Issues Germinating Older Seeds

I have seeds about 2 years old, kept in dry dark place. These are fem autos, and I have had successful grow about 6 months ago off of 2 of these seeds lately, however I have had issues germinating them into the next stages of growth.

I currently soak the seeds in water for 20 - 24 hours, and then I use the paper towel method. I am successful in having the tap root show... but where I fail is when I place it into the medium for growth. I tried several times, and each time either the tap root shrivels or the plant shrivels until my U/V Light. Mainly the tap root shrivels. Any ideas? Used fox farms, and rapid rooter growth plugs. I make sure they are watered with distilled water. Any ideas much appreciated.

try to skip the paper towel method since you said they're popping, and just germ them right in your medium of choice.

autos i soak till they sink then straight into a 3 or 5 gallon pot. i dig out a solo cup sized hole in my ff mix of soils, and put a mild potting soil in the hole, start the seed in there. never gets transplanted,

I recently went through this with some 2+ year old seeds. I kept them in a dark dry place but I suspect that exposed to some heat in the 90s to 100s at some point. I must have gone through 200 seeds before I got 3 to actually grow into full size plants. The only way I got any of these to start (and most failed as you describe) was to scarify, soak in water for 3-4 days, transfer to rapid rooters (I used them upside down so I didn't have to put any soil for them to stand up). I had to help pop the little seed cover off. Even with all that, I only got 3 out of 200 (maybe more).

Are you using a heat mat? seeds don't like cold. Normally my soil is warm enough just from the heat radiating off the light but it's worth a try. I've also had terrible results from the paper towel method. Normally iI'll soak my old seeds til they sink no more than 24 hrs then pop them right into my medium.