Image via EA

PC players report issue with antivirus software detecting malware in Apex Legends’ files

Avast Antivirus is reading an executable file as malicious.

Apex Legends PC players are complaining about an issue with Avast Antivirus that’s preventing the battle royale from launching.

Recommended Videos

One player aired out their frustrations in a Reddit post today, explaining that the antivirus program is detecting the executable file “r5apex.exe” as malicious after yesterday’s update.

The player assumes that the detection is a “false positive” and that the file is being incorrectly read as malicious, but they don’t know how to fix the issue.

Other players echoed similar sentiments, encountering the same issue after yesterday’s mysterious 700-megabyte update.

“My avast removed the r5apex.exe and the game wasn’t launching,” one player said. “The funny thing is that I couldn’t pinpoint the problem, I didn’t see that was the new updates’ fault.”

Respawn hasn’t acknowledged the issue, but fans who want to get back into Kings Canyon may need to try uninstalling Avast and redownloading the patch—at your own risk, of course.

Assuming Respawn hasn’t shipped out a virus to thousands of people’s computers, the issue will likely be fixed in the next update.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Leaks reportedly show off Apex’s newest map, and it’s soaked in neon 
Ash throwing her Tactical with Horizon running past in Apex Legends Launch trailer
Read Article Who is Alter in Apex Legends? All leaked abilities and lore
Wraith stands in front of a portal.
Read Article Team Liquid reportedly return to Apex Legends with instant ALGS contenders
The 2023 ALGS Trophy on the main stage.
Related Content
Read Article Leaks reportedly show off Apex’s newest map, and it’s soaked in neon 
Ash throwing her Tactical with Horizon running past in Apex Legends Launch trailer
Read Article Who is Alter in Apex Legends? All leaked abilities and lore
Wraith stands in front of a portal.
Read Article Team Liquid reportedly return to Apex Legends with instant ALGS contenders
The 2023 ALGS Trophy on the main stage.
Author
Andreas Stavropoulos
Staff writer for Dot Esports. Andreas is an avid gamer who left behind a career as a high school English teacher to transition into the gaming industry. Currently playing League, Apex, and VALORANT.