5 Ways to Fix the Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted System File” Error for PC Games

Easy Anti-Cheat is a widely utilized anti-cheat service for Windows PC games. However, EAC technical issues can sometimes prevent games from starting. The Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted system file” error message is one such issue that occurs when players try to start some Windows games. Players mostly report this error to occur when trying to start Apex Legends, but it can also occur for EAC games like Rust, Fortnite, and New World. This is how you can fix the Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted system file” error on a PC.

Repair System Files and Reset Winsock

Many players confirm executing commands for repairing system files and resetting the Winsock catalog can fix the Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted system file” error. You can do this can inputting two commands into the Command Prompt app as follows.

1. Press the Windows logo + S keys on your keyboard simultaneously and input cmd into the activated search tool.
2. Click the Command Prompt result inside the search tool with the right mouse button to select Run as administrator.
3. First, input netsch winsock reset and hit Enter to execute.
   
   

   The winsock reset command

4. Type sfc /scannow into the Prompt window and press the Enter keyboard button.
   
   

   The sfc scannow command

5. Wait for the System File Checker command to finish scanning, which could take up to 30 minutes. Close the Command Prompt when the SFC scan shows an outcome message.

Set Easy Anti-Cheat to Run as an Administrator

The Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted system file” issue can sometimes occur because EAC doesn’t have administrator rights. Setting admin rights for the EAC service has been a solution that’s worked for some players. This is how you can set Easy Anti-Cheat to run as an administrator.

1. Open the installation folder for the affected game in File Explorer. Steam users can do this by right-clicking the game in Steam’s Library tab and selecting Properties > Local Files > Browse.
2. Next, right-click the EasyAntiCheat_launcher file to select Properties.
3. Select Compatibility > Run this program as an administrator.
   
   

   The Compatibility tab

4. To save the set option, click Apply.
5. Close the properties window for the EAC file by selecting its OK option.

Repair Easy Anti-Cheat

Easy Anti-Cheat includes a Repair option to fix issues with the EAC service. Thus, it makes sense to select that option for repairing the Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted System File” error. So, try clicking the Repair Service button within the EAC setup window like this.

1. Click Explorer’s pinned library folder shortcut within the taskbar to open the installation folder for the affected game.
2. Next, click on the EasyAntiCheat folder inside the game’s directory to open it.
3. Right-click EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe to select a Run as administrator context menu option for that file.
4. Click on the Repair Service troubleshooting button.
   
   

   The Repair Service button

Delete the Certificate Subfolder

Erasing the Certificates subfolder is another potential solution for the Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted System File” error that’s worked for some players. This is how you can delete the Certificates subfolder.

1. Right-click on your taskbar’s Start menu button and select the File Explorer shortcut.
2. Open the EasyAntiCheat subfolder inside your affected game’s installation directory.
   
   

   The Certificates subfolder

3. Right-click Certificates in the EasyAntiCheat folder to select Delete.

Reinstall Your Affected Games

Reinstall the game for which the Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted System File” error occurs if none of the other possible resolutions above work for you. This will likely fix a corrupted game installation that can potentially cause the issue. You can reinstall an affected game with the Steam or Epic clients like this.

Steam

1. Run Steam to go into that software’s Library tab.
2. Right-click the game you need to remove and select Manage.
3. Click Uninstall twice to remove the game.
   
   

   Steam’s Uninstall option

4. Next, select the uninstalled game within the sidebar on Steam’s Library tab to click Install.

Epic Games

1. Open your Epic Games software and its Library tab.
2. Click the three-dot menu button for whatever game the Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted System File” error arises.
3. Select the Uninstall option for the game.
   
   

   The Uninstall option in Epic Games

4. Click the thumbnail image for the uninstalled game in your Library and select Install.

The Easy Anti-Cheat “Untrusted system file” error is a common gaming issue many players have fixed by applying the potential resolutions outlined above. So, one of the covered solutions here will likely fix the same EAC issue on your PC for whatever game it occurs, be it Apex Legends, Fortnite, etc. With that error sorted, you can get stuck into whatever game wasn’t starting.