PC gamers are no strangers to error messages, and one of the most common ones that have been cropping up lately is the “Failed to Start Denuvo Driver” error code 2148204812. This error can appear on various Windows operating systems, including Windows 11, Windows 10, and older versions when launching certain games that use the Denuvo anti-tamper technology.
While it may be frustrating to encounter this error, it is possible to fix it and get back to gaming. In this article, we’ll delve into what this error means, why it happens, and how you can fix it.
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What is Denuvo Anti-Tamper Technology?
Denuvo is a popular anti-tamper technology used in many modern video games. It is designed to protect games from piracy and hacking attempts by preventing unauthorized access to the game’s executable code. Denuvo works by encrypting parts of the game’s code and making it more difficult to reverse engineer. This makes it harder for hackers to crack the game and distribute it illegally.
What does the “Failed to start Denuvo driver” error mean?
The “Failed to Start Denuvo Driver” error is an error message that appears when launching a game that uses the Denuvo anti-tamper technology. It indicates that the Denuvo driver failed to start, and the game cannot run without it. This error code is represented as 2148204812, which may seem daunting at first glance, but it simply means that the Denuvo driver is unable to start.
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How to Fix the “Failed to Start Denuvo Driver” Error?
If you’re experiencing the ‘Failed to Start Denuvo Driver’ error code 2148204812, there are several solutions that you can try to overcome the error and get back to playing your games.
Re-download and reinstall the game
One of the most effective solutions to fix the “Failed to Start Denuvo Driver” error is to re-download and reinstall the game. This can help to ensure that all necessary game files, including the Denuvo driver, are properly installed on your system. To do this, uninstall the game from your system and then download and install the latest version from the official website or game distribution platform.
Uninstall recent Windows Update that may have caused the error
If the error occurred after a recent Windows update, the update may be the culprit. In this case, you can try uninstalling the recent Windows update to see if it resolves the error. To check the Windows update history and uninstall any updates, follow these steps.
- Press Win + i to open Settings.
- Select Windows Update from the left pane.
- Next, select Update history.
- Scroll down and click Uninstall updates.
- A new window will open with a list of all the updates installed on your computer. Find the update that you suspect is causing the “failed to start Denuvo driver” issue.
- Click on “Uninstall” and follow the instructions to complete the process.
- Restart your computer, then relaunch the game, and see if the issue is resolved.
Note: While uninstalling a recent Windows update may be able to resolve the “Failed to Start Denuvo Driver” error, it’s important to note that doing so may leave your system vulnerable to security threats. Windows updates often include security patches and bug fixes that are designed to protect your system from potential security risks and improve its performance. By uninstalling a recent update, you may be exposing your system to these vulnerabilities.
Therefore, it’s important to weigh the benefits of uninstalling a Windows update against the potential risks and to only do so if it’s necessary to fix the error. When in doubt, re-run Windows Update to reinstall the updates again.
Check Your Antivirus Software
Antivirus software can sometimes interfere with the Denuvo driver and prevent the game from starting. This is because antivirus software may identify parts of the game’s files or Denuvo driver as a potential security threat and block it from running.
To fix this issue, you should check your antivirus software to see if it is quarantining any of the game’s files. If the antivirus software is blocking any game files, you should add them to the exclusion or whitelist list. This will allow the game files to run properly without any interference from the antivirus software.
Temporarily disable your antivirus software
If checking the antivirus software does not work, you can temporarily disable it and see if the error disappears. However, disabling antivirus software can leave your system vulnerable to viruses and malware, so it’s essential to reactivate it as soon as possible.
If the error disappears after disabling the antivirus software, you may need to configure the software to allow the game files to run properly. You can do this by adding the game’s executable file and all related files to the exclusion or whitelist list of the antivirus software.
Consult the game’s forum or contact the game’s support
If none of the above solutions works, you can try seeking help from the game’s forum or contacting the game’s support team. Other gamers or support staff may have encountered the same issue and found a solution that can help you resolve the error. The game’s support team may also provide you with specific instructions on how to fix the error, such as reinstalling the Denuvo driver or updating your graphics drivers.
