Game Won't Start, Can't Host, Lost Characters? This may help!

First off, I want to give a big thanks to EagleOne for putting a steam guide together covering this. I decided to make a similar one here since there are players who post on the forums with similar questions.

First things first

When something goes wrong, Verify Integrity. Files get corrupted or something didnt install properly. Typically most players have been playing and then all of a sudden it stops working. The first thing to do in almost every situation is to Verify Integrity of Game Cache.

• Open your Steam library
• Right-click on Dungeon Defender
• Select properties
• Select the local files tab
• Click on verify integrity of game cache

Cant Host?

Many people have had this problem and it can be very frustrating.  Thican be caused by several things.

Enable TCP

• Open your Steam library
  
• Right-click on Dungeon Defenders
  
• Select Pproperties
  
• Click on Set Launch Options
• Add -tcp and click on OK

Disable or Uninstall Other Programs

There are other programs can interfere with DD and prevent you from being able to host. Hamachi seems to be the most prevelant. Here is a list of programs that could be causing this. You can try to disable them first but you may just need to uninstall them completely.

Virtual Network Adapters
Virtual NICs are used by different programs and can interfere with hosting. This can be fixed by simply disabling the Virtual NIC.  You can re-enable it later when you need to.

• Go to Network Connections
• Right Click on the Virtual NIC (VirtualBox, VMware, Hamachi, etc)
• Click Disable

Check Steam Name
Steam may not like you using special characters in your name.  It has been reported by a couple that changing their name to a more basic name allowed it to work properly.

Game wont start

You may need to verify integrity or it could be that the prerequisites failed to install properly.  

• Verify Integrity
• Install the VCredist again
• If still not working you may need a registry fix using the file on EagleOne's Guide.

Lost Characters

Trendy has officially state they are no longer able to provide lost player data support for Dungeon Defenders. With that said, they have been kind enough to still try and help if they can. Go here to get help http://support.trendyent.com

Important Note: Once you have lost your characters, it is important to not log back into DD as it could write over any saves they may have of your characters. Please wait for a response from kim or trendy before logging in.

Trendy Can't Restore My Data
No need to quit the game permanently. There are many veterans and new people who are willing to help out with XP and gear to help get you going in the game once again. The steam groups are a great place to find active players willing to help. Check out the DD RnG group and the DDFRBR group.

Backup Your Local Save Files

Things happen and data gets corrupted or lost.  It is a fact of life.  It is always a good idea to save your data locally in case something does happen. Copy DunDefHeroes.dun and DunDefHeroes.dun.bak from the following locations: 

Windows - C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\Common\Dungeon Defenders\Binaries\Win32  

OSX - /Users/*username*/Library/Application Support/Steam/SteamApps/common/dungeon defenders/DunDef.app/Contents/Resources/Engine/Config 

Why Dont I have Tinkers Lab

While the Franchise pack on steam includes it, sadly the Tinkers' Lab DLC is not included in the Dungeon Defenders Collection on steam.  It was created before Tinker's came out.  Many dont realize this until they try to play it.  Then when they click the "Get" button, it takes you to the wrong DLC.  To get the correct DLC, go here.

NOTE:  This has been Fixed with the latest collection so it should no longer be an issue if you buy the collection.

Thanks for the credits :) Just noticed this thread while searching for the official announce they are no longer able to restore ranked data :)

I figured if we can get most of the data in one spot on the forums here then many questions can be answered quickly.

Hi,

After reading like 20 post saying almost the same, I still can't host an online game. I mean, I've tried the "-tcp", restoring the cache integrity of the game, changed my name to a shorter one, I don't use VPN programs like Hamachi, neither I have an antivirus.

Do you have any ideas about what could I do?

@kuskyarnoia quote:

Hi,

After reading like 20 post saying almost the same, I still can't host an online game. I mean, I've tried the "-tcp", restoring the cache integrity of the game, changed my name to a shorter one, I don't use VPN programs like Hamachi, neither I have an antivirus.

Do you have any ideas about what could I do?

Are you behind a firewall?

@ddace quote:

@kuskyarnoia quote:

Hi,

After reading like 20 post saying almost the same, I still can't host an online game. I mean, I've tried the "-tcp", restoring the cache integrity of the game, changed my name to a shorter one, I don't use VPN programs like Hamachi, neither I have an antivirus.

Do you have any ideas about what could I do?

Are you behind a firewall?

Nop. I have them turned off too :-/

Can you log on multiplayer from an other computer in your house ?

I haven't tried that. I don't have another computer, so I would need to ask a friend to use my steam account, download the whole game and try. If there isn't any other way, I'll try that. I hope there is

@Akasame quote:

Can you log on multiplayer from an other computer in your house ?

Maybe I haven't explained well what's going on. I can join other people games on multiplayer, but it gives me an error when I try to host one.

@kuskyarnoia quote:

I haven't tried that. I don't have another computer, so I would need to ask a friend to use my steam account, download the whole game and try. If there isn't any other way, I'll try that. I hope there is

@Akasame quote:

Can you log on multiplayer from an other computer in your house ?

@kuskyarnoia quote:

Maybe I haven't explained well what's going on. I can join other people games on multiplayer, but it gives me an error when I try to host one.

@kuskyarnoia quote:

I haven't tried that. I don't have another computer, so I would need to ask a friend to use my steam account, download the whole game and try. If there isn't any other way, I'll try that. I hope there is

@Akasame quote:

Can you log on multiplayer from an other computer in your house ?

We understand but we just arent sure why it is doing that to you.  Most people's problems are either TCP option, hamachi or the like.  Since you have run through a bunch of options, it is hard to determine what is going on.  Steam has a list of programs here that could interfere with it. Have you looked through the whole list?

Also, I know some have had a problem with special characters in their name.  If you have any, please change your steam name to something simple and try it out.

I checked, his steam name is fine ^^

One thing that comes to mind mind is his router. Maybe his router has some specific rules about the ports the game uses.

what does ipconfig show?  Are there other adapters?

I hadn't thought about that :-/
I don't think that's the problem because I've been playing online games this whole year using the same router without changing its configuration.

@Akasame quote:

I checked, his steam name is fine ^^

One thing that comes to mind mind is his router. Maybe his router has some specific rules about the ports the game uses.

@ddace quote:

what does ipconfig show?  Are there other adapters?

Not all games use the same ports.

Just check it, so we are sure that's not the problem.

For ipconfig, open the cmd and type ipconfig then press enter.

cmd windows 7 : Open the Command Prompt window by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button. In the search box, type Command Prompt, and then, in the list of results, click Command Prompt.

cmd Windows 8 : Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.

(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)

Enter cmd in the search box, and then tap or click Command Prompt.

EDIT: the forum messed up the links.

I know how it works, don't worry, jejeje. It's just that I'm spanish, so I'm not sure if you'll understand what it says.

Btw, that you very much for trying at least!

@Akasame quote:

Not all games use the same ports.

Just check it, so we are sure that's not the problem.

For ipconfig, open the cmd and type ipconfig then press enter.

cmd windows 7 : Open the Command Prompt window by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button. In the search box, type Command Prompt, and then, in the list of results, click Command Prompt.

cmd Windows 8 : Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.

(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)

Enter cmd in the search box, and then tap or click Command Prompt.

EDIT: the forum messed up the links.

Try disabling your other network connections, although it shouldnt be using them since they do not have an IP.  

If you havent checked the router, that would be a good option to check too as Akasame mentioned.

I'll try next weekend at home. Right now I live in live in my flatmate place and he doesn't remember his router password, and doesn't want that I reset it.

I'll post what happens at home then!

@ddace quote:

Try disabling your other network connections, although it shouldnt be using them since they do not have an IP.  

If you havent checked the router, that would be a good option to check too as Akasame mentioned.

I've tried it at home, and it wasn't that neither. I don't know what else to try!

@kuskyarnoia quote:

I'll try next weekend at home. Right now I live in live in my flatmate place and he doesn't remember his router password, and doesn't want that I reset it.

I'll post what happens at home then!

@ddace quote:

Try disabling your other network connections, although it shouldnt be using them since they do not have an IP.  

If you havent checked the router, that would be a good option to check too as Akasame mentioned.

@kuskyarnoia quote:

I've tried it at home, and it wasn't that neither. I don't know what else to try!

@kuskyarnoia quote:

I'll try next weekend at home. Right now I live in live in my flatmate place and he doesn't remember his router password, and doesn't want that I reset it.

I'll post what happens at home then!

@ddace quote:

Try disabling your other network connections, although it shouldnt be using them since they do not have an IP.  

If you havent checked the router, that would be a good option to check too as Akasame mentioned.

Wow.  That is frustrating for sure then.  My I ask what programs you do have installed?  Maybe there is some other programs or games that is causing it that we dont know about it.

I'm having similar issues... shop isn't showing up for anyone. I've tried removing any software on your list, or similarly related software, added the -tcp option, tried removing firewall...

no clue. Very frustrated.

@VikingMoose quote:

I'm having similar issues... shop isn't showing up for anyone. I've tried removing any software on your list, or similarly related software, added the -tcp option, tried removing firewall...

no clue. Very frustrated.

What shop isnt showing up?

Mine! :)  

I host shop, but nobody shows up. Had a friend check for it, and it's not showing up in listings. Not sure if it's related to the other issues of people not being able to host or not though.

Got this resolved, thanks to Trendy support! Turns out my steam download region was set to Argentina for some reason (and I don't live in Argentina). Set it back to the good ole' U. S. of A and problem solved.

Might be a good one to add to the troubleshooting steps!

Hello,

I cant seem to get my game to start up. I'm using windows 8 and i've tried verifying the game cache, re-installing the game, and even using the registry files offered by EagleOne's guide. When i press play, it says preparing to launch dungeon defenders... and then nothing. Can someone help?

Might be a permissions issue. Have you tried running as administrator?