This issue is caused by third-party antivirus software blocking Easy Anti-Cheat launch, which prevents the game from launching.
Troubleshooting:
This issue mainly affects Avast and Norton Security users, but may also appear when using other antivirus programs. Please let us know if you experience this error and use a different antivirus.
In the case of Avast Antivirus, setting up basic security exceptions for Gray Zone Warfare executables and Easy Anti-Cheat executables should resolve the issue.
How to create exceptions in Avast: https://support.avast.com/en-us/article/antivirus-scan-exclusions/#pc
The exceptions should be created for the following files:
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Gray Zone Warfare\GZW\Binaries\Win64\GZWClientSteam-Win64-Shipping
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Gray Zone Warfare\GZWClientEAC
- C:\Program Files (x86)\EasyAntiCheat_EOS\EasyAntiCheat_EOS.exe
Norton AntiVirus users may need to set additional exceptions inside the app. In addition to creating the Antivirus Exclusion, players might need to disable Behavioral Protection to prevent Norton 360 from blocking the Easy Anti-Cheat.
How to disable Behavioral Protection:
- Open Norton 360
- Go to Security
- Navigate to Advanced
- Disable Behavioral Protection
How to create an exclusion in Antivirus settings:
- Open Norton 360
- Go to Security
- Navigate to Advanced
- Select Antivirus
- Open Exclusions
- Click on Add
- Add this path to the list of exclusions: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Gray Zone Warfare\*