Fix: Bad or Missing Configuration in SMITE

This SMITE in-game error appears after launching the game and being redirected in the login screen. After trying to log in, the “Bad or missing configuration” error message appears and prevents players from launching and playing the game at all.

SMITE video game is available to play both through a standalone launcher available to download from their site and from Steam. That being said, some of the methods will be aimed at Steam and some at the non-Steam players. Follow the methods we have prepared below in order to resolve this problem.

What Causes the SMITE “Bad or Missing Configuration” Error?

The error is caused by a variety of different reasons which usually have something to do with other services related to the game. The list of causes might help you figure out which scenario occurred to you and what to do in order to fix it.

Solution 1: Install or Uninstall the Hirez Service

Sometimes this service simply doesn’t install properly on people’s computers and they are unable to do anything with their installation of Smite, leading to this error appearing from the beginning. In other cases, the service appears to be corrupt and you should uninstall and let the game install it itself.

1. If you have installed the game on Steam, open up your Steam client and navigate to the Library tab in the Steam window and locate Smite in the list of games you own in the library.
2. Right-click on the game and choose the Properties entry which will appear at the top of the context menu. Navigate to the Local Files tab in the Properties window and choose the Browse Local Files

3. If the game is not installed through Steam, locate the game’s shortcut on the Desktop, right-click on it and choose Open file location from the context menu which will appear. If you don’t have a shortcut on the Desktop browse for the game’s installation folder manually (C >> Program Files >> Smite) if you didn’t change it.
4. You can also search for it in the Start menu by typing “Smite” with Start menu open, right-click the Smite entry, and choose the Open file location

5. Navigate to Binaries >> Redist and double-click to open InstallHiRezService.exe executable. If the service is installed, make sure you choose to uninstall it from within the executable. If it’s not installed, install it before reopening the game again.
6. The game should proceed to install the Service before launching so check to see if you are now able to play properly.

Solution 2: Use the Troubleshoot Option

Many players have reported that using the game’s built-in troubleshooter can help resolve the problem quite easily. The error itself is not so problematic in its nature and you should definitely check out this option before moving onto the next one!

1. If you have installed the game on Steam, open up your Steam client by double-clicking its icon from the Desktop or by searching for it in the Start menu or the round Cortana button ( or the search bar) next to it if you are a Windows 10 user.

2. Navigate to the Library tab in the Steam window and locate Smite in the list of games you own in the library.
3. Right-click on the game and choose the Play Game entry which will appear at the top of the context menu. If the game is not installed through Steam, simply locate the game’s launcher on your computer and double click on it.

4. Click the gear-like icon from the bottom left part of the Smite launcher window to open Settings. Click the Troubleshoot button and choose the Restart Services Wait for the client to perform this process and try starting the game now. Check to see if the problem is gone.

Solution 3: Install EAC

Sometimes this error appears if users haven’t installed Easy AntiCheat properly. It’s a service designed to prevent user-installed addons which serve to provide unfair advantage to players. Make sure you follow the instructions available below in order to properly install this feature and play the game without obstructions.

1. Open your Steam PC client by double-clicking its shortcut on the Desktop or by searching for it in the Start menu after clicking the Start menu button or the Search (Cortana) button.

2. After the Steam window opens, navigate to the Library tab in the Steam window at the menu located at the top of the window, and locate the Rust entry in the list.
3. Right-click the game’s icon in the library and choose the Properties button from the context menu which will open and make sure you navigate to the Local Files tab in the Properties window straight away and click the Browse Local Files.

4. You can also search for the game’s main executable as well by clicking the Start menu button or the search button next to it and typing Rust. Anyway, right-click on the executable and choose the Open file location option from the context menu which will appear.
5. Locate the EasyAntiCheat folder and double-click in order to open it. Try locating a file named ‘EasyAntiCheat_setup.exe’ (or similar), right-click on it, and choose the Run as Administrator option from the context menu.

6. Follow the instructions which will appear on-screen in order to install EAC properly. After that process is over, try launching the game and check if the “Bad or missing configuration” error appears.

Solution 4: Reinstall the Game

Reinstalling the game is the last step you should undertake in order to solve this problem. Some people may feel like this is too much but it all depends on how fast your Internet connection is because your progress is tied with your Steam or HiRez account (depending on how you installed the game) and you can simply start where you left off.

1. Click on the Start menu button and open Control Panel by searching for it or by locating it in Start menu (Windows 7 users). Alternatively, you can click on the gear icon in order to open the Settings app if you are using Windows 10 as the operating system on your computer.
2. In the Control Panel window, switch to View as: Category at the top right corner and click on Uninstall a Program under the Programs section.

3. If you are using the Settings on Windows 10, clicking on Apps section from the Settings window should open the list of all installed programs on your computer.
4. Locate Smite in the list either in Settings or Control Panel, click on it once and click the Uninstall button located in the Uninstall a program Confirm any dialog choices to uninstall the game, and follow the instructions which will appear on screen.