How many of them are having this issue?

[Sharry]

No it is not currently working.

So when I ran it at 1230, I was able to go into the files, and it was able to update yesterday manually. When I try the same method today, I can NOT get it to work. There was one player out of the 4 who had this issue. He believed it to be because he was accessing the program for the first time on the new device.

So to clarify:
1) Yesterday I ran the program after not updating in months.
2) It would not update via the button on the main FG app
3) I was able to go in yesterday and look for FGUpdateEngine. I ran the instance of the exe found in C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds this worked at 1230
4) When I attempted to update after the session, the method above returned the error I listed
5) I went to this directory C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FantasyGroundsUpdater_NEW\FGUpdaterEngine and attempeted to run the update engine. This failed with the same error
6) I went to this directory C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FGUpdaterEngine which also has a FGUpdateEngine. This too failed.
7) If I click "Settings" or "Check for Update" on the main app (v4.8.0 Core (2025-08-06)) will crash the app and result error message is in the screen shot I posted in this thread.
8) Any button from the main FGU UI that opens a web page works fine.

Please let me know if you need more information and thank you for attemptng to help.

[LordEntrails]

Try the instructions in this post and let us know:
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?85575-Fantasy-Grounds-Not-Launching-After-Latest-Update-%96-Install-Stops-After-Updater&p=748916&viewfull=1#post748916

[Moon Wizard]

If it's giving the error message in the first post; it means that there is literally a whole folder of needed auxiliary program files missing from the perspective of the program trying to run. Do you see that folder on your machine?

i.e. When running C:/Program Files/SmiteWorks/Fantasy Grounds/FGUpdaterEngine/FGUpdaterEngine.exe;
there should be a folder full of additional files located at C:/Program Files/SmiteWorks/Fantasy Grounds/FGUpdaterEngine/FGUpdaterEngine_Data/

Regards,
JPG

[Sharry]

OK!
Attached are the logs. First two are from Fantasy Grounds. Second two are from FGUPdaterEngine.
I have also deleted the old FGUpdate folder and the _NEW folder is the only left in regard to updater folders.

[Sharry]

there should be a folder full of additional files located at C:/Program Files/SmiteWorks/Fantasy Grounds/FGUpdaterEngine/FGUpdaterEngine_Data/

The folder FGUpdaterEngine_Data is not listed in the directory you listed.

[LordEntrails]

The folder FGUpdaterEngine_Data is not listed in the directory you listed.
Check your security software. That's likely because it quarantined or even deleted it.
Did you upload your FantasyGroundsUpdater.log and install.log files from C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds?

[Sharry]

Hello again. Very Frustrating.
Anyway, I turned off every virus and firewall option in the default Windows Defender (I do not have any other virus protection). I then attempted to reinstall and the error "Data Folder not found" came up as usual.

I also tried to uninstall the program and was unable to do that due to the same error message.

I have uploaded those files before, but in hopes of a solution, I have uploaded them again.

Tried SFC /Scannow, DISM, Windows Update and CHKDSK (All operations completed with no errors or updates)

Even tried it in safe mode to no avail.

Thanks for attempting to help.

[Trenloe]

Please provide a screenshot of the C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FantasyGroundsUpdater_NEW and the C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds directories in file explorer - enable view details so we can see file sizes and dates.

[Sharry]

These are the contents of ...FantasyGroundsUpdater_NEW 65125
These are the contents of ...Fantasy Grounds 65126

[Moon Wizard]

If you run the Updater (either from an existing install or the Installer), and click on the Settings instead of updating; what are the values for your FG Application folder and FG Data folder?
(To check whether your FG Settings are pointing to the same folder you are looking at.)

The steps are as follows:
* When clicking on "Check for Updates" button in FG, it attempts to run "<FG App Folder Setting>\FantasyGroundsUpdater.exe".
* The FantasyGroundsUpdater application checks to see if _NEW folder exists. If so, it delete "FGUpdaterEngine" folder and copies the contents of the _NEW folder to the same location as FantasyGroundsUpdater is running from.
* Once the check (and possible update) is complete, then the application will attempt to run "<FG App Folder Setting>\FGUpdaterEngine\FGUpdaterEngine.exe".
* The FGUpdaterEngine application requires all of the files to be in the correct location including "<FG App Folder Setting>\FGUpdaterEngine\FGUpdaterEngine_Data" folder.

Regards,
JPG

[Sharry]

Will try this when I get home from work and report back tonight.

[Trenloe]

These are the contents of ...FantasyGroundsUpdater_NEW 65125
These are the contents of ...Fantasy Grounds 65126
Thanks for the screenshots - looking at them, and also the install.log file - it doesn't look like your installation is installing exactly the same files as my installtion. For example, I have C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FGUpdaterEngine\FGUpdaterEngine_Data\globa lgamemanagers.assets.resS file, but your install log doesn't indicate that was installed. Plus, the file sizes are different in your install log compared to my install.

1) Please delete C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FantasyGroundsUpdater_NEW,
2) Then run the FantasyGroundsUpdater.exe from C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds - don't click Update.
3) Click the "Settings" button, go to the Support tab and click the "Force App Update" button.

If this still doesn't work, please provide the install.log and FantasyGroundsUpdater.log files from this most recent attempt.

[Nylanfs]

Hello again. Very Frustrating.
Anyway, I turned off every virus and firewall option in the default Windows Defender (I do not have any other virus protection). I then attempted to reinstall and the error "Data Folder not found" came up as usual.

Note, turning off the firewall does not in-fact actually disable it. In your firewall settings, find the lines for Fantasy Grounds, and remove them. It will look something like this.

65128

[Sharry]

Note, turning off the firewall does not in-fact actually disable it. In your firewall settings, find the lines for Fantasy Grounds, and remove them. It will look something like this.

65128

Hello and thanks for trying to help.
You mean remove this? 65131

[Sharry]

Thanks for the screenshots - looking at them, and also the install.log file - it doesn't look like your installation is installing exactly the same files as my installtion. For example, I have C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FGUpdaterEngine\FGUpdaterEngine_Data\globa lgamemanagers.assets.resS file, but your install log doesn't indicate that was installed. Plus, the file sizes are different in your install log compared to my install.

1) Please delete C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FantasyGroundsUpdater_NEW,
2) Then run the FantasyGroundsUpdater.exe from C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds - don't click Update.
3) Click the "Settings" button, go to the Support tab and click the "Force App Update" button.

If this still doesn't work, please provide the install.log and FantasyGroundsUpdater.log files from this most recent attempt.

1) From the post below I did disable the fantasyground app through the firewall as well as having all Windows Defender options turned off. I then deleted C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FantasyGroundsUpdater_NEW,
2) Ran FantasyGroundsUpdater.exe from C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds
3) Could not click anything as the program failed to start citing a data folder was missing
4) Install log and FantasyGroundUpdater log are attached.

Thank you

[Moon Wizard]

The install.log is only populated when you run the installer from the web site directly (not just running an update); and has no further impact on standard behavior. The install.log is saying that it copied the all the necessary program files to the folder correctly at the time that the install was performed (C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FGUpdaterEngine\FGUpdaterEngine_Data\)

The FantasyGroundsUpdater.log is saying that it did not find a _NEW folder; and launched C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FGUpdaterEngine\FGUpdaterEngine.exe.

If you are still getting a report that FGUpdaterEngine_Data folder is missing; then "something" is removing that file on your local machine. You may have more than one security software application installed which could be removing/quarantining files (BitDefender, Norton, McAfee, Avast, and many more); or possibly some sort of Internet filtering software that blocks files downloaded from online.

You could try installing a fresh install on another machine as well; as we are not getting any other reports of this specific situation from any other users.

Regards,
JPG

[Sharry]

No I do not have any other anti virus software. (Verified this by looking at the services running)

Well thank you for trying.

Not sure what else to do.

[Trenloe]

Could you provide two more screenshots of the details view of C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FGUpdaterEngine and C:\Program Files\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds\FGUpdaterEngine\FGUpdaterEngine_Data\

[Nylanfs]

Hello and thanks for trying to help.
You mean remove this? 65131

Yes that selection. If it's removed it prompts you to recreate it when you launch or reinstall FG again.

[Sharry]

Hello.
Screenshots attached as requested

65151
65152

[Sharry]

After deleting that selection, there was no request for permission to access the internet by famtasygrounds.

[Trenloe]

Hello.
Screenshots attached as requested

65151
65152
Thanks for these. They're showing that there's definitely something screwed up in the install - if we hadn't already guessed that!

You have a "FantasyGrounds_Data" directory in the "FGUpdaterEngine" directory. I don't know how this got there, but it's indicating something's not right.

Let's check what your FG install settings are on your computer.

We need to see what install directory is set on your computer. This is in the windows registry.

To display the FG installation directory data, run the following from a PowerShell prompt: Get-ChildItem -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\SmiteWorks'

Then provide a screenshot of the result. This command won't change anything on your computer, it will just tell us what the FG installation directory is set to.

If you don't know about PowerShell, there's some information here: https://www.webnots.com/beginners-guide-to-windows-powershell/

[Sharry]

Hello.

I'm OK with stuff like PowerShell and such.
The data returned was

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Smiteworks

Name: Fantasy Grounds

Property
AppDir: C:\Program Files\Smiteworks\Fantasy Grounds

[Trenloe]

That's the correct application directory.

What I'd recommend next is to delete C:\Program Files\Smiteworks\Fantasy Grounds completely as the screenshots show this has data in the wrong places. This won't impact any of your FG data as that is stored in a different directory.

Then, re-download the FG installer and run that.

[Sharry]

Thanks and will try that.
Will update when I come back from work.

[Sharry]

That's the correct application directory.

What I'd recommend next is to delete C:\Program Files\Smiteworks\Fantasy Grounds completely as the screenshots show this has data in the wrong places. This won't impact any of your FG data as that is stored in a different directory.

Then, re-download the FG installer and run that.

This appears to have solved it!
Checked for update worked and it did not "quiet crash"!

Thanks @Trenloe and everyone else who attempted to help. Hopefully this install continues to function!

[Trenloe]

This appears to have solved it!
That's fantastic news! Sorry it took us so long.