Nothing is more frustrating than gearing up to play ARC Raiders, only to see it crash on startup or freeze at the splash screen. Whether the game refuses to launch, closes instantly, or gets stuck loading, this guide walks you through every practical fix that’s been proven to work on Windows 10 and 11.
This isn’t just a list of quick tips — it’s a detailed, step-by-step troubleshooting roadmap that explains why each method matters. Follow it carefully, and you’ll not only fix the current problem but also prevent future launch failures.
🧭 Table of Contents
- Restart Steam and Your PC
- Use DX11 or DX12 Launch Options
- Update Windows to the Latest Build
- Verify ARC Raiders Game Files
- Allow the Game Through Antivirus and Firewall
- Close Third-Party or Blocking Apps
- Allow the Game in Exploit Protection
- Adjust Ray-Tracing Settings
- Re-install Easy Anti-Cheat
- Run the Game as Administrator or Change Compatibility Mode
- Rename the Config File
- Perform a Clean Graphics-Driver Installation
- Force the Game to Use Dedicated GPU
- Install Visual C++ Redistributables
- Update Intel Drivers via Support Assistant
- Launch and Optimize Through NVIDIA App
- Try Debug Mode or Restore NVIDIA Settings
- Test Different Power Modes and GPU Scheduling
- Disable Overlays and Overclock Tools
- Lower Monitor Refresh Rate or Increase Virtual Memory
- Update BIOS and Check Hardware Connections
🌀 1. Restart Steam and Your PC
Let’s begin with the simplest — yet surprisingly effective — fix.
Fully exit Steam from the system tray, reopen it, and try launching ARC Raiders again. If the issue persists, reboot your PC. Restarting clears background processes and resets temporary drivers that often conflict with Easy Anti-Cheat or DirectX.
⚙️ 2. Use DX11 or DX12 in Launch Options
Sometimes DirectX API mismatches cause instant crashes.
- Right-click ARC Raiders in Steam → Properties.
- Under Launch Options, type:
-dx12or-dx11 - Close the window and launch the game.
Try both variants. If neither helps, remove the parameter to restore default settings.
🪟 3. Update Windows to the Latest Version
Outdated Windows builds can block DirectX 12 features or driver dependencies.
- Open Settings → Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install everything.
- Restart your PC when finished.
After reboot, launch the game again to test stability.
🔍 4. Verify ARC Raiders Game Files
Corrupted files are one of the most common reasons games crash at launch.
- In Steam, right-click ARC Raiders → Properties → Installed Files.
- Click Verify integrity of game files.
Steam will re-download any missing or damaged files. Once complete, relaunch the game.
🛡️ 5. Allow the Game Through Antivirus and Firewall
Security software often mistakes game files for suspicious processes.
For Windows Security
- Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security → Virus & Threat Protection.
- Scroll down to Manage Ransomware Protection.
- Select Allow an app through Controlled Folder Access → Yes → Add an allowed app.
- Browse to your ARC Raiders installation folder and add all
.exefiles, including:ARC Raiders.exestart_protected_game.exe- Binaries > Win64 > main executable
Then open Control Panel → System and Security → Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app through Firewall and repeat the process.
If you use third-party AV (Dr.Web, Bitdefender, Norton, McAfee, Avast, Comodo, etc.), either whitelist these executables or temporarily disable the AV before testing.
🚫 6. Close Third-Party or Blocking Apps
Background utilities like Zapret, CryptoPro, PunkBuster, GoodbyeDPI or overlay apps can interfere with ARC Raiders.
Open Task Manager → Processes, right-click any non-essential apps, and select End Task.
Make sure only Steam and the game are running before launch.
🔒 7. Allow the Game in Exploit Protection
Windows Exploit Protection may block ARC Raiders’ anti-cheat or DirectX calls.
- Type Exploit Protection in Windows search → open it.
- Go to Program Settings → Add Program to Customize → Choose Exact File Path.
- Add each ARC Raiders
.exefile. - Enable Override System Settings for all options and turn every switch Off.
- Click Apply → Yes.
If you want to restore defaults later, remove these entries.
🌈 8. Adjust Ray-Tracing Settings
Once the game launches, head to Settings → Graphics and locate Ray Tracing.
If it’s set to Dynamic Epic, switch to Static.
This reduces GPU load and fixes crashes on some RTX and RX cards.
🧩 9. Re-install Easy Anti-Cheat
Many startup failures come from corrupted Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) files.
- Right-click ARC Raiders → Manage → Browse Local Files.
- Open the
Installerfolder. - Right-click
EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe→ Run as administrator. - Choose Uninstall, then Install again.
Relaunch the game after installation completes.
👉 Official link: https://www.easy.ac/en-us/support/game/guides/
🧰 10. Run as Administrator or Change Compatibility Mode
Games sometimes need elevated permissions to access system resources.
- Navigate to the game folder → Binaries → Win64.
- Right-click the main
.exe→ Properties → Compatibility. - Check Run this program as an administrator.
- Try launching.
If that fails, test different compatibility modes (Windows 8 or 7) and disable Fullscreen Optimizations.
🧾 11. Rename the Config File
Corrupted configurations can block loading.
- Press
Win + R, type%localappdata%, and press Enter. - Open Pioneer → Saved → Config.
- Right-click the Config folder → rename to
Config.old.
When you restart the game, new default settings will be created.
🎮 12. Perform a Clean Graphics-Driver Installation
Outdated drivers often cause black screens or crashes.
For NVIDIA:
👉 https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
- Select your GPU and Windows version.
- Download the latest Game Ready Driver.
- Run the installer → Custom Installation → check Perform a clean installation.
- Restart your PC.
For AMD:
👉 https://www.amd.com/en/support
Follow the same steps to ensure old files are removed.
🧠 13. Force the Game to Use Your Dedicated GPU
Sometimes Windows launches the game on the integrated graphics chip instead of your GPU.
- Search Graphics Settings → open it.
- Click Add Desktop App → Browse and select each ARC Raiders
.exe. - After adding, click the game → Options → High Performance → Save.
For Desktop PCs
Plug your monitor HDMI/DP cable directly into the GPU port, not the motherboard.
If you have dual graphics cards, disable the integrated Intel GPU in Device Manager → Display Adapters → Right-click → Disable Device.
🧱 14. Install Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing runtime libraries cause crashes on many new games.
Download and install both packages from Microsoft:
👉 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist
Run vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe.
If you see Repair, choose it; if Install, run it fresh. Reboot after completion.
🧩 15. Update Intel Drivers with Support Assistant
Even if you don’t use Intel graphics, chipset or network drivers affect game stability.
👉 https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.html
- Download the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
- Install and run a scan.
- Update everything listed → Download All → Install All.
- Restart your PC.
🧮 16. Launch and Optimize Through NVIDIA App
If you own an NVIDIA GPU, open the new NVIDIA App (formerly GeForce Experience).
- Locate ARC Raiders in your library.
- Click Optimize to apply tested settings.
- If it’s already optimized, revert to default and try again.
Turn off NVIDIA Overlay in settings to prevent startup conflicts.
🧩 17. Try Debug Mode or Restore NVIDIA Settings
In some cases, custom overclocks can crash games instantly.
- Right-click desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Click Help → Debug Mode to enable default clocks.
- If that fails, reset to defaults under Manage 3D Settings → Global Settings → Restore → Apply.
⚡ 18. Test Power Modes and GPU Scheduling
Different power plans can affect how Windows allocates resources.
- Search Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options.
- Try Power Saver, then High Performance, testing each.
You can also toggle Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling:
- Search Graphics Settings → Advanced Settings.
- If off, turn on and restart. If on, turn off and restart.
🎯 19. Disable Overlays and Overclock Tools
Close software that injects overlays into games — they often cause black screens.
Turn off overlays in:
- Discord ( Settings → Game Overlay → Disable )
- NVIDIA Shadow Play / AMD Radeon Overlay
- Steam Overlay (Properties → uncheck “Enable Steam Overlay while in-game”)
Also exit MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, or any GPU/CPU tuning apps.
🧮 20. Lower Monitor Refresh Rate or Increase Virtual Memory
If your monitor runs at 240 Hz, try reducing to 120 Hz or 60 Hz in Display Settings.
Some games struggle with extremely high refresh rates during launch.
To increase virtual memory:
- Search View Advanced System Settings.
- Under Performance → Settings → Advanced → Virtual Memory → Change.
- Uncheck Automatically manage.
- Select the drive where the game is installed.
- Choose Custom size and set:
- Initial Size = 1.5 × Total RAM (in MB)
- Maximum Size = 3 × Total RAM (in MB)
- Click Set → OK → Apply and restart.
If issues persist, switch back to System Managed Size and reboot
.
🧠 21. Update BIOS and Check Hardware Connections
As a last resort, update your motherboard BIOS.
Visit your manufacturer’s website (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) and search your model number.
Download the latest BIOS version and follow their instructions carefully.
⚠️ For laptops: Ensure at least 10% battery and AC power connected before flashing BIOS.
Finally, unplug external accessories like racing wheels, joysticks, additional keyboards, and USB adapters. Launch ARC Raiders with only your primary mouse and keyboard.
If all else fails, uninstall the game completely and reinstall it on a different drive — preferably an SSD or your C: drive for fastest read times.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why does ARC Raiders crash after the splash screen?
Usually due to outdated drivers, corrupted Easy Anti-Cheat, or blocked access by antivirus/firewall.
Q2: Can reinstalling fix the issue permanently?
Yes, if your game folder or registry entries were corrupted. Always reinstall after verifying other steps.
Q3: Should I disable Windows Defender entirely?
No. Just whitelist ARC Raiders’ .exe files; disabling protection entirely exposes you to malware.
Q4: Does reinstalling Visual C++ or DirectX affect saves?
No, these libraries only affect the runtime environment, not your saved data.
Q5: What’s the safest order to try these fixes?
Always start with simple steps — restart, verify files, update drivers — before changing deep settings like BIOS or GPU scheduling.
🧩 Final Thoughts
ARC Raiders is a complex online title that relies on multiple dependencies — Easy Anti-Cheat, DirectX 12, and GPU optimization frameworks. Even one broken link in that chain can prevent it from launching.
By following these 21 fixes in order, you’re covering every major cause: from missing libraries to driver conflicts and antivirus restrictions.
Take your time with each step, and don’t skip restarts. Once resolved, make it a habit to keep your system updated and your game folders clean.
You’ll not only fix ARC Raiders but also prevent similar issues with other modern titles.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This guide is for troubleshooting purposes only. Always download drivers and software from their official websites. Do not modify system registry or BIOS unless you understand the risks. The author and dtptips.com are not responsible for data loss or hardware issues caused by improper handling.
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