Helldivers 2 crash in crs-handler.exe (npggNT64.des), causes ONLY the Steam client to lose network access

[MrPlowjoy]

Something bizarre is going on and it been seen across my group intermittently but just had it again.

During a mission, I get binned out and dropped back onto my ship with a network connection failure message.

Checking the PC, the network connection is fine. Checking the Steam client, "No Connection" across the bottom of the client and the friends menu shows the same.

Checking Event Viewer, this is what coincides.....

Faulting application name: crs-handler.exe, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x6527450d
Faulting module name: npggNT64.des, version: 2024.2.22.1, time stamp: 0x65dd4964
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x0000000000006f10
Faulting process id: 0x0x1CE4
Faulting application start time: 0x0x1DA8C3EBAA338A7
Faulting application path: **\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Helldivers 2\bin\crs-handler.exe
Faulting module path: **\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Helldivers 2\bin\GameGuard\npggNT64.des
Report Id: 3fdcd91a-e10f-44e2-81e2-1c3ab6662347
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID

The Steam client reestablishes network automatically after about perhaps 40-50 seconds. No need to reboot or restart the Steam client.

As mentioned, it's not only my PC. Anyone else in our group, when it happens, sees the exact same behaviour.

[Froggychair]

this has been happening to me for weeks now, i dont understand these faulting error messages you wrote but its not just you :P i just wanna play the game but it wont let me lmao

[ThePenetrator]

Hey man,
So i have done some digging, So this file looks like its use for lots of games.

But long story short on HellDivers also, I had mates on PS5s saying that i wasnt logged online (PC), but yet, i could see them online, While being logged on....
Ive got an enterprise network here at home, I Double checked everythingm VLANS, firewalls, the DNS server ... lost hours, then the light bulb went dingg..... AntiVirus.

Did a quick audit of my system, and found that some random executable (crs-handler.exe) had be placed in a "Low Restricted" execution group.
This group restricts what an exe/batch file/etc can perform autonomously. Just incase it was an info stealer that had your Selfie it just took from your webcam, with your session tokens, and credit cards.... and stops it from beaming that stuff into the internet. Or in my case... my bloody online presence.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now regarding to your post... mann we live in a world of AI - Grasp it, wield it fellow diver! Mines prettty brainwahed with Powerpolcies and Powershell comands but he does good at XML output too:

1. Key Elements of the Log:

Faulting Application: crs-handler.exe
Associated with the game Helldivers 2.
Faulting Module: npggNT64.des
Likely related to GameGuard, an anti-cheat software.
Exception Code: 0xc0000005
Indicates an access violation. The program tried to read or write to a protected memory location.
Fault Offset: 0x0000000000006f10
Specifies the location of the error within the module npggNT64.des.

2. Potential Faulting Causes:

Conflict with Anti-Cheat (GameGuard):

npggNT64.des is part of GameGuard, which has a history of causing crashes due to conflicts with:
Antivirus software (false positives).
Overlays (e.g., Steam Overlay, Discord Overlay).
Modifications or tools interacting with the game. - (Process Lasso*** if youre running it (might reduce crs-handlers state to idle if youre running Probalance to keep Microsofts army of **** running in the background at bay)
Faulty Update or Corrupted Files:

The version of npggNT64.des (2024.2.22.1) might be corrupted or not compatible with the current system configuration.
Verify integrity through Steam.
Insufficient Permissions:

GameGuard or crs-handler.exe might not have adequate permissions to operate, causing access violations.
Memory Issues:

Exception code 0xc0000005 could also indicate:
Bad RAM.
Virtual memory allocation errors.
Overclocking or instability in the system.
Third-Party Software Interference:

Background applications like MSI Afterburner, antivirus tools, or other system tweaks can interfere with GameGuard.

So have a quick look in your antivirus, maybe do a database Integrety check through steam first before allowing that file exemption from these and any system.

All the best

[MrPlowjoy]

Originally posted by ThePenetrator:

Hey man,
So i have done some digging, So this file looks like its use for lots of games.

But long story short on HellDivers also, I had mates on PS5s saying that i wasnt logged online (PC), but yet, i could see them online, While being logged on....
Ive got an enterprise network here at home, I Double checked everythingm VLANS, firewalls, the DNS server ... lost hours, then the light bulb went dingg..... AntiVirus.

Did a quick audit of my system, and found that some random executable (crs-handler.exe) had be placed in a "Low Restricted" execution group.
This group restricts what an exe/batch file/etc can perform autonomously. Just incase it was an info stealer that had your Selfie it just took from your webcam, with your session tokens, and credit cards.... and stops it from beaming that stuff into the internet. Or in my case... my bloody online presence.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now regarding to your post... mann we live in a work of AI - Grasp it, wield it fellow diver! Mines prettty brainwahed with Powerpolcies and Powershell comands but he does good at XML output too:

1. Key Elements of the Log:

Faulting Application: crs-handler.exe
Associated with the game Helldivers 2.
Faulting Module: npggNT64.des
Likely related to GameGuard, an anti-cheat software.
Exception Code: 0xc0000005
Indicates an access violation. The program tried to read or write to a protected memory location.
Fault Offset: 0x0000000000006f10
Specifies the location of the error within the module npggNT64.des.

2. Potential Faulting Causes:

Conflict with Anti-Cheat (GameGuard):

npggNT64.des is part of GameGuard, which has a history of causing crashes due to conflicts with:
Antivirus software (false positives).
Overlays (e.g., Steam Overlay, Discord Overlay).
Modifications or tools interacting with the game. - (Process Lasso*** if youre running it (might reduce crs-handlers state to idle if youre running Probalance to keep Microsofts army of **** running in the background at bay)
Faulty Update or Corrupted Files:

The version of npggNT64.des (2024.2.22.1) might be corrupted or not compatible with the current system configuration.
Verify integrity through Steam.
Insufficient Permissions:

GameGuard or crs-handler.exe might not have adequate permissions to operate, causing access violations.
Memory Issues:

Exception code 0xc0000005 could also indicate:
Bad RAM.
Virtual memory allocation errors.
Overclocking or instability in the system.
Third-Party Software Interference:

Background applications like MSI Afterburner, antivirus tools, or other system tweaks can interfere with GameGuard.

So have a quick look in your antivirus, maybe do a database Integrety check through steam first before allowing that file exemption from these and any system.

All the best

Interestingly, I found that whilst Malwarebytes was active, the game lost about 20-30fps. Closing Malwarebytes immediately got that performance back, so I've dropped MB and moved to just Windows Defender and since then, not a single crash or issue of this nature.

Could be coincidence, given they've been patching the game but I'm as happy as I can be with the game no longer crashing now.

[ThePenetrator]

Perfect, love it when you find fixes to things aye, its a good feeling. Also another thing ive just picked up on:

" Indicates an access violation. The program tried to read or write to a protected memory location. "

Might be related to "Memory integrity" setting under > Core Isolation > Windows Security. I have turned mine off as it causes problems with my system and all the stuff i have installed.

Best of luck, happy diving brother