Your PC stores an encrypted "token" that proves you logged into Xbox Live. These tokens expire. When they do, AoE2 gets confused. It thinks you are logged in, but the server disagrees. The game enters a limbo state— validating —while it desperately tries to fetch a new token.
Close the Workshop window, restart the game, and try playing again. 2. Validate the Integrity of Game Files
Here’s a detailed post you can use or adapt, aimed at helping players understand and troubleshoot the message (commonly seen in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition ).
If you suspect mods are causing your validation issues, unsubscribe from all mods: aoe2 validating subscriptions
Believe it or not, pressing Ctrl+C on the validation screen often kills the stuck process and lets the game continue.
A browser page or Steam overlay may open showing the workshop; you can safely close it out immediately.
Some players have reported that corrupt modstatus.json files cause persistent issues. If you unsubscribe from a mod, the unsubscription command remains in the file, causing the mod to be automatically removed again upon restart if you resubscribe. The workaround is to manually edit modstatus.json to remove these residual commands. Your PC stores an encrypted "token" that proves
The most definitive, permanent solution involves manually signaling to Steam that your account accepts the modding terms. When this acknowledgment is missing, the game stalls indefinitely looking for authorization.
: Bypass the Steam launcher altogether by opening your file explorer, navigating to your steamapps/common/Age2HD directory, and launching AoE2_HD.exe directly. 🛠️ Permanent Solutions to Fix the Loop
If you bought a DLC but the game client hasn't downloaded the manifest properly, the system tries to confirm a subscription you technically have, but the files don't match the server records. It thinks you are logged in, but the server disagrees
Right-click and select Properties .
: When the "Validating Subscriptions" window appears with its ticking timer, press Ctrl + C on your keyboard.
For players using the Microsoft Store or Xbox Game Pass versions, DLC recognition problems have been particularly severe. A widespread bug prevented the game from recognizing installed DLC, meaning players who had purchased expansions like Lords of the West, Dawn of the Dukes, or Dynasties of India could not access them. This issue persisted for approximately six weeks before a patch was released, leaving many Game Pass subscribers unable to play content they had paid for.
, launch the game, then unsubscribe. This can sometimes "reset" the validation loop. once you're back in the game?
The primary reason for this hang-up is that Steam requires an explicit agreement to its Workshop terms before a game can query mod data. Even if you have never downloaded a mod, the game still searches for this confirmation status and freezes if it cannot find it. Close completely.