ARC Raiders Launch Failures: The Complete Fix Guide for ARAU0107, Crashes, Stuttering, and Certificate Errors

What's Your Error? Quick Diagnostic Table

Match what you see to the most likely cause and jump straight to the fix.

TL;DR: The Universal Fix Order

If you don't want to diagnose, run through these in order. This fixes 95% of cases.

1. Update Graphics Drivers Cleanly: Don't just update. Use DDU in Safe Mode to wipe, then install the latest stable driver from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel. This is the #1 fix.
2. Install Visual C++ Runtimes: Get the all-in-one pack from Microsoft. Non-negotiable.
3. Verify Game Files: On Steam or Epic. Let it redownload anything corrupt.
4. Disable Overlays & Conflicting Software: Turn off Discord, Xbox Game Bar, MSI Afterburner, and GeForce Experience overlays. Disable non-essential startup apps.
5. Run as Administrator: Run the game executable directly as admin once to bypass permission hiccups.
6. Clear Config Files: Delete the ARC Raiders folder in %LOCALAPPDATA%. The game will regenerate clean ones.

If you're still stuck, your specific error is in the deep-dive fixes below.

The Complete Fix List (Grouped by Root Cause)

Fix #1: The Graphics Driver Nuclear Option (For: Crashes, Stuttering, Certificate Errors)

When this applies: Instant crash on launch, black screen then close, universal stuttering, or "certificate check failed" after a short playtime. Especially critical for NVIDIA 531.x, 545.x, 550, and 560 driver branches.

Your driver isn't just for graphics. It hooks deep into the game and anti-cheat. A corrupted install causes memory violations that Easy Anti-Cheat reads as tampering, triggering certificate and crash errors.

1. Download the latest Game Ready Driver (NVIDIA) or Adrenalin Edition (AMD) from the manufacturer's site. Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from Guru3D.
2. Boot Windows into Safe Mode. (Search "msconfig" → Boot tab → check "Safe boot" → Network).
3. Run DDU. Select your GPU type (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel) and click "Clean and restart".
4. After the reboot, install the driver you downloaded. Choose "Custom Installation" and check "Perform a clean install".
5. Restart normally. Test the game.

Fix #2: Install the Missing Runtimes (For: Launch Error, Instant Crash)

When this applies: Game fails to start with no error, or crashes during the initial splash screen. A core dependency is missing.

ARC Raiders needs specific Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables. Steam/Epic sometimes miss them.

1. Download the Visual C++ Redistributable All-in-One package from a trusted source like TechPowerUp. This installs every version from 2005 to 2022.
2. Run the installer as administrator. It will silently install/repair all versions.
3. Restart your PC. This ensures all runtime libraries are properly registered.

Fix #3: Verify & Repair Game Files (For: Corrupted Files Detected, General Instability)

When this applies: Steam/Epic reports corrupted files, or you have random crashes after updates.

On Steam:

1. Right-click ARC Raiders in your Library > Properties > Installed Files.
2. Click "Verify integrity of game files".
3. Let it complete and redownload any missing/corrupt files.

On Epic Games Store:

1. Click the three dots (...) next to ARC Raiders in your Library.
2. Click "Manage" > "Verify".
3. Let the scan complete.

Fix #4: Configure Firewall & Antivirus (For: ARAU0107, Online Connection Errors)

When this applies: You get the ARAU0107 error specifically, or the game can't connect after launching.

Your security software is blocking the game's connection to its servers. You need to add exceptions.

For Windows Defender Firewall:

1. Search for "Windows Defender Firewall" and open it.
2. Click "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall."
3. Click "Change settings", then "Allow another app...".
4. Browse to your ARC Raiders install folder. Add both:

• Steam\steamapps\common\ARC Raiders\ARC Raiders.exe
• Steam\steamapps\common\ARC Raiders\EasyAntiCheat\EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe

(For Epic, find the game in Epic Games\ARC Raiders)

1. Ensure both Private and Public network boxes are checked. Click OK.

For Third-Party Antivirus (Norton, McAfee, etc.):

Temporarily disable it completely to test. If the game works, add the same .exe files to its exclusion/allow list. Do not just rely on disabling it once.

Fix #5: Clear Launcher & Config Data (For: Launcher Freeze, ARAU0107, Settings-Related Crashes)

When this applies: Launcher freezes on loading wheel, ARAU0107 persists after firewall fix, or game crashes due to bad settings (like DLSS).

Corrupted local configs in %LOCALAPPDATA% survive reinstalls. Deleting them forces a fresh start.

1. Close the game and launcher completely.
2. Press Win + R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%, and press Enter.
3. Find the folder named ARC Raiders or Pioneer Games. Right-click it and Delete.
4. (Optional, for Steam): Also delete the appcache folder in Steam\steamapps\common\ARC Raiders if it exists.
5. Relaunch the game. It will create new, default config files.

Fix #6: Repair Easy Anti-Cheat (For: EAC Failed to Install, Certificate Errors, Crashes)

When this applies: You see an EAC installer error on launch, or "certificate check failed".

The EAC service is corrupted or not installed correctly for your user.

1. Navigate to your game's install folder, then go to EasyAntiCheat.
2. Run EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe as Administrator.
3. Select "ARC Raiders" from the dropdown list.
4. Click "Repair Service".
5. Restart your PC and try the game.

Fix #7: Force Dedicated GPU & Correct Display Mode (For: Severe Stuttering, Game Launches in Background)

When this applies: Game runs but stutters unbearably, or the window seems to be behind other windows. Crucial for laptops with NVIDIA Optimus/AMD Switchable Graphics.

The game is running on your integrated GPU or in a broken borderless window state.

1. Force Dedicated GPU (NVIDIA):

• Right-click desktop > NVIDIA Control Panel.
• Manage 3D settings > Program Settings.
• Add ARC Raiders.exe. Select "High-performance NVIDIA processor".
• Set "Power management mode" to "Prefer maximum performance".

1. Force Dedicated GPU (AMD):

• Right-click desktop > AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
• Graphics > Graphics Settings > Add Game.
• Find ARC Raiders.exe and set Graphics Profile to "Gaming" or "High Performance".

1. Fix Display Mode:

• After clearing configs (Fix #5), launch the game.
• Immediately go to Settings > Video/Graphics.
• Change Display Mode from "Borderless Window" or "Windowed" to "Fullscreen Exclusive".
• Apply and restart the game if prompted.

Fix #8: Disable All Overlays & Background Apps (For: Random Crashes, Instability)

When this applies: Crashes that seem random, especially after the main menu loads. Conflicts with software that injects into the game process.

Overlays hook into the game like cheat software. Anti-cheat or the game engine itself can crash because of it.

• Discord: Settings > Overlay > Disable "Enable in-game overlay".
• Xbox Game Bar: Windows Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar > Turn it Off.
• Steam Overlay: Steam Library > ARC Raiders Properties > General > Uncheck "Enable the Steam Overlay".
• NVIDIA GeForce Experience: Open GeForce Experience > Settings (gear icon) > General > Toggle off "In-Game Overlay".
• MSI Afterburner/RivaTuner: Exit them completely from the system tray.

Also, do a clean boot: Press Win + R, type msconfig, go to Services, check "Hide all Microsoft services", then "Disable all". Go to Startup > Open Task Manager and disable all startup items. Restart. Test the game. This isolates software conflict.

Error Code & Symptom Deep Dive

ARAU0107 "Online Connection Error"

This happens after the launcher freezes and you force-close it, or sometimes on a normal launch. It means the game client can't phone home to the servers after initializing.

• Primary Fix: It's almost always Fix #4 (Firewall). You must add the exceptions.
• Secondary Fix: If firewall rules are correct, it's Fix #5 (Clear Config Data). Corrupted network or login tokens in %LOCALAPPDATA% cause this.
• Check Your Clock: Go to Windows Date & Time settings and ensure "Set time automatically" is ON. A wrong system time breaks secure connections.

Launcher Freeze (Spinning Wheel, No Game)

The ARC Raiders launcher process deadlocks waiting for a resource.

• Primary Fix: Fix #5 (Clear Config Data). This is the most direct solution.
• Secondary Fix: Fix #8 (Disable Overlays). An overlay trying to hook the launcher can freeze it.
• Manual Launch: As a test, navigate to the game folder and try running ARC Raiders.exe as Administrator. If the game runs, the issue is purely with the launcher handoff.

"Certificate Check Failed" & EAC Installer Errors

Easy Anti-Cheat's kernel driver fails its integrity check. This is often triggered by driver issues.

• Primary Fix: Fix #1 (Clean GPU Driver). This is the root cause in most cases.
• Must-Do Follow-up: Fix #6 (Repair EAC Service) after the driver reinstall.
• Run as Admin: Always ensure the game and launcher have necessary permissions.

Instant Crash on Launch / Black Screen Crash

The game engine hits a fatal error during initialization, often related to graphics API calls.

• Step 1: Fix #1 (Clean GPU Driver).
• Step 2: Fix #2 (Install VC++ Runtimes).
• Step 3: Fix #8 (Disable Overlays). MSI Afterburner is a common culprit here.
• DLSS-Specific Crash: If you suspect DLSS, use Fix #5 (Clear Config Data) to reset graphics settings to default, disabling DLSS.

Universal Stuttering & Background Window

The game is not running in a proper fullscreen state, causing Windows Desktop Manager to cripple its performance.

• For Laptops: Fix #7 (Force Dedicated GPU) is mandatory. Your system is likely using the weak integrated GPU.
• For All PCs: Fix #7 (Set to Fullscreen Exclusive) is critical. Borderless window is broken for many.
• Also Check: In Windows Power Options, select the "High Performance" plan.

Platform Specifics: Steam vs. Epic Games Store

The fixes are 95% the same, but the launch environment differs.

• File Paths:
• Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ARC Raiders\
• Epic: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\ARC Raiders\
• Launcher Behavior: Steam has its own overlay and launch protocol. Epic uses its own client hooks. If you have issues on one platform, try the other (if you own it there) to isolate the problem to the game vs. the platform.
• Overlays: Disable both Steam Overlay and Epic Games Overlay independently via their respective client settings.
• Verifying Files: Use each client's built-in tool (see Fix #3). They check different manifests.

FAQ: Quick Hits

Q: Do I really need to use DDU? Can't I just update normally?

A: For these specific errors, yes. A standard update leaves old, conflicting files that cause the anti-cheat and certificate issues. DDU gives you a truly clean slate.

Q: My game was working yesterday and now it's not. What changed?

A: Windows Update likely installed a new GPU driver in the background, or a game patch introduced a new conflict. Roll back your driver via Device Manager or perform a clean install with DDU.

Q: Is it safe to add the game to my firewall/antivirus exclude list?

A: Yes, as long as you downloaded the game from an official store (Steam/Epic). You are allowing it to communicate with its official servers.

Q: I have an AMD/Intel GPU, not NVIDIA. Are these fixes still relevant?

A: Absolutely. The driver conflict cause is universal. Use the AMD/Intel-specific steps in Fix #1 and Fix #7.

Q: None of this works. What's the last resort?

A: Perform a clean Windows install on a separate drive or partition if possible. This eliminates every possible software conflict. If it still fails on a fresh OS with only drivers and the game installed, the issue is likely with your specific hardware configuration, which is rare.