minor fix to #14525

[w-e-w]

Description

• minor fix to handle config.json failed to load #14525
• separate file found not found exception as to not print error message on first launch
• remove redundant settings = {}

Screenshots/videos:

Checklist:

• I have read contributing wiki page
• I have performed a self-review of my own code
• My code follows the style guidelines
• My code passes tests