How to Fix “Unhandled: EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION” Error (2025 Tips)

When your app or game crashes with “Unhandled Exception: EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION,” it simply means something — usually your GPU, DEP, or corrupted files — tried to access memory it wasn’t supposed to. This frustrating error has blindsided players across titles like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Palworld, Skyrim Special Edition, and Star Wars Jedi Survivor. If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry. We’ll walk you through a few diagnostic steps to solve it.

Method 1: Update Your Graphics Driver

Updating your graphics driver is one of the most effective fixes for resolving “Unhandled: EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VILATION” errors, especially those tied to graphics-intensive applications or games like Skyrim and Palworld. These crashes often occur when outdated or corrupted drivers mishandle GPU memory, leading to access violations. Installing the latest driver ensures better memory management and compatibility with modern graphics APIs, reducing the likelihood of such errors.

To do this, go to your graphics card’s manufacturer site (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel) to find the correct latest driver, then download, and install it for your system. This may require some computer knowledge or patience. For a hassle-free method to update drivers, you can use Driver Easy, a handy tool that automatically detects any device with a missing or outdated driver, then downloads and installs the latest version that is compatible with your system version. It also features “Scan for game dependencies”, which, when enabled, detects missing Visual C++ Redistributable components and can identify which runtime packages are needed. It then offers to download and install them automatically

Updating drivers with Driver Easy just take a few clicks:

1. Download and install Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
   
3. Check if your graphics driver is flagged in the scan results. If it is, click Activate & Update to start a 7-day free trial or upgrade to Driver Easy Pro. Either option will automatically download and install the latest drivers for you.
   
4. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Then try to launch the program. If the error still pops up, proceed to the next fix.

Method 2: Exclude Programs from DEP (Data Execution Prevention)

DEP is a Windows security feature that prevents code from executing in non‑executable memory regions, protecting your system from malware. However, some legitimate applications may trigger false positives and cause “Unhandled Exception: EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION” errors. By excluding the affected program from DEP, you allow it to run normally while keeping DEP active for the rest of your system. This can resolve crashes caused by legitimate memory-loading behavior.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run box. Type or paste sysdm.cpl, then hit Enter. This will open the System Properties window.
   
2. Select the Advanced tab, click on Settings under the Performance section.
   
3. Select the Data Execution Prevention tab and select Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select. Then click Add and navigate to the .exe file of the program that fails to launch properly.
   
4. Once done, select Apply > OK.

After applying the changes, relaunch your program and see how it works. If your issue persists, try the next fix below.

Method 3: Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can often lead to runtime errors, including EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION, because the game may try to execute data from damaged or incompatible files. Verifying file integrity through your game launcher ensures that any faulty files are repaired or replaced, restoring the program to a clean state and reducing the chance of crashes.

Below is how you can do this on Steam, Epic Games Launcher, and Battle.net.

Steam

1. Under LIBRARY, find your game, right-click it and select Properties….
   
2. Select the Installed Files tab and click the Verify integrity of game files button. Steam will verify the game’s files – this process may take several minutes.
   

Epic Games Launcher

1. Find the game in your Epic Games Library.
2. Click the three dots on the right side of the game line, and select Manage.
   
3. Click the Verify button. Then wait for the validation to complete. It may take a while to verify your files.
   

Battle.net

1. Open the Battle.net desktop app and click on the icon of the game you are trying to repair.
2. Click the cogwheel next to the Play button and select Scan and Repair.
   
3. Click Begin Scan and wait for the repair to finish.
   

If repairing game files doesn’t solve your issue, proceed to the next fix.

Method 4: Run a Memory Stability Test

EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION errors can sometimes be caused by faulty or unstable system memory—even if most apps work fine. Running a stress test can reveal hidden RAM or voltage issues that cause crashes under heavy load. Below are the steps you can take.

1. Press Win + R simultaneously to open the Run box. Type or paste mdsched.exe and hit Enter.
   
2. Click Restart now and check for problems (recommended). Then let the test complete.
   

If your RAM seems fine, proceed to the next fix.

Method 5: Disable Overlays

Programs like Discord, Steam, MSI Afterburner, and Radeon/NVIDIA overlays can quietly interfere with your game’s memory handling, triggering EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION crashes. Across gaming forums — from Borderlands 3 and Marvel Rivals to Civ VI and Unreal Engine titles — players consistently report that simply turning off these overlays immediately stopped the crashes.

If you’ve followed every step and still see the error, you may need to wait for an official patch from the developer. Alternatively, contact the support team of the program where the issue occurs.