The “Unable to load library dbdata.dll” error is an issue that can sometimes arise when players try to start Ubisoft games on Windows PCs. Many players have reported that this error message pops up when they try to launch Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. However, the same issue can also arise for games like Far Cry 6 and Rainbow Six Siege. Consequently, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey doesn’t start, and players can’t play that game (or any other this error arises for). These are some ways you can fix the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey “Unable to load library dbdata.dll” error on a Windows 11/10 PC.
Read also: 6 Xenia Treasure Locations in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Select to Allow the Ddata.dll File on Your PC
The “Unable to load library dbdata.dll” error can arise because the Microsoft Defender antivirus protection quarantines the dbdata.dll file. Many players confirm they’ve resolved this DLL issue by selecting to allow the dbdata.dll file within Windows Security. This is how you can select to allow a quarantined dddata.dll file.
- Double-click the Windows Security icon within the system tray area.
- Click on Virus & threat protection inside the Windows Security app.
- Select the Protection history navigation option.
The Protection history navigation option
- Click on Threat quarantined protection actions to view their details.
- If you find one of those protection actions has quarantined the dbdata.dll error file for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, click the Actions button and select Allow on device.
The Allow on device option
- Close Windows Security and try launching Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Add Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s Folder to Microsoft Defender’s Exclusion List
Adding Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s folder to Microsoft Defender’s exclusion list in Windows Security will ensure that the antivirus shield can’t block the game from starting by wrongly flagging its files. Check out this Microsoft page for details about how you can add folders to Windows Security’s exceptions list. Select to add the AssassinsCreedOdyssey installation directory that contains the dbdata.dll file to the exclusion list.
The Add an exclusion option
Disable Third-Party Antivirus Software
Third-party antivirus software packages can also quarantine files much the same as Microsoft Defender. So, try disabling any third-party antivirus software installed on your PC and running the game. You can usually do that by right-clicking the icon for the third-party security app in the system tray and selecting an option that disables the antivirus shield from there.
If Assassin’s Creed Odyssey starts okay thereafter, your third-party antivirus software was probably causing the “Unable to load library dbdata.dll” error. Add the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey game folder to the third-party antivirus software’s exceptions list. You can re-enable the antivirus shield after adding the game folder to the exclusion list.
Verify Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s Game Files
The “Unable to load library dbdata.dll” error can arise because the dbdata.dll file is corrupted. Selecting to verify Assassin’s Creed Odyssey can repair corrupted game files. You can verify Assassin’s Creed Odyssey with the Ubisoft Connect software by following the instructions on this Ubisoft page.
The Verify files option
Download a New Ddata.dll File
The DLL-Files.com website
Some users say they resolved the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey “Unable to load library dbdata.dll” error by downloading a new ddata.dll file. You can download a new ddata.dll file from this page on the DLL-Files.com website, which is one of the most reputable sources for DLL files. This FAQ page on the DLL-Files.com site provides instructions for how you can download and add a new ddata.dll file to your PC.
Reinstall Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a big game to install, so it’s understandable many players would prefer not to reinstall it unless absolutely. If none of the resolutions above work for you, reinstallation of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey might be necessary to fix the “Unable to load library dbdata.dll” error. So long as you have cloud save enabled for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, your saved game progress should be retained after reinstalling. You can reinstall Assassin’s Creed Odyssey via Steam/Epic Games like this:
Epic Games
- Start Epic Games and click Library in that client software.
- Click the … button for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and select Uninstall.
- Press Uninstall to confirm.
The Uninstall option in Epic Games
- Reinstall the game by clicking on Assassin’s Creed Odyssey within the Library tab and selecting Install.
Steam
- Run Steam and click the Library tab inside that software.
- Right-click Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to select Manage > Uninstall.
The Uninstall option in Steam
- Click the Install button for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey in your Steam library.
Many players have fixed the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey “Unable to load library dbdata.dll” error by applying those troubleshooting methods. Those resolutions can also feasibly fix the same DLL error when it occurs for different Ubisoft games.
