ARK: Survival Ascended, the remake of the popular ARK: Survival Evolved, marks a new era in survival gaming. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, this visually stunning world was released recently, and it allows players to explore, tame, and thrive in a prehistoric paradise with a modern look and feel. However, as with any game, challenges emerge, and one common hurdle is the EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION fatal error that many have reported encountering. So, in this article, we’ll look into this error and see if there is any fix available to help you overcome this issue and get back to your next-gen adventure in ARK: Survival Ascended.
Errors like EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION are not uncommon in the world of gaming, and they’ve been plaguing players for some time. Unfortunately, this new iteration of the Ark series, ARK: Survival Ascended, is not immune to this error. With that being said, if you are encountering this error, the next thing you would want to know is a fix. Well, keep reading for more details.
ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA) EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION Fatal Error: Is there any fix yet
While there might not be an official fix provided by the developers at this point, it’s important to remember that the EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error is not entirely new. Players have been discussing this issue, sharing their experiences, and collectively working on potential fixes. So, we have gathered some of these community-driven solutions that you can try to mitigate the error and get back to your adventure in ARK: Survival Ascended.
Restart and Run as Admin
The first thing to do is, obviously, restart the game and your PC. Before launching it again, give the game administrator privileges. Starting the game with administrative privileges can help resolve some permission-related errors. To do this, right-click on the ARK: Survival Ascended game’s executable file. Select the “Run as administrator” option from the context menu. Launch the game and see if the error persists.
Check System Requirements
ARK: Survival Ascended features cutting-edge graphics, and it’s essential to ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements to run the game smoothly. If your PC falls short of these requirements, it can result in errors like EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION. Compare the requirements with your PC’s specifications to identify any potential mismatches. If your system doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, the only option you have is to upgrade your hardware. Here is the list featuring the system requirements of ASA:
- OS: Windows 10/11 with updates
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, NVIDIA GeForce 1080
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 70 GB available space
- Additional Notes: SSD Required
Update GPU Drivers and Run on Dedicated GPU
Outdated GPU drivers can lead to performance issues, and switching to a dedicated GPU can improve performance. These steps help ensure your hardware is optimized for ARK: Survival Ascended and hopefully mitigate this issue. So, visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest GPU drivers. Also, make sure that your system is using the dedicated GPU for running the game. Just type “Graphics” in the Windows search box to open the Graphics Settings menu, and from the list of installed programs that appear, select Ark Survival Ascended and set it to “High Performance”.
Use -dx12/-dx11 Launch Options
Modifying DirectX settings via launch options can resolve compatibility issues. The “-dx12” and “-dx11” commands allow you to switch between DirectX versions. If you are not familiar with these launch options and how to use them, don’t worry! Just follow the steps given below:
- Launch Steam and access your Library.
- Right-click on ARK: Survival Ascended and select “Properties”.
- In the Properties window, go to the “General” tab.
- Find the “Launch options” section and enter either “-dx11” or “-dx12” in the provided text box.
After this, launch the game. - If the issue persists, remove the entered command and replace it with the alternative command (“-dx12” or “-dx11”), and launch the game again.
Lower the Resolution to 1080p from the In-Game Options
Reducing the in-game resolution can alleviate strain on your system, potentially resolving issues like this, as it did in the case of this player. So, if you are able to launch the game, head over to the in-game Settings menu. Navigate to the Graphics or Display settings and lower the Resolution to 1080p. Apply the changes and check if the error is resolved.
Minimize All Settings and set FPS Cap to 30
Lowering in-game settings and adding an FPS cap seems to have resolved the error for some players. The workaround is pretty self-explanatory. Within the game’s settings, reduce the Graphics Quality preset to Low/Medium. After that, set the FPS cap to 30 or your preferred value in the in-game settings.
Use the sfc/scannow Command
The System File Checker (sfc/scannow) command scans and repairs corrupted system files that could affect game performance, including fixing the EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error. To do this, open the command prompt as an administrator (search “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click, and select “Run as administrator”). Now, in the CMD window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. After that, just follow the on-screen prompts as the command scans and repairs system files. After the scan is completed, launch the game and check whether the issue persists.
Antivirus Whitelist/Exclusion
Third-party antivirus software is notorious for interfering with the game files, leading to errors like this. Adding ARK: Survival Ascended to the whitelist or exclusion list ensures the game runs without interference. So, open your third-party antivirus software and locate the settings related to exclusions or whitelists. After this, add ARK: Survival Ascended’s executable file to the list by heading to the game’s installation directory.
Verify the Files via Steam
Steam’s file verification feature checks for and repairs corrupted game files, helping resolve issues like this. To verify the game files, in your Steam library, right-click on ARK: Survival Ascended. Go to Properties, and in the Installed Files tab, select the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” option.
Reinstall the game
As a last resort, you can try uninstalling the game altogether and reinstalling a fresh copy, preferably on an SSD. The idea is that perhaps a clean installation will get rid of this issue.
Contact Support and Wait for an Official Fix
If none of the previous workarounds resolve the issue, it’s advisable to reach out to the game’s official support team for assistance. They may be able to better assist you with the issues you are facing in the game. And finally, who knows? Maybe the developers will release an update in the future resolving these issues, so keep an eye out for any official updates.
Well, those are all the workarounds you can try to get past the exception access violation fatal error in Ark Survival Ascended. Remember, they are still just potential fixes and may not work for everyone. Anyway, if you found this guide helpful, do visit DigiStatement regularly for more such gaming reads. Read more: Cities Skylines 2 (II) Screen Flickering Issue: Is there any fix yet
