Selff-protection failed. Error code: 4

[Cpl. Punishment™]

I just reinstalled the game after not playing it for a while, but when I try to boot it up it says "Self-protection failed. Error code: 4" and just closes. I reinstalled it, reinstalled my GPU drivers, run as admin, nothing works. Any help is appreciated.

[Jaunitta 🌸]

You may need to do several things as its a long time since launched.
Which windows by the way?
scan your computer for malware.

Rightclick KCD in Steam Library> properties>local files tab>verify gamefiles. See if that updates the files integrity.
Try
clicking ok as fast as you can after lauching game then maybe it will ignore the error for this launch.

Is cloud remote saves enabled? KCD propeties.
If not enabled just enable this time>then Steam sync should appear next to play.
Click on the sync download. Once downloaded disable cloud remote saves again if you dont want it.
If you see cloud mismatch select saves on the HDD.

Rightclick Steam desktop launcher and run as administrator.
Rightclick KCD in the Bin Win6 directory add to exceptions in firewall.
Restart your computer.

[Cpl. Punishment™]

Originally posted by Jaunitta 🌸:

You may need to do several things as its a long time since launched.
Which windows by the way?
scan your computer for malware.

Rightclick KCD in Steam Library> properties>local files tab>verify gamefiles. See if that updates the files integrity.
Try
clicking ok as fast as you can after lauching game then maybe it will ignore the error for this launch.

Is cloud remote saves enabled? KCD propeties.
If not enabled just enable this time>then Steam sync should appear next to play.
Click on the sync download. Once downloaded disable cloud remote saves again if you dont want it.
If you see cloud mismatch select saves on the HDD.

Rightclick Steam desktop launcher and run as administrator.
Rightclick KCD in the Bin Win6 directory add to exceptions in firewall.
Restart your computer.

I'm on windows 10. Unfortunately, everything you listed above has been done already. Still looking for sulutions at the moment.

[Bandy]

Mods from earlier play thru still installed? Disable/delete...

[Thermal Lance]

Reinstall but delete the folder too. Maybe you are getting shafted by leftover files of the previous install. Shouldn’t happen but it can happen.

[Cpl. Punishment™]

Originally posted by Bandy:

Mods from earlier play thru still installed? Disable/delete...

nope, I never installed any mods for that game...

[Cpl. Punishment™]

Originally posted by Thermal Lance:

Reinstall but delete the folder too. Maybe you are getting shafted by leftover files of the previous install. Shouldn’t happen but it can happen.

did that already, did not work unfortunately.

[Bandy]

Originally posted by Jean Combre Gay™:

... when I try to boot it up it says "Self-protection failed. Error code: 4" and just closes. ...

Did you google that error code?

https://www.reddit.com/r/CrackSupport/comments/q8d9bh/self_protection_failed_error_code_4/

Most other links suggest some conflict in windows rather than whatever game you try to play.

[wjpower2003]

Originally posted by Bandy:

Originally posted by Jean Combre Gay™:

... when I try to boot it up it says "Self-protection failed. Error code: 4" and just closes. ...

Did you google that error code?

https://www.reddit.com/r/CrackSupport/comments/q8d9bh/self_protection_failed_error_code_4/

Most other links suggest some conflict in windows rather than whatever game you try to play.

Apparently Google Search is a novel concept to some people even in 2022.

[Bandy]

From a different thread:

what fix mine [Error code: 4] was changing the audio jack, or just unplug the audio jack"

https://www.hoyolab.com/article/820265

And yes, troubleshooting skills are important to learn, don't count on being spoon fed...

[Cpl. Punishment™]

Originally posted by wjpower2003:

Originally posted by Bandy:

Did you google that error code?

https://www.reddit.com/r/CrackSupport/comments/q8d9bh/self_protection_failed_error_code_4/

Most other links suggest some conflict in windows rather than whatever game you try to play.

Apparently Google Search is a novel concept to some people even in 2022.

I have tried everything I found on google. Thanks for being an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ tho

[Bandy]

Originally posted by Jean Combre Gay™:

... I reinstalled it, reinstalled my GPU drivers, run as admin, nothing works. ...

That is all you said, what we have to go by. No mention of looking up the error code, any hardware specs (laptop maybe?) or hardware troubleshooting attempts.
So you have "tried everything", so far.

Disconnect all peripherals except KBM?
Try disconnecting the audio jack as google search revealed?
Disable all overlays and unnecessary background processes?
Uninstall nvidia experience? and leave uninstalled...
Have you tried a safe boot?

Basic steps, too many and many peculiar things to try. Nuclear option re-install windows. Good luck.