JW Library won't open

[Tuel]

This is a reoccurring problem: Without any warning, JWL goes to the opening screen and then sits with the dots spinning until I close it and try again, but still won't open. I am now getting a Windows message: "Problem starting STARTUPSCAN.DLL, THE SPECIFIED MODULE COULD NOT BE FOUND." I googled the message and found some fixes; jumped through all the hoops, to no avail. This has happened twice before, and it seems that uninstalling/reinstalling is the fix, but this deletes all of my downloads for the app. Has anyone found a fix, or a way to preserve your downloads during a re-install? (Running Windows 10.)

[Myew]

I think that's related to Windows Defender?
You might try this guide: https://www.howtogeek.com/222532/how-to-repair-corrupted-windows-system-files-with-the-sfc-and-dism-commands/
Otherwise, perhaps a clean Windows 10 re-installation...

[Tuel]

I tried all of those solutions, including a repair install of Windows, but none helped. What I really need to know is how to preserve my JW downloads while uninstalling/reinstalling JW Library. Can anyone help with that?

[Myew]

I'm just guessing here: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Packages\WatchtowerBibleandTractSo<bunchanumbers#########>\LocalState
You can try making a backup of the WatchtowerBibleandTractSo- folder and replacing it later if it messes up, perhaps that would work. Music and Video are stored elsewhere.
Perhaps it's a fundamental issue with your Windows installation, and requires a full clean Windows installation from .iso with no bloat or antivirus.

[jwhess]

4 hours ago, Tuel said:

I tried all of those solutions, including a repair install of Windows, but none helped. What I really need to know is how to preserve my JW downloads while uninstalling/reinstalling JW Library. Can anyone help with that?

The JW Library app does not have a native way to backup publications and store them.  You can backup notes and bookmarks but not publications.

[Tuel]

After trying all of the above I now have the app reinstalled, but stuck in "Searching for new publications" mode (little dots moving across the screen). I have left it in this state for hours with no change. If I try downloading the Daily Text, the selection box disappears but no change in status. (I have uninstalled/reinstalled the app three times.)

[jwhess]

I know that I should have asked before.  What version of Windows 10 are you using?

 

Win 10 version 1709, version 1803, version 1809 or one of the 21H1 or 21H2 version?

[Tuel]

21 H2

[jwhess]

1 hour ago, Tuel said:

21 H2

Good enough.  I don't suppose you had the problem with 21H1?

[Tuel]

Yep, had it with that version also.

[Tuel]

Yep, had it with that version also.

Update: I finally gave up and reloaded Windows. Problem solved, JWL is working.