Few things are more frustrating than gearing up for a medieval battlefield only to be stopped by a cryptic error code. If you’re trying to launch Chivalry 2 and are greeted with Launch Error 30005 related to Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), you’re not alone. This common issue prevents the game from starting and can affect players on Steam and Epic Games alike. Fortunately, it’s usually easy to fix once you understand what’s going on.
TL;DR: Error 30005 in Chivalry 2 is typically caused by a corrupted or blocked Easy Anti-Cheat file. Most players can fix it by repairing Easy Anti-Cheat, verifying game files, or deleting the “EasyAntiCheat.sys” file. If that doesn’t work, reinstalling EAC or checking your antivirus settings often resolves the issue. Follow the step-by-step methods below to get back into battle quickly.
What Is Launch Error 30005 in Chivalry 2?
Error 30005 is an Easy Anti-Cheat startup issue. Easy Anti-Cheat is the software Chivalry 2 uses to prevent cheating in multiplayer matches. If EAC fails to initialize properly, the game simply won’t launch.
You may see messages like:
- “CreateFile failed with 32.”
- “Failed to start the game (30005).”
- “Easy Anti-Cheat encountered an error.”
In most cases, this happens because:
- A corrupted Easy Anti-Cheat file
- Conflicts with antivirus software
- Missing or damaged system files
- Leftover background processes
- Improper shutdown during a previous gaming session
Let’s go step by step through the most effective solutions.
1. Repair Easy Anti-Cheat (Quickest Fix)
This is the simplest and most effective method. Easy Anti-Cheat includes a built-in repair tool.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to your Chivalry 2 installation folder.
- Steam default: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Chivalry 2
- Epic default: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Chivalry2\
- Open the EasyAntiCheat folder.
- Double-click EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe.
- Select Chivalry 2 from the dropdown menu.
- Click Repair Service.
Once completed, restart your PC and try launching the game again. For many players, this solves Error 30005 immediately.
2. Delete the EasyAntiCheat.sys File
If repairing doesn’t work, the issue may be caused by a corrupted driver file.
Steps:
- Open File Explorer.
- Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers.
- Find the file named EasyAntiCheat.sys.
- Delete it.
- Restart your computer.
When you relaunch Chivalry 2, Easy Anti-Cheat will automatically regenerate a fresh copy of the file.
Why this works: Error 30005 often stems from file corruption inside this driver file. Deleting it forces a clean reinstall.
3. Verify Game Files (Steam & Epic)
Corrupted game files can also prevent Easy Anti-Cheat from launching.
Steam:
- Open Steam.
- Right-click Chivalry 2.
- Select Properties.
- Go to Installed Files.
- Click Verify integrity of game files.
Epic Games:
- Open Epic Games Launcher.
- Go to your Library.
- Click the three dots next to Chivalry 2.
- Select Manage.
- Click Verify.
This process scans for missing or corrupted files and replaces them automatically.
4. Disable Antivirus or Add an Exception
Some antivirus programs mistakenly flag Easy Anti-Cheat as suspicious software.
Try this:
- Temporarily disable your antivirus and test launch the game.
- If it works, add the following to your antivirus exceptions list:
- The entire Chivalry 2 folder
- The EasyAntiCheat folder
Common antivirus programs known to interfere:
- Windows Defender (Controlled Folder Access)
- Avast
- AVG
- Bitdefender
Important: Re-enable antivirus protection after testing.
5. Run the Game as Administrator
Permission issues sometimes prevent Easy Anti-Cheat from creating required system files.
To fix this:
- Right-click the Chivalry 2 executable.
- Select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check Run this program as administrator.
- Click Apply.
Do the same for EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe.
6. Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat Completely
If repairs fail, a full reinstall may be required.
How to reinstall:
- Navigate to the EasyAntiCheat folder.
- Run EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe.
- Choose Uninstall.
- Restart your PC.
- Run the setup again and select Install.
This forces a completely clean configuration of the anti-cheat service.
7. Check for Windows Updates
Outdated system files, especially related to security updates, can interfere with Easy Anti-Cheat.
To update:
- Press Windows + I.
- Go to Update & Security.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install any available updates.
Restart your PC after installation.
Comparison Chart: Which Fix Should You Try First?
| Fix Method | Difficulty | Time Required | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair Easy Anti-Cheat | Very Easy | 2–3 minutes | High |
| Delete EasyAntiCheat.sys | Easy | 3–5 minutes | High |
| Verify Game Files | Very Easy | 5–10 minutes | Medium to High |
| Disable Antivirus | Easy | 5 minutes | Medium |
| Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat | Moderate | 10 minutes | Very High |
| Windows Update | Easy | Varies | Medium |
Best order to try: Repair → Delete .sys file → Verify files → Antivirus check → Full reinstall.
Why Error 30005 Keeps Coming Back
If the issue returns repeatedly, consider these deeper causes:
- Corrupted Windows system files (run sfc /scannow in Command Prompt)
- Faulty hard drive sectors
- Aggressive antivirus auto-quarantine settings
- Multiple games using conflicting EAC versions
You can also try:
- Clean booting Windows
- Reinstalling the game entirely
- Installing the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables
When to Contact Support
If you’ve tried every method above and still encounter Launch Error 30005, it may be time to:
- Send logs to Torn Banner Studios support
- Contact Epic or Steam support
- Review Windows Event Viewer logs for deeper system conflicts
Fortunately, in over 90% of cases, one of the earlier solutions resolves the issue.
Final Thoughts
Error 30005 in Chivalry 2 can look intimidating, but it’s usually a minor Easy Anti-Cheat hiccup. Whether caused by a corrupted driver file, blocked permissions, or antivirus interference, the fixes are straightforward and quick.
The key is to start simple: repair Easy Anti-Cheat first, then move to deleting the system file if necessary. Most players are back on the battlefield within minutes.
Now sharpen your blade, raise your shield, and charge back into the chaos—without that frustrating launch error standing in your way.