To fix most WARDOGS anti-cheat and launch errors, verify the game files in Steam, update your GPU drivers, then repair the Elytra anti-cheat from the WARDOGS install folder and restart your PC. If you are seeing WD-L020 specifically, Team17 has linked it to the Windows 11 preview update KB5124010, and rolling that update back may let you launch while a fix is prepared.
Everything below comes from Team17 Support’s pinned posts on the official Steam forums, in the order we would try it.
Which Errors This Covers
Team17’s pinned crashes thread lists the codes it is investigating: WD-L004, WD-L006, WD-L007, WD-L010, WD-L014 and WD-L020. These show up as crashes or as the game failing to launch. WARDOGS uses Elytra, a kernel-level anti-cheat, per the Steam store page, so many launch failures trace back to Elytra being blocked or damaged.
Step 1: The Quick Fixes
- Verify game files. In your Steam library, right-click WARDOGS, choose Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.
- Update your GPU drivers from NVIDIA or AMD.
- Repair Elytra. Open the WARDOGS installation folder, find the Elytra folder, run the Elytra setup and select Repair.
- Restart your PC after all three.
These are the least invasive steps on Team17’s list, so try them before changing any Windows security settings.
Step 2: Remove What Blocks the Anti-Cheat
If the error persists, Team17 recommends checking for software that interferes with Elytra:
- Make sure antivirus, firewall or Windows Security is not blocking WARDOGS or Elytra.
- Uninstall or disable Qemu Guest Agent or Dr.Web (or similar software) if installed.
- Turn off Memory Integrity: open Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details and switch Memory integrity off, then restart.
- If you run a Windows Insider build, move back to a standard build via Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Stop getting preview builds.
- Team17 notes that some players fixed it by disabling Windows virtualization features such as Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, WSL2 or Virtual Machine Platform.
Step 3: Stability Tweaks
For crashes after launch, Team17 also suggests:
- Disable CPU and GPU overclocks.
- Cap your max FPS at 60.
- Try a mobile hotspot to rule out a network problem.
- Confirm your PC meets the minimum spec: Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 590.
How to Fix WD-L020
Team17’s WD-L020 post says its preliminary investigation points to KB5124010, a September 22 preview update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. The team is working on a fix. If you would rather not wait:
- Open Start > Settings > Windows Update > Update history.
- Select Uninstall updates.
- Find KB5124010 and uninstall it, then restart.
Team17 presents the rollback as optional and at your own risk, so it is reasonable to wait for the official patch instead.
“The Anti-Cheat Service Refused the Game Executable”
This message has no official Team17 answer yet. Players on the Steam forums report fixing it by deleting the Elytra folder and its app data, then verifying the game files so Steam reinstalls it, and by closing other kernel anti-cheats such as Riot Vanguard before launching. Treat these as community workarounds; the official Elytra repair above is the safer first step.
Still Stuck
Post your error code in Team17’s pinned thread or contact Team17 Support, which also has a network troubleshooting guide for connection errors. Once you are in, our WARDOGS beginner guide covers the basics of the three-team format, and every other guide is on our WARDOGS guides hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WARDOGS need Secure Boot to launch? No. BULKHEAD says it does not currently require Secure Boot or a TPM, though it may add a requirement later. Our Steam Deck and Linux guide covers the details.
Why does WARDOGS crash on launch after a Windows update? If the error is WD-L020, Team17 has linked it to Windows 11 preview update KB5124010.
Can I play WARDOGS on Linux to avoid the anti-cheat? No. Linux is not officially supported, and Valve rates the game Unsupported on Steam Deck. The only other platforms announced are PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for 2028; see our console guide.
Will I be banned for repairing Elytra? No. Repairing Elytra is one of Team17’s own official troubleshooting steps.
The game launches but my controller does not work. Is that related? No, that is a separate issue. Our controller guide has Team17’s Steam Input steps.