PIA starts then immediately closes - I can only see it in Task Manager for about 5 seconds (Win7)
Hi guys,
I've just bought a subscription to PIA and I'm experiencing problems with running it - it just won't start!
It seems to have installed properly, but simply cannot start on my system - I'm yet to see the PIA window, because whenever I start it through the Start > Programs shortcut or by executing "pia_manager.exe" it starts up (I can see it in the Task Manager if I have it open) and then closes almost immediately.
The process is:
- I try to start PIA (as administrator).
- I can see "rubyw.exe" and "pia_manager.exe" starting up in the Task Manager (they both appear twice, for a total of four listings).
- Suddenly, a few seconds later, both "rubyw.exe" and "pia_manager.exe" disappear from the Task Manager.
- PIA doesn't start, I can retry the process to the exact same results.
I've tried to search for solutions here, but found mostly Windows 10 issues or issues connected to the TAP Driver not being installed - while it seems that mine has been installed correctly (I even clicked the "Reinstall TAP Driver" shortcut in the Start Menu and it reinstalled correctly). I've thought that maybe Avast is doing something to block it, but switching it off didn't help - same thing happens.
Outside of Avast, I don't have any other programs that could block the execution of PIA, at least not that I know of.
My system is Windows 7 64 bit, should be all up-to-date, administrator's account. Only anti-virus software installed is Avast Free edition. I have also installed the PIA Chrome extension and that works splendidly, unlike the Windows client.
All help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
I've just bought a subscription to PIA and I'm experiencing problems with running it - it just won't start!
It seems to have installed properly, but simply cannot start on my system - I'm yet to see the PIA window, because whenever I start it through the Start > Programs shortcut or by executing "pia_manager.exe" it starts up (I can see it in the Task Manager if I have it open) and then closes almost immediately.
The process is:
- I try to start PIA (as administrator).
- I can see "rubyw.exe" and "pia_manager.exe" starting up in the Task Manager (they both appear twice, for a total of four listings).
- Suddenly, a few seconds later, both "rubyw.exe" and "pia_manager.exe" disappear from the Task Manager.
- PIA doesn't start, I can retry the process to the exact same results.
I've tried to search for solutions here, but found mostly Windows 10 issues or issues connected to the TAP Driver not being installed - while it seems that mine has been installed correctly (I even clicked the "Reinstall TAP Driver" shortcut in the Start Menu and it reinstalled correctly). I've thought that maybe Avast is doing something to block it, but switching it off didn't help - same thing happens.
Outside of Avast, I don't have any other programs that could block the execution of PIA, at least not that I know of.
My system is Windows 7 64 bit, should be all up-to-date, administrator's account. Only anti-virus software installed is Avast Free edition. I have also installed the PIA Chrome extension and that works splendidly, unlike the Windows client.
All help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Comments
Sounds very similar to this issue (which is fixed in the upcoming v76 release): https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/26307/pia-manager-exe-wont-start-in-any-way-windows-10-issue/p1
I have also posted a workaround in that thread here: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/comment/51450/#Comment_51450