Hunt: Showdown Won't Launch With an "Untrusted System File" Error? Work Through These in Order

The Hunt: Showdown message “Easy anti-cheat error, Untrusted system file” means Easy Anti-Cheat rejected something in the launch environment. That does not automatically mean the game files are malicious. A damaged certificate, blocked service, overlay, permission issue, or version mismatch can trigger the same message.

Restore the launch chain

Start with a full restart of the game and computer. Then launch the game executable with administrator rights. Install pending updates for Hunt: Showdown and Windows before testing again.

Next, repair the files through Steam. Open the game's Properties, choose Installed Files, and run Verify Integrity. This replaces missing or damaged files that EAC needs. If the error remains, use the Easy Anti-Cheat repair utility in the installation folder. You can also remove the EAC certificate folder and run file verification again so it is rebuilt.

Check that the EasyAntiCheat service is enabled in Windows Services. Disable overlays such as NVIDIA GeForce Experience temporarily, and close software that injects into or records the game process. If antivirus software is blocking EAC, test briefly with it disabled, then create an exception and turn protection back on.

Do not begin with a complete reinstall. Permission, update, verification, and EAC repair steps usually identify the problem with less disruption. Once Hunt launches, deal separately with in-match ping or packet loss. GearUP can optimize that network route, but it cannot repair an anti-cheat installation.

Confirm the repair before moving on

After each step, launch Hunt: Showdown once and record whether the exact “Untrusted system file” message changes. If verification repairs files and the game starts, stop there. If the message changes to another EAC error, that is useful evidence that the first issue was repaired and a second condition remains.

Do not delete arbitrary files from the installation directory. The EAC certificate-folder step should be followed by official file verification so the platform restores the expected files. Likewise, do not leave antivirus or firewall protection disabled after testing. A precise exception is safer and easier to undo.

When the error returns after a successful launch

Check whether an overlay, capture tool, hardware monitor, or mod loader starts with Windows. Disable one item at a time. Confirm the EasyAntiCheat service is running and that Hunt: Showdown and Windows are on supported current versions. If the error occurs only on one Windows account, compare permissions and security policy rather than reinstalling the entire game.

Network tools should come later. GearUP may help ping or packet loss once you are inside a match, but it cannot make an untrusted file trusted. Keep launch integrity, account access, and network quality as separate troubleshooting tracks.

Confirm each repair before escalating

After every change, launch Hunt: Showdown once and record the exact message. If file verification repairs the game and it launches, stop. If the message changes from “Untrusted system file” to another EAC error, that is evidence that the first layer was repaired and a second issue remains.

Do not delete arbitrary files. The certificate-folder step must be followed by official verification so the platform restores the expected content. Do not leave antivirus or firewall disabled after testing. Create a precise exception and restore protection.

If the error returns, check startup overlays, capture tools, hardware monitors, and mod loaders one at a time. Confirm the EasyAntiCheat service is running and that Windows and the game are current. A problem limited to one Windows account may indicate permissions or security policy rather than corrupted game files.

Network optimization belongs after launch integrity is restored. GearUP can address Hunt: Showdown ping or packet loss in a match, but it cannot make an untrusted system file pass EAC.