Experiencing the dreaded “0xC0000005” error while trying to delve into the Sierra Madre in Fallout: New Vegas’ “Dead Money” DLC? This frustrating issue, often manifesting as an “ntdll.dll” error, can halt your progress and leave you wondering what went wrong. While the error message itself points to “ntdll.dll”, the “Faulting Application” is frequently innocent, making it difficult to pinpoint the true cause. If you’ve encountered this crash, especially after recent system updates or while trying to run heavily modded setups for your “Dead Money” playthrough, you’re not alone. Let’s explore potential solutions to get you back to the haunting casinos and ghostly holograms of the Sierra Madre.
One of the first things to consider is whether recent changes to your system are contributing to the problem. Think back to any updates installed since your last successful Fallout: New Vegas session. Windows updates, while essential for security, can sometimes introduce unforeseen conflicts with older games or specific configurations. Similarly, although you might have antivirus software running, it’s crucial to perform thorough scans from multiple reputable sources to rule out malware infections. These infections can interfere with game processes and trigger errors like 0xC0000005. Several free online virus scanners are available to help you with this, though be aware they may offer their paid services after the initial scan.
A common workaround for this type of error, especially in modded games like Fallout: New Vegas, involves adjusting Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Windows Defender Exploit Guard (WDEG) settings. Specifically for NVSE (New Vegas Script Extender), which is often essential for running mods, including those that enhance or alter the “Dead Money” experience, these system features might interfere with its proper loading. For detailed instructions on how to exclude Fallout NV from DEP and configure WDEG, consult the ‘Solutions to Starting the game problems‘ section within the comprehensive “Fallout NV Mod Conflict Troubleshooting” wiki article. This resource is invaluable for diagnosing and resolving various launch and stability issues in Fallout: New Vegas, particularly when dealing with mods that might affect your “Dead Money” gameplay.
Background applications can also be silent culprits behind game crashes. Programs like antivirus or anti-malware software, even if generally helpful, can sometimes become overly aggressive and interfere with game processes. If you primarily play Fallout: New Vegas, especially “Dead Money”, in offline mode after ensuring your system is clean, temporarily disabling these programs can help determine if they are the source of the conflict. Similarly, overlays from multiplayer applications such as OverWolf, or even the Steam overlay itself, can sometimes cause instability in single-player games like Fallout: New Vegas. Try disabling these temporarily to see if it resolves the 0xC0000005 error and allows you to return to the Sierra Madre. Furthermore, “Game Booster” tools can assist in identifying and temporarily shutting down unnecessary Windows services that might be contributing to the problem, especially when playing offline.
Modding is a significant part of the Fallout: New Vegas experience, and while mods can greatly enhance your “Dead Money” playthrough with new content, bug fixes, or graphical improvements, they can also be a source of instability. Recent changes to your mod setup, such as updating existing mods or adding new ones, or even alterations to your load order, could have introduced conflicts or corrupted your current save game. If the 0xC0000005 error appeared after mod adjustments, try reverting to a save game from before the issue started. A helpful diagnostic step is to start a completely new game with a vanilla character (no mods active). If the error disappears in a clean game, it strongly suggests a mod conflict or load order issue within your modded “Dead Money” setup is to blame.
Finally, the location where Fallout: New Vegas is installed can surprisingly impact its stability. If your game is installed within the “C:Program Files” or “C:Program Files (x86)” directory, a relic of older default Steam installation behavior, it can lead to permissions issues and conflicts, especially with system updates. While disabling User Account Control (UAC) and running the game as Administrator might seem like solutions, they are often insufficient to address the underlying problems associated with these protected system folders. Relocating your Fallout: New Vegas installation outside of these directories, as detailed in the wiki article “Installing Games on Windows Vista+“, is highly recommended. This article explains why installing games in these default locations is problematic and provides instructions on how to move your installation correctly. While it might seem like a significant undertaking, moving your game installation is a crucial step in preventing future issues and ensuring a smoother, more stable experience, not just for “Dead Money” but for your entire Fallout: New Vegas modding journey. For guidance on returning your game to a clean, unmodded state, refer to the ‘Restoring to “Vanilla”‘ section of the “FNV General Mod Use Advice” wiki article.
Encountering the 0xC0000005 error can be a roadblock in your exploration of the Sierra Madre and the captivating “Dead Money” storyline. By systematically working through these troubleshooting steps, from checking for system updates and malware to examining mod conflicts and installation locations, you can significantly increase your chances of resolving the error and returning to the treasures and terrors that await in the Fallout: New Vegas wasteland.
