Arc Raiders "PROHIBITED SOFTWARE" error: the BakkesMod fix

gaming arc-raiders anti-cheat windows troubleshooting

If Arc Raiders launches and then immediately closes with a “PROHIBITED SOFTWARE” message and a code like ARAV1011 or ARAV8011, you are not banned and your install is not broken. Something already running on your PC is tripping the anti-cheat. Here is what changed and how to get back into the game.

The error

Since the 1.33.0 update on June 16, Arc Raiders boots, hangs for a moment, and then exits to desktop with:

PROHIBITED SOFTWARE

A disallowed tool was detected running in the system. (ARAV1011)

The exact code varies - some players see ARAV8011 or other ARAVxxxx codes instead. The cause and fix are the same.

The wave of reports came mostly from Linux players, but Windows players got hit too - I did, on Windows. Ironically, my Linux machine (CachyOS) kept launching the game just fine through the same update.

The cause: an injector (BakkesMod)

The 1.33.0 update tightened the anti-cheat’s scan for “prohibited software” - tools that were tolerated before now trip it. On my Windows machine the culprit turned out to be BakkesMod, the Rocket League mod tool, sitting in the background.

BakkesMod runs by injecting into a game process. Anti-cheats are deeply suspicious of anything that injects, so the stricter check flags it as a disallowed tool the moment it is running - regardless of which game you are actually trying to play.

The fix

Close BakkesMod completely, then launch Arc Raiders:

  1. Quit BakkesMod from its window, and check the system tray for a lingering icon.
  2. Open Task Manager and confirm no BakkesMod.exe process is still running; end it if it is.
  3. Start Arc Raiders. The error should be gone.

If you run other injector- or overlay-based tools (RGB software, macro tools, third-party overlays), close those too - any of them can trigger the same check.

Not running BakkesMod?

The same error can be caused by any tool that injects into processes or hooks into running games. Many of these start silently with Windows and sit in the background. Common culprits include:

  • Overlay tools - Discord overlay, Medal, third-party FPS counters
  • RGB / peripheral software - iCUE, Synapse, Armory Crate, SignalRGB
  • Macro or automation tools - AutoHotkey scripts, mouse/keyboard macro suites
  • Other game mods - ReShade, Special K, Vortex with injection-based plugins

Check your system tray and Task Manager → Startup for anything that auto-launches. Disable suspects one at a time and relaunch Arc Raiders until the error stops - that narrows it down to the specific tool.

FAQ

Did I get banned?

No. The ARAVxxxx codes are pre-launch prohibited-software checks, not bans. Close the flagged tool and you can play again immediately.

Why did this start on June 16?

The Arc Raiders 1.33.0 update made the anti-cheat stricter. Injector-style tools that slipped past before now get flagged.

I’m on Linux and still get this error - what now?

I can’t give a verified Linux fix: my own CachyOS install was never affected, even on 1.33.0. The same principle is the place to start, though - shut down any injector or overlay tools running alongside the game and relaunch.