Fix CreateService failed with 32 error in Easy Anti-Cheat. Learn how to resolve it for popular games like Fortnite, iRacing, and more on PC.
If you’re trying to launch a popular game like Fortnite, iRacing, or a title on Steam or the Epic Games Launcher, and suddenly face the CreateService failed with 32 error, you’re not alone. This error often appears with Error Code 30005: CreateFile failed with 32 and is typically tied to the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system used to prevent cheating in competitive online games.
Games using Easy Anti-Cheat include Fortnite, iRacing, Apex Legends, and many more. Whether you’re using Steam download, Epic Games, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience to enhance performance, understanding the cause of this issue and fixing it is essential for uninterrupted gameplay.
This guide explains everything you need to know about CreateService failed with 32, including what causes it, how to fix it, and how to reinstall or uninstall Easy Anti-Cheat using tools like easyanticheat_setup.exe.
What is the Anti-Cheat File 32?
The term “Anti-Cheat File 32” is not a literal file name. Instead, it refers to a system-level file conflict in Windows involving the Easy Anti-Cheat component, particularly the file EasyAntiCheat.sys. When the game attempts to launch and Easy Anti-Cheat tries to register a service using this file, it encounters a failure because another process is locking it. This lock results in the CreateService failed with 32 or CreateFile failed with 32 error.
This issue often appears when launching Fortnite or iRacing, especially through the Epic Games Launcher or Steam. Even if you’ve completed the Easy Anti-Cheat install, this error can still surface if something interferes with the EasyAntiCheat.sys file.
Antivirus programs, corrupted installs, or even tools like Discord, RGB controller software, or crashpad_handler.exe may cause EAC to fail. Understanding how Easy Anti-Cheat interacts with your system will help in resolving this error.
What Does CreateFile Failed with 32 Mean?
CreateFile failed with 32 is a low-level Windows API error indicating that a file cannot be accessed because it is in use by another process. For Easy Anti-Cheat, this typically means it tried to access or initialize EasyAntiCheat.sys, but it was blocked.
This issue may arise due to antivirus software falsely flagging Easy Anti-Cheat, or due to a previously failed game launch that left the file in a locked state. If you’re getting this error in Fortnite, the system is likely blocking the EAC CreateService failed with 32 registration process.
Since Easy Anti-Cheat validates the game at launch, even temporary access issues or improper shutdowns can result in this file error. Users of NVIDIA optimization tools or those who modify system drivers should take extra care, as driver signature enforcement can sometimes affect EAC’s ability to start.
What Causes Create File Failed with 32 Error?
The underlying causes of this error span across several system-level and software-level conflicts. In games like Fortnite or iRacing, this can prevent you from launching entirely.
One of the most common causes is an antivirus or Windows Defender conflict, which may mistakenly identify Easy Anti-Cheat as a security risk and block it. If you’re seeing Easy Anti-Cheat not installed Fortnite or the easy anti cheat setup not opening, chances are it’s being blocked or corrupted.
Another reason is a corrupted EasyAntiCheat.sys file, typically found in the game installation folder under the EasyAntiCheat or EasyAntiCheat_EOS subdirectory. If your game previously crashed or the system restarted during launch, this file might be damaged.
A lesser-known but impactful cause is Kernel-mode Hardware-Enforced Stack Protection, a Windows 11 security feature that can block EAC. While it helps protect against malicious drivers, it can interfere with trusted applications. If enabled, you may see the error during Fortnite launch or any EAC-protected game.
Modifying game files, using trainers or cheat tools, or closing the Epic Games Launcher or Steam abruptly may also contribute to the error.
Can I Manually Install Easy Anti-Cheat?
Yes, manual installation is not only possible but often necessary. If you’re facing the CreateService failed with 32 error, one of the most reliable fixes is to download Easy Anti-Cheat again and run the installer manually.
To manually install Easy Anti-Cheat, first navigate to your game’s folder. For Fortnite, this would typically be in the Epic Games directory. For iRacing or other Steam games, browse your Steam download path.
Inside the game folder, open the EasyAntiCheat subfolder and locate easyanticheat_setup.exe. If you’re using the Epic Games Launcher, go to Local Files > Browse, and then find the EasyAntiCheat setup tool.
Double-click to run the installer. If you can’t open the file (i.e., easy anti cheat eos setup not opening), make sure it isn’t blocked by your antivirus or open it as administrator.
From the installer, select your game from the dropdown menu and click Install. If the service is already installed, click Repair Service. This will usually resolve the CreateService error by properly registering the service with Windows.
For detailed official instructions and support, you can visit the Easy Anti-Cheat Installer Guide for step-by-step help.
Can You Uninstall Anti-Cheat?
Yes, Easy Anti-Cheat can be uninstalled, but with consequences. If you remove it, games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and iRacing will refuse to launch. They require the EAC service to run in the background to validate files and protect against cheating.
However, if you’re troubleshooting persistent launch errors like Easy Anti-Cheat not working or CreateService failed with 32 fix, uninstalling and reinstalling EAC is a common method.
Uninstalling is simple. Open the easyanticheat_setup.exe, choose the appropriate game, and select Uninstall. This will unregister the service and remove relevant files.
You can then proceed to install it again cleanly. Make sure to disable antivirus or firewall during the installation to avoid setup corruption. You can also perform this process after a clean boot for better success.
How Do I Uninstall and Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat?
To fix persistent issues, a complete uninstall and reinstall of Easy Anti-Cheat is recommended. This applies to most games using EAC, including Fortnite, iRacing, and Steam-based titles.
To uninstall:
Close all running game launchers such as Steam, Epic Games Launcher, and any overlay programs like Discord or MSI Afterburner.
Go to the game installation directory and launch easyanticheat_setup.exe. Click Uninstall to remove the current EAC instance.
To reinstall:
Open the same easyanticheat_setup.exe tool again. Select your game and click Install Easy Anti-Cheat.
Reboot your system. This ensures any background lock on EasyAntiCheat.sys is cleared and the service is registered correctly.
If easy anti cheat setup not opening, try running it in compatibility mode or use Task Manager to ensure no conflicting process is locking access. Use services.msc to confirm that the EAC service is running after installation.
Fixing CreateService Failed with 32 and Error Code 30005
If you’ve reached this point, it’s time to follow a full troubleshooting sequence to fix this error:
Delete the EasyAntiCheat.sys file from the game directory. This forces the game to regenerate the file correctly.
If deletion fails, open Task Manager, locate Easy Anti-Cheat, and End Task.
Temporarily disable Windows Defender or your third-party antivirus. Attempt to run the game again. If successful, add EAC to your allowlist.
Open Windows Security > Device Security > Core Isolation, and turn off Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection. Restart your PC.
Verify and repair game files using Steam or the Epic Games Launcher. Corrupted game files are a known cause of CreateService failures.
Ensure the EAC service is running. Open services.msc, locate EasyAntiCheat, and start it manually if it’s stopped.
Uninstall and reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat using the setup tool. Always restart the PC between uninstall and reinstall steps.
If you’re using hardware from NVIDIA or third-party tools that interact with GPU settings, like NVIDIA Control Panel or GeForce Experience, try disabling them temporarily.
Final Thoughts: How to Prevent CreateService Failed with 32 in the Future
Preventing this error from recurring comes down to system hygiene and regular updates.
Always install Easy Anti-Cheat as administrator. Avoid forcibly shutting down your PC while a game is loading.
Keep Steam, Epic Games Launcher, and Windows updated. Many launch failures are tied to outdated dependencies.
Avoid tampering with game files or using cheat software. Even after removal, residual data can cause Easy Anti-Cheat error 30005.
Make sure antivirus software is set up to allow Easy Anti-Cheat operations. This includes setting allowlists in Windows Defender or other third-party apps.
Don’t ignore system-level features. If you’re on Windows 11 and experience frequent issues, consider turning off features like Core Isolation or Driver Signature Enforcement temporarily to test for compatibility.
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