Swarm Agent error - "Configuration System failed to initialize" - 4.27.2

Hello,

I am running into an issue with the UE4 editor - specifically the Swarm Agent. This happens when trying to build my level or do any type of lighting build. The UE4 editor gets to “starting Swarm agent” then freezes. When I check the Swarm agent program that is running, the below error is posted to the log (repeatedly).

Blockquote
5:14:43 PM: Starting up SwarmAgent …
5:14:43 PM: … registering SwarmAgent with remoting service
5:14:43 PM: … registering SwarmAgent network channels
5:14:43 PM: [ERROR] Channel registration failed. Reason: Configuration system failed to initialize
, Callstack: at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.PrepareConfigSystem()
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.RefreshSection(String sectionName)
at System.Configuration.ClientSettingsStore.ReadSettings(String sectionName, Boolean isUserScoped)
at System.Configuration.LocalFileSettingsProvider.GetPropertyValues(SettingsContext context, SettingsPropertyCollection properties)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertiesFromProvider(SettingsProvider provider)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertyValueByName(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.GetPropertyValue(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at Agent.Properties.Settings.get_AgentRemotingPort() in D:\Build++UE4\Sync\Engine\Saved\CsTools\Engine\Source\Programs\UnrealSwarm\Agent\Properties\Settings.Designer.cs:line 42
at Agent.AgentApplication.Main(String args) in D:\Build++UE4\Sync\Engine\Saved\CsTools\Engine\Source\Programs\UnrealSwarm\Agent\AgentApplication.cs:line 125.
Blockquote

I have disabled my antivirus - I have also used TCP Viewer to ensure nothing is utilizing ports 8008 or 8009 (as per other users’ posts from here that had similar issues).

Also to note - this error happens with multiple levels - templates, sample levels, and my custom built level.

Please - does anyone have a solution for this? I cannot move any further forward with my design until i can properly build and test the lighting.