If you are trying to play Helldivers 2 but constantly keep getting “GameGuard Error Code 120” this is an anti-cheat startup failure error message. There's a lot of reasons this might happen, even if you aren't cheating. Most of the time it's some kind of software conflict, but it can also happen after updates, mods, corrupted anti-cheat files, incomplete installations, damaged local data, permission issues, missing Windows components, or interference from antivirus software, firewalls, overlays, or monitoring tools. Basically anything can cause it to break...

Takeaways:

  1. What's causing Helldivers 2 GameGuard error “GameGuard Error Code 120”
  2. Learn how to fix “GameGuard Error Code 120” in Helldivers 2

How to Fix GameGuard Initialize Error Code 120 in Helldivers 2

Since anything can cause this problem, there are a lot of different fixes you can use to solve it. If you're cheating you can leave right now because this guide won't help you by pass the error. So for the honorable players you can get started below.

Delete Helldivers 2 Local AppData Files

Depending on what you have been doing you might have some corrupted files on your system. So clear the cache and see if the problem goes away.

  • Press Windows + R
  • Type %appdata% and press Enter
  • Open the Roaming folder
  • Delete any folder related to Helldivers or Helldivers 2
  • Go back to AppData
  • Open the Local folder
  • Delete any Helldivers or Helldivers 2 folder if present

  • Restart your PC
  • Launch the game again

Verify Game Files in Steam

Since this is a super quick and easy fix go ahead and do it right now. It's the best way to fix most random game problems. Especially if you have been fooling around with game files.

  • Open Steam
  • Go to Library
  • Right-click Helldivers 2
  • Select Properties
  • Open Installed Files
  • Click Verify integrity of game files
  • Wait for the process to complete, then restart Steam and try again.

Reinstall GameGuard and Allow It Through Security Software

GameGuard files may be blocked or corrupted so reinstall it.

  • Close the game and Steam
  • Go to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Helldivers 2
  • Delete the GameGuard folder
  • Launch the game to reinstall it automatically
  • Then open Windows Security or your antivirus
  • Add the Helldivers 2 folder to exclusions
  • Allow both Helldivers 2 and GameGuard through Firewall
  • Check quarantine history for blocked files
  • Restart your PC and test again.

Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

Surprisingly these annyoing Windows files are used by a lot of things so make sure you have the right ones and that they are working. You can find a bulk installer here.

  • Press Windows + R
  • Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter
  • Find Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable entries
  • Right-click each one
  • Select Change, then Repair

Note: If Repair is not available, uninstall and reinstall the latest x64 and x86 versions from Microsoft
Restart your PC afterward

Disable Conflicting Software

Overlay and monitoring tools can block GameGuard. Close everything that you do not need to have running. This includes things live Rainmeter as well as all the usual game overlays etc.

  • Temporarily disable or close
  • MSI Afterburner
  • RivaTuner Statistics Server
  • Discord overlay
  • NVIDIA overlay
  • Other performance or injection tools

Reinstall Helldivers 2

If nothing else here has worked just go ahead and clean install the game again. There's no point fighting with any more drama. Just make sure you delete any of the left over game files before you clean install it again.