Untrusted System File in Easy Anti-Cheat – Explained and Fixed

The error message Untrusted System File in Easy Anti-Cheat occurs while loading some games through Steam or Origin.

This error message is vast because it occurs in several variations. The error message indicates some issues with games powered by Easy Anti-Cheat. So, if you play Apex Legends, Fortnite, New World, Rust, War Thunder, Wildlands, or any other game powered by Easy Anti-Cheat, you would have come across this issue.

Related: FIFA 23 Anti Cheat Error [Solved]

But before fixing this error message, let’s discuss the probable reasons for this issue.

Why does this Error Message occur?

There are several variations of this error message and, generally, the reasons for its occurrence vary according to its type. But the following are the most common ones observed:

• This error message occurs when Easy Anti-Cheat flags certain game files as ‘untrusted.’

Important: Although Easy Anti-Cheat is a prevention system against hacks and cheats, it is not always correct. Because sometimes, it flags the perfectly normal files incorrectly

• The update of the Steam client on October 8, 2021, changed the ‘steamclient64.dll’ file. Several users have reported the issue after installing this update. So, this updated file could be another reason for this message.
• Sometimes, people face this error message because the servers are down for maintenance. So, in that case, you can check whether Easy Anti-Cheat is down or not on Twitter or other forums.
• This error message also occurs due to some bug in the ‘2.50.1001.0’ version of ‘Xbox Insider Hub.’

Pre-requisite: Running the ‘SFC’ and ‘DISM’ Scans

As we’ve already mentioned, this error message occurs when Easy Anti-Cheat marks some game files as untrusted.

So, before you start dealing with any further solutions, the first step you will take is to run the SFC and DISM system scans, to find out what is causing the .dll file corruption.

SFC Scan

Running an SFC scan is extremely simple. If it works, it can potentially save you hours of your time, that you would have spent troubleshooting. You can run the scan by following the steps below.

1. Press Win, and search for Command Prompt. 
2. Open the Command Prompt by clicking Run As Administrator.

   

3. Now that you are inside the command prompt, type the following and press enter:

4. sfc /scannow

5. Quit the Command Prompt, and restart your PC.

See if this worked. If it did not, do not lose hope. We still have the DISM tool. Since using the DISM tool is a bit more complex, we crafted a separate guide. The guide features in-depth steps on how to run both, the SFC Scan, and the DISM tool.

Running Your Game Client As Administrator

Giving The Game Client Additional Permissions

Before we move on to complicated solutions, let us start off with some simple ones. When you run an application as administrator, the system gives that application extra permissions.

This can often fix glitches, just like this one. So it is worth a shot, isn’t it? Follow the steps below to run your game client as an administrator.

1. Press Win.
2. Search for your game client. For example Steam.
3. Instead of pressing Open, click on Run As Administrator.

See if the error persists. Even if it does, do not lose hope. Move on to the next solution.

Errors fixed for Steam: Steam Client, not Opening, and Steam Error 29

Deleting the Certificates Folder from EasyAntiCheat Directory

Tested for ‘Origin’ Users of ‘Apex Legends’ and ‘The Division 2’

If you face the ‘Type:7’ or some other Easy Anti-Cheat error message with Apex Legends on Origin, we recommend deleting the Certificates folder inside the root directory of ‘EasyAntiCheat’. Sometimes Easy Anti-Cheat incorrectly flags the perfectly normal files. So, when you delete the ‘Certificates’ folder, it will delete the data of the flagged files.

1. First of all, right-click on the ‘Apex Legends’ icon from the desktop and choose the ‘Properties’ option.

   

2. Now, click on the ‘Open File Location’ button to open the file location of ‘Apex Legends.’

   

3. Double-click on the ‘EasyAntiCheat’ folder inside the root folder of ‘Apex.’

   

4. Now, right-click on the ‘Certificates’ folder and choose the ‘Delete’ option to delete this folder.

   

5. After that, open the ‘Apex Legends’ again to find out whether the error persists or not.

Important: If you are dealing with the ‘System32/phd.dll’ error in ‘The Division 2,’ we recommend going to the ‘Ubisoft Game Launcher’ folder first. Then, navigate to the ‘games’ folder and open the required (game) folder to delete the ‘Certificates’ folder

If this solution has resolved the ‘Easy Anti Cheat Untrusted system file Apex’ error messages, then good for you. Otherwise, try the next solution.

Upgrading Windows 10 to Version 1909

Tested for The Division 2

If you see a black screen after following the steps of Solution # 1 for Division 2, we recommend updating your Windows 10 version to 1909.

Important: You can also apply this solution if your game crashes on the desktop after deleting the ‘Certificates’ folder

The conventional way of updating the Windows is through ‘Settings’ < ‘Update & Security’ < ‘Windows Update’ options. But this way will not work for everyone because everyone would be using a different version of Windows 10. So, in that case, we will install Windows 10 version 1909 manually.

After installing the mentioned version, check whether this solution has proved useful or not. If yes, then good for you. Otherwise, try the next solution.

Reinstalling the ‘Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package’

If you face the phd.dll Untrusted system file error with Division 2, it might be because of the supporting software called Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package. So, reinstalling this supporting software will fix this issue because it has worked for other users.

1. First, open any browser and type ‘Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package’ in the search bar.
2. Once the browser has opened the required result, choose the one with ‘Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads’ as its title.

   

3. The browser will take you to the official documentation website of Microsoft. So, scroll down and choose the version of ‘vc_redist’ according to your system architecture.

Important: Click on the link against your required system architecture to begin downloading.

4. Once the downloading is complete, double-click on the file to begin the installation.
5. Then, check the ‘I agree to the license terms and conditions’ option and click on the ‘Install’ button.

   

6. The system will initialize the process and, after some time, you will see the progress bar moving. Wait for the system to complete the installation procedure

   

7. Once the process is complete, click on the ‘Restart’ button to restart your system because it is necessary for the proper installation and working of the ‘Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.’

   

After the system restarts, check whether or not this solution has solved this error message. If yes, then good for you. Otherwise, try the next solution.

Disabling the Process ‘xgameruntime’

Temporary Solution

If you face the error message along with the (C:\Windows\System32\xgameruntime.dll) error message from Easy Anti-Cheat, we recommend killing the (specified) process. But this is a temporary solution and you will have to apply the same procedure whenever this error message occurs.

1. First of all, open the ‘Task Manager’ from the ‘Start menu.’

   

2. Then, click on the ‘More details’ option in the ‘Task Manager.’

   

3. After that, find the ‘xgameruntime’ process in the ‘Process’ tab of ‘Task Manager.’

Important: This process should be under ‘Gaming Services’ and you need to expand it to find out the ‘xgameruntime’ process

4. Once you have found the required process, right-click on it and choose the ‘End task’ option.

   

Note: You can apply the same procedure for different processes, causing the same error message

If the error message persists or you don’t want to use this temporary solution, we recommend trying the next solution.

Unregistering the System from ‘Xbox Insider Hub’

Downloading the Newer Version of ‘Gaming Services’

As mentioned earlier, this error message occurs in the 2.50.1001.0 version of Xbox Insider Hub. So, if you face this error message, we recommend unregistering your system from Xbox Insider Hub and downloading the ‘2.47.10001.0’ version of ‘Gaming Services.’

Steps for Unregistering from ‘Xbox Insider Hub’

1. First of all, open the ‘Xbox Insider Hub’ application from the ‘Start menu.’

   

2. Then, navigate to the ‘Previews’ section and unenroll from ‘Windows Gaming.’

   

Important: You can also choose to unenroll from everything you have joined

3. Once unenrolled, restart your system by going to the ‘Start’ < ‘Power’ < ‘Restart’ options.

   

Note: Don’t skip the system restarting. Otherwise, this solution will not work for you

Steps for Removing and Reinstalling the ‘Gaming Services’ Application

4. After the system restarts, open ‘Windows PowerShell’ as ‘Administrator.’

   

5. Now, type the following command in ‘Windows PowerShell’ and hit the ‘Enter’ key to execute this command:

get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers

Important: The above command will call the ‘Gaming Services’ and remove it from your system

6. Now, type the following command and hit the ‘Enter’ key (again) for executing it:

start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN

7. The system will directly open the install page of ‘Gaming Services’ from ‘Microsoft Store.’ So, click on the ‘Install’ button to install the ‘Gaming Services’ application on your system.

   

8. Once you have successfully installed the application, go back to the ‘Windows PowerShell’ and execute the following command:

get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices

9. Now, ‘Windows PowerShell’ will list all the information regarding the ‘Gaming Services’ application. So, make sure the ‘Version’ entry says ‘2.47.10001.0’ because it is the stable version that has worked for others.

   

After that, execute the game again and check whether the error persists or not. If yes, then try the next solution.

Repairing ‘Easy Anti-Cheat’ Software

If the error message persists, we recommend repairing the Easy Anti-Cheat according to the game that causes this issue. So, try the following steps.

1. First of all, open File Explorer and navigate to the game installation folder.

Important: Typically, Steam installs the games in the ‘Program Files (x86)’ folder. So, we will follow the next steps according to the default location of the games. But you should apply the next steps according to the installation directory of your game

2. Then, double-click on the ‘C’ drive, and after that, double-click on the ‘Program Files (x86)’ folder.

   

   

3. Now, find the ‘Steam’ folder inside the newly opened folder and open it.

   

4. Then, open the ‘steamapps’ folder inside the ‘Steam’ folder.

   

5. After that, open the ‘common’ folder and, inside the newly opened folder, you will find your games folders. So, open the folder of the game, that is creating this issue.

   

   

6. Now, double-click on the ‘EasyAntiCheat’ folder inside the game folder.

   

7. Then, right-click on the setup file of ‘Easy Anti-Cheat’ and choose the ‘Run as administrator’ option.

   

   

Important: The system will ask for confirmation. So, click on the ‘Yes’ button to allow

8. Once the setup opens, click on the ‘Repair Service’ button to start the repairing procedure.

Note: Make sure that you have selected the correct game before hitting the ‘Repair’ button

9. After the repair operation completes, click on the ‘Finish’ button.

   

Now, open the game again and check whether or not the error message persists. If not, then good for you. Otherwise, try the next solution.

Running the ‘Easy Anti-Cheat launcher’ as ‘Administrator’

Tested for Wildlands and Rust

Running Easy Anti-cheat as an administrator will make sure that all different files are run elevated. If the issue is occurring because of the loss of UAC, this will fix the problem.

1. First, go to the game (which causes this error) in your Steam library.
2. Then, right-click on it and choose the ‘Properties’ option.

   

3. After that, a sub-window will open. So, click on the ‘Browse’ button.

   

4. Now, Steam will open the root directory of the game. So, scroll down to find a file named ‘EasyAntiCheat_launcher’ and select it.
5. Then, right-click on it and choose the ‘Properties’ option.

   

6. Now, switch to the ‘Compatibility’ tab in the ‘Properties’ window.
7. Then, check the box against the ‘Run this program as an administrator’ option.
8. After that, click on the ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ buttons to save the changes.

   

9. Go to the ‘Steam’ application again and run the game.

   

Replacing the Current ‘steamclient64.dll’ File with the Previous One

Steam released an update on October 8, 2021, in which they changed the ‘steamclient64.dll’ file, which is causing this issue. So, replacing the updated file with the previous version will fix this issue.

Important: Apply this procedure while keeping the ‘Steam’ open. Otherwise, this solution will not work

1. First, open the following link in any browser.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0oZzcThFj35faS1BobqyoA5eu4rS9iZ/view?usp=sharing

2. Then, download the ‘steamclient64.dll’ file from the opened webpage.

   

3. Once the download is complete, open the download location and copy the ‘steamclient64.dll’ file.

   

4. Now, paste the copied file in the ‘Steam’ directory by going to ‘C: < Program Files (x86) < Steam’ location.

   

5. The system will ask whether you want to replace the file or skip it. So, click on the ‘Replace the file in the destination’ option.

   

Important: The ‘Steam’ directory location depends on whether or not you have changed the location during installation. So, if you have changed the location, choose the location according to your use case

Updating the Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition

For AMD Radeon Graphics Card Users

If you use an AMD graphics card and are facing the Anti-cheat message followed by the ‘C:\Windows\System32\amdihk64.dll’ error code, we recommend updating the drivers of your graphics card. Because AMD mentioned in the release notes of ‘Radeon Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition 19.7.1’ that they fixed the issues with ‘Easy Anti-Cheat.’ So, try the following steps.

1. First, open the following link in your browser.

https://www.amd.com/en/technologies/radeon-software

2. Now, scroll down to find the ‘DOWNLOAD NOW’ button and click on it to open the download page of ‘AMD Radeon Software.’

   

3. Once you are on the download page, scroll down and select the drivers according to your system. Then, click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button.

   

4. Now, the website will take you to the operating system choice page. So, expand the operating system entries and click on the ‘DOWNLOAD*’ button.

   

5. Once the download is complete, open the download location and double-click on the downloaded file to open it.

   

6. Then, click on the ‘Install’ button to begin the procedure.

   

7. Once the initial extraction is complete, the ‘AMD Radeon Software Installer’ will detect your system configuration.

   

8. After system detection, click on the ‘Additional Options’ first and check the box that says ‘Factory Reset (Optional)’ because it will remove the previous versions and perform a clean install.
9. Then, click on the ‘Install’ button to begin the installation procedure.

   

Important: The display of your system may flicker during installation but don’t worry because it is normal

10. After some time, the software will ask you to restart the system. So, click on the ‘Restart Now’ button to restart the system.

    

11. The installation will be complete upon restarting the system. So, you can click on the ‘Finish’ button to close the installation window. But you can choose to select or deselect the checkboxes in this window.

    

Now, check whether the (under-discussed) error message persists or not. However, if you have the same problem with a system using an NVIDIA graphics card, we recommend performing a clean installation of NVIDIA drivers as well.

Final Words

We hope we helped you get around the issue of Untrusted System File in Easy Anti-Cheat. We realize how frustrating it can be, and we are proud to say that we exhausted every possible solution in this guide.

FAQs

What is the unknown file in Easy Anti-Cheat?                                                                                                         This infers that Easy Anti-Cheat was not expecting the file contents as it were. I was expecting something different. An easy fix is to remove that specific file. This should be followed by validating the game installation. This can be done by game clients, such as Steam or Origin. This will cause the file to be re-downloaded.

How do I fix untrusted system files hidden DLL?                                                                                                    The simplest thing to do is run the SFC /scannow command on Windows PowerShell or its Command Prompt. This should be followed by running the DISM tool.

Solving other gaming-related errors:

•  Can’t Connect after Accepting Match in Dota 2
• Elden Ring Error Code 23