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ARC Raiders / ARC Raiders crash on launch

ARC Raiders crash on launch

✅ Verified on 2026-11-15 · ARC Raiders version Hotfix 2.4.1 (Nov 5, 2026) + Store Update 2.5.0 (Nov 10, 2026) · Platform: PC (Steam)

Quick fix

Verify your game files in Steam and add an antivirus exclusion for the EasyAntiCheat_EOS folder before relaunching.

Symptoms

The game crashes immediately when you press Play, sometimes before the Embark logo, or Easy Anti-Cheat fails with errors like 30005. Crashes spike right after patches and on PCs with outdated GPU drivers or antivirus interference.

Fixes that work

Verify game files and update GPU/DirectX drivers

  1. In Steam, right-click ARC Raiders > Properties > Installed Files > 'Verify integrity of game files'.
  2. Check your GPU model with dxdiag (Win+R, type dxdiag, Display tab), then clean-install the latest driver via NVIDIA GeForce Experience / AMD Adrenalin / Intel tool.
  3. Install the latest DirectX runtime directly from Microsoft and run Windows Update, then reboot.

Source: https://id.embark.games/arc-raiders/support/faq/153-troubleshooting-game-crash-launch-issues---pc

Fix Easy Anti-Cheat blocking the launch (Error 30005)

  1. Reboot your PC first — EAC error 30005 is usually an antivirus lock on the EAC executable.
  2. Add an antivirus exclusion for C:\Program Files (x86)\EasyAntiCheat_EOS.
  3. If you see 'Maximum Simultaneous Game Instances Reached', end the ARC Raiders process in Task Manager; if it is not listed, a full reboot clears the EAC driver state.

Source: https://id.embark.games/arc-raiders/support/faq/153-troubleshooting-game-crash-launch-issues---pc

Remove leftover NVIDIA PhysX drivers and disable overlays

  1. Manually uninstall the old standalone NVIDIA PhysX package, then reinstall the current GPU driver — several players fixed hard launch crashes this way.
  2. Disable Discord, GeForce Experience, Steam, and RGB-software overlays before launching.
  3. If crashes persist, remove conflicting old AMD Adrenalin installs and update Windows to the latest build.

Source: https://id.embark.games/arc-raiders/support/faq/153-troubleshooting-game-crash-launch-issues---pc

Frequently asked questions

Why does ARC Raiders crash right after every patch?

Patches can corrupt local files or conflict with cached anti-cheat state; verifying game files in Steam and fully rebooting (which resets the Easy Anti-Cheat driver state) fixes most post-patch launch crashes.

Does ARC Raiders need DirectX 12?

The game ships on DirectX 12, but if your system struggles with it you can add -dx11 as a Steam launch option to force DirectX 11 and work around DX12-related launch crashes and black screens.

Can antivirus cause ARC Raiders to not launch?

Yes — Easy Anti-Cheat error 30005 is typically an antivirus lock; Embark's official fix is rebooting and adding an exclusion for the Program Files (x86)\EasyAntiCheat_EOS directory.