Unlike some other error messages, this one will appear when you try to launch a game, stopping you from playing it altogether. On launch, a text box will appear reading, “game security violation detected,” and stop you from getting any further.
As annoying as this issue is, it can be fairly straightforward to fix. Here’s a closer look.
Why Do Game Security Violation Detected Errors Occur?
In many cases, games crashing results from low specs or other hardware issues. The game security violation detected error is different. When you get this message, it’s a problem with a service called Easy Anti-Cheat.
Many multiplayer games today, especially big titles like Halo, Fortnite, and Apex Legends, use Easy Anti-Cheat to prevent cheating. The program detects when players are trying to hack or otherwise cheat the game, then shut it down to stop them. While it does a fairly good job at that, it also tends to react to things that aren’t cheating.
Easy Anti-Cheat errors happen when this program incorrectly identifies software as a security violation. If you can take the programs causing this confusion out of the equation, you can avoid these errors.
Fixing Game Security Violation Detected Errors
A few different types of software can cause Easy Anti-Cheat security violation errors. Some of these software types cause these problems more often than others, so here are a few of them, along with how to fix them.
1. Deactivate RGB Software
More often than not, the culprit behind these Easy Anti-Cheat errors is RGB lighting. Many PC components today come with RGB lights, often with software that controls them. Given how often Easy Anti-Cheat mistakes this software for cheating, if you have RGB lights anywhere in your setup, they’re probably the cause.
If your RGB components don’t have a program where you can turn the lights on and off, you can stop them from Task Manager. Look for any tasks with names relating to lighting, click them, then click End Task.
Sometimes you have to completely uninstall this software to stop it from interfering with Easy Anti-Cheat. Find the RGB software on your drive, right-click it, then click Uninstall.
2. Disconnect Your VPN
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are another common source of game security violation detected errors. Since these programs can change your network’s location, anti-cheating software often sees them as suspicious. With 68% of U.S. internet users using VPNs according to a Security.org VPN consumer report, this is a fairly common issue.
Disconnecting your VPN before launching the game should solve the problem. In some cases, it may be necessary to restart Windows after disconnecting the VPN, too.
3. Check Antivirus Software
While antivirus software generally keeps computers safe, sometimes it can interfere with proper operation in games. Most anti-cheating programs don’t have an issue with most antivirus software, but sometimes the antivirus can be too aggressive. Botched updates can cause them to act strangely, too.
Try updating any antivirus software to take care of bugs that could cause the issue. If that doesn’t work, you can disable the antivirus before launching the game, but remember to turn it back on when you’re done.
4. Update the Game and Launcher
If none of the previous fixes work, it could be an issue with the game itself. Outdated versions of a game could cause anti-cheating software to think you’re using a corrupt or hacked version. Game updates could include bug fixes for Easy Anti-Cheat errors, too.
Check for any updates, both for the game and the game launcher you use, like Steam, Epic, or GOG. After updating, you may have to restart Windows, too.
Play Your Games Without Interruption
Easy Anti-Cheat and other programs like it keep games fair and fun, but they can sometimes get in the way. Disabling any software that could interfere with these programs should resolve the issue. You can then continue to play without unnecessary error messages stopping you.
