If you are trying to play WARDOGS but can't seem to get the game to launch because of an Anti-Cheat error saying, "The anti-cheat service refused the game executable,” it means that something on your computer is either corrupted or causing Anti-Cheat to think that you are trying to cheat. It's quite common for false positives, so don't freak out too much, and work your way through the steps shown in this guide.

Takeaways:

  1. Is it possible that “The Anti-Cheat Service Refused the Game Executable” in WARDOGS is a false positive?
  2. What other software on my computer could be causing an Anti-Cheat error in WARDOGS?

Close Other Anti-Cheat Software

The easiest fix is to close other anti-cheat programs before starting WARDOGS. If you have VALORANT installed, Riot Vanguard is probably causing WARDOGS to fail to launch.

  • Check the notification area on the right side of the Windows taskbar.
  • Click the arrow to show hidden icons.
  • Right-click the Riot Vanguard icon.
  • Select Exit Vanguard.
  • Close any other anti-cheat software that is running.
  • Restart your PC, then fire up WARDOGS again through Steam.

Note: FACEIT Anti-Cheat has also been reported as a possible source of conflict. If you have FACEIT or another game with kernel-level anti-cheat installed, temporarily close or uninstall its anti-cheat and restart Windows before testing WARDOGS.

Verify WARDOGS Game Files

This is one of those steps that you should take whenever you have issues with a game. Especially games that you have been modding or games that have Anti-Cheat software.

  • Open Steam.
  • Go to Library.
  • Right-click WARDOGS.
  • Select Properties.
  • Open Installed Files.
  • Click Verify integrity of game files.
  • Wait for Steam to complete the process.
  • Restart Steam and launch WARDOGS.
  • Several players have reported that verifying the game files resolved the error.

How to Fix WARDOGS The Anti Cheat Service Refused the Game Executable Error

Reinstall WARDOGS and Restart your Computer

If verifying the game files didn't work, it's time to clean install the game on your computer. And don't be lazy and skip restarting between uninstalling and reinstalling. This is a really important step!

  • Uninstall WARDOGS through Steam.
  • Restart your PC.
  • Reinstall WARDOGS.
  • Allow the anti-cheat installation to finish completely.
  • Launch the game directly through Steam.

Delete the Elytra Anti-Cheat Files

It's not a very likely fix, but a few people have mentioned that deleting the Elytra folder and then verifying the game files works on some devices.

  • First, close Steam and WARDOGS.
  • Find the WARDOGS installation folder and look for the Elytra folder.
  • Delete the anti-cheat folder, then open Steam and run Verify integrity of game files.

Some people have also deleted the WARDOGS AppData folder before verifying the files and launching the game again. Only delete files associated with WARDOGS or its anti-cheat.

Do not remove Windows system files or unrelated anti-cheat drivers!

Update Windows, your drivers, and BIOS

It's probably not going to do much, but make sure Windows and your BIOS are fully up to date. Once you have done that, you might as well clean install your graphics drivers as well. I suggest using DDU for that since it gives you a completely clean slate.

  • Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).
  • Download the latest stable GPU drivers from:
  • Disconnect your PC from the internet.
  • Run DDU and completely remove your graphics drivers.
  • Restart your system.
  • Install the latest GPU driver.
  • Restart again and reconnect to the internet.