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Error message: "Error invoking method" and "Failed to launch JVM" when starting Steinberg Download Assistant

Problem

When starting Steinberg Download Assistant under Windows, these error messages appear:

Error_Messages_EN.png

Background

This issue occurs when the beta feature for Unicode UTF-8 support for global languages is enabled . 

It is also possible that the Windows Downloads folder is corrupted or that the system's stored path points to a non-existent folder. By default, the Steinberg Download Assistant follows the Windows-defined Downloads folder as the download destination. If this connection cannot be established, the Steinberg Download Assistant will not start

Step 1

Follow these steps to deactivate the beta function for the support of Unicode UTF-8 support for worldwide languages:

Windows 10

  • Open Windows Settings
  • Go to "Time & Language"
  • Select "Region" from the left-hand menu
  • Click "Additional date, time & regional settings" under the Related Settings section
  • In the new window, click "Region"
  • At the top of the window, switch to the "Administrative" tab
  • Click "Change system locale…"
  • Make sure the option "Beta: Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support" at the bottom of the window is not enabled
  • Confirm the change by clicking "OK"

Now, ensure that the Steinberg Download Assistant recognizes the changes by following these steps: 

  • Press the Windows logo key + R simultaneously to open the "Run" command window.
  • Enter the following path in the command line of the Run window:
    %localappdata%\Steinberg Download Assistant\
  • Click OK
  • Delete the file "SDA_downloads.json"

Open the Steinberg Download Assistant and check if it functions correctly again. 

Windows 11

  • Open Windows Settings
  • Go to "Time & Language"
  • Select "Language & region"
  • Click "Administrative language settings"
  • Click "Change system locale…"
  • Make sure the option "Beta: Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support" at the bottom of the window is not enabled
  • Confirm the change by clicking "OK"

Now, ensure that the Steinberg Download Assistant recognizes the changes by following these steps: 

  • Press the Windows logo key + R simultaneously to open the "Run" command window.
  • Gib in der Befehlszeile des "Ausführen"-Fensters diesen Pfad ein:
    %localappdata%\Steinberg Download Assistant\
  • Click "OK"
  • Delete the file "SDA_downloads.json"

Open the Steinberg Download Assistant and check if it functions correctly again.

If the Steinberg Download Assistant still does not work after completing Step 1, please proceed to Step 2.

Step 2

Follow these instrucions to restore the download folder:

  1. Right-click on "Downloads" in the quick access menu of the File Explorer.
  2. Select "Properties".
  3. Go to the "Location" tab.
  4. Click on "Restore Default".
    -> Windows restores the default location of the system:
    C:\Users\<USERNAME>\Downloads
    If no folder exists, Windows offers to create one. 

Dialog_EN.png

Now start the Steinberg Download Assistant and check if the error messages still occur.

If the problem still occurs, further steps are necessary. This is usually the case if you have changed the download destination (target folder) in the Steinberg Download Assistant before these error messages appeared.

Make sure to restore the download folder and additionally perform the following steps:

  • Uninstall Steinberg Download Assistant.
  • Check if the following directories are still present after the uninstallation. If so, delete them:
    C:\User\<USERNAME>\AppData\Local\Steinberg Download Assistant
    C:\ProgramData\Steinberg\Download Assistant
    C:\Program Files (X86)\Steinberg\Download Assistant
    ⚠ Note that the "ProgramData" and "AppData" folders are hidden by default and therefore not visible. To show them, open the file explorer and go to the "View" tab. In the "Show/hide" section, check the box for the "Hidden items" entry. Now the hidden folders are visible. 
  • Download the latest version of Steinberg Download Assistant and install it again: Steinberg Download Assistant Download
  • Now start the Steinberg Download Assistant

If the issue persists, please contact support. 

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