Apex Legends Anti-Cheat Error Fix: EA Javelin, Not EAC
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Apex Legends no longer uses Easy Anti-Cheat: on 29 September 2026 EA switched Apex on PC to EA Javelin Anticheat, so an Apex anti-cheat error today is a Javelin error, and the old EAC repair steps won’t fix it. Restart the game first, then match the exact message to the fix below. Most Javelin errors come from a damaged anti-cheat install or a background program on EA’s denylist, not from your account.
What changed: Easy Anti-Cheat → EA Javelin
EA announced the switch on 24 September 2026 and it went live on 29 September 2026. After the update, launching Apex Legends migrates you to EA Javelin Anticheat automatically. Two details matter for troubleshooting:
- No Secure Boot requirement for Apex (for now). Other EA games that use Javelin, such as Battlefield 6, make you enable Secure Boot in the BIOS. EA says that is not the case for Apex Legends.
- Windows 10 20H1 (10.0.19041) or newer is required. Older Windows builds get “Your Windows version is not supported”.
| Before 29 Sep 2026 | Since 29 Sep 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Apex PC anti-cheat | Easy Anti-Cheat (Epic) | EA Javelin Anticheat (EA) |
| Repair tool | EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe in the game folder | EAAntiCheat.Installer.exe in C:\Program Files\EA\AC |
| Secure Boot | Not required | Not required for Apex (EA, Sept 2026) |
| Minimum Windows | — | Windows 10 20H1 (10.0.19041) |
Apex Legends Javelin error codes and fixes
Find your message, then jump to the fix. These are the messages and steps EA publishes for Javelin-protected games.
| Message or code | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Installer Error #41 | Windows 11 Insider build without the renewed Insider certificate | Update the Insider build |
| Installer Error #701 | Windows file-system transaction log problem | Reset the log with fsutil |
| Detected an incompatible driver … Error #119 | A driver on EA’s denylist is loaded | Update or remove the software |
| Detected incompatible software | A program (or its version) is denylisted | Update or remove the software |
| Unacceptable configuration … Error #95 | Cheat, tampering, VPN/proxy or outdated hardware software | Close conflicting software |
| This software cannot be used at the same time as the game (reWASD, Daemon Tools) | Blocked remapper or disc tool | Uninstall it |
EA anticheat Service has encountered an error <path> <Error #> | Javelin can’t find its folder or start the game | Run the EA app as admin |
| Invalid system configuration / a system error | Game files were altered | Reinstall Javelin |
| Failure during update process | Javelin update didn’t finish | Restart, or reinstall via the installer |
| Please start the game from the EA app | EA app or Steam is outdated or interfered with | Update the EA app / Steam; close interfering software |
| Your Windows version is not supported | Below Windows 10 20H1 | Run Windows Update |
| The application encountered an unrecoverable error | Expired or unsigned drivers loading | Restart; enable Secure Boot if it persists |
Error #41 (Windows Insider builds)
Error #41 hits Windows 11 Insider Preview builds that don’t have the renewed Windows Insider certificate. Open Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates, install the latest Insider Preview update, restart your PC and relaunch Apex Legends.
Error #701 (anti-cheat couldn’t start)
If Apex says the anti-cheat couldn’t start and the installer then fails with Error #701, EA points to a Windows file-system issue. Reset the transaction log:
- Press Win + R, type
cmd, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt. - Run (replace
C:if Windows is on another drive):fsutil resource setautoreset true C:\ - Restart the PC and run the anti-cheat installer again.
Error #119 and incompatible software
Error #119 (“detected an incompatible driver”) and “detected incompatible software” both mean something on EA’s security denylist is running. Often only an old version is blocked, so update the named software first; if the error stays, disable or uninstall it.
If the driver name means nothing to you, these are drivers EA lists with the software they belong to:
| Driver file | Software |
|---|---|
msio64.sys | ASUS Aura Sync / ASUS RGB |
asrdrv101.sys | ASRock RGBLED / A-Tuning |
alsysio64.sys | Core Temp |
cpuz141_x64.sys | CPU-Z (old version) |
winring0x64.sys (Precision XOC folder) | EVGA Precision XOC |
dbutil_2_3.sys | Dell DBUtil |
ltmdm64.sys | Agere Windows Modem |
EA notes its list isn’t exhaustive. For most entries, updating to the latest version is enough.
Error #95 (unacceptable configuration)
Error #95 fires when Javelin sees cheat or tampering software, but EA also names innocent causes:
- VPN and proxy software — disable or remove it while playing.
- Outdated hardware utilities — update fan-control, RGB and similar tools, plus device drivers.
- ASUS ROG Ally — update Armoury Crate to the latest version.
reWASD and Daemon Tools
“This software cannot be used at the same time as the game” names the blocked program. For DiscSoft products (Daemon Tools, reWASD, Catch!, Astroburn, iSCSI):
- Fully uninstall reWASD and any other DiscSoft software.
- In Device Manager, uninstall leftover DiscSoft devices — Daemon Tools Lite Virtual SCSI Bus (Storage controllers), the Virtual Bluetooth HID device, and Daemon Tools Lite Virtual USB Bus.
- Restart the PC.
EA’s approved remapping alternatives: PowerToys Keyboard Manager, Steam Input, KeyMapper, Kanata and KMonad.
EA anticheat Service has encountered an error
This message (with a service path and an error number) means Javelin can’t find its installation folder or can’t start the game. Right-click the EA app → Run as administrator — even if you own Apex on Steam or Epic — and launch Apex from the EA app. If that fails, reinstall Javelin.
Failure during update process
Select Close on the pop-up and restart Apex. If it repeats, open the Javelin installer, uninstall Apex Legends from it, and reinstall the game’s anti-cheat.
The application encountered an unrecoverable error
EA says this happens when expired or unsigned drivers load as the game starts. Restart the PC and relaunch. If it continues, EA’s next step is to enable Secure Boot — even though Apex doesn’t otherwise require it.
Reinstall EA Javelin Anticheat
Reinstalling Javelin fixes “invalid system configuration” and most errors that survive a restart.
- Open
C:\Program Files\EA\ACand run EAAntiCheat.Installer.exe. - Select Apex Legends → Uninstall. (Uninstall All removes Javelin from every EA game.)
- Run the installer again — or download it fresh from EA Help — select Apex Legends → Install, and wait for Install success.
- Repair the game: EA app → Library → Apex Legends → Manage → Repair. On Steam: Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
Apex can’t be played while Javelin is uninstalled, so don’t remove it except to reinstall.
Crashes after the Javelin update
If Apex Legends now closes mid-match rather than showing an anti-cheat error, EA’s Javelin guidance points at the CPU:
- Update your CPU microcode, usually through a motherboard BIOS update. Intel Core 13th/14th Gen owners in particular should be on a current BIOS.
- Set CPU power limits to the manufacturer’s recommended values in the BIOS. Many boards have a “baseline” or “default” profile that does this.
If Javelin detects outdated microcode, it can show a warning that links to these steps. For DirectX errors, Apex_crash.txt and other crash causes, see the Apex Legends crashing fix.
Old Easy Anti-Cheat errors (before 29 Sep 2026)
Apex installs that haven’t taken the update can still show EAC messages. EA’s Apex error page still lists the EAC steps:
- “The client failed Anti-Cheat runtime integrity check” — repair the game: EA app → Library → Apex Legends → Manage → Repair.
- Error code 30005 (anti-cheat failed to launch) — repair the game files, or delete the
.sysfile inC:\Program Files (x86)\EasyAntiCheatand restart the PC.
Updating Apex moves you to Javelin, which makes both steps unnecessary.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Apex Legends still use Easy Anti-Cheat?
No. EA switched Apex Legends on PC from Easy Anti-Cheat to EA Javelin Anticheat on 29 September 2026. After the update, launching Apex migrates you to Javelin automatically, so the old EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe repair steps no longer fix current Apex anti-cheat errors.
Do I need Secure Boot for Apex Legends EA Javelin?
Not at the moment. EA's announcement says that, unlike some other EA games that use Javelin, Apex Legends does not require you to enable Secure Boot in the BIOS — you download the update, launch and play. Javelin does require Windows 10 20H1 (version 10.0.19041) or newer.
How do I reinstall EA Javelin anticheat for Apex Legends?
Run EAAntiCheat.Installer.exe from C:\Program Files\EA\AC, select Apex Legends and choose Uninstall, then run the installer again (or download it from EA Help), select Apex Legends and choose Install. You should see Install success. Uninstalling it leaves Apex unplayable until it's reinstalled, so only do this to repair a broken install.
What is EA Javelin Error #119 in Apex Legends?
Error #119 means Javelin detected a driver on EA's denylist — usually an old hardware-monitoring, RGB or fan-control tool such as an outdated CPU-Z, Core Temp, ASUS Aura or EVGA Precision XOC driver. Updating that software to its latest version usually restores compatibility; if it doesn't, disable or uninstall it before launching Apex.
Why does Apex Legends say 'This software cannot be used at the same time as the game'?
Javelin shuts the game down when it finds software it doesn't allow alongside Apex, such as reWASD or DiscSoft's Daemon Tools. Fully uninstall the named program (including DiscSoft's virtual devices in Device Manager), restart the PC and relaunch. EA lists PowerToys Keyboard Manager, Steam Input, KeyMapper, Kanata and KMonad as approved remapping alternatives.
Why does Apex Legends crash after the Javelin anti-cheat update?
EA says some crashes in Javelin-protected games come from CPU errors, not the anti-cheat itself. Update your CPU microcode (usually through a BIOS update) and set CPU power limits to the manufacturer's recommended values in the BIOS. If Javelin detects outdated microcode, it can show a warning linking to these steps.