Call of Duty Warzone Error Code 0xC0000005: How to Fix It

Medium 30-90 minutes High Severity Verified June 2026
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Error Code
0xC0000005
Brand
Call of Duty Warzone
Product Type
game
Severity
High
DIY Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Fix Time
30-90 minutes
Error code 0xC0000005 in Call of Duty Warzone is an access violation crash, meaning the game tried to read or write to a memory address it was not allowed to access. This is most commonly triggered by third-party overlay software (like Discord, GeForce Experience, or MSI Afterburner) interfering with Warzone's memory, or by faulty, misconfigured, or overclocked RAM. The crash can happen at launch or mid-game, and while it looks alarming, it is usually fixable without professional help.
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Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code 0xC0000005

  1. Disable All Third-Party Overlays

    Do not skip disabling the Xbox Game Bar — it runs automatically on Windows 10/11 and is a frequent hidden offender.

  2. Run Warzone as Administrator

  3. Scan and Repair Game Files

  4. Update or Roll Back GPU Drivers

    Always create a Windows restore point before uninstalling or rolling back GPU drivers in case something goes wrong.

  5. Disable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)

  6. Test Your RAM for Errors

    Power off your PC completely and unplug it from the wall before physically handling RAM modules. Ground yourself by touching a metal surface to avoid static discharge damage.

  7. Adjust Virtual Memory (Page File) Settings

  8. Check for Windows Updates and Visual C++ Redistributables

  9. Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Check Exclusions

    Do not leave your antivirus disabled permanently. Re-enable it immediately after testing.

  10. Reinstall Warzone as a Last Resort

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When to Call a Professional

If MemTest86 confirms RAM errors across multiple test passes, your RAM module is physically defective and needs to be replaced — this is a straightforward hardware swap but requires purchasing compatible RAM. If the crash persists after all software steps and RAM tests are clean, the issue may be a failing GPU with deteriorating VRAM; in that case, consult a PC repair technician for GPU diagnostics. If you are uncomfortable handling hardware or making BIOS changes, a local PC repair shop can test your components safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Warzone error 0xC0000005 mean?
Error 0xC0000005 is a Windows access violation, which means the Warzone process tried to read or write to a memory address it did not have permission to access. In Warzone, this is most often caused by overlay software injecting into the game's memory space or by faulty or overclocked RAM causing unstable memory reads.
Why does Warzone keep crashing with 0xC0000005 even after reinstalling?
Reinstalling fixes corrupted game files but does not fix the underlying cause if it is hardware or system software related. If the crash continues after reinstalling, focus on disabling all overlays, testing your RAM with MemTest86, disabling XMP/EXPO overclocking in BIOS, and updating or rolling back your GPU drivers. The root cause is almost never the game installation itself.
Can Discord overlay really cause a Warzone crash?
Yes. Discord's in-game overlay hooks into the game process to render the overlay on top of the game. This memory injection can conflict with Warzone's anti-cheat or its own memory management, triggering an access violation crash. Disabling the Discord overlay is one of the first and most effective fixes for 0xC0000005.
Is error 0xC0000005 caused by a virus or malware?
Not typically in the context of Warzone. While 0xC0000005 can appear in malware-related contexts on Windows, when it occurs specifically during Warzone gameplay or launch it is almost always caused by overlay interference, driver conflicts, or RAM issues — not malware. That said, running a full antivirus scan to rule out malware is always a good precaution.
Will disabling XMP in BIOS fix the 0xC0000005 crash?
It can. XMP (Intel) and EXPO (AMD) are RAM overclocking profiles that push your memory beyond default JEDEC speeds. While these profiles are common and generally stable, they can cause instability in memory-intensive applications like Warzone, leading to access violations. Disabling XMP in your BIOS resets RAM to its base speed and is a safe way to test whether RAM instability is causing the crash. If the crash stops, you may need to manually fine-tune your XMP settings or run your RAM at stock speeds.

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