Opened Ark Survival Evolved, was met with an error

Detailed description: I opened Ark Survival Evolved to check on my friends’ server and install an update for a mod. I was met with an error for battleye.

Here is the error I received:

Any idea on how to fix this or what to do?

Hello @demonicvampireg

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AI Overview
BattlEye is an anti-cheat service that games use to prevent hacking and cheating in online multiplayer games. It’s automatically installed when a game requiring it is installed and runs in the background when the game is active. BattlEye often has its own launcher or service that needs to be running for the game to launch successfully.

  • Anti-cheat:
    BattlEye’s primary function is to detect and prevent cheating and hacking in online games.

  • Automatic Installation:
    When a game that utilizes BattlEye is installed, the anti-cheat service is typically automatically downloaded and installed as well.

  • Background Process:
    BattlEye operates in the background, monitoring the game for any signs of cheating or hacking.

  • Launcher/Service:
    Some games use a separate BattlEye launcher or service that needs to be running before the game can be launched.

  • Game-Specific Integration:
    BattlEye is often integrated directly into the game’s code and operates at the kernel level.

  • Troubleshooting:
    If BattlEye is not installed properly or if the launcher/service fails to start, it can prevent the game from launching.

  • Security Concerns:
    While BattlEye is designed to protect against cheating, there are some concerns about its potential security implications due to its kernel-level access.

AI responses may include mistakes.

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AI Overview
aswhook.dll is a file that is part of Avast Free Antivirus, a popular antivirus software. It’s crucial for the program’s real-time protection by intercepting system calls and redirecting them to Avast’s modules.

If you’re encountering issues related to aswhook.dll while playing Ark: Survival Evolved, it’s possible that Avast is causing the problems. This can occur due to various reasons, including:

  • Compatibility issues between Avast and Ark.
  • A corrupted aswhook.dll file.
  • Conflicts with Windows updates or other software.

Here are some potential solutions you can try:

  1. Temporarily disable or uninstall Avast: Uninstalling Avast completely is recommended to isolate whether it’s causing the problem. If the issue is resolved after uninstalling, you can try reinstalling Avast to see if the problem persists. You might also want to try a clean install of Avast to see if it fixes any corrupted files.
  2. Run DISM and SFC scans: These Windows commands can help fix corrupted system files.
  • DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management): This command helps repair and prepare Windows images.
  • SFC (System File Checker): This command scans and replaces corrupted Windows system files with correct versions.
  1. Check for Windows and driver updates: Ensure your Windows operating system and all your drivers, especially graphics drivers, are up-to-date.
  2. Verify Ark game files: If you’re playing Ark through Steam, verify the game files to ensure they are not corrupted or missing.
  3. Exclude Ark from Avast’s scans: If temporarily disabling or uninstalling Avast isn’t an option, you can try adding Ark to Avast’s exclusion list to prevent Avast from interfering with the game’s processes.
  4. Consult Avast and ARK support resources: If the issue persists, reach out to Avast and/or ARK: Survival Evolved support for further assistance.

Note: If you’re experiencing aswhook.dll errors with the DISM command specifically on Windows 11, it might be a known compatibility issue with Avast or Norton, especially with Insider Builds. In such cases, you can try the solutions suggested in the Norton Community forum regarding aswhook.dll errors on Windows 11 using DISM command.

Remember to back up your game files and create a system restore point before making any significant changes to your system files or registry.

AI responses may include mistakes.

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Caveat: I’m not familiar with Ark Survival nor BattlEye

I don’t have Avast, that’s the thing. I’ve got Nortons only. Look at the line even, it says Nortons as well, I don’t understand the issue that’s going on atm.

Hello @demonicvampireg

Avast & Norton are Gen. When you read Avast…think Avast or Norton.

Norton™ is part of Gen™ - a global company with a family of consumer brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender and CCleaner.

Oh, okay. Will give it a shot in a second and see what happens.

AI Overview
When BattlEye’s launcher blocks “aswhook.dll,” it usually means the game process is attempting to load a file that BattlEye believes is malicious or unauthorized, and it’s preventing that from happening. This is a security measure to prevent cheating or other forms of malicious activity.

Here’s a breakdown of why this might happen and what you can do:

  • Malware:
    BattlEye may be flagging the file because it’s associated with malware, or because a malicious program is modifying system files.

  • Tweaked System Files:
    Using modified or custom versions of system files, including DirectX, can cause conflicts with BattlEye.

  • Conflicts:
    BattlEye might be blocking files that are part of legitimate software, but are causing conflicts with the game or its processes.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  • Scan for Malware:
    Run a full scan with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software to identify and remove any potential threats.

  • Check System Files:
    Verify that your system files, especially DirectX, are not corrupted or modified. Consider reinstalling DirectX.

  • Remove/Rename d3d9.dll, dxgi.dll or dsound.dll
    If any of these files are present in the game directory, remove or rename them.

  • Ensure Correct File Permissions:
    Verify that the SYSTEM user has full access to the game directory.

  • Reinstall the Game:
    If the issue persists, try reinstalling the game, ensuring that any conflicting files are removed during the process.

  • Contact BattlEye Support
    If you are certain that the blocked file is legitimate and causing issues, contact BattlEye support for assistance.

Important Notes:

  • It’s a Security Measure:
    BattlEye’s strict security measures might block some files that are not essential for playing the game. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a problem with your system.

  • Don’t Worry About Banning:
    These messages are usually just informational and won’t result in a ban. In-game kicks are not related to them.

  • Ignoring the Message:
    If the blocked file doesn’t cause any problems with the game, you can often ignore the message.

AI responses may include mistakes.

Caveat: I’m not familiar with Ark Survival nor BattlEye

AI Overview
When BattlEye, an anti-cheat system, blocks a file like aswhook.dll,it usually means the file is being flagged as potentially malicious or interfering with the game’s integrity. While the message can be concerning, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, especially if the game is still playable. It’s generally safe to ignore the message unless it prevents the game from launching or causes other issues.

Here’s a more detailed explanation and potential solutions:

  • BattlEye is checking files that the game process attempts to load. If it detects an unusual or potentially malicious file, it will block it.
  • The aswhook.dll file is often related to Windows Security Essentials or anti-virus software.

Why it might be happening:

  • Malware/Adware:
    BattlEye might be detecting a piece of malware or adware that is being loaded by the game or another program.

  • System File Corruption:
    If your system files are corrupted, BattlEye might flag the file as problematic.

  • Firewall Interference:
    Your firewall might be blocking BattlEye or the game from accessing the aswhook.dll file.

  • Anti-virus Interference:
    Your antivirus software might be interfering with BattlEye’s operations.

What to do:

  • Check for Malware:
    Run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus program to ensure there are no infections.

  • Firewall/Anti-virus:
    Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus software to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, you’ll need to adjust the settings of your firewall or antivirus software to allow BattlEye and the game to access aswhook.dll.

  • System File Check:
    Use the System File Checker tool (sfc /scannow) to scan for and repair any corrupted system files.

  • Ignore the Message (if the game works):
    If the game is still playable and you don’t experience any other issues, you can usually ignore the message.

  • Contact Support:
    If the issue persists or the game becomes unplayable, you should contact the game’s support team or BattlEye support for assistance.

Important Notes:

  • Don’t try to bypass BattlEye: Modifying or bypassing BattlEye’s protections can lead to a ban from the game.
  • Don’t run unauthorized or unofficial mods: These can also cause issues with BattlEye.

AI responses may include mistakes.

Caveat: I’m not familiar with Ark Survival nor BattlEye

Tried disabling, still getting the same error.

Waiting for DISM to complete. It’s stuck at 62.3% and Idk if it’s broke or what.

Windows is up to date, graphics drivers are a year out of date almost and wont be updating. There is to many issues with nvidia drivers right now to try them.

I do have it excluded on the Firewall, but I don’t know if I need to do that anywhere else?

I’m starting to think maybe battleye is detecting something nortons updated. My ESO keeps getting smartscanned each time I load in now due to some update they’ve done.

Norton Security 25.5.10141 for Windows is now available!

25.5.10141 (build 25.5.10141.934)

Yes, 25.5.10141 is current version.

Sorry, I’m not familiar with Ark Survival nor BattlEye.

Maybe, BattlEye & Norton are watching the same processes?

Lets ask Community

Might be, I don’t know. All I know is it is interfering with my games in one way or another.

I’m still waiting for the DISM.exe to finish, been nearly an hour since I started it as well. So I can’t see if there is any corruption and no clue to know how this failed.

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“[INFO] Blocked loading of file: …” error in the BattlEye Launcher window here

That’s what I intend to do if it keeps up.

Just as a random question: if Nortons is canceled, do the Nortons Safe Web and Vault extensions still work on your bowser?

for US users
Norton browser extensions are free.
Norton Safe Web & Norton Password Manager browser extensions run sans Norton subscription.

Alright, thank you for that. I’m still waiting for the scan to complete so I can see if any files are corrupted.

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Maybe, clean uninstall Norton → confirm “games” run as normal with Windows Security → clean install Norton…as basic troubleshooting.

After my v25.5.10141 update. I clean installed Norton. Just me.

DISM.exe finally finished after an hour of waiting. System File Checker said there was some corrupted files and repaired them successfully.

I’m unsure what exactly got repaired but that part is done. Gonna try Ark again, see what happens. If all else, will be contacting Battleye themselves, see what is going on.

No changes, sadly. So whatever it repaired was not related to either. Gonna give it a rest for tonight as it’s 4am and try some stuff tomorrow.

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fwiw ~ were my machine…before contacting BattlEye. I’d clean uninstall Norton…confirm “games” run as normal with Windows Security…then clean install Norton…try Ark again…as basic troubleshooting for BattlEye.

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Norton 360 Remover tool for Windows here

fwiw ~ my practice is to also scour File Explorer for remnants and run CCleaner registry tool. Just me.

All: The issue here isn’t with Windows, its with the Norton use of the Avast engine and its “hooking” to the OS. I run games on my systems that use BattleEye anticheat, both gaming rigs DO NOT have any version Norton installed, they do NOT have this issue. Point blank, this is on Norton to resolve not Microsoft or the games developers. Support will not have any solution that makes a difference.

AI Overview

**aswhook.dll is an essential dynamic link library (DLL) file associated with Avast Antivirus**. It plays a crucial role in Avast’s real-time protection by hooking system calls and redirecting them to Avast’s modules. Essentially, it helps Avast monitor and intercept system activity, allowing it to detect and block potential threats.

aswhook. dll is an essential component of Avast Free Antivirus . It is responsible for hooking certain system calls and redirecting them to Avast’s own modules for real-time protection

SA

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