WoW launcher and downloader causing validation errors [Updated]
by Robin Torres 
Nov 9th 2009 at 8:15PM
Here's what we know:
- The Launcher is downloading something small.
- It is taking much longer than the 2 minutes estimated.
- Sometimes the download fails.
- Once the "something" has been downloaded, some are getting "unable to validate game version".
- Constant attempts to log in appear to make the error go away.
- There is no indication of what has been downloaded.
We will update you as soon as we know anything.
Please note: There is no indication patch 3.3 is dropping. NONE.
Update 8:55pm: Blizzard says that the downloading issues are due to "prime time" and gives some advice in this link, mostly suggesting to wait.
Update 8:44pm: Blizzard is calling this a "Tools Patch" and saying that "Safe Mode with Networking" is solving some people's problems. Obviously the issues are not fixed.
Update 8:30pm: Blizzard says they have fixed the issues. Anyone still having problems should take the steps outlined in this link.
Filed under: Patches, Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Oreo Nov 9th 2009 8:26PM
glad to know i wasn't going crazy, when the downloader started up!
travis Nov 9th 2009 9:35PM
I stopped using the WoW Launcher a long time ago when I ran into this same problem: it wanted to download a non-existent patch.
pittsmichaelj Nov 9th 2009 9:43PM
I am replying here so that it is near the top -
After much frustration I finally got my game patched and running. There was an interesting error on my last attempt, though -
"Launcher requires write permission to the StarCraft II Registry key to successfully locate and run the game. Please enable write access to the Registry key using an administrator account."
StarCraft II? Wait a tic...
The Giant Nov 9th 2009 10:10PM
It's now coming to haunt the EU servers. Tried to get this 'patch' downloaded for the last two hours.
Thank god for youtube..
John Nov 9th 2009 11:03PM
the whole starcraft 2 thing has to do with battle.net 2.0 the whoile cross realm chat with friends and cross game chat with people in sc2 when they launch it. it's more likely that thos tools update is to start merging battle.net with all the other aspects of wow.
octalforty Nov 10th 2009 12:32AM
I wanted to reply so I could be at the top, sorry for hijacking...
I usually run two accounts on the same PC and since downloading this patch I cannot start the second instance of WoW.exe. I thought Blizz said dual-boxing was legal as long as you pay, which I do. Does anyone else who runs two accounts on the same PC have the same issue?
mrandum Nov 10th 2009 12:38AM
Nevermind, I just read the Blue post on the wow forums. Apparently if you go directly to the WoW.exe and execute instead of the Launcher you should be able to open a second window.
Just verified that it worked.
Maybe Blizz should stop worrying about item misspellings and start fixing the "real" issues. Just teasing Blizz!
Steven Nov 9th 2009 8:27PM
Very strange... It's far too early to be regarding 3.1, right?
Steven Nov 9th 2009 8:28PM
3.3****
And... just kidding.
Henry Nov 9th 2009 8:29PM
Sweet-cheeks, 3.1 has been out for a long time. We're on 3.2.2a
Obii-wan Nov 9th 2009 8:27PM
I was about to Email this one in. Im getting this problem right now but i can't download any update as of yet
Rin Nov 9th 2009 8:27PM
Yeah, just got this. Go the "update required" screen for a few minutes, and when that finally loaded completely, something downloaded very quickly and it dropped me onto the loggin screen. I'm ingame just now; nothing seems different.
Gorahon Nov 10th 2009 11:49AM
sneaky sneaky bliz...a little warning would be awesome lol
Shane Nov 9th 2009 8:28PM
I Just Went To Log on for today and I got a Downloading screen as soon as i connect in the Character Selection area. It Starts a download but seems to Hang up at 19% after a minute or so. grrr back to The Wheel of Time
epicboyz Nov 9th 2009 11:17PM
WOOT! Book 12 was AWSOME! Wheel of Time is 100% win
hanz Nov 9th 2009 8:28PM
Its fixed now. Blues on the Technical Support Forums posted:
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=20860801510&sid=1&pageNo=4#75
Butts Nov 9th 2009 8:29PM
Logging in now and getting a rather large download... 3.3?
hanz Nov 9th 2009 8:31PM
No, it's far too small to be 3.3.
Jason Nov 9th 2009 8:29PM
Very strange. It didn't help that I also couldn't get into my Ventrilo - I thought my whole computer was going crazy!
A restart fixed the Vent; but the WoW Downloader's still here. Bah.
Lissanna Nov 9th 2009 8:29PM
I didn't download anything & it didn't kick me offline. Maybe it's just a new version of the launcher & not game files?