Already Installed? Locate Game issues

Any time I turn my computer off and on, I get this when I try to play Nikki:

https://preview.redd.it/0hh4q2in7cfe1.png?width=1585&format=png&auto=webp&s=ea0d82f61603f166c12d86be8501e59c181f7325

When I try to find the .exe file of the game OUTSIDE the 'locate game' (via my actual computer system), it's there...

https://preview.redd.it/sjn5kpks7cfe1.png?width=491&format=png&auto=webp&s=cfca1b1f610962ffdd980e856b17918ab735b4a7

https://preview.redd.it/mpbgiijy7cfe1.png?width=498&format=png&auto=webp&s=52293c25f4e9c240934487c6805b34b284f7bed4

But when I use the locate game, it's not?? It gives me the "Game files not found" message no matter which folder I try to submit. Yesteday I had the same issue - I thought it was a problem with the update, so I redownloaded the game (this time from the official website, not thru Epic games) and I played it all day yesterday.. but today, this issue again..