Fix Dead by Daylight Game Security Violation Error

This guide walks you through fixing the “Game security violation detected” error in Dead by Daylight (error code 8012 or similar). This error usually appears when the game’s anti-cheat system (EAC) detects something it considers a threat, often a background program or corrupted game files. We’ll cover the most common fixes, from simple restarts to more advanced file checks, so you can get back to the Fog as quickly as possible.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your Windows desktop with administrator privileges.
• Your Steam or Epic Games account login details (for verifying game files).
• About 15-30 minutes of time, depending on which fix you need.

Step-by-Step

1. Restart Your Computer and the Game. A simple restart clears temporary processes that might interfere with Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC). Close Dead by Daylight completely, restart your PC, and try launching the game again. This fixes a surprising number of cases.
2. Run the Game as Administrator. Right-click the Dead by Daylight shortcut (or the game’s .exe file in your Steam/Epic folder) and select “Run as administrator.” This gives the game and its anti-cheat system the permissions they need to run correctly. If this works, you can set it permanently by going to Properties > Compatibility > “Run this program as an administrator.”
3. Close Conflicting Background Programs. EAC is notoriously sensitive to other programs that inject code or overlay onto games. Close the following before launching Dead by Daylight:
   • Discord (especially with the in-game overlay enabled)
   • MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS)
   • Razer Synapse, Logitech G Hub, or other peripheral software
   • Overwolf and any of its apps
   • Any screen recording or streaming software (OBS, ShadowPlay, etc.)
   • RGB lighting control software (e.g., Corsair iCUE, ASUS Aura)

   You can use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to end these processes. If the game launches with them closed, add Dead by Daylight to each program’s exclusion list or disable the overlay feature.

4. Verify the Integrity of Game Files. Corrupted or missing game files can trigger a security violation. Here’s how to verify on each platform:
   • Steam: Right-click Dead by Daylight in your library > Properties > Local Files > “Verify integrity of game files.” Wait for the process to complete, then try launching.
   • Epic Games: Go to your Library, click the three dots next to Dead by Daylight, select “Manage,” then “Verify.” Wait for it to finish.
5. Repair Easy Anti-Cheat. Sometimes the anti-cheat service itself gets corrupted. Navigate to the game’s installation folder (usually Steam\steamapps\common\Dead by Daylight\ or Epic\DeadByDaylight\). Look for a folder named EasyAntiCheat and run the file EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe. Click “Repair Service” and wait for it to finish. Then try launching the game.
6. Update Windows and Your Graphics Drivers. Outdated system files can cause conflicts. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any pending updates. Then, update your GPU drivers from NVIDIA or AMD’s official website (or use their respective software like GeForce Experience or Adrenalin).
7. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations (Windows). This Windows feature can sometimes interfere with EAC. Right-click the game’s .exe file (not the shortcut) > Properties > Compatibility tab > Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations.” Also, try changing the “Override high DPI scaling behavior” to “Application” in the same menu.
8. Add Dead by Daylight and EAC to Your Antivirus Exclusions. Your antivirus might be blocking the anti-cheat. Add the game’s folder and the EasyAntiCheat.exe file to your antivirus’s exclusion list. If you’re using Windows Defender, go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Exclusions > Add a folder or file.
9. Reinstall the Game. If nothing else works, uninstall Dead by Daylight completely (including the EasyAntiCheat folder if it remains), then reinstall it. This is a last resort but often resolves persistent issues.

Common Mistakes

• Not closing overlays completely: Simply closing Discord’s window doesn’t always close the overlay process. Make sure it’s fully exited from the system tray (right-click the icon and select “Quit”).
• Skipping the restart: Many fixes require a full system restart to take effect, especially after repairing EAC or updating drivers.
• Only verifying files on one platform: If you’re playing through Epic, verifying through Steam won’t help. Make sure you’re using the correct platform’s verification tool.
• Ignoring Windows updates: Some updates are security-related and can directly affect how EAC runs. Always install all pending updates.
• Using the wrong .exe: When running as administrator or disabling fullscreen optimizations, use the actual game executable (DeadByDaylight.exe) in the game folder, not just the desktop shortcut.

Tips

• Create a gaming profile: If you use software like MSI Afterburner or RGB tools, create a profile that disables them when you game.
• Keep your system clean: Regularly uninstall unused programs and run disk cleanup to avoid conflicts.
• Check the official forums: Behaviour Interactive’s official forums often have threads about this error with the latest workarounds.
• Disable Steam overlay: Even if you don’t use it, the Steam overlay can sometimes trigger EAC. Go to Steam > Settings > In-Game and uncheck “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”

Troubleshooting

If the error persists after trying all the steps above, here are a few more things to try:

• Check for Windows Group Policy settings: Some security policies can block EAC. Press Win+R, type gpedit.msc, and navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus. Ensure nothing is set to “Enabled” that might block EAC. (This is advanced; only change if you know what you’re doing.)
• Try a different network: Rarely, a VPN or proxy can trigger the anti-cheat. Disconnect from any VPN and try again.
• Check the EAC service: Open Services (Win+R, type services.msc), find “EasyAntiCheat,” right-click and select “Start” if it’s not running. Set its startup type to “Automatic” if it isn’t already.
• Contact support: If you’ve exhausted all options, contact Behaviour Interactive support directly. Provide them with the exact error code and a list of steps you’ve tried. They may have additional tools or logs they can use to diagnose the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What exactly causes the “Game security violation detected” error?
A: It’s triggered by Easy Anti-Cheat when it detects a process or file that it considers a potential cheat or a program that could be used to modify the game. This often includes overlay software, RGB controllers, or even some antivirus programs.

Q: Will I get banned for this error?
A: No, not automatically. This error is a warning, not a ban. It prevents the game from launching to protect the game’s integrity. As long as you’re not actually using cheat software, you won’t be banned for fixing this error.

Q: I only have Discord open, why does it happen?
A: Discord’s overlay is a common culprit. Even if you don’t use the overlay, the process runs in the background and can be flagged. Try disabling the overlay in Discord settings (User Settings > Overlay) or closing Discord entirely.

Q: The error happens after a Windows update. What should I do?
A: This is common. Try verifying game files and repairing EAC first. If that doesn’t work, check for a newer Windows update or a driver update that might address the conflict.

Q: I play on Epic Games, is the fix different?
A: The steps are the same, but the file verification process is different (as described in step 4). The underlying cause and fixes are identical.

Q: I’ve tried everything and it still doesn’t work. What else can I do?
A: The last resort is a clean reinstall of Windows, but that’s drastic. Before that, try creating a new Windows user account and launching the game from there. If it works on the new account, the issue is with your main account’s settings or startup programs.

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