Edited May 7, 2026 EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION Exception code: 0xc00 : Exception EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION(0xC0000005) EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION(0xC0000005) EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION_0xC0000005_ 3221225477 UNDERSTAND THIS PARAGRAPH before YOU READ ANY FURTHER: -->IMPORTANT NOTE: If the mem leak is code, you will NOT get the error every time at the very start of the game. Will seem random after play starts. Players cannot fix.<-- -->Always submit the crash reporter. Crashes with the QR code enabled greatly assists the devs to find and fix. Next, add to any Issue Council Reports to increase awareness. Optionally Submit a support ticket with log file https://support.robertsspaceindustries.com/hc/en-us/requests/new<-- IF YOU HAVE ABOVE CONDITION WHERE GAME CRASHES AFTER ENTERING THE 3D GAME DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. Submit the Crash reporter or your log file into the Issue Council. Otherwise: --->Crash every time you start before entering the game is covered below:---- Seems to happen mostly on Intel Machines. Based on frequency reported in #helpdesk-volunteers DDR5, USB devices and pcores make up the majority of these error reports. More recently- Need to Update C++ libraries. Spectrum: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/3/thread/solved-exception-access-violation-0xc0000005/ https://compfreakstars.blogspot.com/2011/11/0xc0000005-error-every-day-many.html OS Causes: Windows 10 or 11 versions N, K, KN, Preview, Educational or Insider. Preview and Insider freezes Windows updates or installs DLLs incompatible with Star Citizen. For some installing VC++ Redistribution x32 and x64 will solve temporarily. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170 Graphics Driver: For a VERY VERY few people rollbacks should be tested (rare.) TEST MEMORY: Run CMD Type: mdsched <ENTER> SOLUTIONS: o Disconnect Webcam and software. o Afterburner? Uninstall. o Overwolf? Uninstall. o Gremlin? Uninstall o Remove overlays. o Make sure Windows updates are current. Click CHECK. WARNING: PREVIEW or INSIDER showing updated is expected and will not fix. REMOVE INSIDER. o Drivers updated including MB CHIPSET, LAN, AUDIO (from mainboard manufacturer only.) o Unplug/test/re-detect USB devices. If controller: Driver AND/OR Back up the file: \USER\Client\0\Profiles\default\actionmaps.xml and delete. When you start the game new default binds will be built. o Windows installation may be corrupted or incomplete. ->Request the DISM/FSC procedures to test and fix. o INTEL CPU: Disable ecores (lasso utility.) Sync all p-cores (do not disable) and and put the core ratio at 52 (ratio untested.) o Overclocking especially memory. o SYSTEM MEMORY: SC is most stable no faster than 3200 clock on the SYSRAM. Can be up to 3800 non-XMP (EOCP or DOCP). DDR5 4000 or more is problematic. If default clock or downclock does not solve then it's a DIMM compatibility issue NOT a RAM clock issue (all other causes eliminated.) The DDR5 highest clock you can use is based on the quality and compatibility of the DIMMs for the Mainboard. Use only factory tested RAM listed for your Mainboard from the web site (esp DDR5.) o Mismatched memory DIMM clocks: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/51473/thread/exception-exception-access-violation-0xc0000005-is/6388392 o Do NOT disable the Windows Pagefile even on 64GB. Set to System Managed. 16Mb systems consult helpdesk for a solution. o Other unproven solutions (use at your own risk): - "increase cpu voltage by changing CPU Vcore Loadline Calibration to a higher setting" - "increase CPU VCore Current Protection" - "Do not use Intel Extreme Tuning Utility or Ai Assisted optimization." Game Code memory leaks: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/264471 "If the end of the allocation is overwritten, the guard bytes change and PageHeap cause an Access Violation error when the memory is freed. If the application reads or writes past the allocation (including the guard bytes), it incurs an instant Access Violation error."