After so many years, there still is no solution to this problem online. So, I had to try to fix it on my own.
Update: This also fixes the 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 error!
Two things worked for me:
1. Manually delete all stuff related to BattleNet from my computer (registry and disk) then try to reinstall:
Full of wisdom, Blizzard spreads its crap all over the computer:
- Manual clean up
- c:\ProgramData\Battle.net\
- c:\ProgramData\Battle.net_components\
- c:\ProgramData\Blizzard Entertainment\
- c:\Users\All Users\Battle.net\
- c:\Users\%UserName%\AppData\Local\Blizzard Entertainment\
- c:\Users\%UserName%\Documents\StarCraft II\
- c:\Program Files (x86)\Battle.net\
To delete the registry use this REG file (save the text below in a .reg file and run it OR go there and delete the keys manually)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Blizzard Entertainment]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment]
Make sure no Blizzard process is still running OR restart Windows to terminate all Blizzard processes.
Turn off the firewall and start the installer.
2. Actually this is easier but it doesn’t always work: when the installer is stuck, look for a process called Agent.exe. Kill it. The installer might continue immediately. I figured this out, by looking into the log files.
3. In case the installation is corrupted, try this “DOS” commands (as admin):
net stop winmgmt
winmgmt /resetrepository
net start winmgmt
4. Blizzard DeScrewer
I created this program that will help you reset the BattleNet installation. Basically you could say it is an over-glorified uninstaller.
It does the whole checklist above for you, each step being an optional checkbox. Here is everything it can do:
- Kill Blizzard processes – Battle.net.exe, Agent.exe, BlizzardError.exe and the setup/update agent, so their files can be removed.
- Delete the registry keys – the HKCU and HKLM Blizzard Entertainment trees (recursive).
- Delete the left-over folders – the Battle.net and Blizzard folders in ProgramData, your AppData, and Program Files. Everything goes to the Recycle Bin, not a hard delete.
- Clean the Windows hosts file – removes stale Blizzard / Battle.net entries (a backup is saved first).
- Reset the WMI repository – the Update Agent needs WMI; this salvages/rebuilds it (and force-stops TinyWall, which blocks it).
- Enable the Secondary Logon service – Battle.net explicitly requires it.
- Reset the network stack – flush DNS + Winsock + TCP/IP reset (needs a reboot).
- Repair Windows system files – DISM + SFC (slow, but fixes a corrupted Windows).
- Force the launcher to English – for when Battle.net is stuck in the wrong language.
- Download & run a fresh installer – the current version, straight from Blizzard.
The safe steps are pre-checked; the aggressive ones (hosts file, network reset, SFC/DISM) are off by default – tick them only if the basic cleanup wasn’t enough. Your StarCraft II replays and saves are left alone by default (Battle.net doesn’t use the registry to find games – after reinstalling, use Battle.net > StarCraft II > Locate the game).
The Blizzard Installer will give the impression that will get stuck again at some percentage (maybe even 45%). It isn’t. Give it a bit more time. Leave it open and do something else. Also make sure the installer has access to the Internet.
Disclaimer: The program is provided “as is”.