Palworld Guide

Getting Started Beginner

Palworld Unhandled Exception EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION Fix (1.0)

2026年7月19日 2 min read Updated 2026年7月29日

Key takeaways

  1. Palworld/Content/Paks/~mods/
  2. Palworld/Binaries/Win64/*.dll (any custom DLL files)
On this page

The EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION error is one of the most common crashes in Palworld 1.0. It occurs when the game tries to access memory it is not allowed to read or write. This is usually triggered by a conflict between the game engine, your GPU driver, or outdated mods. Here is how to fix it.

1. Disable Dynamic Global Illumination (Most Effective Fix)

This single setting change resolves the EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION crash for most players.

  1. Open %localappdata%/Pal/Saved/Config/Windows/Engine.ini
  2. Add the following line at the bottom: r.DynamicGlobalIlluminationMethod=0
  3. Save the file and restart Palworld

This disables the high-end lighting system that causes memory allocation conflicts on certain GPU configurations.

2. Remove Outdated Mods

Mods from early access are the second most common cause of access violations. Delete any mod files from:

  • Palworld/Content/Paks/~mods/
  • Palworld/Binaries/Win64/*.dll (any custom DLL files)

3. Update Graphics Drivers (Clean Install)

A clean GPU driver installation removes corrupted driver files that can cause access violations:

  1. Download DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)
  2. Boot into Safe Mode
  3. Run DDU to remove the current driver completely
  4. Install the latest stable driver from NVIDIA or AMD

4. Reduce Graphics Settings

If the crash happens during gameplay (not launch), reduce these settings:

  • Set Shadows to Medium or Low
  • Disable Ambient Occlusion
  • Reduce View Distance by one tier
  • Cap FPS at 60

5. Verify Game Files

  • Steam: Right-click Palworld → Properties → Installed Files → Verify
  • Xbox/Game Pass: Select Palworld → Manage → Files → Verify and repair

6. Increase Virtual Memory

If your system has limited RAM, increasing the Windows pagefile can prevent access violations:

  1. Windows Settings → System → About → Advanced system settings
  2. Performance → Settings → Advanced → Virtual memory → Change
  3. Set a custom size of 1.5x your RAM (e.g., 16GB RAM = 24GB pagefile)

7. Intel 13th/14th Gen CPU Fix

If you have an Intel Core i9-13900K, 13900KF, 14900K, or 14900KF, this crash may be caused by CPU instability:

  • Update your motherboard BIOS to the latest version
  • Reduce maximum turbo frequency using Intel XTU or BIOS settings
  • Disable ASUS MultiCore Enhancement if available

FAQ

Will this crash corrupt my save?

Usually no. The exception crash prevents the game from writing to disk, so your save should be intact.

Does this happen on Xbox/Game Pass too?

Less frequently. The crash is more common on Steam due to differences in how the game handles memory allocation between platforms.

Related guides: Crash on Launch Fix | Black Screen Fix | Best PC Settings

Use these tools next

Quick answers

What are the key points in “Palworld Unhandled Exception EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION Fix (1.0)”?

Palworld/Content/Paks/~mods/ Palworld/Binaries/Win64/*.dll (any custom DLL files)

Who is this guide for?

This is a Beginner Palworld 1.0 guide. Start here if you need clear next steps from “Palworld Unhandled Exception EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION Fix (1.0)” without wading through patch-note fluff.

Is this updated for Palworld 1.0?

Yes — this page was last updated 2026年7月29日 and targets the Palworld 1.0 systems covered in the article.

More guides