The Apex Legends Easy Anti-Cheat error is a gaming issue players have reported on EA, Steam, Reddit, and other forums. When this issue occurs, an Easy Anti-Cheat error message appears that says, “The client is not running the anti-cheat” (or something similar). Sometimes Apex Legends doesn’t start because of the Easy Anti-Cheat error, but some players have also reported the issue arises when playing the game. This issue can occur when players try to start the game with Steam and EA gaming client apps. These are the ways you can fix the Apex Legends Easy Anti-Cheat error on your Windows PC.
Verify the Apex Legends Game Files
Corrupted or missing Apex Legends game files can cause the Easy Anti-Cheat error to arise. So, verifying (repairing) game files with Steam or the EA app could resolve this issue for some players. This Steam support page includes instructions for how to verify Steam games. You can verify Apex Legends with the EA gaming client like this.
- Start the EA app and click on Library.
- Click the three-dot menu button for Apex Legends.
- Select the Repair option.
Repair the Easy Anti-Cheat Service
Repairing the Easy Anti-Cheat software is the most widely confirmed fix for this issue. That’s not surprising considering it’s the Apex Legends Easy Anti-Cheat error. Easy Anti-Cheat is an anti-cheat service that’s essential for playing Apex Legends. This is how you can repair Easy Anti-Cheat.
- Bring up Steam and click Library.
- Right-click Apex Legends and select Manage > Browse local files.
- Open the Easy Anti-Cheat folder in the Apex Legends installation directory.
- Double-click EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe file.
- Click the Repair Service button.
The Repair Service option in Easy Anti-Cheat
- Select the Finish option.
Those steps are for Steam users. If you’re an EA user, go to this default folder location: C:Program FilesEA GamesApexEasy Anti-Cheat. Then open Easy Anti-Cheat and select Repair from there.
If that doesn’t work for you, try reinstalling the Easy Anti-Cheat service. To do that, click Uninstall in the Easy Anti-Cheat Service Setup window. Press the Install Easy Anti-Cheat button to reinstall.
Temporarily Turn Off Antivirus Shields
Some Apex Legends players confirm disabling antivirus utilities can fix the Easy Anti-Cheat error. If you’ve installed a third-party security app, its antivirus shield might be restricting game engine access. To remedy that, right-click your security software’s icon in the system tray and select a context menu option for disabling its antivirus shield. Run Apex Legends with the antivirus disabled to see if the issue persists.
Users without third-party antivirus software can apply this potential resolution by temporarily disabling Microsoft Defender. You can disable the Windows antivirus shield as instructed on this Microsoft website page.
The Real-time protection option in Windows Security
Temporarily Turn Off Firewalls
Firewalls can also cause Easy Anti-Cheat issues to arise. So, try disabling any third-party firewall on your PC before playing Apex Legends to see if that makes any difference. Note that antivirus tools can also incorporate firewall components. Launch Apex Legends with the firewall turned off to see if that helps. If it does, turn the firewall back on and add the game’s EXE file and Easy Anti Cheat software to its exceptions list.
Microsoft Defender Firewall is the built-in Windows firewall. Add the Apex Legends EXE file for starting the game and EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe to Microsoft Defender Firewall’s allowed list. This Microsoft support webpage tells you how to allow apps through that the Windows firewall.
The Allowed apps settings for the Windows firewall
Reinstall Apex Legends
Finally, try reinstalling Apex Legends if the Easy Anti-Cheat error remains unresolved after applying alternative potential solutions. This is how you can reinstall Apex Legends via Steam and EA Desktop App.
Steam
- Start Steam and click Library to view your games collection.
- Right-click Apex Legends to select Manage and Uninstall.
The Uninstall option in Steam
- Select the Install option for the Apex Legends game in the Steam Library tab.
EA Desktop App
- Run the EA Desktop App and select Library.
- Press the … (ellipses) button for Apex Legends.
- Select Uninstall to remove the game.
The Uninstall option in the EA game client
- Click the down arrow on the Apex Legends game to download and reinstall it.
Other Ways to Fix the Apex Legends Easy Anti-Cheat Error
A few other potential resolutions could feasibly fix the Apex Legends Easy Anti-Cheat error for some players. If the potential solutions above aren’t enough, try doing the following:
- Reinstall your gaming client software for Apex Legends.
- Set Apex Legends and your game client software to always run as an administrator.
- Close unnecessary background programs and processes before starting Apex Legends via Task Manager. Alternatively, apply a clean boot as outlined on this Microsoft Windows help page.
Many players have got the Apex Legends Easy Anti-Cheat error sorted out by applying the troubleshooting methods above. So, it’s quite likely one or more of those potential resolutions will fix the same (or similar) Apex Legends issue on your Windows PC.
