Fix Games Crashing With Error Code 0xc0000005 on Windows 11

Error code 0xc0000005 is a memory access violation: the game tried to read or write a part of memory it was not allowed to use, and Windows closed it. Because the code is generic, the fix depends on whether one game or every game is crashing. For a single title, verify the game files and turn off overlays and mods. If everything crashes, look at memory settings, the graphics driver and system files. This guide covers Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 on Intel and AMD systems and usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, longer if you run a full memory scan.

Quick Answer

• Verify the game’s files in Steam, Epic or the launcher you use, then restart the PC.
• Close overlays and add-ons: Discord, Game Bar, GPU overlays, RGB and monitoring tools, and any mods.
• Reinstall the graphics driver cleanly and update the BIOS and chipset drivers.
• Run sfc /scannow, then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, from an elevated terminal.
• If crashes continue in many games, set memory to default speed in the BIOS and run a full memory scan.

Before You Start

Work out the pattern before you change anything, because it saves hours. Open Event Viewer, expand Windows Logs > Application, and find the Error entry from the moment of the crash. Event ID 1000 names the faulting application, the faulting module and the exception code. Write down the module, such as the game executable, ntdll.dll or a graphics driver file. Keep in mind that a common Windows DLL in that field is often a victim rather than the cause, so treat it as a hint and not a verdict. Reliability Monitor (run perfmon /rel) shows the same crashes in a friendlier list.

Create a restore point first: search for Create a restore point, choose your system drive and select Create. Sign in as an administrator. Several steps later in this guide change BIOS memory settings or security settings. BIOS changes carry some risk if you set unfamiliar values, so only change the memory profile and update settings that are described here, and note down what you changed so you can undo it. If you use BitLocker, make sure you have the recovery key saved before updating the BIOS.

Method 1: Fix a Single Game

When only one title crashes, the game’s own files, add-ons or settings are the likely cause. These steps take about ten minutes.

1. In Steam, right-click the game in your library, choose Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files. In other launchers, use the equivalent Repair or Verify option. Steam reports how many files it replaced.
2. Remove mods, ReShade, injected DLLs and script extenders. Launch the game once without them to see whether the crash goes away. Add them back one at a time.
3. Turn off overlays one by one: Steam, Discord, Xbox Game Bar (Settings > Gaming > Game Bar), the GPU vendor overlay, and recording tools. Overlays hook into the game process, and a bad hook can trigger an access violation.
4. Close monitoring and RGB utilities, fan-control software and “FPS booster” tools. Then start the game again.
5. Check for a game patch. Some older games needed updates to work properly with newer Windows 11 releases, and publishers have shipped fixes for 24H2-era crashes. Update through the launcher before assuming the PC is at fault.
6. Delete the game’s shader cache if the launcher or GPU control panel provides a clear-cache option, then let it rebuild on the next launch.

Why it works: access violations in one game usually come from damaged files, injected code or a conflicting hook, and each step removes one of those.

Method 2: Fix Drivers, System Files and Intel Stability

If several games or other programs crash with the same code, move to the system level.

1. Install the newest graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel. Choose Custom and tick Perform a clean installation with NVIDIA. If problems persist, a Display Driver Uninstaller run in Safe Mode removes leftovers, which our DDU guide explains.
2. Install the latest chipset driver from your motherboard or CPU maker, and install pending updates under Settings > Windows Update.
3. Right-click Start, choose Terminal (Admin), and run sfc /scannow. When it finishes, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, restart, and run sfc /scannow once more.
4. If you have an Intel 13th or 14th Generation Core desktop processor, update the motherboard BIOS to a release that includes Intel’s microcode update of 0x12B or later, and use the Intel Default Settings profile if your board offers one. Intel traced those chips’ instability to elevated voltage, and the microcode prevents further damage but cannot repair a processor that is already degraded. If crashes continue after the update, contact Intel support about a warranty replacement.
5. If you have overclocked the CPU or GPU, return everything to default through the BIOS (Load Optimized Defaults) and through your GPU tuning tool. An overclock can pass a short stress run yet fail during a long play session.
6. Check temperatures with a monitoring tool during play. Sustained overheating can produce random access violations.

Method 3: Check Memory and DEP

An access violation across many programs often points to unstable memory. This method comes after the others because it changes BIOS settings and takes longer.

1. Press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, and choose Restart now and check for problems. Windows runs a basic memory check and shows the result after sign-in. Open Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System and look for MemoryDiagnostics-Results if the message does not appear.
2. For a deeper check, create a bootable MemTest86 USB drive from its official download, boot from it, and let at least one full pass complete. Any error means a memory stick, its slot, or its settings is unstable.
3. Enter the BIOS (usually Del or F2 during startup) and set the memory profile, called XMP, EXPO or DOCP, to Disabled or Auto. Boot Windows and play for a few sessions. The trade-off is that memory runs at its slower default speed, so performance drops slightly. If the crashes stop, your memory profile was unstable on this board. Try a lower memory speed or an updated BIOS rather than staying at default forever.
4. If errors appear, run the scan again with one stick installed at a time to isolate a faulty module, and reseat the memory firmly with the PC powered off and unplugged.

Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a last resort. Open Windows Security > App & browser control > Exploit protection settings > Program settings, choose Add program to customize, select the game’s executable, and change DEP only for that program. Weakening DEP lowers protection for that process against certain exploits, so use it only for software you trust and remove it if it makes no difference. Do not turn off DEP system-wide.

If It Did Not Work

• Do a clean boot: press Win + R, run msconfig, open Services, tick Hide all Microsoft services, choose Disable all, and restart. If the game then runs, re-enable services in groups to find the conflict, and then restore normal startup.
• Temporarily turn off third-party antivirus or other injected security software, because it can hook into game processes. Keep Microsoft Defender running and restore the other software afterward.
• Create a new local administrator account and run the game there. If it works, your user profile or per-user settings are damaged.
• Check Event Viewer again. If the faulting module is a specific driver such as a graphics or audio driver file, update or roll back that driver in Device Manager.
• Look at storage health. Run chkdsk from an elevated terminal on the game drive, or check SMART data in the drive maker’s tool, since a failing drive can corrupt game files repeatedly.
• If you recently installed a major Windows update, check Settings > Windows Update > Update history. Uninstalling a recent update is possible but should be a late step, and the game publisher’s patch notes are worth reading first.

Common Questions

What does 0xc0000005 actually mean?

It is the code for an access violation. A program touched memory it had no right to use, and Windows stopped it. The cause can be a bug in the game, a bad hook, unstable memory or a driver problem.

Can a game itself cause this error?

Yes. A faulty update, a missing file or a mod can produce the same code. That is why checking the single-game steps first is worthwhile.

Is it safe to disable XMP or EXPO?

It is safe, but memory then runs at a slower base speed, and performance may drop a little depending on the game. Use it as a diagnostic step, then look for a stable setting.

Will reinstalling Windows fix it?

Only if the cause is corrupted software. If the underlying problem is hardware such as unstable memory or a worn processor, a fresh install will crash the same way. Run the memory scan before taking that step.

Should I turn off DEP everywhere?

No. DEP is part of Windows protection. If you must change it, apply the exception only to the one program, and only if you trust the software.

Update History

• October 14, 2026 – Initial publication; steps checked against Windows 11 24H2/25H2 and current driver releases.
• Menus can differ slightly by Windows build, BIOS vendor and driver version; check your own screens against the steps.

Sources

• Microsoft documentation on Windows Memory Diagnostic, System File Checker, DISM and exploit protection settings
• Intel support statements on 13th and 14th Gen Core desktop processor instability and microcode updates
• NVIDIA and AMD support pages on driver installation options
• Motherboard vendor manuals on memory profiles and BIOS updates