7 Ways to Fix the EA App Not Working (Launching) on a Windows PC

Many players need the EA app to play popular Electronic Arts games. However, some players report that the EA app doesn’t open on their PCs. For example, this is what one user said: “I have been having issues with the EA app not launching on my PC for a while now; it will not launch whatsoever.” Consequently, players can’t access their games in that app. This is how you can fix the EA app not working on Windows PCs.

Select the Repair Option for the EA App

Many players have fixed the EA app not working by selecting its Repair option. That troubleshooting option can fix damaged and corrupted EA app files. This is how you can select the Repair option for the EA app:

1. To activate the file finder tool, simultaneously press the Windows logo key + S hotkey.
2. Enter installed apps inside the search box.
3. Click the Installed apps search result.
4. Next, click the three-dot menu button for the EA app and select Uninstall.
5. Select the Repair option.

The Repair option

Run the EA App as an Administrator

Some players have fixed the EA app not working by running it with admin rights. To do that, set the app to always run with elevated privileges. This is how you can run the EA app with administrator rights:

1. First, right-click the desktop shortcut for your EA app and select Properties > Compatibility.
2. Click Run this program as an administrator to select that option’s checkbox.
   
   

   The Compatibility tab

3. Save the settings selected by clicking on Apply and OK.

Delete the Electronic Arts and EADesktop Cache Folders

Deleting the Electronic Arts and EADesktop folders will clear cache data. Applying this troubleshooting method might fix the EA app not working for some users when there’s corrupted cache data. You can delete the Electronic Arts and EADesktop cache folders like this:

1. To open the Run dialog, press the Windows logo + R hotkey to activate that accessory.
2. Input %localappdata% inside Run and click OK.
3. Next, right-click the Electronics Arts folder to select Delete.
   
   

   The Electronic Arts folder

4. Click the EADesktop folder with the mouse’s right button and select Delete.

Select the Use Unicode UTF-8 Setting

Some users confirm they’ve fixed the EA app not working by selecting the Unicode UTF-8 setting. Selecting that setting will extend worldwide language support for apps. This is how you can select the Unicode UTF-8 setting:

1. First, bring up the Run dialog.
2. Enter intl.cpl into Run and click the OK option.
3. Next, click Change system locale on the Administrative tab.
4. Select the Use Unicode UTF-8 checkbox.
   
   

   The Use Unicode UTF-8 option

5. Click OK on the Region settings window.

Run the EA App Updater

Running the EA app updater is another confirmed way to fix the EA app not working. That updater installs the latest available EA app version when you run it. You can run the EA app updater like this:

1. First, open File Explorer with its handy Windows logo + E keyboard shortcut.
2. Next, go to this folder path: C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop\EA Desktop.
   
   

   The EA app updater file

3. Double-click the EAUpdater.exe file to run it.

Erase the GAME_DATA_DIR Variable

Deleting the GAME_DATA_DIR variable might erase misconfigured or outdated file paths that cause EA app startup issues. This potential fix is especially recommended for users who utilize the Frosty Mod Manager. These are the steps for deleting the GAME_DATA_DIR variable:

1. Click the Search box on Windows 11’s taskbar.
2. Enter environment variables to select the Edit environment variables search result.
3. Click the Environment variables button.
4. If you can see a GAME_DATA_DIR variable listed, select it and click the Delete option.
   
   

   The environment variable settings

5. Select OK to finish.

Reinstall the EA App

Reinstalling is a last-resort potential fix for the EA app not working. You can remove that app with a standard uninstallation method included in this Microsoft guide. Then, reinstall the EA app as instructed on this Electronic Arts help page.

The Program and Features Control Panel applet

Many users have fixed the EA app not working by applying the troubleshooting methods covered above. So, applying those fixes will probably kick-start that gaming app for you as well. If you need further potential fixes, click the Contact Us button on this EA support page.