The “Integrity Error 0x8000002 – Apex Badware Detected” is a recurring issue that blocks some players from starting Apex Legends. It occurs when the game’s Easy Anti-Cheat system detects external programs or tools that may appear to interfere with its security checks. While this detection system is designed to maintain fair play, it can sometimes misinterpret ordinary background applications as threats.
Software that interacts with the system or game files often triggers this alert. Virtual drive tools such as Daemon Tools Lite, game overlays from Discord or NVIDIA GeForce Experience, and controller mapping utilities like DS4Windows are common examples. Other programs, including AutoHotkey, MSI Afterburner, and unused modding tools, may also prompt the same response.
How to Fix Badware Detected Error in Apex Legends?
Players can start by performing a system restart and then launching Apex Legends with administrator privileges. This action refreshes temporary files and grants the game sufficient access to essential resources.
Next, turn off overlay programs in Discord, Steam, and NVIDIA GeForce Experience, as these can conflict with the game’s security tool.
If problems continue, verify the integrity of the game files.
| Platform | Steps |
|---|---|
| Steam | Right-click Apex Legends → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files |
| EA App | Open Game Settings → Repair |
For repeated errors, uninstall Daemon Tools and restart the PC. Many players have fixed the issue by removing this software entirely.
When the error persists, open the Easy Anti-Cheat setup file, select Repair Service, and let it finish restoring the anti-cheat system.
If none of these steps work, contacting EA Support with account details and an image of the message can help isolate remaining conflicts quickly.
