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Products Support => GSX Support MSFS => Topic started by: avio on September 18, 2025, 12:05:52 pm

Title: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 18, 2025, 12:05:52 pm
The installer won't start. See video. It closes itself.
I've tried everything:
Firewall
Defender
VPN
Reinstallation

My system is up to date and stable.
Win 11 Home, I9-14900K, GTX 5090, MSFS 2020/2024

What can I do? Please help me.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PX-6MYiw9PhbcAvbvtRVhCseUmR8ed2x/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PX-6MYiw9PhbcAvbvtRVhCseUmR8ed2x/view?usp=sharing)
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 20, 2025, 07:06:47 pm
Why isn't anyone answering me?
I just can't get the installer to work...  :'(
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: pete_auau on September 21, 2025, 02:26:17 am
try running  the live update if  that doesnt  solve it  than download the offline  version than run the installer again
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 21, 2025, 11:04:31 am
try running  the live update if  that doesnt  solve it  than download the offline  version than run the installer again

Live Update is the same as the installer. It also closes itself.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: pete_auau on September 21, 2025, 02:57:37 pm
did you try the off line installer download option
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: MDJohn on September 21, 2025, 03:16:21 pm
After running the universal installer I had the same symptons Avio described.
Running afterward the offline installer solves this problem 👍

@pete_ausau thanks, good advice 🫶
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 22, 2025, 09:07:01 am
After running the universal installer I had the same symptons Avio described.
Running afterward the offline installer solves this problem 👍

@pete_ausau thanks, good advice 🫶

Unfortunately, that didn't help. To clarify once again, the actual installation of the manager takes place. However, the programme cannot be started...
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: pete_auau on September 22, 2025, 11:19:05 am
After running the universal installer I had the same symptons Avio described.
Running afterward the offline installer solves this problem 👍

@pete_ausau thanks, good advice 🫶

Unfortunately, that didn't help. To clarify once again, the actual installation of the manager takes place. However, the programme cannot be started...

once you download the offline installer in the desktop folder open it up and run  the couatl_update2
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 22, 2025, 11:44:35 am
once you download the offline installer in the desktop folder open it up and run  the couatl_update2

I tested that too.
couatl_update2 only briefly displays the hourglass. Nothing else happens. Couatl_update2.exe is running and can be seen in Task Manager.

Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: pete_auau on September 22, 2025, 02:54:40 pm
once you download the offline installer in the desktop folder open it up and run  the couatl_update2

I tested that too.
couatl_update2 only briefly displays the hourglass. Nothing else happens. Couatl_update2.exe is running and can be seen in Task Manager.

 Darn iam out of ideas got one more idea than iam out other  than doing  a complete reinstall making sure you remove all of  the gsx folders unless some  one else chimes in.  Have you tried running  it as admin the other thing it could be is  that maybe your av protection is preventing  the running of it just a idea that just ncame up
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 22, 2025, 10:32:20 pm
@pete_auau

I always start new installations with a restored backup without any GSX remnants. I already wrote something along these lines in my first post:
"I've tried everything:
without a firewall
without Defender
with VPN
multiple re-installations"
I always started as an administrator.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: pete_auau on September 23, 2025, 12:08:57 am
ok hopefully umberto will see  this post have you tried posting on  the gsx discord umberto is usually  there, and some one  else might know your answer sorry didn't see  your  first post or you could send a email support ticket in

https://www.fsdreamteam.com/contacts.html

https://discord.com/channels/1011680327346966590/1088533826457829376
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: virtuali on September 23, 2025, 09:56:03 am
The installer won't start. See video. It closes itself.

I can see a strange windows sound, which is not supposed to happen, which suggest possibly some 3rd party software reacting to it ( likely antivirus ). And, you are re-launching it too quickly, so you might be the cause of the problem, because it might be starting twice.

A Windows restart and don't try to restart it so quickly. In fact, don't even try to start it twice.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 23, 2025, 03:26:07 pm

I can see a strange windows sound, which is not supposed to happen, which suggest possibly some 3rd party software reacting to it ( likely antivirus ). And, you are re-launching it too quickly, so you might be the cause of the problem, because it might be starting twice.

A Windows restart and don't try to restart it so quickly. In fact, don't even try to start it twice.

Of course, I took a time out between two operations.
After repeatedly attempting to install it on a GSX-free backup, the app sometimes opens. After trying to open it again, it no longer works.
I uninstalled almost all tools and utilities in Windows as a test, but this did not solve the problem.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: virtuali on September 23, 2025, 03:32:43 pm
Of course, I took a time out between two operations.

You posted a video, I commented on what I saw there, which you starting it a 2nd time without giving it any time to start it, hence my comment about it.

Also, I commented on what I heard from the video you posted: the windows "ding" sound is very suspicious, as if another software (antivirus) might do it to tell you it has blocked the installer, it's not supposed to be heard.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: pete_auau on September 24, 2025, 09:14:42 am
Just to add to the sound after you click the icon it sounds similar to the sound i get when i open the installer on my pc which is  the permission to run  the user  account settings in which a box appears which gives me  a option do you want this software to update the settings etc click yes or no. Maybe since you said you run  the installer as admin in which you should also get  this as well? maybe  this pop up box is in  the task bar?
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 24, 2025, 09:28:11 am
After many attempts, I managed to install and run GSX Pro. Unfortunately, the joy did not last long.  It is not possible to restart the FSDT Universal Installer. It is cancelled.
The System Monitor shows that the werfault.exe file is running when the FSDT Universal Installer is cancelled.
As with all other apps, the Windows notification sound is heard after double-clicking.

I deleted the events before starting the installer. The information can be seen in the images after clicking on the installer.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 24, 2025, 01:27:46 pm
Just to add to the sound after you click the icon it sounds similar to the sound i get when i open the installer on my pc which is  the permission to run  the user  account settings in which a box appears which gives me  a option do you want this software to update the settings etc click yes or no. Maybe since you said you run  the installer as admin in which you should also get  this as well? maybe  this pop up box is in  the task bar?

It is not located in the taskbar.

My guess is that Couatl_Updater2.exe is not compatible with my framework. See the error message in the next post. My Win 11 is up to date.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: virtuali on September 24, 2025, 06:13:52 pm
My guess is that Couatl_Updater2.exe is not compatible with my framework. See the error message in the next post. My Win 11 is up to date.

Try to install the 4.x framework manually:

https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net40
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 24, 2025, 07:24:45 pm
Try to install the 4.x framework manually:

https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net40
Thanks for the link!
The installation is rejected because it is already present. Unfortunately, frameworks cannot be uninstalled and reinstalled.

All applications run without errors on my system. All updates have been installed.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: virtuali on September 25, 2025, 09:14:28 am
All applications run without errors on my system. All updates have been installed.

According to your log, the crash doesn't happen in our code, but Soraco library that is used to check the license, so it's likely the issue might be related to your .NET runtimes not installed, not updated, or some of the Windows updates not installed.

- Try to be sure all your Windows updates are installed, restart Windows when asked.

- Uninstall the FSDT Universal Installer from the Windows Control Panel. This will register again the Soraco libraries with the system.

- Reinstall it.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 25, 2025, 02:50:18 pm

- Uninstall the FSDT Universal Installer from the Windows Control Panel. This will register again the Soraco libraries with the system.

- Reinstall it.

My system is up to date, as I have already mentioned several times! The framework is installed.
After following your instructions, the installer window opened successfully exactly once. After that, error 126 reappeared (Windows).
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: virtuali on September 25, 2025, 03:05:09 pm
After following your instructions, the installer window opened successfully exactly once.

That seems to indicate the installer made a good job of either cleaning some settings in Windows that wasn't right, or register again the .NET libraries. So, if it only worked once, perhaps something (antivirus or something else in your system), is resetting something back.

Sometimes Windows, in trying to "help you", is causing more damage, there's an invisible service called the Windows Compatibility assistant, that sometimes decides to set some Compatibility settings for you that are not requireds. We recognize a couple of them in the installer, but there might be settings we don't know.

Does it rune ONCE, every time you reinstall the FSDT Universal Installer ?

Quote
After that, error 126 reappeared (Windows).

Please clarify, is this the same error from your previous screenshot ?
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 25, 2025, 06:56:47 pm
Quote
After that, error 126 reappeared (Windows).
Please clarify, is this the same error from your previous screenshot ?
Yes, it's the same error. Error 126 .NET runtime error.

The correct window appears after many attempts to start the programme. Then it disappears again. The activation code also returns an error.
The following images show a few screenshots of my endless attempts. The first image gives me hope – but unfortunately not when I restart or enter the activation code.
Otherwise, my system is completely clean and all applications are working flawlessly. GSX is the only one causing problems.


Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on September 29, 2025, 09:34:30 am
I would like to start using GSX. What else can I do? My PC is up to date and stable.
Win 11 Home, version 24H2 (Build 26100.6584)
I9-14900K, RTX5090, MSFS 2020/24
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: virtuali on October 02, 2025, 10:03:54 am
Please post the error log after clicking the Details button in the error dialog.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on October 02, 2025, 02:37:40 pm
Please post the error log after clicking the Details button in the error dialog.

video GSX1: installation FSDT_universal_installer
00:00 clear event log
00:19 FSDT_universal_installer executed
01:00 FSDT_universal_installer opens without content
01:06 FSDT_universal_installer closes itself
01:25 open event log
01:39 shows applikation errors
01:53 shows .NET runtime errors

video GSX2: after installing FSDT_installer
00:00 clear event log
00:23 FSDT_installer executed
00:35 FSDT_installer opens, o.k.
00:48 FSDT_installer closed by exit, o.k.
01:00 test #2: FSDT_installer executed again
01:05 FSDT_installer closes itself (sorry, bullshit!!!)
01:14 open event log
01:25 shows applikation errors
01:39 shows .NET runtime errors

GSX1, GSX2:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sG5otnMmvNg0bXBMvSBjqKV6BcaEnDaN?usp=sharing

I tried at least 10x to open the FSDT_installer. I was unsuccessful.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: Alexair on October 02, 2025, 03:22:54 pm
I have the same problem than Avio since beginning of September as well. Tried a clean reinstall of C++ and .net Framework. Did a clean reinstall of GSX, running as Admin, no firewall and antivirus. Updated Bios and GPU driver (even if it's not related). Tried with the offline installer as well. Still same opening/closing immediately of the updater main page.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: Alexair on October 02, 2025, 04:14:52 pm
Just found a way to have it working. I have created a shortcut with this path :
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Addon Manager\Couatl_Updater.exe" /SILENT /INSTALLMODE=TRUE
If I try running the .exe by itself or if I don't add the  /SILENT /INSTALLMODE=TRUE at the end of the path in my shortcut it doesn't work.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on October 03, 2025, 10:37:31 am
Just found a way to have it working. I have created a shortcut with this path :
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Addon Manager\Couatl_Updater.exe" /SILENT /INSTALLMODE=TRUE
If I try running the .exe by itself or if I don't add the  /SILENT /INSTALLMODE=TRUE at the end of the path in my shortcut it doesn't work.

You're lucky!
It worked 2x for me, then the same error occurred again...
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: virtuali on October 09, 2025, 05:52:44 pm
Just found a way to have it working. I have created a shortcut with this path :
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Addon Manager\Couatl_Updater.exe" /SILENT /INSTALLMODE=TRUE

That is precisely the shortcut the FSDT Universal Installer creates, if you had to create it again, it must be because you might have removed it, because it's surely created on your Desktop when first installing the FSDT Universal Installer the first time.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: Alexair on October 10, 2025, 03:31:19 pm
That's what I thought, but the last subsequent few updates just kept adding shortcuts (thus deleting the previous one), but without the extension /SILENT /INSTALLMODE=TRUE
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on October 16, 2025, 01:34:25 pm
@Umberto
Are you planning to update the framework issue at some point? I still can't install GSX...
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: Tom Engel on October 24, 2025, 12:27:10 pm
Hi, I did not use MSFS for a long time and I wanted to update everything and I have exactly the same problems with the GSX Installer, idem forr the Offline Installer. I cannot use GSX anymore. Updated my whole system, several times…

Regards,

Tom
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: virtuali on October 28, 2025, 05:51:12 pm
I have exactly the same problems with the GSX Installer

You can't say you have exactly the same problem, unless you post some kind of error log, that might have possibly be recorded in the Windows Event Viewer.
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: avio on November 01, 2025, 04:28:25 pm
THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED! :-))

Dear Umberto,
After many weeks of searching, I finally found the error that caused the FSDT installer to always shut down on its own!
The error is very trivial. The GSX software cannot handle a large upscaling of the window screen! My Windows PC has had a scaling of 175% for years because I have poor eyesight. Now I accidentally set the scaling to the normal value of 100% to do some video editing. And lo and behold – GSX works perfectly! Thanks again for your support!
Title: Re: The GSX installer won't start
Post by: virtuali on November 12, 2025, 11:37:45 am
Well, I'm happy for you it worked, but I tried 175% now, and it works just fine, other than I can't see all buttons because my screen is 1440p high, but the program worked. I also tried 150% which is enough to show the whole window on a 1440p, worked just the same.