How Can I Stop Frustrating EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION Crashes Forever? (Proven Methods)

Why Does My Game Keep Crashing With Access Violation Errors? (Devastating Solutions Inside)

I've been helping gamers fix this exact problem for years. When your favorite game suddenly crashes with that dreaded "EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION" message, it feels like your computer is speaking a foreign language. Let me break this down in simple terms and show you exactly how to get back to gaming.

This error happens when your game tries to use computer memory it's not allowed to touch. Think of it like someone trying to open a locked door without permission. Your system says "no way" and shuts everything down to protect itself.

I see this error pop up constantly in popular games like Unreal Engine projects, Skyrim, and newer titles like Marvel Rivals. The good news? I've got proven solutions that work.

Why This Error Keeps Happening

Your computer has strict rules about memory usage. When a program breaks these rules, Windows throws up this error message faster than you can blink. The main troublemakers are usually:

• Old or broken graphics drivers
• Windows security features being too strict
• Corrupted game files
• Bad computer memory (RAM)
• Background programs interfering

Solution 1: Fix Your Graphics Driver

This is my go-to solution because it works about 70% of the time. Your graphics card driver is like a translator between your game and your hardware. When it's outdated or corrupted, communication breaks down.

Here's what I do:

1. Find out what graphics card you have (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel)
2. Go directly to their website - not Windows Update
3. Download the newest driver for your exact card model
4. Uninstall your old driver completely
5. Install the fresh driver and restart

I always tell people to get drivers straight from the manufacturer. Windows Update drivers are often months behind and cause more problems than they solve.

Solution 2: Tell Windows to Back Off (DEP Settings)

Windows has this security feature called Data Execution Prevention. It's like an overzealous security guard that sometimes blocks legitimate programs. I've seen it cause crashes in perfectly good games.

Here's how I fix it:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type sysdm.cpl and hit Enter
3. Click the Advanced tab
4. Click Settings under Performance
5. Go to Data Execution Prevention tab
6. Select "Turn on DEP for all programs except those I select"
7. Click Add and find your game's .exe file
8. Apply the changes and restart

This tells Windows to ease up on that specific program while keeping protection for everything else.

Solution 3: Check Your Game Files

Corrupted files are sneaky. Your game might run fine most of the time, then crash when it hits a damaged file. I always verify game files before trying anything more complex.

For Steam games:

1. Right-click your game in Library
2. Go to Properties
3. Click Installed Files tab
4. Hit "Verify integrity of game files"

For Epic Games:

1. Find your game in the library
2. Click the three dots
3. Select Manage
4. Click Verify

For Battle.net:

• Click the gear icon next to Play
• Select Scan and Repair
• Click Begin Scan

This process replaces any broken files with fresh copies. It's like getting a tune-up for your game.

Solution 4: Test Your Computer Memory

Bad RAM causes weird, random crashes that make you want to pull your hair out. Even if other programs work fine, games push your memory harder and can expose hidden problems.

I use Windows' built-in memory tester:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type mdsched.exe and hit Enter
3. Choose "Restart now and check for problems"
4. Let it run the full test

If it finds errors, you'll need to replace your RAM. No software fix can repair physically damaged memory.

Solution 5: Turn Off Overlay Programs

This one surprises people. Programs like Discord, Steam overlay, MSI Afterburner, and graphics card overlays can interfere with games in unexpected ways. They inject code into your game's memory space, which sometimes triggers access violations.

I recommend temporarily disabling:

• Discord overlay
• Steam overlay
• NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay
• AMD Radeon overlay
• MSI Afterburner
• Any recording software

Turn them off one by one and test your game after each change. You'll quickly find the culprit.

Advanced Solutions for Stubborn Cases

If the basic fixes don't work, I dig deeper:

Check for Intel CPU issues

Recent Intel 13th and 14th generation processors have known stability problems. Update your BIOS and set CPU Lite Load Control to "Intel Default" in BIOS settings.

Run system file checker

Open Command Prompt as administrator and type sfc /scannow. This fixes corrupted Windows files that might be causing conflicts.

Update Visual C++ Redistributables

Many games need these Microsoft libraries. Download the latest versions from Microsoft's website.

When All Else Fails

Sometimes the problem isn't on your end. Game developers release patches regularly to fix these exact issues. Check the game's official forums or social media for known problems and upcoming fixes.

If you've tried everything and still get crashes, contact the game's support team. Include your error message, system specs, and what fixes you've already attempted. They often have game-specific solutions not covered in general guides.

Remember, this error is fixable in most cases. I've helped thousands of gamers get back to playing their favorite titles. Start with the graphics driver update - it's the most common solution. Then work through the other methods systematically.

Don't get discouraged if the first method doesn't work. These crashes have multiple possible causes, so finding the right solution sometimes takes patience. But once you fix it, you'll likely never see this error again in that game.