If Helldivers 2 shows GameGuard error 116 when you launch it, first close any duplicate game or GameGuard processes, restart your PC if needed, and try launching Helldivers 2 by itself. nProtect classifies codes 116 and 117 under its duplicate-execution policy, but its guidance is general: the way that policy works can vary by game, so these checks are sensible first steps—not a guaranteed Helldivers 2-specific fix.
What Error 116 means
nProtect lists GameGuard errors 116 and 117 in its duplicate-execution guidance. The code alone does not show that a Helldivers 2 file is damaged. The vendor says behavior can depend on whether a game implements the policy, which game is launched first, and how many simultaneous copies are permitted. Read nProtect’s GameGuard FAQ.
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Arrowhead Technical Director Peter Lindgren described GameGuard as scanning running processes for malicious software and attempting to block software from manipulating the game client in a January 23, 2024 post. That description explains the component’s stated role; it does not identify the cause of error 116.
Try these checks in order
1. Close duplicate game or GameGuard sessions
- Exit Helldivers 2 and close any other game that may use GameGuard.
- Check that another copy of Helldivers 2 is not still running.
- Relaunch Steam and start Helldivers 2 by itself.
This follows nProtect’s duplicate-execution guidance. It does not mean another game must be running for the error to occur.
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2. Restart the PC and test Helldivers 2 alone
If the error remains, restart your PC, open Steam, and launch only Helldivers 2. A restart is a practical way to clear a lingering session before testing again.
3. If you run multiple GameGuard-protected games, change the launch order
nProtect says execution order can affect simultaneous running when a game’s policy permits it. If you were trying to run more than one GameGuard-protected game, close them and test Helldivers 2 first; if you need both, try changing which one launches first. The number of allowed simultaneous copies depends on the game.
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How Steam verification and Firewall history fits
Arrowhead’s patch 1.000.11 notes historical fixes involving GameGuard and Steam’s “verify integrity” step, as well as GameGuard and Windows Firewall. The note does not say either issue causes error 116 or establish a current problem. See Arrowhead’s patch 1.000.11 notes.
If you are already troubleshooting Steam files, use Steam’s own verification option rather than deleting configuration files. Do not disable Windows Firewall or other security protection as a workaround; the historical patch note is not a recommendation to do so.
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Should you delete a settings file?
A Reddit user has described a settings-file workaround, but that is an individual report, not an official or validated general fix. View the community report. Do not start by deleting configuration data: try the duplicate-session and launch-order checks first, and use official support if the error continues.
When to contact support
If the basic checks do not help, Arrowhead provides a support request route through its support center. nProtect says ERL files are GameGuard logs and asks users with unresolved issues to send them for investigation; follow the current instructions from the appropriate official support channel. Do not post private log contents publicly. nProtect’s FAQ explains its ERL logs.
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