This error is likely caused by Easy Anti-cheat software not being recognised by the game. You may experience this error if your installation wasn't completed or your antivirus/firewall was blocking it from running properly.
In order to resolve this issue please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Locate the Easy Anti-Cheat Folder:
- Open Steam and navigate to your game library.
- Right-click on Warhammer 40.000: Speed Freeks and select "Browse Local Files."
- Find and open the "Easy Anti-Cheat" folder.
- In the "Easy Anti-Cheat" folder, locate the EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe file.
- Right-click on EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe and select "Run as Administrator."
- In the EAC Setup window, press "Repair Service."
- Uninstall the EAC Service.
Step 2: Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat:
- Close any open instances of the game.
- Launch the game again through Steam.
- You should be prompted to install Easy Anti-Cheat.
- Follow the prompts from the EAC installer program and press "Install."
- Ensure you approve any installation or security prompts that appear.
- After installation, attempt to restart the game again.
Step 3: Additionally if the above steps don't help resolve the error:
Verify Game Files:
- Right-click on Warhammer 40.000: Speed Freeks in your Steam library. (do it again if you've proceeded with the above steps)
- Select "Properties," go to the "Installed Files" tab, and click "Verify Integrity of Game Files."
Check Firewall/Antivirus Settings:
Firewalls and antivirus programs should be configured to allow both the game and Easy Anti-Cheat as exceptions, since they could be preventing the Anti-Cheat or the game from working properly.
Add the following as exceptions in your antivirus/Firewall :
- SpeedFreeks.exe (located in the main installation folder)
- SpeedFreeksClient-Win64-Shipping.exe (path can be found via the error message)
- start_protected_game.exe (located in the main installation folder)
After completing these steps, please try running the game again.