If you are trying to play Forza Horizon 6 on PC but can't because it crashes during startup where the game plays the logo sequence and intro videos, then crashes the second it transitions into the main menu or gameplay. Showing the Windows Event Viewer: Faulting application name: forzahorizon6.exe, version: 6.354.221.0. Faulting module name: unknown. Exception code: 0xc0000005. Fault offset: 0x0000000000000000 error message. This guide will show you how to fix it.

Takeaways:

  1. Can't launch Forza 6 because of Exception 0xc0000005 forzahorizon6.exe error.
  2. Why does the pirated version of Forza 6 work but not the legitimate version?

How to Fix Forza Horizon 6 Crash on Startup Logo Loop Fix Exception 0xc0000005 forzahorizon6.exe

This is one of the dumbest error messages you can get in a game as the pirated version that dropped before the official release works perfectly without any problems. Yet if you do the right thing and pay for the game you might not be able to play it because of this dumb error message. At this point in time you can try the fixes in this guide, however they are a little hit and miss so most people are going to have to wait for the patch to release.

Windows Event Viewer:
Faulting application name: forzahorizon6.exe, version: 6.354.221.0
Faulting module name: unknown
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x0000000000000000

This is an access violation error, meaning the game is trying to access invalid memory during initialization.

Verify Game Files

If the error happens and you aren't using mods or keeps happening after updating mods, the base game files may be the problem. If you have recently removed all of the mods you have installed you should do this as well.

  • On Steam, open your Library, access Forza 6 properties, and run the file verification tool.
  • It will take a while to complete.
  • Once it's done check to see if it worked.

Clean Reinstall GPU Drivers using DDU

Uninstall your Graphics Drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)

  • Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from its official site.
  • Download the latest stable driver for your GPU from Nvidia or AMD’s official website.
  • Disconnect your computer from the internet to prevent automatic driver updates during the process.
  • Run DDU and follow its instructions to fully remove your current GPU drivers.
  • Restart your system once the removal process completes.
  • Install the freshly downloaded GPU driver.
  • Restart your system and reconnect to the internet.
  • Launch Battlefield 6 to check if the issue has been fixed.

Repair or Install Visual C++ Redistributables

  • Install both x64 and x86 versions of:
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 to 2022 Redistributable

Note: If you can't be bothered trying to figure out which C++ files are missing you can find a bulk installer here.

Disable All Overlays and Injected Software

Turn off or fully exit:

  • Discord overlay
  • Steam overlay
  • GeForce Experience overlay
  • MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner

These tools inject into rendering pipelines and often cause crashes when the game switches from video playback to real time rendering.

Reset Shader Cache and Config Files

Delete or rename configuration folders in the following locations. While this might work there's it's a bit of a dice roll to be honest.

  • AppData
  • Documents

Also clear your GPU shader cache from NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin. This forces the game to rebuild shaders and initialization data cleanly.

Reinstall the Game

If nothing in this guide works you can reinstall the game though I probably wouldnt bother until the game gets patched to fix this error message. Alternatively you could refund it and grab the other version i mentioned earlier. Though that has it's own set of problems. No multiplayer and the potential for bans... Think wisely!